Criminal Justice Bachelor's Degree Curriculum

Program Goal and Outcomes

Program Goal

To prepare students for professional opportunities in the criminal justice field and for a wide array of entry-level positions in criminal justice, as well as to provide a foundation for graduate studies.

Program Outcomes

Upon completion of the program, students will be able to...

Demonstrate effective written and interpersonal communication skills
Demonstrate a high level of inquiry, analytical, and problem-solving skills
Demonstrate effective quantitative skills
Demonstrate computer and information literacy
Demonstrate an understanding of the liberal arts, natural sciences, and social sciences
Apply the procedures used to obtain, evaluate, and communicate information in a legal environment
Explain the typical levels of management and organizational components in the modern police organization and other major entities of the criminal justice system and different leadership styles and theories
Discuss the legal system in the United States, including the origins and history of the law, the development of common law, statutory law, constitutional law and how this affects the criminal justice system
Analyze the substantive and procedural operations of the criminal justice system with focus on the prosecutorial, judicial, and defense functions
Evaluate issues of justice, professionalism, and ethics within law enforcement and the courts
Examine the external and internal factors that control the dynamics of law enforcement from the police, prosecution, and defense perspectives as they apply to ethical, moral, and legal applications
Discuss the origins and development of the law of search and seizure on the federal and state levels, the ethical and legal issues surrounding the exclusionary rule as it impacts the Fourth and Fifth Amendments, and the workings of an adversarial system of justice
Evaluate the relationship between victims and the criminal justice system and provide details of the interaction of victims with the police, prosecutors, court, and defense attorneys
Discuss the principles of criminal responsibility and the requirement of culpable mental states, the various defenses used to negate or to mitigate criminal liability, and the prevailing theories and philosophies for criminal punishment including restitution, retribution, and rehabilitation
Discuss and compare recognized biological, psychological, and sociological theories about the causes of criminal behavior and the types of criminal behavior and methods for predicting future crime.
Analyze the various methods and theories of policing, including reactive, proactive, problem-solving, community policing
Analyze theories of corrections, rehabilitation, and punishment and how they affect correctional management practices
Describe the juvenile court process, including the rights of juveniles, detention and its alternatives, and how juveniles are processed in adult criminal court
Analyze the different types of evidence, such as crime scene evidence, documentary evidence, witness testimony, and scientific evidence. Describe the admissibility requirements for the various forms of evidence as well as the attendant ethical and legal issues presented

Semester 1

Basic Skills Assessment

All degree applicants are required to complete two Basic Skills Assessments, one in reading and one in math, to determine the level of readiness for beginning their selected program. Additional studies may be required.

Criminal Justice Orientation (1 credit)

Succeed by learning how to use your Penn Foster program, and become familiar with the criminal justice system.

Objectives:

Understand how to use your Student Portal, including your My Homepage and My Courses pages.
Access the Penn Foster Community and use it to find answers.
Connect with Penn Foster on various social media sites.
Describe how the police legal system and corrections system work together to solve crimes, make arrests, prosecute cases, and deal with convicted offenders.
Identify the different tasks that police officers, private security personnel, and federal law enforcement officers do in their jobs.
Outline the steps of the criminal justice process, starting with the arrest, moving through

Information Literacy (1 credit)

Get better at finding and using information!

Objectives:

Search the Internet more effectively.
Get tips about search engines and reliable websites.
Learn how to search libraries and other information centers for important, useful information.

Introduction to Criminal Justice (3 credits)

Begin your study of the exciting field of criminal justice.

Objectives:

Discuss the nature of crime and how it affects society
Explain the history, organization, role, and function of policing, as well as its issues
Identify the various roles of the judicial process and the stages of a trial
Describe the role that correctional institutions have fulfilled, their design, the people who live there, and the difficulties encountered when leaving the structured environment of prison
Recognize how juvenile justice and terrorism impact criminal justice in the United States

Essentials of Psychology (3 credits)

This course covers the psychology of biology and behavior, consciousness, memory, thought and language, intelligence, personality and gender, stress, and community influences.

