FAQs

STAMPS

How do I get permission to take CCJS courses?
Submit your stamp request on the CCJS stamps website. Stamps are reviewed in the order that they come in and typically do not take more than 24 business hours to clear. Please make sure your UMD email is spelled correctly on the form. 

Do I still have to get permission for CCJS if I’m in the major?
Yes. All students, regardless of major, must obtain permission for CCJS courses.

How many CCJS courses can I get permission for?
Students can get permission for up to 3 CCJS courses prior to the first day of classes.

Can I get permission for more than 3 classes?
Before the first day of classes: no
After the first day of classes: yes

I'm not a CCJS major. Can I still get permission for CCJS classes.
The majority of CCJS courses are actually open to non-majors, so non-majors will be able to add them with departmental approval. The only courses that are restricted to majors-only are CCJS200, CCJS342, and CCJS345, which open up to everyone on the first day of the semester. Majors-only restriction for CCJS200, CCJS342, and CCJS345 do not apply to summer and winter terms.

Why can’t I register for a course with an ESG/SG section?
ESG and SG sections are held at the Universities at Shady Grove campus in Rockville, MD. We give permission for courses at College Park only. Shady Grove courses will require permission of the CCJS at USG advisors.

Why did I get denied a stamp?
If you were denied a stamp, please check your response email from CCJS Advising. We always write the reason for denial in.

I can't find my stamps emails. Where did they go?
Please check your spam folder if the confirmation and approval emails do not go into your primary inbox. You must use your UMD email; our system does not process personal Gmail accounts.

CHANGE/ADDITION OF MAJOR 

How do I declare CCJS as my major?
Email ccjsadvising@umd.edu to sign up for the online Change of Major workshop. Once you successfully complete the workshop and quiz, we will email you your paperwork and the next steps in the major change process.

What do I need to declare CCJS as my major?
You must have the following gateway requirements:

• CCJS100 w/ a C- or higher
• CCJS105 w/ a C- or higher
• MATH107 or STAT100 w/ a C- or higher [calculus is also accepted in lieu of statistics]
• 2.5 cumulative GPA in all college coursework

I don’t meet the gateway requirements - can I still apply to be a CCJS?
First-semester freshmen can freely declare CCJS without meeting gateway requirements between the first and last days of classes. All other students must have the gateway requirements completed to declare CCJS.

I took a different math course. Can that be used for the gateway math?
CCJS is statistics based and therefore requires MATH107 or STAT100 or calculus. We do not accept MATH113, MATH115, MATH135, etc.

REGISTRATION

How do I register for classes?
Testudo → “Registration (Drop/Add).” Make sure you have cleared any registration blocks beforehand.

How do I check my degree progress?
Testudo → “Degree Audit.” If you have any questions about UAchieve, please contact CCJS Advising.

When do I register for classes?
Testudo → “Appointment & Registration Status.” Registration appointments will be released to students in early October.

I’m on the waitlist for a CCJS course. Can I get an exception to get into the class?
No, CCJS does not oversubscribe courses. The only way you can get into a full course is via waitlist. This is a departmental policy, no exceptions.

How do I get on a waitlist?
Testudo → “Registration (Drop/Add).” Enter the course and section number, then press submit.

How do I get permission to register for more than 16 credits?
Credit overloads are handled by BSOS Advising, so you will have to contact them to request an exception. All students are able to register for up to 20 credits starting on the first day of classes.

DEGREE

What does the CCJS major entail?
Criminology is the study of why crime emerges.  Criminal justice is the study of how to deal with crime once it emerges.  Students learn about a variety of topics related to both criminology and criminal justice.

Is CCJS a Bachelor of Arts or Science?
CCJS is a Bachelor of Arts.

How many credits is CCJS?
The major is 39 credits, or 13 courses.

How many credits do I need to graduate?
All undergraduates seeking a Bachelor’s degree need a minimum of 120 credits.

