Justice Studies Minor

Overview

The Justice Studies Minor allows students to take courses in the core and explore the field of Justice Studies. Drawing upon the rigorous Justice Studies Major program, the Minor provides students with an interdisciplinary curriculum that critically analyzes justice issues.

Students in the Minor learn theories, empirical and normative analyses, historical trends, and central themes of justice and injustice. They may also select topical courses to serve personal interests or career ambitions.

Students are responsible for meeting (or getting waived by the instructor) any prerequisite courses. Proper planning and advising will ensure that students graduate when intended. Students are highly encouraged to meet with a department advisor during posted office hours.

Curriculum and Requirements

Required Lower Division Coursework

Students must have completed their lower division coursework to enroll in many of the courses in the Justice Studies Minor. There may also be prerequisites that must be taken before students will be able to enroll in substantive elective courses.

Students interested in the minor should complete their lower division coursework and their major's 100W requirement. 

Advantages of the Minor

The Justice Studies Minor allows students to explore aspects of the Justice Studies field they prefer. Students with the Justice Studies Minor come from various majors on campus—engineering, computer science, business, nursing, psychology, and so on. They often augment their major with the Justice Studies Minor because they have career interests in law enforcement, investigations, juvenile justice, victim services, and other related professions.

Students acquire analytical, critical thinking, and communication skills much needed in complex and multicultural societies. They learn to create and
articulate grounded, empirically informed, and sustainable solutions to crime and social problems in communities and/or institutions. 

Careers Related to the Minor

  • Adult Probation
  • Community organizing on justice-related issues
  • Corrections and Parole
  • Court administration / Case Management
  • Federal law enforcement (USSS, FBI, ATF, HSI, etc.)
  • Forensic Science / Criminalistics
  • Investigation
    • Corporate
    • D.A.’s Office
    • Police Departments
    • Private
    • Public Defenders
  • Juvenile justice, counselor, probation
  • Law and related topics
  • Policing and related fields
  • Public advocacy on Human Rights issues
  • Teaching / Research
  • Work with non-profit crime / violence prevention agencies
  • Work with non-profit justice organizations

Steps to Complete the Minor

  1. Declare the Justice Studies Minor
    • If you have earned fewer than 90 units, you can declare the minor by emailing the Minor Coordinator your student ID number and stating your interest.
      If you have earned more than 90 units, you must meet with the Minor Coordinator in office hours. 
  2. Take the Classes
    • Enroll in courses as specified by the Justice Studies Minor Form [pdf] and log course completions on the form.
    • When selecting substantive elective courses in the minor, we encourage students to choose courses that also fulfill other university requirements.
  3. Apply for Graduation

Meet with an Advisor

Dr. Alessandro De Giorgi is the Department of Justice Studies' designee to lead advising for the Justice Studies Minor. He and all of the Justice Studies department advisors help students find opportunities that suit the students' interests in Justice Studies.

Contact Dr. Alessandro De Giorgi or any of the Justice Studies department advisors if you are interested in declaring the Justice Studies Minor or if you have additional questions.