Objectives:

Describe the science of psychology, basic structure and function of the human nervous system, and basic structure and function of the sensory system
Explain various states of consciousness, learning theories, and thought processes and development
Summarize the nature of human motivation and development, the human development cycle, and approaches to understanding and assessing personality
Prepare an essay on the topic of conditioning, memory, or motivation and emotion
Recognize psychological disorders and available treatments
Explain social psychology as it relates to attitudes, influences, behaviors, and stress
Use critical thinking skills to determine the likely causes of behaviors of individuals and groups discussed in case studies

Introduction to Sociology (3 credits)

This course is designed to introduce you to social structure and social interaction through groups, networks, and organizations. Study politics, the economy, population, social movements, technology, and social change.

Objectives:

Describe deviance, crime, and social control.
Discuss the effects of stratification, racial and ethnic inequality, sex, gender, and sexuality.
Examine the role of health, family, education, and religion in human behavior.

Additional Course Materials:

Textbook: Experience Sociology

Supplement: Seeing Ourselves: Classic, Contemporary, and Cross-Cultural Readings in Sociology

Courts (3 credits)

This course looks at the relationship among the judiciary, defense, and prosecution involved in the United States Courts system. You're studies start with an overview of the basic structures of courts. You'll also look to the successive steps involved in prosecutions and cover topics such as plea bargains, trials, juries, sentencing, and appeals.

Objectives:

Point out the structure and working process of the legal system in the United States
Analyze the emergence of law in the different systems of litigation in America
Distinguish between the civil and criminal litigation in state and federal courts in the US
Analyze articles relating to the US court system

Proctored Examination

You will be required to complete a proctored exam on selected courses each semester. These assessments will evaluate the knowledge and skills that you learned during the semester. You choose the time, the location, and the qualified exam supervisor.

Semester 2

Computer Applications (3 credits)

This course will allow you to build your computer skills through a combination of reading and hands-on practice. You will navigate popular software tools such as Windows® and Microsoft® Office.

Objectives:

Create, edit, and illustrate Microsoft® Word™ documents.
Apply formulas and functions to large data sets in Microsoft® Excel.®
Incorporate useful charts and graphs to summarize data.
Add, delete, sort, and lay out table data.
Create presentations in Microsoft® PowerPoint® using advanced tools, tables, and charts.

English Composition (3 credits)

This course teaches the skills and techniques of effectively developing, drafting, and revising college-level essays toward a specific purpose and audience: active reading, prewriting strategies, sentence and paragraph structure, thesis statements, varied patterns of development (such as illustration, comparison and contrast, and classification), critical reading toward revision of structure and organization, editing for standard written conventions, and use and documentation of outside sources. Students submit two prewriting assignments and three essays (process analysis, comparison and contrast, and argumentation).

Objectives:

Use writing skills to construct well-written sentences and active reading skills to understand and analyze text.
Develop paragraphs using topic sentences, adequate detail, supporting evidence, and transitions.
Contrast the revising and editing steps of the writing process.
Distinguish between different patterns of development.
Write a process analysis essay using prewriting, drafting, revising, and editing skills.
Recognize how to determine the reliability of secondary sources and to give proper credit to sources referenced in an essay.
Write a comparison and contrast essay by using persuasive writing techniques to defend a claim.
Create a sound written argument using techniques of drafting and evaluating sources.

Ethics in Criminal Justice (3 credits)

Responding to situations ethically is crucial to public protection and the integrity of the legal profession.

Objectives:

Describe morality and ethics within the context of human behavior.
Discuss issues of ethics and law enforcement.
Discuss the ethics of both punishment and correction.

Course Assignment:

Complete a research project and provide ethical solutions to five given scenarios.

Police Studies (3 credits)

Looks at the role of policing in America; discusses the existence of a police subculture, the role of management, and the nature of patrolling; considers different strategies for investigating and solving problems; includes a discussion about ethics, civil liability, and possible directions for policing in the future.

