Criminal Justice

Degrees

Courses

CRJ 101: Introduction to Criminal Justice

Class Program
Level
Undergraduate
Undergraduate Online
Credits 3
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 210: Judicial Process

Class Program
Level
Undergraduate
Credits 3

This course is designed to increase the understanding of the criminal judicial process in the United States. It includes a study of the functioning of courts and the courtroom workgroup, including judicial decision-making and the impact of court decisions on the justice system.

CRJ 212: Correctional Systems

Class Program
Level
Undergraduate
Undergraduate Online
Credits 3
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
Level
Undergraduate
Undergraduate Online
Credits 3
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
Level
Undergraduate
Undergraduate Online
Credits 3

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
Level
Undergraduate
Undergraduate Online
Credits 3
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
Level
Undergraduate Online
Credits 3

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 312: Criminal Justice and the Law

Class Program
Level
Undergraduate
Credits 3

This course is an analysis of the criminal justice system, focusing on criminal law, roles and functions of police, the criminal justice process and criminal procedure, the court system, and offenders.

CRJ 315: Victimology

Class Program
Level
Undergraduate
Undergraduate Online
Credits 3
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
Level
Undergraduate
Credits 3

This course explores management strategies that have been employed in criminal justice agencies. It provides a historical and contemporary focus on management in criminal justice organizations. 

Semester Offered
Offered at department discretion

CRJ 400: Professional Ethics in Criminal Justice

Class Program
Level
Graduate
Undergraduate
Undergraduate Online
Credits 3

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.

CRJ 403: Capstone

Class Program
Level
Undergraduate
Undergraduate Online
Credits 3

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
Level
Graduate
Undergraduate
Undergraduate Online
Credits 3

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 issues in the development, organization, and operation of the criminal justice system.

CRJ 480: Seminar in Selected Topics

Class Program
Level
Undergraduate
Undergraduate Online
Credits 3

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

Class Program
Level
Undergraduate
Credits 6 9

CRJ 481 is the first in a two-course practicum sequence providing cadet-designated students the opportunity to work full-time in a Criminal Justice agency. This course allows students to apply concepts they are learning in the classroom to full-time professional experience through college-approved employers. 

Prerequisites

48 hours toward a Criminal Justice major 

Designated by the CRJ Program Coordinator as a scholarship experience participant

Semester Offered
Offered every fall semester.

CRJ 482: Criminal Justice Practicum II

Class Program
Level
Undergraduate
Credits 6 9

CRJ 482 is the second in a two-course practicum sequence providing cadet-designated students the opportunity to work full-time in a Criminal Justice agency. This course allows students to apply concepts they are learning in the classroom to full-time professional experience through college-approved employers. 

Prerequisites

48 credit hours toward Criminal Justice major 

Designated by CRJ Program Coordinator as a scholarship experience participant

Semester Offered
Offered every spring semester.

CRJ 491: Independent Study

Class Program
Level
Undergraduate
Credits 1 3

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

Class Program
Level
Undergraduate
Undergraduate Online
Credits 1 3

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
Level
Undergraduate
Undergraduate Online
Credits 3

This course provides experiential learning that allows students to integrate classroom knowledge with criminal justice practices in an agency, firm, research setting, or organizational setting approved by the course's instructor. The student will be supervised by the course instructor and/or the hosting agency's internship supervisor. Internship students will engage in various fieldwork activities within the agency while recording their experiences in a field journal. All students will produce a course paper or scholarly research paper that establishes the student's understanding of a subject relevant to the students' study in criminal justice.

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 at department discretion
Notes

This course meets the PCOM and PCEN core curriculum requirements for the CRJ major.