Bachelor of Arts
Criminal Justice
Program Learning Outcomes
- Demonstrate an understanding of the three major components of the criminal justice system (law enforcement, the courts, and corrections), constitutional concepts of law, theoretical perspectives, empirical research, and organizational structures.
- Apply theoretical frameworks to understanding the causes and prevention of crime, the processes of criminalization, societal response to crime, crime enforcement, and the consequences of crime in society.
- Apply an understanding of basic social science research methods including design, qualitative and quantitative analysis, and interpretation of data and research.
- Apply critical thinking skills, skeptical inquiry, and the scientific approach to problem solving to analyze the major historical trends, concepts, perspectives, and research in criminal justice while effectively demonstrating effective oral and written communication skills within a liberal arts foundation to prepare for a career in the criminal justice system or social services.
Degrees
-
Criminal Justice, -
Criminal Justice Online, Bachelor of Arts -
Criminal Justice, Minor
Courses
CRJ 101: Introduction to Criminal Justice
Class Program
This course offers a survey of the fundamental components of the American criminal justice system, presenting an overview of law enforcement approaches, court systems, juvenile justice, correction, probation and parole structures. The nature of crime in the United States and society’s response is explored. Recurring issues within these core subjects are addressed including terrorism, social justice, drug crime, police function and social control in addition to current controversies in the criminal justice system.
Semester Offered
Offered every semester.
CRJ 212: Correctional Systems
Class Program
This course is an introduction to the major characteristics, components, functions and issues of the correctional system in Criminal Justice. An overview of processes, organization, clients incarcerated, on probation, parole and other programs will be presented.
Semester Offered
Offered every spring semester.
CRJ 214: Policing in America
Class Program
This course is an introduction to the history and evolution of policing in the United States and the various theories of policing. It includes contemporary issues in policing such as administration and management in policing agencies; use of force and coercion; technological advances and their effects on policing; officer training; police discretion; and ethical considerations.
Semester Offered
Offered every fall semester.
CRJ 246: Criminology
Class Program
This course offers an introduction to the study of crime and crime control. Theories of criminal behavior from multiple disciplines including sociology, psychology, social psychology, anthropology, theology, economics and philosophy are explored, critiqued, compared and contrasted. The application of these theories in response to ethical issues, law enforcement, courts, law, general policy implications, research and current social issues are explored.
Semester Offered
Offered every fall semester.
Notes
Cross-listed with SOC 246.
CRJ 248: Juvenile Justice
Class Program
This course offers a multi-disciplinary introduction the origin, character and scope of juvenile delinquent behavior and society’s attempts to define, prevent and control delinquency. Major theories of juvenile delinquency identification, causation, control, classification and social reaction are identified and examined. Juvenile courts, police, social workers, media and other actors are identifying, classifying and responding to delinquents are examined, compared and contrasted during the course.
Semester Offered
Offered every spring semester.
CRJ 311: Criminal Law and Judicial Process
Class Program
This course is a combined Criminal Law and Judicial Process course where students will conduct an analysis of the criminal justice system, focusing on criminal law, roles and function of police, the criminal justice process, the court system, and offenders while also learning information about the purpose and structure of the local, state, and federal court system and the process for adjudicating cases.
Semester Offered
Offered every fall semester.
CRJ 315: Victimology
Class Program
This course introduces the students to the field of victimology. The course will emphasize the theoretical and empirical approach to the examination of victims, as well as, identify different types of victims and how to assist those victims.
Semester Offered
Offered every spring semester.
CRJ 340: Management in Criminal Justice Organizations
Class Program
CRJ 400: Professional Ethics in Criminal Justice
Class Program
This course will present the fundamentals of ethical behavior as it relates to the American criminal justice system. Classical and contemporary ethical theories will be applied to the discussion of such issues as discretion, corruption, use of force, racism, deception, professionalism, and the nature and meaning of justice.
Semester Offered
Offered every spring semester.
Notes
PETH for CRJ major.
CRJ 403: Capstone
Class Program
This course offers the student the opportunity to develop a scholarly research paper which establishes the student’s understanding of a subject relevant to the students' study in criminal justice. The course includes the preparation of a study plan, research and the production of a final research paper, and the presentation of the paper to the course instructor and an audience.
Prerequisites
CRJ 101, CRJ 212, CRJ 214, CRJ 246, CRJ 300, CRJ 310, CRJ 312, CRJ 314, CRJ 317, SSC 220 and SSC 230, or with the permission of the faculty.
Semester Offered
Offered every spring semester.
Notes
PCOM, PCEN for CRJ major.
CRJ 417: Diverse Populations and Criminal Justice
Class Program
This course critically examines race, gender, class, religion, and other diversity topics within the U.S. Criminal Justice System. Topics of emphasis include the importance of diversity in the development, organization and operation of the Criminal Justice system.
Semester Offered
Offered every spring semester.
CRJ 480: Seminar in Selected Topics
Class Program
This course allows for an intensive examination of a selected topic in the field of criminal justice. Topics will be announced at the time of offering. Course may be taken more than once when different topics are offered. Topics could include: Immigration and Criminal Justice; Drugs and Criminal Justice; Trial Practice; International Terrorism; Emergency Preparedness; etc.
Semester Offered
Offered at department discretion.
CRJ 481: Criminal Justice Practicum I
CRJ 481 is a practicum course providing cadet designated students the opportunity to work full-time in a Criminal Justice agency.
Prerequisites
48 hours toward a Criminal Justice major and designated by the CRJ program coordinator as a scholarship experience participant.
Semester Offered
Offered every fall semester.
CRJ 482: Criminal Justice Practicum II
CRJ 481 is a practicum course providing cadet designated students the opportunity to work full-time in a Criminal Justice agency.
Prerequisites
48 credit hours toward Criminal Justice major and designated by CRJ program coordinator as scholarship experience participant.
Semester Offered
Offered every spring semester.
CRJ 491: Independent Study
This course provides Criminal Justice Students in their Junior or Senior Year an opportunity to conduct specific, in-depth research in an area of their choice or to examine a specific area of Criminal Justice under the guidance of a faculty member.
Semester Offered
Offered at department discretion.
CRJ 492: Independent Study
This course provides Criminal Justice Students in their Junior or Senior Year an opportunity to conduct specific, in-depth research in an area of their choice or to examine a specific area of Criminal Justice under the guidance of a faculty member.
Semester Offered
Offered at department discretion.
CRJ 495: Internship in Criminal Justice
Class Program
This course presents a participant observation opportunity through a hosting criminal justice agency selected or approved by the internship course’s instructor. The student will be supervised by the course instructor and the hosting agency’s internship supervisor. The student will engage in various field work activities within the agency while recording his or her experiences in a field journal. The student will produce course paper and presentation based upon experiences and knowledge gained during the internship.
Prerequisites
CRJ 101, CRJ 212, CRJ 214, CRJ 246, CRJ 300, CRJ 310, CRJ 312, CRJ 314, and 317 or with the permission of the faculty.
Semester Offered
Offered every semester.
Notes
PCOM, PCEN for CRJ major.