Objectives:

Explain the roles and functions of police in American society
Describe the development of policing, and recognize how it shaped policing in the modern era
Describe the processes involved in police training, selection, and development, including the impact of race and gender
Discuss the structure of police organizations, and describe levels of administration and supervision
Explain how various police operations are carried out, including those performed by patrol, investigations, traffic, and paramilitary units
Discuss the issue of police discretion, including how and when police officers use discretion and its effects
Define police use of force, and discuss the patterns and legal requirements for use of force
Describe the major perspectives of police behavior, and discuss why the police can be seen as a subculture
Describe the role of ethics within police operations, and list several forms of police deviance
Discuss the nature of criminal and civil liability as they relate to police operations
Describe the factors that impact the relationship between the police and the public, and explain the concepts of crime prevention and community policing
Discuss the nature and extent of the drug problem in the United States, and describe the nation's strategy in terms of police planning and operations
Discuss the issues associated with terrorism and homeland security as they affect society and the institution of policing

Textbook: Policing in America

Course Assignment:

Complete a research project regarding the investigation and analysis of “victimless” crimes.

Nutrition (3 credits)

This course will allow you to develop a healthier lifestyle by making smarter nutritional decisions.

Objectives:

Explain the various components of nutrition as a science.
Describe nutrition from a global viewpoint.
Understand the importance of water and exercise.
Identify the basics of human growth and aging.
Discuss food safety procedures.

Additional Course Material:

Textbook: Personal Nutrition

Proctored Examination

Semester 3

Legal Research and Writing (4 credits)

This course will introduce you to legal writing and to the great number of tools that can be used in legal research. You will practice these skills through three writing and research projects.

Objectives:

Format legal writing.
Perform some basic techniques to enhance your writing.
Approach a research problem from different access points.
Look up cases and statutes using the appropriate sources.
Read and brief a case.
Use basic procedures for citation.
Formulate a search request and search for documents.
Locate, profile, and investigate people and companies.
Conduct financial and business research.
Quickly and efficiently retrieve legal information using Lexis.com.®

Police Management (3 credits)

The police manager fills a vital role in the operation of a law enforcement agency. This course is designed to provide you with a fundamental understanding of the underlying principles and theories of management, both in general and as they specifically relate to police agencies.

Objectives:

Define introductory concepts of police management
Analyze the behavioral aspects of police management
Identify the functional aspects of police management
Categorize major issues in police management
Develop solutions for issues with modern police management

Textbook: The Police Manager

Art Appreciation (3 credits)

In this course, you will gain an understanding of artistic media, historical periods and artistic movements, the roles of the artist and the viewer, and the principles of art criticism.

Objectives:

Define the language, visual elements, and principles of design of art
Identify two-dimensional media
Identify three-dimensional media
Explain the evolution of art from ancient Mediterranean cultures through eighteenth century Europe
Identify features and popular examples of art throughout the history of African, Asian, Pacific, and American cultures
Compare the genres of the Modern and Postmodern eras of art from around the world

Additional Course Material:
Textbook: Living with Art, 11th Edition

Intermediate Algebra (3 credits)

Study basic algebraic concepts. Review the systems of equations, polynomials, and radicals. Learn how to factor polynomial expressions and simplify rational expressions.

Objectives:

Explain basic algebraic concepts
Solve and graph linear equations and inequalities
Analyze relations, functionality, and systems of linear equations
Prepare algebraic operations on polynomial and rational expressions and equations
Solve problems involving radicals and complex numbers

Additional Course Material:
Textbook: Intermediate Algebra

Criminal Law (3 credits)

With this course, you'll review the history of criminal law, from its start in the common law (and the principles of applying case law) to its contemporary forms of statutory and regulatory law. You'll look at crimes and their underlying elements, consider what a prosecutor needs to show in order to secure a conviction beyond a reasonable doubt, examine the traditional form of criminal law as well as strict liability and victimless crimes, discuss a range of criminal offenses, such as inchoate and property-based crimes, crimes of violence and administrative crimes, and consider the excuses, justifications, and defenses to the prosecution of such activities.

