All CJS majors are required to complete an internship or field experience course with an attached internship, service-learning, or applied coursework component.

Information for Spring 2024: The following information details each of these courses, including class meeting times, course modalities, and instructions to apply. We encourage students to read about all of the options before selecting a course. Students should only apply to one internship or field experience course to allow us to process applications smoothly.

To apply for one of the below CJS Internships, you must complete the Spring 2024 Internship Application or visit https://csunsbs.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_5AslkhhGOuMZARo

For specific questions regarding internships and field experience courses, contact the CJS Internship Coordinator at cjs.internships@csun.edu.

Applied Research and Field Experience Course Guide and Handbook:

All students, faculty, and internship site supervisors are expected to review the Internship and Field Experience Handbook, applicable to every class and good for students, faculty, and staff. We encourage students to review this document prior to beginning their internship/field experience work. 

CJS Internship/Field Experience Courses for Spring 2024:

CJS 494 A/AA: Law Enforcement

Students enrolled in CJS 494 A/AA is designed for students who would like to learn more about the law enforcement field and profession. Students will complete 120 hours (approx. 8 hours/week) in-person at the LAPD-Valley Bureau police station. Students will be randomly assigned to a station regardless of where they live. Students will need to fulfill a Live Scan/background check to be enrolled in this course.

This class will meet on campus Wednesdays from 5:00 to 6:40 PM.

CJS 494 B/BB: Law and Courts

Students enrolled in CJS 494 B/BB will learn about the law and courts. Students will complete 120 hours (approx. 8 hours/week) at an internship site. Students can choose from pre-established internship sites including Teen Court, the Neighborhood Legal Services Self-Help clinic, and the Post-Conviction Legal Project. Students may also secure their own internship at a legal office, courthouse, or an organization that provides legal support to community members upon approval from the course instructor.

This class will meet on Tuesdays from 7:00 PM to 9:45 PM.

CJS 494 E/EE: Community Programs

Students enrolled in CJS 494 E/EE will learn about working at advocacy, community-based, and non-profit organizations rooted in social justice or criminology. Students will complete 120 hours (approx. 8 hours/week) at an internship site. Students are responsible for finding and applying to an internship site, which can be remote or in-person. Students are also welcome to find their own internship site, but this must be approved by the CJS Internship Coordinator.

This class will meet online on Fridays from 2:00 PM to 4:45 PM.

CJS 410CS: MOSAIC Youth Mentoring

Students enrolled in CJS 410CS will be trained as a part-time MOSAIC youth mentor, working in small groups directly with local youth to build self-efficacy. Student mentors will work approximately 50 to 60 hours (5 to 6 hours/week) during the hours of 8:30AM and 3:30PM from Monday through Friday. Please note that you must have all your vaccinations up to date to be a MOSAIC mentor per LAUSD requirements.

This class will meet on-campus every Wednesday from 7:00 PM to 9:45 PM.

CJS 452HR: Human Rights in Criminology and Criminal Justice

Students enrolled in CJS 452HR will explore the theories, institutions, instruments, and violations of human rights as they apply specifically to crime and criminal justice systems. This course does not require internship or service learning hours, instead students will engage in applied work.

This class will meet on Mondays and Wednesdays from 3:30 PM to 4:45 PM.

CJS 452PC: Public Criminology

Students enrolled in CJS 452PC will develop an understanding of public criminology, specifically looking at the interchange of information between criminologists, public officials, media, and the community. This course will focus on applying theory and methodology to address justice-related problems in the US and globally through creative writing and presentations. This course does

not require internship or service learning hours, instead students will engage in applied work.

The class will meet on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:30 PM to 4:45 PM.

CJS 454AC: Applied Corrections

Students enrolled in CJS 454AC will take a critical look at current issues related to the field of corrections. This course does not require internship or service learning hours, instead students will engage in field research.

This class will meet on Tuesdays from 12:30 PM to 1:45 PM.

CJS 480: Applied Research

Students enrolled in CJS 480 will allow students to engage in applied research in a criminal justice-related agency. This class will examine the case of the LAPD PAL program, and students will be engaged in learning activities specific to the program. In particular, students enrolled in this will be engaged in applied research activities at Hollywood PAL. This course will examine the connections between LAPD Hollywood officers and community through programs offered which connect law enforcement officers to Hollywood youth. Students will gain a better understanding of empirical research, data, and academic writing. This course requires 60 internship hours. A survey/questionnaire will be required as part of the enrollment process. Students accepted into the course will need to fulfill a Live Scan/background check to be enrolled in this course.

