Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

PROGRAM INFORMATION

Does CJC have a paralegal program? 

No, but Community College Denver offers a paralegal program.  However, be aware that paralegal courses rarely transfer into MSU Denver's CJC program.

Where do we direct pre-law advising?   

In order to be accepted to a law school, students must earn a baccalaureate degree. While the undergraduate degree does not matter, the criminal justice program is excellent preparation for law school as it offers many law related courses. Many CJC graduates go on to law school and subsequently engage in the practice law.

Does the department have a POST-certification program?

No, MSU Denver does not. Students may call Red Rocks Comm. College, Aurora Community College and/or Arapahoe Community College.

Is there an emphasis area or minor required for the CJC degree?

Yes, most current and all new CJC majors are required to have a minor. The only exception is for those students who are on the pre-2007 curriculum.         

Does MSU Denver/CJC have a Cadet programs?

No, MSU Denver or CJC does not have a cadet program. However, the City and County of Denver does have a cadet program through the Office of the Manager of Safety. Contact information is (720) 913-3578, Website: www.denver.gov. Students are employed through the City & County of Denver for this program. Other police departments, county sheriffs and municipalities or county governments may offer a similar program, but these are volunteers, generally.

Does MSU Denver have a Masters (i.e. Graduate) program?

There is no current Masters program in Criminal Justice and Criminology at MSU Denver.  However MSU Denver does have masters/graduate programs in selected areas such as Social Work, Teaching and Accounting. For a criminal justice related graduate class students can contact the Graduate School of Public Affairs, University of Colorado—Downtown Campus at (303) 315-2228, Website www.ucdenver.edu.

Does CJC have Homeland Security/Terrorism classes?

MSU Denver/CJC will be offering a brand new Federal Law Enforcement and Terrorism class beginning Fall 2013.

Who is in charge of CJC correspondence classes?  

The Extended Campus office organizes the correspondence classes for MSU Denver.  To register and obtain other information on correspondence class, please contact the office at (303)721-1313.

Can I complete my CJC degree online?

Not entirely.  Research Methods in Criminal Justice, CJC 2020, is a required class and is not offered online. Most of the other required CJC courses are available online but on a rotational basis and are not guaranteed every semester.

GRADES and CLASSES

Can I substitute a course for a required course? 

While there may be unique circumstances for individual students, the general response is that no substitutions are available for MSU Denver/CJC offered courses for a required course in the major.  However for transfer students, a course with comparable content from another institution may substitute for a CJC required course. This requires a CAPP adjustment form with the Chair’s signature. The process recommended requires students to speak with an advisor to obtain a favorable recommendation and to complete the form to forward to the Chair with a CAPP report and/or an explanation for seeking the substitution. Occasionally the CJC department undergoes a curriculum change where some courses are no longer offered and new courses are introduced. See below for the current list of approved course substitutions.

Approved Course Substitution List 2013 ( 83 KB)

If a CJC major gets a “D” in a required class; does the student have to repeat the class?

As of Fall 2012 a "D" is no longer a passing grade in the CJC Department. If the "D" was received prior to Fall 2012 it will still count, but it will lower the GPA. The required minimum GPA for a CJC Major is 2.0.

Does the CJC Department use the +/- grade system?

No, as of Fall 2012 the CJC Department voted to not utilize the +/- grade system. Therefore, only whole grades are submitted to the academic record.

How do students obtain an internship?

Students must register and comply with requirements of The Internship Center. The Internship Center is located at 1045 Ninth Street Park. The CJC department has an Internship Coordinator who assists students in obtaining and developing internships. Meet with a CJC advisor for more information.

If a class for which a student seeks to register has no seats, is there a wait list or/and  how can I enroll for the class?

A wait list is now in place for all CJC classes that are at maximum capacity. You must click on the CRN to register like normal and that will place you on the wait list. The wait list is supposed to generate an email to the first student on the list when a seat becomes available. That student has an allotted time-frame to register before the next student on the list becomes triggered. It is the student's responsibility to utilize MSU Denver email for all official correspondence.

What is an individualized Degree Program?