Objectives:

Explain the principles of criminal responsibility
Distinguish between morality and law
Describe how crimes are classified
Cite the origins of criminal law
Describe the police power of government
Analyze constitutional limitations on criminal liability
Cite the basic elements of a criminal act
Deconstruct inchoate, or anticipatory, crimes, crimes against the person, and crimes against property, habitation, and public morality
Outline the various defenses and punishments

Course Assignment:

Complete a research project where you’ll assume the perspective of a criminal defense lawyer in two high-profile murder cases.

Proctored Examination

Semester 4

Criminal Procedures (3 credits)

Become familiar with the procedures used in criminal cases.

Objectives:

Outline the framework for studying criminal procedures.
Handle matters involving arrests, search warrants, and probable cause.
Describe exceptions to search warrant requirements.
Discuss admissions, confessions, and pretrial identification.

Course Assignment:

Complete a research project and apply what you’ve learned about criminal procedures to a real-life criminal justice case as chronicled in the book, The Innocent Man.

Speech (3 credits)

This course provides students with a foundation in the basic concepts of public speaking. Students will learn how to research, organize and write effective speeches, incorporate presentation aids, and rehearse and deliver speeches effectively. Students will prepare, rehearse, record and submit speeches in a number of rhetorical styles to be graded.

Objectives:

Describe how to effectively use of the 10 necessary steps to preparing and presenting a public speech
Demonstrate effective delivery and presentation techniques through practice and rehearsal
Show how to effectively organize and present a narrative/personal experience speech
Make effective presentation aids to enhance your public speaking
Produce a speech to inform your audience of a product or service
Prepare a speech to persuade your audience on a topic in which you are personally invested
Demonstrate the key elements of public speaking through a variety of formats and occasions

Adolescence and Adulthood (3 credits)

This course will explore the lives and diverse experiences of young people focusing on biological and cognitive foundations, cultural contexts and the media, gender, identity, family relationships, peers and friends, dating/love/sexuality, school, work, and the future. Problems such as drug use, violence, eating disorders, suicide, and teen pregnancy will be discussed.

Objectives:

Describe the basic methods of research used in the study of adolescence and emerging adulthood and theories of cognitive developmen
Explain the influence of cultural beliefs, gender, and the self on adolescent socialization
Describe the ways in which friends and peers impact adolescent development
Discuss the impact of school and work on adolescent development and academic achievement
Explain the impact of media on adolescent development, self-concept, and youth culture

Additional Course Materials:

Textbook: Adolescence and Emerging Adulthood: A Cultural Approach

Victimology (3 credits)

For every crime committed, there’s a victim. Study the social science of victimology.

Objectives:

Identify a victim’s rights.
Describe the relationship between the victim and the criminal justice system.
Discuss how the criminal justice system might be changed to better serve victims.

Assignment: Complete a research project and apply what you've learned about victimology. Analyze the Uniform Crime Report, research victims' rights groups, research the topic of battered-woman syndrome, and analyze hate crime laws.

Additional Course Material:

Textbook: Victimology

Science Elective (3 credits)

(Choose one) ...

SCI120-Introduction to Biology

This course will allow you to explore the origin of life and the relationships among all living things.

Objectives:

Explain how organisms are structured and how they work.
Discuss the various forms of life and their processes.

Additional Course Material:

Textbook: Essentials of Biology

SCI110-Earth Science

This course will allow you to learn about planet Earth and the various aspects of the environment.

Objectives:

Describe specific characteristics of Earth.
Describe different types of rock and minerals.
Discuss the various components of our solar system.
Explain the components of weather and climates.

Additional Course Material:

Textbook: Earth Science

Proctored Examination

Semester 5

Correctional Institutions (3 credits)

This course is designed to introduce you to the correctional system in the United States. To this end, you’ll explore the American correctional context, correctional practices, and a number of correctional issues and perspectives.

Objectives:

Point out the importance of corrections, the associated laws, and the types of issues
Categorize the types of correction programs, reforms, and the issues in them
Differentiate between the various correctional programs, treatment methods, and the changes made with time
Analyze the corrections used on different convicts and the factors that determine these corrections
Apply the philosophy and knowledge of corrections to initiating the process of reentry

Additional Course Material:

Textbook: Corrections: The Essentials

Advanced Composition (3 credits)

Improve your writing and researching skills.