The class will meet on Mondays from 5:00 PM to 6:40 PM.

Other Options for Satisfying the Internship/Field Experience Requirement:

Students can also enroll in internship/field experience courses outside of the CJS department. These courses have different requirements for enrollment and hours required. We encourage students to review the information provided by these departments for more information. Any student who enrolls in an internship course outside of the CJS department must contact Dr. Vickie Jensen at vickie.jensen@csun.edu for approval and substitution in your DPR. These opportunities include:

• The Judicial Internship through the Political Science Department
• The D.C. Internship through the Political Science Department
• The Jewish Studies Non-Profit Internship
• Africana Studies Field Work Class

Help with Internship Site Placement:

For students who are looking for and applying to internship sites, we encourage you to visit the Career Center. The Career Center can help in searching for internships, creating/revising resumes, and preparing for interviews. The Career Center is open, offering virtual services during remote learning. 

Welcome to a new semester with the Department of Criminology and Justice Studies. CJS is happy you’ve selected us as your major!

As a CJS student, the department office (located in Sierra Hall 165) is your resource destination to anything regarding your major, classes, and professors. CJS is a large department full of amazing students, faculty and staff all willing to help you on your academic journey here at CSUN.

The department closely works with the CJS Club to help everyone be engaging to each other and others interested in CJS topics and discussions. It is also the home of the CJS tutoring center where anyone can receive assistance from fellow classmates on topics such as Statistics, Research Methods, Legal Writing, and more!

Stop by the CJS department office any time, CJS is your department and you will be welcomed with open arms!

To say up to date with the department’s events, make sure to follow us on X (Previously Twitter) @CSUNCJS, Instagram @CSUN.CJS, and Facebook @CJSDEPARTMENT!

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Bienvenidos a un nuevo semestre con el departamento de estudios de criminología y justicia. Estamos muy contentos de que nos hayan elegido como su especialización en su carrera académica. Como estudiante de criminología y justicia, la oficina de nuestro departamento (localizada en Sierra Hall 165) es el lugar donde encontrarás todo lo relacionado a clases, profesores y de la especialización.

El departamento está lleno de estudiantes, facultad, y personal que podrán ayudar en su camino académico aquí en CSUN.

El departamento trabaja con el club estudiantil de criminología y justicia para ayudar estudiantes a participar en conversaciones sobre las carreras que hay en esta especialidad. El departamento también es casa de nuestro centro de tutoría en donde estudiantes pueden recibir ayuda en temas como Statistics, Research Methods, Legal Writing, y más!

Visite la oficina de criminología y justicia para mantenerse al día con eventos, y asegúrese de seguir nos en las redes sociales X (antes Twitter) @CSUNCJS, Instagram @CSUN.CJS, y Facebook @CJSDEPARTMENT.

Important Dates for Fall 2023

Here are some important dates that will hopefully help you enjoy a successful fall semester:

August 26 Saturday Classes Begin

August 28 Weekday Classes Begin

September 2 to 3 No Instruction 

September 4 Labor Day Holiday; Campus Closed

November 10 Veterans' Day Holiday; Campus Closed

November 23-24 Thanksgiving Recess; Campus Closed

November 25-26 No Instruction

December 11 Last day of formal instruction

December 12 to 18 Final Examinations

December 22 Instructors' grades due

December 23 to January 1 Campus Closed

Important Dates for Spring 2024

January 20 Saturday Classes Begin

January 22 Weekday Classes Begin

March 18 to 24 Spring Recess Break

April 1 César Chávez Holiday, Campus Closed

May 10 Last Day of Formal Instruction

May 11 to 17 Final Examinations

May 11 Honors Convocation

May 17 to 20 Commencements

May 23 Instructors' grades are due

May 24 Last day of 2023 to 2024 academic year

May 27 Memorial Day Holiday, Campus Closed

Advising within the Criminology and Justice Studies department offers personal one-on-one advising sessions with the Department Chair Dr. Vickie Jensen:  http://www.csun.edu/social-behavioral-sciences/sociology/vickie-jensen. Dr. Jensen's email is vickie.jensen@csun,edu.

