{"id":3059,"date":"2026-08-14T20:57:45","date_gmt":"2026-08-14T20:57:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/criminal-justice\/?page_id=3059"},"modified":"2026-08-14T20:57:46","modified_gmt":"2026-08-14T20:57:46","slug":"criminal-law-minor","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/criminal-justice\/criminal-law-minor\/","title":{"rendered":"Criminal Law Minor"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\n
\n
\n

\n\t\t\t\tDepartment of Criminal Justice\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\t\t\t\tCriminal Law Minor\n\t\t\t<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

\n\t\t\t\tBuild a focused understanding of criminal law, courts, investigations, evidence, and constitutional procedure while adding an 18-hour minor that complements a wide range of academic and career paths.\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\n\t\t\t\t\t\tAsk About Declaring the Minor\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n\t\t\t\t\t\tExplore the Curriculum\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n
\n

18
\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Credit Hours
\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A focused pathway through criminal law, investigations, evidence, courts, and procedure.
\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n

\n\t\tOverview<\/a>\n\t\t    \n\t\tWhy Criminal Law?<\/a>\n\t\t    \n\t\tWhat You Will Study<\/a>\n\t\t    \n\t\tCurriculum<\/a>\n\t\t    \n\t\tWhere It Can Be Used<\/a>\n\t\t    \n\t\tAdvising<\/a>\n\t<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n
\n

\n\t\t\tUnderstand How Criminal Law Works in Practice\n\t\t<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n
\n

\n\t\t\t\t\tCriminal law defines prohibited conduct, establishes individual rights and responsibilities, and provides the legal framework through which criminal cases move from investigation to courtroom resolution.\n\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\t\t\t\t\tTarleton\u2019s Criminal Law minor provides students with a structured introduction to courts, substantive criminal law, criminal investigations, evidentiary rules, and constitutional criminal procedure.\n\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\t\t\t\t\tThe minor can complement majors whose graduates may work with laws, investigations, regulation, public policy, compliance, government, public safety, or other professions in which understanding the legal process provides an advantage.\n\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n
\n
\"Criminal<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\n\t\t\t\t\t\tLaw + Evidence + Procedure\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\n\t\t\t\t\t\tFollow a criminal case from investigation through the courts.\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n

\n\t\t\tWhy Study Criminal Law?\n\t\t<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\n\t\t\tCriminal justice decisions are shaped by statutes, constitutional protections, rules of evidence, investigative procedures, and court processes. Understanding these foundations can strengthen analytical thinking and help students evaluate how legal rules operate in real cases.\n\t\t<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\n

\n\t\t\t\t\tUnderstand Legal Rules\n\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\n\t\t\t\t\tStudy the elements of criminal offenses, legal responsibility, penalties, and the structure of criminal law.\n\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n

\n\t\t\t\t\tFollow the Legal Process\n\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\n\t\t\t\t\tExamine investigation, evidence, adjudication, constitutional procedure, and the operation of criminal courts.\n\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n

\n\t\t\t\t\tBuild Analytical Skills\n\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\n\t\t\t\t\tLearn to evaluate facts, evidence, legal standards, competing interpretations, and procedural questions.\n\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n

\n\t\t\tWhat You Will Study\n\t\t<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n
\n
\n

\n\t\t\t\t\t\tCriminal Law\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\n\t\t\t\t\t\tOffenses, criminal responsibility, legal concepts, classifications, and penalties.\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n
\n

\n\t\t\t\t\t\tInvestigation\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\n\t\t\t\t\t\tEvidence collection, interviews, interrogation, forensic resources, and case preparation.\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n
\n

\n\t\t\t\t\t\tEvidence\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\n\t\t\t\t\t\tAcquisition, admissibility, presentation, and challenges involving criminal evidence.\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n
\n

\n\t\t\t\t\t\tCriminal Procedure\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\n\t\t\t\t\t\tConstitutional principles involving the Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, and Fourteenth Amendments.\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n

\n\t\t\tCriminal Law Minor Curriculum\n\t\t<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\n\t\t\tComplete five required courses and select one upper-level criminal law option for a total of 18 semester credit hours.\n\t\t<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\n
\n

\n\t\t\t\t\t\tCRIJ 1306\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\t\t\t\t\t\tCourt Systems and Practices\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t3 Hours\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n
\n

\n\t\t\t\t\t\tCRIJ 1310\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\t\t\t\t\t\tFundamentals of Criminal Law\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t3 Hours\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n
\n

\n\t\t\t\t\t\tCRIJ 2314\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\t\t\t\t\t\tCriminal Investigation\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t3 Hours\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n
\n