Objectives:

Create and develop thesis statements.
Apply appropriate writing styles to particular audiences and purposes.
Analyze literary elements.
Properly paraphrase, summarize, and quote sources.
Compose effective paragraphs.

Additional Course Material:

Textbook: Successful College Writing

Juveniles and the Legal Process (3 credits)

Many minors commit acts at one time or another that could involve them in the juvenile justice system. Knowledge and understanding of both theory and practice in juvenile justice is important for anyone working in the justice system. Two important differences between juvenile justice and adult justice are that (1) the perpetrators are children and (2) certain acts that adults can lawfully commit would be crimes if committed by children. Historically, juvenile justice emphasized the philosophy of rehabilitation more than the adult criminal justice system. Those who work in the juvenile justice system have an opportunity to impact young lives through timely and intelligent intervention and, perhaps, to permanently set juveniles on a path that will be safe and will allow them to grow into responsible and successful citizens.

Objectives:

Identify the fundamentals of juvenile justice system and its historical background
Explain the role of police in preventing drugs and gangs among the juvenile offenders
Recognize court procedures, methods of interventions, and corrections associated with juvenile justice
Distinguish between the issues, proposals for reforms, and factors of victimization for the juvenile offenders
Prepare essays on the juvenile crime problem, safe schools, traumatic events, and legal procedures

Additional Course Material:

Textbook: Juvenile Justice

Introduction to Public Policy (3 credits)

Public policy decisions of the United States affect economic and social issues all over the world.

Objectives:

Discuss public policy enacted by our elected representatives on local, state, and federal levels.
Describe the economic, social, environmental, criminal, moral, and educational issues that help to define public policy.

Additional Course Material:

Textbook: Introduction to Public Policy

Criminology (3 credits)

Criminology is the discipline that studies crime and criminal behavior. In this course, you’ll study the causes of crime, reactions, and different forms of criminal behavior. You'll also explore the many interrelationships of the criminal enterprise, the criminal justice system, and the study of the reasons for criminality.

Objectives:

Analyze the disciplines of criminology, victimology, and the associated research methods
Point out the important theories in criminology
Distinguish between violent crime, property crime, and white-collar crime
Categorize the special types of crime and the future of crime
Analyze theories on the emergence of law

Course Assignment:

Research law enforcement policies related to crime rates and criminology theory

Proctored Examination

Semester 6

Community Corrections (3 credits)

Not all offenders who break society’s laws are incarcerated in jails or penitentiaries. Many such offenders stay in the community and have their behavior monitored by long-standing systems such as probation, parole, house arrest, or other programs.

Objectives:

Describe the role and function of probation and parole.
Discuss the issues involved with community-based corrections for the drug and alcohol addicted, the mentally ill, sex offenders, women, and juveniles.

Additional Course Material:

Textbook: Community-Based Corrections

Business Statistics (3 credits)

This course will provide you with the opportunity to explore statistics and how they affect business.

Objectives:

Interpret and present data.
Analyze frequency distribution, averages, dispersion, and index numbers.
Conduct time series analysis.
Forecast business.
Apply the theory of probability and statistical inference.

Additional Course Material:

Textbook: Statistics for Business and Economics

Sociology of Diversity (3 credits)

Your Sociology of Diversity course is designed to help you better understand the world around you, including the impact of social influences, common social problems, and social systems. The readings, assignments, and other resources will encourage you to examine social problems and institutions from different perspectives.

Additional Course Material:

Textbook: Social Problems: Community, Policy, and Social Action

Free Criminal Justice Elective (3 credits)

(Choose one) ...

CJS220-Organized Crime (3 credits)

This course opens with a consideration of the development and structure of organized crime, looks at the different types of criminal activity typical to organized crime, reviews international organized crime, and closes with a consideration of the tools and means available to law enforcement to battle organized crime.