• **"Dr. Jensen is not an academic advisor, however, she is proficient in advising students within the major if they are having any difficulties with classes or needs a mentor to speak too.*

Please contact the Criminology and Justice Studies Department, either by emailing cjs@csun.edu or calling (818) 677–2117 for more information. 

**CSUN provides a wealth of academic advising services and resources for students including referrals to faculty and staff advisors in your major. **

When meeting virtually with Dr. Jensen it would be helpful to have ready any documents you might find necessary for your meeting. This might include:

• Your DPR—Degree Progress Report.
• And anything else you feel would be important.

Here within the department of Criminology and Justice Studies we have collected some online career and internship resources for students who are searching for those opportunities. We strongly encourage our students to utilize every resource available. 

• Work-Study Student Assistant: For the Department of Criminology and Justice Studies, for us!  Apply through CSUN's Handshake system.
• Volunteers of America - Greater Los Angeles (Jan 31st, 2018) Hiring ASAP. Click on "Careers" to find the list of open positions.
• LAPD  (Sworn positions in the Los Angeles Police Dept.)
• LAPD  (Civilian positions with the Police Dept.)
• LA County Sheriff's Department  (Sworn and civilian positions) 
• LA County Superior Courts 
• LA County HR Department  
• LA County Probation
• Idealist.org (Non-Profit careers) 
• USA Jobs  (Federal positions) 
• Consumer Financial Protective Bureau 

CSUN also has on-campus resources for careers and internships, The Career Center offers resources in person and online for students and recent graduates.

The Career Center, located in Bayramian Hall 413, or call them at (818) 677-2878.

Public Administration Education Guides: Master's degree, jobs and information. Public policy and administration industries.

The Criminology and Justice Studies department is home to the Associated Students recognized and student-led organization: The Criminology and Justice Studies Club. 

This club is geared toward helping students learn about the criminal justice profession and network with those in the field. Meetings often include guest speakers from professionals in the field as well as field trips to local agencies and organizations. Meetings are geared toward the interests of student members and meetings are led by the club's executive board. This student-led club meets weekly and is open to students of all majors and interests!

This is a great chance for students, especially CJS majors to meet and share interests. Please email the club at to join the club and to be added to the email list. 

The CJS Club will be meeting on Mondays from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM in SH 182. Here's the scheduled events for Fall 2023:

Monday, September 25th, 2023 - F.B.I Agent - Evette Rivera

Monday, October 9th, 2023 - Forensic Psychologist - Dr. Caldwell

Friday, October 13th, 2023 - Prison Tour 

Monday, October 16th, 2023 - Medical Examiner - Dr. Parks

Monday, November 6th, 2023 - California Highway Patrol - Office Ramstead

Monday, December 4th, 2023 - California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation

Make sure to follow the CJS Club on social media to stay updated on meeting details as the fall semester approaches.

For more information, follow the club on Instagram or Facebook!

This club is entirely student-led and under the advisement of Trevion Stokes.

On Campus:  CSUN offers amazing resources for students in their academic journey. Whether it be personal or academic related, CSUN can provide resources for Student Success. During the current health conditions, all services are being offered virtually. Thank you.

Each campus Department has their own 4 digit campus extension. From a campus phone, dial the 4 digit code. From off campus, please start with (818) 677 and then the 4 digit number.

• University Library ext. 2285
• Current CSUN Students (multiple resources)
• Student Financial Services Bayranian Hall Lobby, ext 8000, option 1
• CSUN Food Pantry ext. 2730
• LRC, (the Learning Resource Center,) ext. 2033
• Admissions and Records ext. 3700
• The College of Social and Behavioral Sciences has Tutoring for Statistics and Writing in Sierra Hall 303, ext. 3317
• DRES (Disability Resources & Educational Services) ext. 2684
• Child Care Children's Center, 18343 Plummer St. ext. 2012
• Career Center ext. 2878
• Financial Aid and Scholarship Department ext. 2085
• NCOD (National Center on Deafness) ext. 2611
• VRC (Veteran's Resource Center) ext. 8272
• Pride Center USU Sol Center 2nd floor, ext. 4355
• Veteran's Services - Academics ext. 4672
• USU Computer Lab ext. 5746
• Campus Dining ext. 5298
• Student Transportation Guide 
• CSUN Athletics ext. 3208

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•                       CSUN Food Pantry

Off Campus:

Criminaljustice.com is "a website dedicated to conducting unbiased research about criminal justice education and career opportunities. Our goal is to create a place where readers can acquire information and learn insights that can empower their career" (from criminaljustice.com. Here is a link to their SCHOLARSHIP information. 

