University of Justice: Bachelor of Science in Language Studies Justice

Welcome to the University of Justice—where we empower future leaders in law, justice reform, and cross-cultural legal communication. Our innovative Bachelor of Science in Language Studies Justice is a four-year, 120-credit-hour program combining rigorous legal theory, court system immersion, and advanced Spanish language training—preparing students to serve as empathetic, bilingual professionals in courts, legal aid, prosecution, and policy.

This dynamic 8-semester plan integrates core justice courses, capstone experiences, and four specialized elective pathways in Spanish Language and Justice Context, allowing graduates to bridge linguistic gaps in multilingual justice systems. Each course includes transfer equivalency with the University of Houston (UH), ensuring seamless credit conversion for transfer students.

Year 1: Foundations of Justice and Language

Semester 1

JUST 1101: Introduction to Justice Systems (3 credits)

Explore historical and contemporary foundations of justice, including policing, courts, and corrections.

UH Transfer Equivalency: CRJU 1301

SPAN 1301: Elementary Spanish I (3 credits)

Develop basic Spanish vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation; focus on everyday communication.

UH Transfer Equivalency: SPAN 1401

JUST 1205: Ethics in Public Service (3 credits)

Analyze moral dilemmas in law enforcement, judiciary roles, and legal advocacy.

UH Transfer Equivalency: PHIL 2306

COMM 1311: Communication in Justice Settings (3 credits)

Master written and oral communication skills essential for courtroom reporting and client interaction.

UH Transfer Equivalency: COMM 1301

Total: 12 credits

Semester 2

JUST 1202: Criminal Law Fundamentals (3 credits)

Study elements of crimes, legal defenses, and statutes; case-based analysis with Texas Penal Code emphasis.

UH Transfer Equivalency: CRJU 2362

SPAN 1302: Elementary Spanish II (3 credits)

Build intermediate skills—listening, reading, and speaking—with justice-related vocabulary introduction.

UH Transfer Equivalency: SPAN 1402

JUST 1110: Sociology of Crime (3 credits)

Examine social determinants of criminal behavior, including race, class, and urban environments.

UH Transfer Equivalency: SOCI 1301

MATH 1320: Quantitative Analysis for Justice (3 credits)

Apply statistical methods to crime data, sentencing patterns, and policy evaluation.

UH Transfer Equivalency: MATH 1313

Total: 12 credits

Year 2: Systems, Courts, and Language Development

Semester 3

JUST 2203: Courts and Judicial Process (3 credits)

Explore civil and criminal court procedures, roles of judges, attorneys, and juries.

UH Transfer Equivalency: POLS 3355

SPAN 2301: Intermediate Spanish I (3 credits)

Focus on courtroom dialogue simulations: witness questioning, client intake, legal notices.

UH Transfer Equivalency: SPAN 2301

JUST 2115: Corrections and Rehabilitation (3 credits)

Analyze incarceration models, parole systems, and restorative justice frameworks.

UH Transfer Equivalency: CRJU 2332

PSYC 2301: Psychology of Criminal Behavior (3 credits)

Investigate cognitive and emotional factors in offending, recidivism, and profiling.

UH Transfer Equivalency: PSYC 1300

Total: 12 credits

Semester 4

JUST 2208: Constitutional Law and Civil Rights (3 credits)

In-depth study of U.S. Constitution, landmark Supreme Court rulings, and civil liberties.

UH Transfer Equivalency: POLS 3354

SPAN 2302: Intermediate Spanish II (3 credits)

Emphasis on writing legal correspondence in Spanish and interpreting public service messaging.

UH Transfer Equivalency: SPAN 2302

JUST 2120: Juvenile Justice Systems (3 credits)

Examine youth courts, delinquency prevention, and rehabilitation strategies.

UH Transfer Equivalency: CRJU 3375

JUST 2130: Forensic Science Principles (3 credits)

Introduction to crime scene investigation, evidence collection, and lab analysis protocols.

UH Transfer Equivalency: BIOL 1361

Total: 12 credits

Year 3: Specialization and Legal Spanish Immersion

Semester 5

JUST 3312: Criminal Procedure and Due Process (3 credits)

Study arrest, search and seizure, Miranda rights, and trial preparation.

