Other Degrees of Interest to Cr

Although a degree in CRM may be helpful in terms of future employment in the field of criminal justice, it does not a guarantee employment in preference to a college graduate without a degree in criminal justice. As you may know, there are many justice-related agencies that prefer entry-level people with specializations in a language other than English (particularly Spanish - something for you to think about minoring in), science, law, accounting, international studies, to name a few.

If you major in CRM, be sure to work hard and earn the highest grade point average you possibly can. The argument goes like this: You chose to pursue a college degree. If your performance in college was mediocre then potential employers may assume your job performance after graduation will be mediocre. There are very few employers who want folks like that on their payroll.

The following are among the most popular alternative majors and minors students seek outside CRM. A student majoring or minoring in any of the following brings something special and unique to their career in criminal justice:

Students with a CRM major who think they are, because of that degree, in the best position possible for future employment in the field of criminal justice should think again. While a CRM major is a nice degree to have, it can be enhanced by adding the right major minor in another discipline. By "right" we refer to choosing a major or minor - in addition to the CRM major or minor - that fits with your career or graduate school aspirations. We encourage you to meet with your CRM advisor to discuss this matter.

If you didn't already know, in addition to taking a minor in another discipline (such as Spanish, Communication, Political Science, or Psychology, to name only a few) a student may also develop an "Individualized major" or "Personalized minor."

The next two charts show the credit-hour distribution a student would have if he or she completed the non-comprehensive CRM major with two other minors (Chart A) or with a second major (Chart B).

Chart A: Credit-Hour Distribution for a CRM Major with two minors
Hours	Description
125	Minimum number of hours needed to graduate
-45	General Education Requirement
80	Hours remaining
-34	CRM Major (non-comprehensive)
46	Hours remaining
-18	First minor (assuming that department offers an 18-hour minor, which is common)
28	Hours remaining
-18	Second minor (assuming that department offers an 18-hour minor, which is common)
10	Number of hours still needed to graduate.
A student taking this configuration of courses will graduate with a CRM major and two additional minors in only 125 hours (including 10 hours open to take any courses the students wishes).

Chart B: Credit-Hour Distribution for a CRM Major with a Second Major
Hours	Description
125	Minimum number of hours needed to graduate
-45	General Education Requirement
80	Hours remaining
-34	CRM Major (non-comprehensive)
46	Hours remaining
-37	Completion of an academic major in another discipline (several require only 30-36 hours)
9	Number of hours needed to graduate with two majors (CRM and another of the student's choosing and which require 37 hours or less). Please visit with your CRM advisor to discuss what other majors might be best for you.
A student taking this configuration of courses will graduate with a CRM major and two additional minors in only 125 hours (including 9 hours open to take any courses the students wishes).

See the Missouri State Undergraduate Catalog, under the sections entitled "Bachelor of Arts Degree Requirements" and "Bachelor of Science Degree Requirements" for a complete listing of the Minors which are offered within each degree (B.A., B.S.). You can also explore all the Majors and Minors offered at Missouri State online by going to the following site and either typing in the name of a major or clicking on the alphabetic list of majors/minors.

The point is this - you can maximize your time (and money) while you are attending college. You can take courses of study which contribute to your future well being and avoid choosing courses which just look "easy" or which simply "fit" your time schedule. There may be useful courses which are easy, but I would suggest choosing courses because they fit your career goal or educational plan. You do have a plan, don't you? If not, talk with your advisor about that when you come in for an advising session.

The Missouri State School of Social Work offers a Major and Personalized Minor in Social Work as well as a Masters degree. There is no doubt in my mind that criminal justice students who want a career on the "treatment side" of criminal justice should seriously consider completing a degree in Social Work rather than Criminology. By "treatment side" I refer to probation/parole, counseling (i.e., substance abuse, family, individual) and other similar positions - not law enforcement.

A Criminology student will graduate with a B.S. (Bachelor of Science) or B.A. (Bachelor of Arts) degree whereas a Social Work student will graduate with a professional and nationally-recognized and accredited BSW (Bachelor of Social Work). You can learn more about the Major (and the Masters in Social Work) by visiting the School of Social Work website.

Perhaps you'd like to major in CRM and complete a Personalized Social Work Minor? Here's what the Personalized Social Work minor looks like:

Chart C: The Personalized Social Work Minor*
(NOTE: See the Missouri State Undergraduate Catalog for prerequisites for each course.)

Required Core Courses:

SWK 212 - Introduction to Social Work (3)
SWK 219 - Human Diversity (3)

Choose an Additional 12 Hours from the Following:

SWK 222 - Human Behavior and the Social Environment (3)
SWK 308 - Social Justice (3)
SWK 309 - Social Welfare Policy and Services I (3)
SWK 310 - Children's Rights (3)
SWK 318 - Methods of Social Research in Social Work Practice (3)
SWK 320 - Services for Women (3)
SWK 322 - Human Behavior and the Social Environment II (3)
SWK 330 - Substance Abuse Interventions (3)
SWK 370 - Child Welfare Services (3)
SWK 397 - Special Topics (1 to 3 hours by arrangement)

* Like many other degrees, requirements may change from time to time. Please check with the School of Social Work to confirm that the above curriculum is current and correct.