\n\t\t\t\t\t\tCRIJ 3315\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\t\t\t\t\t\tRules of Criminal Evidence\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t3 Hours\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n
\n

\n\t\t\t\t\t\tCRIJ 4326\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\t\t\t\t\t\tCriminal Procedure\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t3 Hours\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n
\n

\n\t\t\t\t\t\tSELECT ONE\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\t\t\t\t\t\tCRIJ 4383
Special Topics in Criminal Law\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\n\t\t\t\t\t\tOR\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\t\t\t\t\t\tCRIJ 4361
Texas Wildlife Law\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n

\n\t\t\t\tPlanning tip:<\/strong> Meet with an academic advisor before declaring the Criminal Law minor to determine how these 18 hours fit with your major requirements, electives, transfer credit, and graduation plan.\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n
\n\t\t\t\t\tView Official Catalog Requirements\n\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n

\n\t\t\tWhere Can Criminal Law Knowledge Be Useful?\n\t\t<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\n\t\t\tThe minor can add useful legal and procedural knowledge to academic programs that lead to work with courts, investigations, government, policy, regulation, compliance, or public safety.\n\t\t<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\n
\n

\n\t\t\t\t\t\tLaw & Legal Services\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\n\n\n


\t\t\t\t\tPre-law preparation, legal support, prosecution defense-related support, and court administration.
\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n
\n

\n\t\t\t\t\t\tInvestigations\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\n\t\t\t\t\t\tLaw enforcement, criminal investigations, regulatory investigations, and evidence-related work.\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n
\n

\n\t\t\t\t\t\tGovernment & Policy\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\n\t\t\t\t\t\tPublic administration, legislative work, regulatory agencies, policy analysis, and government service.\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n
\n

\n\t\t\t\t\t\tCompliance & Security\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\n\t\t\t\t\t\tOrganizational compliance, risk management, corporate investigations, and security-related roles.\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n
\n
\n

\n\t\t\t\t\tReady to Add the Criminal Law Minor?\n\t\t\t\t<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\n\t\t\t\t\tAcademic Advising can help determine how the 18-hour minor fits with your major, electives, transfer coursework, prerequisites, and anticipated graduation date.\n\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\t\t\t\t\tCurrent students should also review their assigned advisor in EAB Navigate before scheduling an appointment.\n\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n

\n\t\t\t\t\tOffice of Academic Advising\n\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\n\t\t\t\t\tPhone:<\/strong>\n\t\t\t\t\t254-968-9746<\/a>
\n\t\t\t\t\tEmail:<\/strong>\n\t\t\t\t\tadvising@tarleton.edu<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Department of Criminal Justice<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Phone: <\/strong>\u00a0254-968-9024<\/a>
E-mail<\/strong>: cjadmin@tarleton.edu<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
find your advisor<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n
\n
\n

\n\t\t\t\tAdd Criminal Law Expertise to Your Degree\n\t\t\t<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\n\t\t\t\tDevelop a stronger understanding of courts, criminal law, investigations, evidence, and constitutional procedure through an 18-hour academic minor.\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n
\n
\n\t\t\t\t\t\tTalk to an Advisor\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n
Explore Criminal Justice department<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Department of Criminal Justice Criminal Law Minor Build a focused understanding of criminal law, courts, investigations, evidence, and constitutional procedure while adding an 18-hour minor that complements a wide range …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":973,"featured_media":3029,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"functions-assets\/subsite-hero-page-template.php","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"advgb_blocks_editor_width":"","advgb_blocks_columns_visual_guide":"","footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-3059","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"acf":[],"coauthors":[],"author_meta":{"author_link":"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/criminal-justice\/author\/semukhina\/","display_name":"semukhina"},"relative_dates":{"created":"Posted 1 day ago","modified":"Updated 1 day ago"},"absolute_dates":{"created":"Posted on August 14, 2026","modified":"Updated on August 14, 2026"},"absolute_dates_time":{"created":"Posted on August 14, 2026 8:57 pm","modified":"Updated on August 14, 2026 8:57 pm"},"featured_img_caption":"","featured_img":"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/criminal-justice\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/191\/2026\/08\/ChatGPT-Image-Aug-14-2026-02_03_12-PM-3.png","series_order":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/criminal-justice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3059","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/criminal-justice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/criminal-justice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/criminal-justice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/973"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/criminal-justice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3059"}],"version-history":[{"count":9,"href":"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/criminal-justice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3059\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3069,"href":"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/criminal-justice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3059\/revisions\/3069"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/criminal-justice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3029"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/criminal-justice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3059"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}