UH Transfer Equivalency: CRJU 3362

SPAN 3310: Legal Spanish I: Contracts & Client Interaction (3 credits)

Learn terminology for notarized affidavits, consent forms, and immigration intake. Elective.

UH Transfer Equivalency: SPAN 3306

JUST 3145: Prosecution and Defense Strategies (3 credits)

Simulated trial work—draft motions, conduct discovery, and craft arguments.

UH Transfer Equivalency: GOVT 3302

ECON 2301: Economics of Law and Regulation (3 credits)

Analyze cost-benefit of enforcement, fines, and economic crime.

UH Transfer Equivalency: ECON 2304

Total: 12 credits

Semester 6

JUST 3321: Immigration Law and Asylum Policy (3 credits)

Explore federal immigration statutes, border enforcement, and sanctuary jurisdictions.

UH Transfer Equivalency: POLS 3331

SPAN 3320: Legal Spanish II: Courts and Advocacy (3 credits)

Interpret courtroom proceedings, translate public defender briefs, and conduct mock interviews. Elective.

UH Transfer Equivalency: SPAN 3307

JUST 3150: Victimology and Trauma-Informed Justice (3 credits)

Understand psychological impact on victims and best practices for support services.

UH Transfer Equivalency: CRJU 3344

JUST 3250: Policy Analysis in Criminal Justice (3 credits)

Assess reform models—bail reform, decarceration, and community policing.

UH Transfer Equivalency: PUBA 3301

Total: 12 credits

Year 4: Advanced Practice and Bilingual Leadership

Semester 7

JUST 4315: Advanced Trial Advocacy (3 credits)

Full mock trial experience under faculty supervision; integrate courtroom Spanish.

UH Transfer Equivalency: GOVT 4305

SPAN 4310: Spanish for Public Justice Officials (3 credits)

Navigate emergency response, officer safety phrases, and public health notifications. Elective.

UH Transfer Equivalency: SPAN 4303

JUST 4120: Ethics and Leadership in Law Enforcement (3 credits)

Case studies in corruption, accountability, and organizational reform.

UH Transfer Equivalency: LEAD 3300

JUST 4260: Research Methods in Justice Studies (3 credits)

Design original research projects on sentencing disparities, language access, or reform impact.

UH Transfer Equivalency: STAT 3331

Total: 12 credits

Semester 8

JUST 4325: Capstone: Justice Innovation Project (3 credits)

Collaborate with local courts or DA offices to propose a change—e.g., multilingual jury instructions.

UH Transfer Equivalency: CRJU 4398

SPAN 4320: Bilingual Legal Mediation Practicum (3 credits)

Serve as language mediators in simulated dispute resolutions. Elective.

UH Transfer Equivalency: SPAN 4397

JUST 4130: Cybercrime and Digital Justice (3 credits)

Examine online offenses, digital evidence, and jurisdictional challenges.

UH Transfer Equivalency: INFS 3320

JUST 4270: Internship in Justice Settings (3 credits)

120-hour field placement in courts, legal aid clinics, or international justice NGOs.

UH Transfer Equivalency: CRJU 4390

Total: 12 credits

Graduation Requirements

Total Credits: 120

Core Justice Courses: 78 credits (26 courses)

Spanish & Bilingual Justice Electives: 12 credits (4 courses)

General Education & Electives: 30 credits

Capstone & Internship: Integrated into final year

Unique Advantages

Bilingual Certification Track: Earn a Certificate in Spanish for Legal Justice Professionals upon completing four SPAN/Justice electives.

Dual Pathways: Graduates are prepared for law school, immigration advocacy, judicial clerkships, or federal agencies (FBI, DHS).

Houston Gateway: Proximity to Harris County courts and UH’s legal research centers enables real-world collaboration.

At the University of Justice, we don’t just study the Justice—we diverse it. With fluency in both justice and language, our graduates transform courtrooms into spaces of understanding, equity, and voice for all.

Justice. Language. Leadership. You speak it.