Criminal Justice Major Learning Outcomes

1. Development of Critical Thinking: Ability to understand argument; formulate constructive responses to criticism; differentiate between valid and invalid arguments; ability to compare various perspectives; differentiate between weak and strong evidence
2. Communication Skills: Ability to speak effectively; apply active listening skills; ability to work collaboratively and independently; effective written expression; proficient in use of standard academic English; ability to read materials with comprehension and skill in critical inquiry. Additionally, students are required – as part of university core, which may not be listed below – to complete courses designated as speaking & writing intensive.
3. Technology and Computing Skills: Ability to perform appropriate research using standard library research techniques and computer assisted electronic searches, including research on the internet; ability to gather information from multiple sources including print and electronic media; ability to apply appropriate citation styles; understand basic information technologies common in social sciences; proficiency in basic computing skills
4. Quantitative Reasoning: Ability to utilize social science data; formulate hypotheses; understand the basic techniques of statistical analysis; significance testing; sampling
5. Ethical Decision-Making: Understanding the theoretical principles of common moral theories; ability to apply moral theories to criminal justice system, its goals and agents
6. Understanding of Diversity: An understanding of multiculturalism; awareness of how different groups experience crime, justice and the criminal justice system in general
7. Understanding of Emerging areas of study in Criminal Justice: Ability to articulate an awareness of new lines of inquiry in the field, which may also go beyond traditional assumptions of about the discipline