Objectives:

Discuss organized crime and the different theories offered to account for its existence
Summarize the origins of American organized crime in various cities and among different ethnic groups
Analyze the development of organized crime internationally Explain the varied activities of organized crime
Describe the response of law enforcement to organized crime on a local, national, and international level

CJS225-White Collar Crime (3 credits)

White collar crime is financially motivated and nonviolent crime committed for illegal monetary gain. It is very different from other crimes, not only in the way the offenders are treated but also in the way it impacts society as a whole.

Objectives:

Identify white-collar crime
Explain the costs and victims of white-collar crime
Contrast various theories of white-collar crime
Explain occupational and governmental crime
Summarize various state-corporate crimes, finance crime, and technocrime
Analyze attempts to police and regulate white-collar crime
Critique and defend legal approaches to white-collar crime

Textbook: White Collar Crime: The Essentials

CJS215-Terrorism (3 credits)

Terrorism became a major concern for all American citizens after the September 11, 2001 attacks, especially for law enforcement professionals.

Objectives:

Discuss the theory and practice of domestic and international terrorism.
Describe the world of the terrorist.
Understand the role of law enforcement and security to keep our country functioning and free of domestic terrorism.

Prerequisite: CJS120-Police Studies

Textbook: Terrorism and Homeland Security

CJS210-Crime Scene Investigation Basics (3 credits)

This course provides an understanding of the scientific theory, practices, and techniques used to process a crime scene. It examines how crime scene professionals protect themselves and the evidence at a crime scene. It identifies and describes the different roles that law enforcement professionals execute at the scene of a crime. The course also describes the types of evidence and how evidence is collected and secured before a crime lab processes it.

Objectives:

Summarize the importance of physical evidence
Explain how to assess, photograph, sketch, map, and document a crime scene
Recognize the different methods and technologies used to collect evidence
Describe how to analyze and reconstruct a crime scene
Write an essay on the methods of investigating a crime scene associated with arson

Textbook: Practical Crime Scene Processing and Investigation

CJS255-Computer-Based Crime (3 credits)

Presents the procedures used in criminal cases that involve the use of computers and cyberspace. Examines the history of computer-based crime and how technology has created new avenues to commit traditional crime as well all new opportunities for criminal behavior. Discusses a wide range of modern day cybercrime including hacking, digital piracy, online fraud, sex crimes, cyberbullying, and cyberterrorism. Looks at key theoretical perspectives, legal challenges, and perspectives on the future.

Objectives:

Describe the factors that influence hacking, malware, piracy, identity fraud, and other computer-based traditional statutes crimes.
Analyze the implications of various government legislation and the trends to minimize cybercrimes in the future.

Prerequisite: CJS101-Introduction to Criminal Justice

Textbook: Cybercrime and Digital Forensics: An Introduction

CJS260-Crisis Intervention (3 credits)

Crises are a normal part of our lives. Whether it's a devastating flood, a terrorist attack, cancer, or a loss of primary income, crisis workers have to be able to help clients overcome negative feelings and painful emotions.

Objectives:

Deal with people in crisis in a culturally sensitive manner.
Describe the different types of crises experienced in adolescence.
Understand how to handle loss, posttraumatic stress disorder, and crises of victimization.

Prerequisites: CJS120-Police Studies

Textbook: A Guide to Crisis Intervention

CJS235-Multicultural Law Enforcement (3 credits)

Examine the issues of crime and justice with respect to race and ethnicity.

Objectives:

Discuss how race and ethnicity affect the likelihood of being victims of crime or offenders.
Describe how people of various races and ethnicity are treated in criminal courtrooms and by the police.

Prerequisites: CJS120-Police Studies

Textbook: Race and Crime a Text/Reader

PLS213-Family Law (3 credits)

This course will provide you with a solid foundation in the basic legal principles that apply to family law.

Objectives:

Explain the elements of family law practice and of marriage
Define the fundamental principles of law with annulment and the divorce process
Identify the role of a paralegal with cases involving parenthood, child custody, child support, and adoption
Identify the proper forum and procedural requirements for spousal support, property division, separation agreements, and family violence

Textbook: Family Law for the Paralegal

BUS315-Legal Environment of Business (3 credits)

Explore the legal aspects of business today.