I’m double majoring with CCJS. Do I make it my primary or secondary major?
That is entirely up to you. A primary major is what would be listed first on your degree, then your secondary major would be listed underneath (e.g. B.S. in PSYC w/ a double major in CCJS, etc.)

What’s the difference between double major and double degree?
A double major is 120 credits and one degree with both majors listed. A double degree is 150 credits and two separate degrees for each major.

Does CCJS offer a minor?
We do not. We only have the major.

CCJS ADVISING

Who are the CCJS advisors?
They are Nicole Amonett, Diane Hou, and Shannon Sibel.

How can I contact CCJS Advising?
You may email ccjsadvising@umd.edu or call (301) 405-4729. Email is preferred.

When is CCJS Advising open?
We are open 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM Monday through Friday for drop-in advising and appointments.

Do I have to meet with my advisor prior to registration?
No, you do not. CCJS Advising does not have mandatory advising. However, we usually recommend students check in with CCJS Advising once a semester to make sure they’re on track.

Who is my advisor?
CCJS majors are not assigned to an advisor. Nicole and Diane are both your academic advisors. Shannon is your professional development advisor.

What’s the difference between BSOS Advising and CCJS Advising?
BSOS Advising is college-level advising. They can answer questions about policies, graduation plans, academic probation, etc.
CCJS Advising is departmental-level advising and we answer everything related to the CCJS major. Think of us as your specialists.

GRADUATION

I’m graduating this semester - what do I need to do now?
Testudo → “Graduation Application & Diploma Status.” Students must apply to graduation by the end of schedule adjustment. Make sure you have completed all degree requirements before applying.

I forgot to apply to graduation and it is past schedule adjustment. What do?
If you have not applied to graduation by the end of schedule adjustment, please email us for instructions on how to complete a late application.

When is commencement?
Please visit the UMD Commencement website for all updates.

Where do I get regalia?
Students can buy their cap, gown, and stole from the University Book Center.

Do I have to attend commencement?
If you choose to skip commencement, you will still receive your diploma.

Will I receive my diploma at graduation?
No. Diplomas will be mailed several weeks after graduation. You can check for diploma status updates on Testudo.

INTERNSHIP

I have an internship I want to earn credit for - how do I do that?
Make sure your internship is eligible by visiting the CCJS departmental website → “Undergraduate” tab  → “Internship Program.” Then, fill out the internship contract and email it to Shannon Sibel (ssibel@umd.edu). Once Shannon has determined your internship is acceptable for CCJS credit, she will give you permission to register for CCJS359/398.

I have a virtual internship this semester - can I earn credit for it?
Virtual internships are evaluated case-by-case .

How do I get an internship?
We recommend you start your internship search by visiting the CCJS undergraduate blog and the Career Center first. We also suggest reviewing the TerpGuide to better prepare yourself for the application process.

How many credits can I earn for an internship?
Students can earn between 1-6 credits per internship, up to 2 internships. Every 45 hours worked is equal to 1 credit.

PROSPECTIVE STUDENTS

I’m in high school looking to apply to Maryland. What do I need to get into UMD?
CCJS is not involved in the admission process and do not have knowledge of entrance requirements.  We highly suggest visiting the Admissions Office to find out more information about the requirements, as well as information in general.

How much is it to attend UMD?
All tuition, fees, cost breakdowns, payment schedules, and payment information can be found on BillPay.

Where do I get housing information?
The Department of Resident Life can answer all questions regarding on-campus housing.

Do you have a forensic science program?
CCJS does not offer forensic science, only an Introduction to Criminalistics course (CCJS320). We recommend CCJS students take biology and/or chemistry courses to supplement the science part of forensic science, if that’s their interest.

I want to be a criminal profiler. Will CCJS help me become one?
Possibly in the future, when you have a doctorate degree and/or having worked in law enforcement for a few decades. Profiling is not a common profession and is not easily attained with just a bachelor’s degree.