The Individualized Degree Program offers students the opportunity to design a major or a minor to meet their specific educational goals when those goals cannot be met by majors and minors currently offered by MSU Denver. Each student works closely with an advisor in the Center for Individualized Learning and a faculty mentor to design a coherent program of study to meet the student’s specific educational objectives. Each student's proposed program shall be approved by the department chair from which the majority of credit is drawn and by the dean of the appropriate School. All requirements for any bachelor's degree from the college apply. Either a bachelor of arts or a bachelor of science degree in Individualized Studies may be sought. Specific information and assistance is available from the Center for Individualized Learning at 303-556-8342, Central Classroom 106. See page 46 of this Catalog for more information.

SCHOLARSHIPS

Does the CJC Department have Scholarships available?

The Department has limited scholarship money. Monies for scholarships are available through the MSU Denver Foundation. Information is available from the Scholarship Center, Website: http://www.msudenver.edu/financialaid/ Telephone Number: (303) 556-6384.

ADVISING

To Whom do students direct forensic and Criminalistics questions?

Forensics and Criminalistics questions should be directed to the Chemistry department 303-556-2610.  

How many credit hours are required for a major in criminal justice?

The CJC major requires 48 credits that contribute to the 120 required total credit hours for the baccalaureate degree. There are multiple active CJC curriculums and it is the student's responsibility to meet with an advisor about the specifics of their curriculum.

Where can students receive information on the LSAT (Law School Admissions Test)?

Students may visit the website: www.lsac.org or call 1-215-968-1001 or contact the Pre-Law Society through the Political Science Department.

How should I verify my graduation status?

The Office of the Registrar Graduation Services is located in the Student Success Building. Feel free to visit to submit your current graduation application, or discuss your degree status and commencement activities. They are also responsible for making approved adjustments to students’ CAPP reports, perform the final degree checks, prepare for the fall and spring commencement ceremonies, and distribute diplomas.

Will an advisor run a CAPP report for me? 

Faculty will provide students with a CAPP report; however, sometimes faculty may choose to use an appropriate advising sheet with a check off for courses taken or in progress.  Either method will provide a benefit for students. Students and faculty must make certain that there is sufficient time to explain the CAPP report or the advising sheet thoroughly and completely for accuracy in advising. Students are encouraged to seek academic advising at least once a semester prior to registration for the following semester and to check on academic progress and status.

 When does registration begin?

To register for classes, a student must have a Registration Permit. Availability of permits is based on student hours completed and/or transferred into MSU Denver and are found on ConnectU. For further information log onto the MSU Denver website:  www.msudenver.edu. Typically course options/catalog will be released about 2 weeks prior to when registration begins (approximately the middle of each semester).

Does the CJC Department recommend a minor for the CJC major?

The Department makes no formal recommendation but students may choose their own minor based on interest, convenience and career goals.  Some minors students have include the social sciences—Sociology, Psychology, Political Science—History, Criminalistics, Management as well as others from the School of Business, English writing minor, Spanish among others.   

Does the CJC Department require a specific math class?

The Department does not require a specific math class for any prerequisites but students are required to complete the Quantitative Literacy portion of the General Studies requirement within their first 30 credits. To view the approved General Studies classes see the MSU Denver Catalog  through the MSU Denver website www.msudenver.edu.

What is the process to recommend to a transfer student with criminal justice courses accepted but not placed in the major or category?

Transfer students who have taken criminal justice courses at other institutions may find courses with a CJC prefix on their transfer evaluation or on a CAPP report. If there is no equivalency listed for transfer courses then the student must see a CJC faculty advisor as soon as possible for guidance. Students should be prepared with a course description or other adequate explanation for the course and suggestions with rationale for an equivalency CJC course.

I took two courses with the same course number:

Is there a sequence of courses for students to follow as they go through the CJC academic program?   

The sequence of courses depends on whether the student is a full-time student, a transfer or native student as well as other factors. The general recommendation is to take a variety of courses from the various categories, i.e., major, minor, general studies, to satisfy the degree requirements and to have a balance of courses throughout the curriculum as progress is made toward graduation. However, there are some requirements to be aware of such as certain general studies courses need to be completed within the first 30-45 credit hours. Also within your major or minor there may be some pre-requisites necessary in order to advance throughout the curriculum. You may meet with an advisor to work out a typical "4-year plan."

GENERAL QUESTIONS

I'm unhappy about my professor, where can I make a complaint?

First, if possible, please try to resolve any complaints and/or dissatisfaction directly with the staff or faculty member. If you feel resolution is not possible at the lowest levels, then you may proceed under the protocols outlined by the Dean of Students/AVP Student Engagement and Wellness:

Student Complaint Policy