University of Justice – Bachelor of Science in Pre-Justice Educator for High School (4-Year Degree Plan)

Degree: B.S. in Pre-Justice Educator for High School

Total Credit Hours: 128

Duration: 8 Semesters (4 Years)

Specialization: Secondary Education with Justice-Oriented Pedagogy, Curriculum Design, and Leadership in Public Education

Welcome to the University of Justice, where future leaders in equitable education are forged. Our 4-year Bachelor of Science in Pre-Justice Educator for High School is a pioneering program designed for those passionate about transforming secondary education through justice-centered teaching, curriculum innovation, and ethical leadership. This degree prepares graduates to become dynamic high school educators, curriculum developers, distance learning specialists, and future school administrators—equipped to address systemic inequities in education.

The program spans 8 semesters and includes core pedagogy, Justice Education Foundations, curriculum design, leadership, and field experiences, with 4 specialized elective courses focused on high-impact teaching strategies. Graduates are eligible for state teaching certification and are uniquely qualified to design and deliver justice-oriented education in diverse urban, rural, and virtual learning environments.

Degree Plan: 8 Semesters with 4 Elective JUST Courses

Semester Course Title JUST Prefix & Course Number Credits Transfer Equivalent (University of Houston)

1 Introduction to Justice-Centered Education JUST 1100 3 EDUC 1300

1 First-Year Seminar: Equity in Learning JUST 1201 1 UNIV 1101

1 Foundations of High School Curriculum JUST 1300 3 C&T 2301

1 College Composition I ENGL 1301 3 ENGL 1303

1 College Algebra MATH 1314 3 MATH 1314

| 2 | Adolescent Development & Justice Learning | JUST 2210 | 3 | PSYC 2301 | | 2 | Principles of Substitute Teaching in Urban Schools | JUST 2305 | 3 | EDUC 2301 | | 2 | Physical Education & Youth Wellness in Justice Schools | JUST 2400 | 2 | KINES 1115 | | 2 | College Composition II | ENGL 1302 | 3 | ENGL 1304 | | 2 | U.S. History to 1865 | HIST 1301 | 3 | HIST 1377 |

| 3 | Building Culturally Responsive Curricula | JUST 3310 | 3 | C&T 3302 | | 3 | Teaching in Distance & Hybrid Learning Environments | JUST 3320 | 3 | EDUC 3320 | | 3 | Educational Psychology & Equity | PSYC 2314 | 3 | PSYC 2314 | | 3 | American Government | POLS 2305 | 3 | POLS 2312 | | 3 | College Trigonometry | MATH 1316 | 3 | MATH 1330 |

| 4 | Assessment & Data Equity in Secondary Classrooms | JUST 3400 | 3 | EDUC 3315 | | 4 | Ethics and Leadership in Public Education | JUST 3330 | 3 | LEAD 3300 | | 4 | Science Inquiry for Justice-Oriented Classrooms | BIOL 1406 | 4 | BIOL 1361 | | 4 | World Geography | GEOG 1302 | 3 | GEOG 1302 | | 4 | Fine Arts Elective | ARTS 1301 | 3 | ARTS 1301 |

| 5 | Methods of Teaching Social Studies with Justice Lens | JUST 3510 | 3 | C&T 3355 | | 5 | Classroom Management & Restorative Practices | JUST 3520 | 3 | EDUC 3321 | | 5 | U.S. History Since 1865 | HIST 1302 | 3 | HIST 1378 | | 5 | English Literature & Critical Literacy | ENGL 2322 | 3 | ENGL 2322 | | 5 | Elective (University Core) | — | 3 | ELEC 1300 |

| 6 | Methods of Teaching Mathematics with Equity Focus | JUST 3610 | 3 | C&T 3364 | | 6 | Inclusive Education: Special Populations in Justice Schools | JUST 3620 | 3 | SPED 3302 | | 6 | Principles of Physical Education Instruction | JUST 3410 | 2 | KINES 3305 | | 6 | Chemistry for Teachers | CHEM 1405 | 4 | CHEM 1331 | | 6 | Social & Behavioral Science Elective | SOCI 1301 | 3 | SOCI 1301 |

| 7 | Curriculum Design for Alternative Learning Pathways | JUST 4310 | 3 | C&T 4303 | | 7 | Field Experience I: Pre-Student Teaching Seminar | JUST 4500 | 3 | EDUC 4397 | | 7 | Philosophy of Justice in Education | JUST 4210 | 3 | PHIL 2306 | | 7 | Elective: Digital Learning Tools in Education | JUST 4340 | 3 | EDUC 4350 | | 7 | Elective: High School Mentorship Models | JUST 4220 | 3 | EDUC 4310 |

| 8 | Student Teaching in Justice-Based High School | JUST 4600 | 6 | EDUC 4697 | | 8 | Capstone: Designing a School-Wide Justice Initiative | JUST 4900 | 3 | EDUC 4398 | | 8 | Elective: Trauma-Informed Teaching Practices | JUST 4425 | 3 | COUN 4370 | | 8 | Elective: Leadership in School Improvement | JUST 4550 | 3 | LEAD 4340 |

Specialized JUST Electives (Choose 4)

JUST 4340 – Digital Learning Tools in Education

Explore platforms like Canvas, Google Classroom, and AI tutors to create equitable distance education models. Learn to design asynchronous lessons with accessibility at the core.

→ UH Transfer Equivalent: EDUC 4350 – Educational Technology Applications

JUST 4220 – High School Mentorship Models

Design peer tutoring, teacher-mentor relationships, and career-counseling frameworks for underrepresented students.

→ UH Transfer Equivalent: EDUC 4310 – School and Community Partnerships

JUST 4425 – Trauma-Informed Teaching Practices

Learn to identify trauma responses, implement classroom strategies to reduce stress, and create emotionally safe learning spaces.

→ UH Transfer Equivalent: COUN 4370 – Introduction to Counseling in Schools

JUST 4550 – Leadership in School Improvement

Study turnaround models, data-driven decision making, and how to lead teacher collaboration toward equity goals.

→ UH Transfer Equivalent: LEAD 4340 – School Leadership and Change

Signature Course Highlights

JUST 3320 – Teaching in Distance & Hybrid Learning Environments

Master the design of asynchronous modules, synchronous engagement strategies, and digital assessment tools, with a focus on closing the digital divide.

JUST 2400 – Physical Education & Youth Wellness in Justice Schools

Move beyond traditional PE—learn to integrate mental health, nutrition education, and inclusive movement into holistic wellness programs for at-risk youth.

JUST 3330 – Ethics and Leadership in Public Education

Analyze cases of systemic bias in funding, discipline, and curriculum, and develop ethical leadership frameworks for transformative change.

JUST 4900 – Capstone: Designing a School-Wide Justice Initiative

Collaborate with real high schools to create proposals for restorative justice programs, equity audits, or culturally relevant curricula.

Program Outcomes

Upon graduation, students will:

Be certified to teach in public high schools (grades 9–12) in core subjects.

Demonstrate expertise in designing curricula that promote equity, inclusion, and justice.

Be prepared for roles as substitute teachers, curriculum developers, or instructional coaches.

Possess leadership skills to advocate for reform in urban and underserved schools.

Be qualified to teach physical education and integrate wellness into school culture.

University of Justice | Empowering Educators. Transforming Schools. Advancing Justice.

All JUST courses are eligible for transfer to the University of Houston under articulation agreements in Education and Leadership programs.