Sample UG Plan of Study - <program name> Plan of Study

What courses to take and when to take them for program completion.

Freshman Year

Fall Semester (12-15 credits)

  • ENGL 1100 Writing I (3 credits)
  • CJ 1000 Introduction to Criminal Justice (3 credits)
  • POLS 1000 United States Government OR
    POLS 1100 Introduction to Political Science OR
    POLS 1500 State and Urban Government (3 credits)
  • SOC 1100 Introduction to Sociology (3 credits)
  • MATH 0200 Basic Mathematics OR
    MATH 1700 Applied Statistics (0/3 credits)*

A student who takes Basic Mathematics, which carries no college credit, will have three credits to make up in History or AOM to graduate in eight semesters at 15 credits per semester.

Spring Semester (15 credits)

  • ENGL 1200 Writing II (3 credits)
  • CJ 2050 Theory and Practices of Policing (3 credits)
  • CJ 2600 Correctional Theory and Practice (3 credits)
  • PSY 1100 Introduction to Psychological Science OR
    PSY 1200 Lifespan Development (3 credits)
  • MATH 1700 Applied Statistics OR
    Art or Music or History Elective (AOM or HIST attribute) (3 credits)

Sophomore Year

Fall Semester (15 credits)

  • CJ / POS 2270 Introduction to Legal Process (3 credits)
  • SOC/CJ 2750 Criminology (3 credits)
  • EXSS 1000 Health and Fitness (3 credits)
  • Art or Music or History Elective (AOM or HIST attribute) (3 credits)
  • LA&S A or B #1 / Minor #1 (3 credits)

Spring Semester (15 credits)

  • CJ 3242 Psychology of Crime (3 credits)
  • Criminal Justice Elective (3 credits)
  • LA&S A or B #2 / Minor #2 (3 credits)
  • Elective (LIT attribute) (3 credits)
  • Free Elective (3 credits)

Junior Year

Fall Semester (15-16 credits)

  • CJ 2651 Ethics in Criminal Justice (3 credits)
  • CJ 2130 Criminal Justice Research Methods (3 credits)
  • CJ xxxx Criminal Justice Elective #2 (3 credits)
  • ART xxxx Elective (ART attribute) (3 credits)
  • LA&S / Minor #3 (3 credits)

Spring Semester (15 credits)

  • CJ 3140 Data Analysis (3 credits)
  • CJ xxxx Criminal Justice Elective #3 (3 credits)
  • LAB xxxx Elective (LAB attribute) (3 credits)
  • CJ xxxx Criminal Justice Elective #4 (3 credits)
  • LA&S / Minor #4 (3 credits)

Senior Year

Fall Semester (15 credits)

You can also follow this plan in Spring, depending on when you want to take your Internship.

  • CJ 4100 Criminal Justice Colloquium ORFree Elective (3 credits)
  • CJ xxxx Criminal Justice Elective #5 (3 credits)
  • Free Elective / Minor #5 (3 credits)
  • Free Elective / Minor #6 (3 credits)
  • Free Elective (3 credits)

Spring Semester (15 credits)

You can also follow this plan in Fall, depending on when you want to take your Internship.

  • CJ 4100 Criminal Justice Colloquium OR Free Elective (3 credits)
  • Free Elective (3 credits)
  • Free Elective (3 credits)
  • Free Elective (3 credits)
  • Free Elective (3 credits)

Electives and other information

Credits required for graduation

120 credits

LA&S Elective List

  • 1 AOM attribute (Art or Music)
  • 1 ART attribute (the Arts)
  • 3 credits HAF attribute (Health/Fitness)
  • 1 HIST subject (History)
  • 1 LAB attribute (Lab Science)
  • 1 LIT attribute (Literature)
  • 1 SMT attribute (Sci, Math, & Tech)

Advanced LA&S Options Area

Review the three options with your advisor and submit your decision to the Registrar’s Office by completion of 60 credits.

Global Diversity Area

Two courses taken must meet the Global Diversity requirement: GDAN course + (GDC or GDCN course) OR GDCN course + (GDA or GDAN course). These courses are allowed to satisfy this requirement and another requirement at the same time.


About Criminal Justice at Fitchburg State

If you are interested in a career in policing, courts or corrections, Fitchburg State University has the program you need. A degree in Criminal Justice provides an understanding of the criminal justice system and its relationship to society as a whole.

Criminal Justice at a Glance

  • 7 full-time faculty
  • The criminal justice program provides students with a foundation for employment in the criminal justice field and graduate work.
  • Visit our department website at: fitchburgstate.edu/behsci

Why study Criminal Justice at Fitchburg State?

  • Small class sizes
  • Courses taught by full-time faculty experts
  • Individualized attention
  • Wide variety of course offerings rivaling much larger universities

What makes the Criminal Justice program distinctive?

  • MA Dept of Higher Ed Policy Career Incentive Pay Program (PCIPP) approved course of study
  • Optional MA Police Training Committee (MPTC) master’s degree add on leading to law enforcement certification
  • Emphasis on critical thinking about crime causation and prevention, organizational issues, research and evaluation methods and moral and ethical dimensions

How will you engage / what will you do as a student of Criminal Justice?

  • Discussion of ethical standards leading to behavior that reflects personal and social responsibilities
  • Learning how the criminal justice system relates to society as a whole
  • Completion of coursework from across the behavioral science disciplines

Are there opportunities for involvement outside the classroom?

  • Internship / Practicum
  • Community Involvement / Volunteerism
  • Mock Trial Competition
  • Moot Court Tournament
  • Criminal Justice Honors Society
  • Residential Living Community

What can you do with a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice?

  • Policing
  • Court system
  • Institutional corrections
  • Community corrections
  • Victim advocacy
  • Graduate studies in criminal justice and law
  • Private Security

Contact us