Objectives:

Understand the basics of the U.S. legal system and how it affects business on a daily basis.
Describe the sources of law.
Identify the elements of contracts and rules pertaining to contracts.
Identify and interpret laws pertaining to ownership and transfer of property.
Describe the formation of sales and lease contracts and the arising legal issues.

Textbook: Business Law

Music Appreciation (3 credits)

In this course, you'll understand how to appreciate music by learning about the roles of the composer and the listener, the principles of music theory and instrumentation, musically significant historical periods, and varying styles of music.

Objectives:

Identify the building blocks of music a composer can use to create a piece, such as rhythm, melody, harmony, texture, form, and timbre
Explain the evolution of Western music through history, from the Middle Ages to the twenty-first century
Differentiate between the music of the baroque era and the musical styles of previous time periods
Recognize the major characteristics of classical music, including form, melody, and instrumentation
Discuss the musical trends and innovations that occurred during the romantic era
Trace the evolution of American popular music in the twentieth century
Recognize the influence of world music on modern Western composition

Additional Course Material:
Textbook: Experience Music, Fourth Edition

Proctored Examination

Semester 7

Organizational Behavior (3 credits)

Get an overview of management approaches.

Objectives:

Outline the process of human decision making.
Manage groups and conflict.
Structure, design, and organize groups.
Discuss power and influence.
Learn about the fundamental forces of change.

Additional Course Material:

Textbook: Organizational Behavior

Administration of Justice (3 credits)

Without our criminal justice system, we wouldn’t be able to enjoy the privileges and benefits of living in a free society. The hardworking men and women of the criminal justice system are responsible for breathing life into each one of our criminal laws. The police serve as the initial enforcers of the law. The courts make sure that laws are fairly and impartially enforced. The courts also scrupulously protect the constitutional rights. Correctional organizations are responsible for administering our jails and prisons. The individuals who work in corrections have difficult and dangerous jobs. This course examines the components of the criminal justice system in detail and gives you valuable insights into their organization, operation, and administration.

Objectives:

Explain the importance of service quality in justice administration.
Consider how specific influences and issues affect the field of justice administration
Explain the importance of motivation, leadership, and communication in justice administration.
Differentiate among various roles in justice administration.
Explain the differences between various kinds of facilities and private security.
Demonstrate your analytical and problem-solving skills in an essay about criminal justice administration.

Additional Course Material:

Textbook: Administration and Management in Criminal Justice

Evidence (3 credits)

This course examines the fundamental rules of evidence from inception, preservation, and adminission at trial. All types of evidence will be studied including the historical development of the hearsay and exclusionary rules together with their permitted exceptions.

Objectives:

Explain and discuss criminal evidence
Describe the different types of judicial systems used in the United States and in other nations
Specify what witness testimony is admitted into evidence during a criminal trial and what isn’t
Summarize how the law protects inviduals from police mistakes and police misconduct
Identify the amendments to the US Constitution and explain how they protect individual liberties
Analyze the different types of evidence, such as crime scene evidence, documentary evidence, and scientific evidence

Additional Course Material:

Textbook: Criminal Evidence

Free Criminal Justice Electives (6 credits)

(Choose one) ...

CJS220-Organized Crime (3 credits)

Learn about organized criminal groups ranging from tight-knit outlaw motorcycle clubs to international groups that now operate on a global scale.

Objectives:

Outline the origins of American organized rim in various cities and among different ethnic groups.
Analyze the development of organized crime internationally.
Describe how law enforcement has responded to organized crime on a local, national, and international level.

Prerequisite: CJS101-Introduction to Criminal Justice

Textbook: Organized Crime

CJS225-White Collar Crime (3 credits)

Objectives:

Identify white-collar crime
Explain the costs and victims of white-collar crime
Contrast various theories of white-collar crime
Explain occupational and governmental crime
Summarize various state-corporate crimes, finance crime, and technocrime
Analyze attempts to police and regulate white-collar crime
Critique and defend legal approaches to white-collar crime

Textbook: White Collar Crime: The Essentials

CJS215-Terrorism (3 credits)

Terrorism became a major concern for all American citizens after the September 11, 2001 attacks, especially for law enforcement professionals.

