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Law, Criminal Justice, & Society Minor

Current Pitt students interested in a CGS minor in Law, Criminal Justice, & Society (LCJS), should apply directly with the College of General Studies. If you are a CGS student interested in adding this minor, please contact your CGS advisor.

Our 15-credit minor in LCJS is structured so that you can emphasize law-oriented courses or those more squarely focused on criminal justice. Whichever pathway you choose, you will complete a foundations course that situates law and criminal justice in a broader social and historical context.

Minor Requirements

In order to complete the minor, you will take 15 LCJS credits (five courses), as outlined below.

  • At least three courses must be from the University of Pittsburgh.
  • A 2.0 average GPA is required.
  • Courses used for a minor cannot overlap with courses used for a major, minor, or a certificate.
  • To be eligible for the LCJS internship, you must have completed all 9 non-elective credits in the LCJS minor. Students may apply up to 3 credits of LCJS 1900 to the LCJS minor.

CORE COURSES: (9 Credits)

➤Foundations: (3 Credits)

Complete one of these two LCJS courses:

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➤Theories of Crime or Criminal Law: (3 Credits)

Complete one of the following five courses:

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➤Criminal Justice or Legal Institutions: (3 Credits)

Complete one of these five courses:

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LCJS ELECTIVES: (6 credits)

Complete two additional electives with an LCJS subject code. Please keep in mind that course selections must comprise a total of at least six credits.These courses can come from the lists above if not used to fulfill a specific area requirement and/or from the following list:

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  •  LCJS 1591 - PERSPECTIVES ON VIOLENCE & NON-VIOLENCE IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE
  •  LCJS 1592 - DEFENSE MITIGATION
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Note: In order to be eligible for the Preservice Internship (LCJS 1900), students must have completed all 9 non-elective credits for the LCJS minor prior to the start of the internship. This includes Foundations (3 credits), Theories of Crime or Criminal Law (3 credits), and Criminal Justice or Legal Institutions (3 credits).

Resources & Flexible Options

Flexible Learning Options

Many LCJS courses include online and hybrid formats, allowing you to build your skills wherever you are.

View Online Courses

Planning Resources

Use the LCJS Minor Checklist (PDF) to map out your required courses and monitor your progress toward degree completion.

Download Checklist (PDF)

Note: Requirements are subject to change. Check with an academic advisor before registering.

Questions

Wesley Hiers, PhD
Director, Administration of Justice, Legal Studies, and LCJS
2203 Wesley W. Posvar Hall
University of Pittsburgh
Email: wjh16@pitt.edu