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Lewis University: 3+1 Criminal and Justice Studies Bachelor of Arts Degree

A convenient, affordable and streamlined approach to earn the Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice degree.

Who can enroll in the program?

  • Students who have completed or intend to complete an Associate in Arts (AA) degree at COD.
  • New students to College of DuPage (COD) who indicate their intent to enter the 3+1 program.
  • Students who are enrolled in or completed the AAS degree in Criminal and Justice Studies can be considered for the program after completing the additional requirements for the AA degree.

How does the program work?

  • Students complete 71 hours of coursework at COD that will include both the Associate in Arts (AA) degree and an additional six specific Criminal and Justice Studies courses.
  • Upon completing the AA degree and six specific Criminal and Justice Studies courses, students then complete 21 credit hours of additional COD courses while enrolled at Lewis University.
  • Students then complete 30 credit hours of Lewis Criminal Justice coursework and 6 hours of Lewis Mission courses with Lewis faculty on the COD campus.
  • Students should apply for admission to Lewis one semester prior to enrolling in Lewis coursework.
  • All classes are held at the COD Glen Ellyn campus.
  • The final 36 Lewis University credit hours are offered at a discounted tuition rate.

The Advantage

The 3+1 program allows for students to complete their Associate in Arts (AA) degree along with 6 additional Criminal and Justice Studies courses. Once completed, students are then allowed to take additional courses beyond the AA degree from College of DuPage (COD) paying our much lower tuition rates. The final year of classes are taught by Lewis University faculty and are offered on COD Glen Ellyn campus at a significantly reduced rate, making the goal of continuing an education a reality for more students. This program exemplifies College of DuPage's mission to make education more affordable for its students while stressing academic quality, first-class faculty and extraordinary learning environments.

Baccalaureate to Masters Option

During Year 4, students have an opportunity to apply to the Baccalaureate to Masters program.  Upon admission to the program, students may substitute up to three Criminal Justice graduate courses (see italicized coursework on the previous page) for three Criminal Justice undergraduate courses. Tuition for the graduate coursework will be charged at the 3+1 tuition rate and financial aid will apply. After conferral of the bachelor’s degree if the student continues to the graduate program in Criminal Justice, s/he can complete the program in one year if the student completed three graduate courses as an undergraduate student.  Additionally, the student will be given a 20% Frequent Flyer tuition discount. The Frequent Flyer discount combined with the 3+1 tuition pricing reduces the entire program over 40%. 

Term-by-term Plan

  • COD AA total credits: 71
  • Courses listed in italics are Lewis courses; all other courses are COD courses.
Total Hours: 16-18
1st Semester Courses Credit Hours
ENGLI 1101 - English Composition I 3
**+ Life Science Gen. Ed. (IAI course) 3-5
**Humanities Gen. Ed (IAI course) 3
Transfer Oriented Elective 1
CRIMJ 1100 - Intro to Criminal and Justice Studies 3
CRIMJ 1130 - Intro to Corrections 3
Total Hours: 18
2nd Semester Courses Credit Hours
ENGLI 1102 - English Composition II 3
SPEEC 1100 - Fundamentals of Speech Communication
3
**Humanities Gen. Ed. (IAI course) 3
**Social Science Gen. Ed.(IAI course) 3
Math (IAI Course)  3
CRMJ 1110 - Police and Society 3
Total Hours: 18
3rd Semester Courses Credit Hours
 **+Physical Science Gen. Ed. (IAI course) 3-5
**Humanities or Fine Arts Gen. Ed. (IAI course)  3
**Social Science Gen. Ed. (IAI course)  3
CRIMJ 2231 - Criminology 3
***PHILO 1110 - Ethics
(Lewis requirement can not be used as a humanities) 
3
*Transfer oriented elective course to finish AA 3
Total Hours: 18
4th Semester Courses Credit Hours
CRIMJ 2240 - Juvenile Delinquency  3
***CRIMJ 2150 - Multiculturalism and Criminal and Justice Studies  3
**Social Science Gen. Ed. (IAI course) 3
*Transfer oriented elective course to finish AA  3
*Transfer oriented elective course to finish AA  3
*Transfer oriented elective course to finish AA 3

 Completion of AA Degree: 71 credit hours

Students may elect to lighten their course loads during the first four semesters and beyond by taking some of their COD courses over the summer term.

* With approval from Lewis University, Career and Technical education (CTE) courses may be allowed.