TheBestColleges.org have recently created a guide to Scholarships for Criminal Justice Students, which includes a detailed list of athletic, academic, leadership, and minority scholarship opportunities. This is a really good resource for CSUN students and students at any institution.

Honor Society Advisors:

Dr. Nayan Ramirez (Chapter Advisor)

Mission Statement:

The mission of Alpha Phi Sigma is to promote analytical thinking, rigorous scholarship and lifelong learning; to keep abreast of the advances in scientific research; to elevate the ethical standards of the criminal justice professions and to sustain in the public mind and benefit and necessity of education and professional training.

Purpose:

1.   Promoting academic excellence through the recognition of scholarship.

2.   Assisting in the development of professional and personal leadership among students and practitioners.

3.   Providing opportunities for services to the community and the profession,

4.   Encouraging greater communication among member chapters and the entire criminal justice profession.

**Requirements to JOIN the Honor Society** 

1). Undergraduate students shall be enrolled in California State University Northridge have declared a major; minor or equivalent in the criminal justice or related field, have completed three full-time semesters or its equivalent, have a minimum GPA of 3.2 on a 4.0 scale, and rank in the top 35% of their class. A minimum of four courses of the above course work shall be in the criminal justice field. 

2). Graduate students shall be enrolled in a graduate program in criminal justice or related field, have completed four courses, have a minimum GPA of 3.4 on a 4.0 scale or rank in the upper 25% of their class. 

3). Transfer members from any Alpha Phi Sigma recognized chapter who transfers to California State University Northridge shall be accepted into Pi Beta Omicron Chapter of Alpha Phi Sigma National Headquarters will not issue a new certificate of membership unless specially requested by the chapter advisor and paid for by the member.

If you are interested in joining Alpha Phi Sigma National Criminal Justice Honor Society, please contact the CJS Office.

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The Department of Criminology and Justice Studies celebrated their 2022-2023 academic year award winners on May 13th, 2023 at the Northridge Center in the USU.  If you believe you are qualified for next year's awards, please revisit this page in the Spring 2024 semester to apply.

Our department is grateful to those who donate so generously to these various awards and we would not be able to do this without their support.

It is never too early to learn about graduate school!

CJS hosts a Canvas site dedicated to helping students prepare and apply for graduate and law schools. To access this site, please self-enroll by going to the Canvas site through this link: https://canvas.csun.edu/enroll/MJJB8M

• Considering graduate or law school, but not sure where to start?
•  Check out the overview video and slides in the canvas site. These resources outline the application process to graduate/law programs. The videos and presentation slides on each specific aspect of the application process are available on the Canvas site.
• Would you like Individual assistance with your personal statement, CV/Resume or other application Materials?
• Please fill out the application form so we can reach out to you and set up a meeting with one of our faculty members.

We are looking forward to helping you succeed!

Specific Links:

Nov. 2020  UC Irvine Post Baccalaureate Program in Psychological Science:   www.ps.soceco.uci.edu  Applications:  https://tinyurl.com/y4r8r7ye

Other Programs.

Arizona State University, M.S. and PhD programs:

Advanced Degrees in Forensics and Legal Psychology.

The following Masters Programs are available to further your education:

Master's of Science in Criminalistics at CSU Los Angeles

Master's of Science in Criminal Justice at San Diego State University

Master's of Science in Justice Studies at San Jose State University

Master's of Science in Criminology at San Jose State University

Master's of Science in Criminology and Criminal Justice at CSU Long Beach

Master's of Public Administration in Criminal Justice Policy and Administration at CSU Dominguez Hills

Public Administration Education Guides: Master's degree, jobs and information. Public policy and administration industries.

Master's of Science in Criminology at Fresno State University

Master's of Science in Criminal Justice at Sacramento State University

Master's of Arts in Criminal Justice at CSU San Bernardino

Master's of Arts in Criminal Justice at CSU Stanislaus

Master's of Arts in Criminology, Law, and Society at UC Irvine