The core of the Liberal Arts degree program is a sequence of five courses that provide a solid foundation in the liberal arts: Exploring the Liberal Arts, Critical Reading and Writing, Foundations of Social Science, Foundations of Arts & Humanities, and Foundations of Natural Science. These courses offer a robust and solid foundation in the liberal arts equipping students with the basic skills and knowledge across these core disciplines everyone needs today.
The Criminal Justice Specialization within the BA in Liberal Arts program at Newlane University offers students a unique opportunity to combine the broad-based education of a liberal arts degree with focused study of crime, law, and justice systems. Students examine the foundations of the American criminal justice system, criminological theory, criminal law and procedure, and ethical challenges in law enforcement and legal institutions. This specialization prepares students for careers in public service, legal support, advocacy, community leadership, and justice-related fields, or for further study in law or graduate programs, while maintaining the critical thinking and communication skills developed in the liberal arts curriculum.
The Criminal Justice Specialization fits within the existing BA in Liberal Arts program structure:
– Total Credits: 120 (or 60 credits as a Bachelor completion program after earning AA)
– General Education Credits: 39 (earned through the AA degree)
– Major Credits: 30 (15 Core Criminal Justice credits, 15 Art History Concentration credits)
– Elective Credits: 51 (21 earned through the AA degree, 30 earned through the BA completion)
Note: Graduates’ transcripts will show the specialization as Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts – Criminal Justice Specialization. The diploma will only list Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts, as is standard.
By combining criminal justice study with history, ethics, psychology, and social analysis, students gain a deeper understanding of how justice is defined, applied, and experienced across communities. And the liberal arts foundation—drawing on the arts and humanities, social science, and natural science—makes this a uniquely compelling program.
BA in LIBERAL ARTS, CRIMINAL JUSTICE REQUIREMENTS
| DEGREE REQUIREMENTS | CREDITS |
|---|---|
| CRIMINAL JUSTICE | 15 |
| LIBERAL ARTS CORE | 15 |
| ELECTIVES | 30 |
| TOTAL CREDITS | 60 |
| CATEGORY | REQUIRED CREDITS | COURSE TITLES | CREDITS |
|---|---|---|---|
| ORIENTATION | 0 | Newlane Basic Orientation & Jumpstart | 0 |
| CRIMINAL JUSTICE SPECIALIZATION | 15 | Criminal Justice: Foundations of the American Criminal Justice System | 3 |
| Criminal Justice: Foundations of Criminology** | 3 | ||
| Criminal Justice: Ethics in Law Enforcement** | 3 | ||
| Criminal Justice: Foundations of Criminal Law** | 3 | ||
| Criminal Justice: Foundations of Criminal Procedure** | 3 | ||
| LIBERAL ARTS CORE (all required) |
15 | Exploring the Liberal Arts | 3 |
| Critical Reading & Writing | 3 | ||
| Foundations of Arts & Humanities | 3 | ||
| Foundations of Social Science | 3 | ||
| Foundations of Natural Science | 3 | ||
| ELECTIVES | 30 | Any Newlane Course not already counted for another category | Various |
* The BA in Liberal Arts is a degree completion program. Students must first complete or transfer an Associate degree (with at least 60 credits) prior to enrolling.
** Required for Criminal Justice Specialization