** See Associate in Arts Student Planning Worksheet. 

Only one science needs to have a lab.  

*** Effective Fall 2021 COD Criminal and Justice Studies 2150 - Multiculturalism and Criminal and Justice Studies and PHILO 1110 - Ethics will need to be completed prior to being admitted to Lewis University

Lewis University total credits = 36 and COD additional credits = 21
****Courses listed in italics are Lewis courses; all other courses are COD courses.

Total Semester Credit Hours: 15
5th Semester Courses Credit Hours
CSJS 20000 - Courts and Probation  3
*Any non-duplicated COD course 3
*Any non-duplicated COD course 3
*Any non-duplicated COD course 3
*Any non-duplicated COD course 3

 

Total Semester Credit Hours: 15
6th Semester Courses Credit Hours
CSJS 35600 - Professionalism and Ethics  3
CSJS 44000 - Social Policy and Social Justice  3
*Any non-duplicated COD course 3
*Any non-duplicated COD course 3
*Any non-duplicated COD course 3

 

  • Lewis University total credits = 36 and COD total credits = 21
  • ****Courses listed in italics are Lewis courses; all other courses are COD courses.
Total Hours: 12
7th Semester Courses Credit Hours
ENGL 30200 - Writing in the Disciplines 3
CSJS 43000 - Elements of Criminal Law/ CSJS 55500 Criminal Law 3
CSJS 49600 - Rights, Civil Liability and Administrative Actions/ CSJS 55900 Police Civil Liability   3
CSJS 28600 - Domestic Violence/ CSJS 50700 Family Violence   3
THEO 1000 Search for Faith 3
Total Hours: 12
8th Semester Courses Credit Hours
CSJS 44500 - Criminal Procedure/ CSJS 53600 Criminal Procedure   3
CSJS 49000 - Research Methods  3
SOCI 29000 - Diversity and Social Justice  3
CSJS Elective/ CSJS Grad Elective 3

Students may elect to lighten their course loads during the first four semesters and beyond by taking some of their COD courses over the summer term. 

Please note all COD coursework must be completed before the student's final Lewis year

* With approval from Lewis University, Career and Technical education (CTE) courses may be allowed.

**** Students utilizing financial aid must apply and be accepted into Lewis University prior to taking any classes beyond the AA degree. It is recommended that students using financial aid should begin applying to Lewis University one semester before completing the AA degree and ask for the financial aid consortium agreement. Students also need to apply for graduation from the AA degree program at COD. Not doing so will result in not receiving financial aid.

Important Notes

  • Students are encouraged to meet with a College of DuPage counselor or advisor for help planning for the College of DuPage portion of the program.
  • Courses are not listed in sequence. Please consult your academic advisor and the current course schedule to determine when courses should be taken.
  • A student must earn a minimum of 128 credit hours to qualify for graduation with a bachelor's degree. At least 36 of the 128 credit hours for graduation must be completed through Lewis University. Students follow the degree requirements for the catalog year in which they enter Lewis University.
  • Students must complete the Associate in Arts (AA) and the 6 lower level COD Criminal and Justice Studies courses (71 credit hours) at COD prior to enrollment at Lewis. Exceptions can be made for students in need of the financial aid consortium agreement.
  • Students cannot take College of DuPage courses during their last semester before graduation from Lewis University.
  • Students need to take PHILO 1110 - Ethics.  This is a requirement for Lewis University, and and is recommended to be taken during the AA degree. This class can not be used to satisfy a humanities requirement.   

* With approval from Lewis University, Career and Technical education (CTE) courses may be allowed.

** See Associate in Arts Student Planning Worksheet.

*** Effective Fall 2021 COD Criminal and Justice Studies 2150 - Multiculturalism and Criminal and Justice Studies and PHILO 1110 - Ethics will need to be completed prior to being admitted to Lewis University.

**** Students utilizing financial aid must apply and be accepted into Lewis University prior to taking any classes beyond the AA degree. It is recommended that students using financial aid should begin applying to Lewis University one semester before completing the AA degree and ask for the financial aid consortium agreement. Students also need to apply for graduation from the AA degree program at COD. Not doing so will result in not receiving financial aid.

+ Only one science needs to have a lab.

Contact Information

Counseling, Advising and Transfer Services
Student Services Center (SSC), Room 3200
(630) 942-2259

Michelle Mega
Director of Recruitment and External Relations
Lewis University
megami@lewisu.edu
(815) 836-5342

Lewis University Transfer Calendar of Events