Criminal Justice

Degrees and Certificates

Classes

CJ 100 : Introduction to Criminal Justice

An overview of the historical development and current status of American criminal justice. Attention is given to the various component parts of the system and their interactions.

Hours

3

CJ 115 : Criminal Law and the Constitution

An examination of the purposes and sources of criminal law. Elements of crimes against the person and crimes against property are addressed. A consideration of defenses to criminal liability is also undertaken.

Hours

3

Prerequisites

C or better CJ 100.

CJ 205 : Juvenile Justice

An analysis of the social administration of juvenile justice in the U.S. The decision-making process of police, the court, and probation officials in the apprehension and processing of juveniles will be stressed.

Hours

3

Prerequisites

C or better CJ 100.

CJ 210 : Probation and Parole

A study of the history, structure, organization and operation of probation and parole services. The roles of probation and parole officers will be covered as well as varying state requirements and administrative guidelines.

Hours

3

Prerequisites

C or better CJ 100.

CJ 220 : Introduction to Corrections

A study of the history and evaluation of the correctional process with emphasis on the American prison system. Included will be American jails and community-based corrections.

Hours

3

Prerequisites

C or better CJ 100.

CJ 240 : Forensic Science

An examination of techniques of the application of science to criminal law. Techniques covered via lecture and lab work includes, but is not limited to : physical properties, organic analysis, inorganic analysis, toxicology, serology, drugs, fingerprints, DNA, firearms, and document analysis.

Hours

3

Prerequisites

C or better CJ 100.

CJ 280 : Criminal Evidence

Overview of legal requirements for the collection, preservation, and presentation of evidence in criminal matters. Topics include the admission and exclusion of evidence, relevance, the hearsay rule and its exceptions, the use of writings and demonstrative evidence, judicial notice, order of proof and presumptions, and issues relating to witness competency and privileges.

Hours

3

Prerequisites

C or better CJ 100.

CJ 285 : Patrol Procedures and Accident Investigation

This course is designed to teach responsibilities, techniques, and methods of police patrol and accident investigation. Identification of police hazards, beat patrol and observation techniques of responding to crime and emergencies, crime prevention and community policy concepts will also be introduced. Procedures for proper crash investigation will be presented.

Hours

3

Prerequisites

C or better CJ 100.

CJ 300 : Criminal Investigation

An overview of the criminal investigation process as a systematic method of inquiry that utilizes science and human resourcefulness. The course will focus on criminalistics and behavioral science and the relationship between them.

Hours

3

Prerequisites

C or better CJ 100.

CJ 305 : Minorities and Criminal Justice

An examination of the roles of minorities as offenders, victims, and employees in the criminal justice system. An assessment of statistics, research, and the literature as it relates to minority crime.

Hours

3

Prerequisites

C or better CJ 100 or SC 100.

CJ 307 : Women and Criminal Justice

A survey of the roles of women as offenders, victims, and employees in the criminal justice system. An evaluation of current patterns and practices of law enforcement, criminal courts, and corrections relative to women as offenders, victims, and employees.

Hours

3

Prerequisites

C or better CJ 100 or SC 100.

CJ 320 : Drugs and the Law

An in-depth study of drugs with particular attention to drug laws, detection methods and techniques, recognition of drugs and offenders, and the various investigation methods employed by law enforcement agencies.

Hours

3

Prerequisites

C or better CJ 100.

CJ 330 : Criminology

Study of nature, causes and control of crime, social factors contributing to growth of crime. Focus is the study of the various theories as to criminality. This course will satisfy a Sociology major elective.

Hours

3

Prerequisites

C or better CJ 100 or SC 100.

CJ 335 : Defensive Tactics and Report Writing

A hands-on defensive tactics course where students will earn a PPCT defensive tactics certification. Students will also learn how to complete detailed use of force reports and defend those reports in court. This course is intended to provide students with the skills and information necessary to effectively and reasonably control combative subjects and also equip the students to accurately document the encounter.

Hours

3

Prerequisites

CJ 100

CJ 340 : Policing in a Democratic Society

An examination of the relationship between law enforcement and American society with emphasis on the importance of purposes and roles in a democratic society, police-community relations and the constitutional limits on law enforcement agencies. Material presented from a theoretical standpoint and examines critical issues, advances in crime control, officer burnout; and officer stress.

Hours

3

Prerequisites

C or better CJ 100.

CJ 350 : Homicide Investigation

An in-depth study of homicide investigation, including tactics, procedures, problems, forensic techniques, and legal issues.

Hours

3

Prerequisites

C or better CJ 100.

CJ 360 : Cybercrime

Examines efforts to regulate criminal conduct that affects the Internet and the workplace. Explores how cyberspace crimes challenge traditional approaches to the investigation and prosecution of crime.

Hours

3

Prerequisites

C or better CJ 100.

CJ 370 : Current Issues in Criminal Justice

Examines current issues impacting the U.S. criminal justice system. Focus is placed on one of the major criminal justice subsystems.

Hours

3

Prerequisites

Junior or Senior Standing.

CJ 380 : Sexual Offenses and Sexual Offenders

Exploration of relevant factors and dimensions of sexual offenses and offenders related to the Criminal Justice system, its clientele and practitioners. This course will satisfy a Sociology major and Psychology major elective.

Hours

3

Prerequisites

C or better CJ 100.

CJ 385 : Victimology

An analysis of the criminal justice system of the United States in regard to philosophies of violence in crime and violence toward victims. The problems of current theories in criminology, handling of offenders and victims within the criminal justice system, future conjecture concerning violence within society, and the rights of victims will be stressed.

Hours

3

Prerequisites

C or better CJ 100.

CJ 390 : Global Crime

An examination of international crime operations including sea and air piracy, serial crime, smuggling, terrorism, human trafficking/smuggling and profiling. This course is intended to provide students with the skills and information necessary to profile a broad array of global crimes that involve a review and analysis of actual cases and crimes.

Hours

3

Prerequisites

C or better CJ 100.

CJ 401 : Internship in Criminal Justice

Work experience under the supervision of a criminal justice professional. This experience is not employment for pay. If the student is or has been employed by the agency, the internship must be duties other than the employment duties. The internship is contracted by the agency professional, faculty supervisor, and the division dean to allow the student firsthand experience and professional contacts in a criminal justice agency.

Hours

3

Prerequisites

Senior in good standing (minimum GPA 2.00; major minimum GPA 2.50), permission of division dean and Vice President of Academic Affairs.

CJ 440 : Ethics in Criminal Justice

Examination of the philosophical application of moral principles inherent in the daily operation of the various criminal justice subsystems, focusing on practitioners.

Hours

3

Prerequisites

C or better CJ 100, Junior or Senior standing.

CJ 485 : Research Design and Senior Seminar

Advanced research techniques and qualitative or quantitative research methods, along with statistical analysis, are utilized to design and produce quality criminal justice research.

Hours

3

Prerequisites

C or better CJ 100, SC 316, Senior Standing.