Objectives:

Discuss the theory and practice of domestic and international terrorism.
Describe the world of the terrorist.
Understand the role of law enforcement and security to keep our country functioning and free of domestic terrorism.

Prerequisite: CJS120-Police Studies

Textbook: Terrorism and Homeland Security

CJS210-Crime Scene Investigation Basics (3 credits)

Crime scene investigations entails mastering and practicing acceptable procedures and techniques, and it has become a growing concern in the law enforcement practice.

Objectives:

Describe general crime scene investigation operations and tactics.
Properly handle physical evidence.
Understand the nature of criminal and civil liability as they relate to criminal investigation.

Textbook: Practical Crime Scene Processing and Investigation

CJS255-Computer Based Crime (3 credits)

Cyberspace is an environment favorable to committing some traditional crimes and to creating new ones.

Objectives:

Classify computer crimes in terms of targets, means, and incidentals.
Describe the processing of information at the scene, including taking pictures, making sketches, looking for trace evidence, locating evidence, and bagging and tagging.

Prerequisite: CJS101-Introduction to Criminal Justice

Textbook: Computer Forensics and Cyber Crime

CJS260-Crisis Intervention (3 credits)

Objectives:

Deal with people in crisis in a culturally sensitive manner.
Describe the different types of crises experienced in adolescence.
Understand how to handle loss, posttraumatic stress disorder, and crises of victimization.

Prerequisites: CJS120-Police Studies

Textbook: A Guide to Crisis Intervention

CJS235-Multicultural Law Enforcement (3 credits)

Examine the issues of crime and justice with respect to race and ethnicity.

Objectives:

Discuss how race and ethnicity affect the likelihood of being victims of crime or offenders.
Describe how people of various races and ethnicity are treated in criminal courtrooms and by the police.

Prerequisites: CJS120-Police Studies

Textbook: Race and Crime a Text/Reader

PLS213-Family Law (3 credits)

This course will provide you with a solid foundation in the basic legal principles that apply to family law.

Objectives:

Describe the origin, development, and current trends in family law.
Define the elements of a valid premarital agreement.
Discuss the difference between a traditional ceremonial marriage and a common law marriage.
Explain the difference between a divorce and an annulment.

Textbook: Family Law

BUS315-Legal Environment of Business (3 credits)

Explore the legal aspects of business today.

Objectives:

Understand the basics of the U.S. legal system and how it affects business on a daily basis.
Describe the sources of law.
Identify the elements of contracts and rules pertaining to contracts.
Identify and interpret laws pertaining to ownership and transfer of property.
Describe the formation of sales and lease contracts and the arising legal issues.

Textbook: Business Law

Proctored Examination

Semester 8

Supervision and Leadership (3 credits)

The process of leadership involves more than having a supervisory title or a managerial position within an organization. Leadership involves evaluation, methodology, psychology, and influence.

Objectives:

Discuss relevant leadership issues, theories, and principles.
Identify the major approaches to leadership.
Describe the role of leadership as it relates to culture and globalization.

Additional Course Material:

Textbook: Leadership: Theory and Practice

Research and Statistics (3 credits)

Your Research and Statistics course addresses the application of scientific methods of inquiry to various research goals. You’ll be introduced to the research methods used by criminal justice professionals to prove or disprove criminal justice theories and to evaluate applications and policies.

Objectives:

Explain the purpose of reasoning and ethical principles in the research process
Explain access and structure research studies for valid and measurable results
Describe how to conduct qualitative research methods and analyze collected data
Distinguish among different kinds of research method designs and results
Analyze the effectiveness of a selected criminal justice theory through research and evaluation

Additional Course Material:

Textbook: Fundamentals of Research in Criminology and Criminal Justice

Free Criminal Justice Electives (6 credits)

(Choose one) ...

CJS220-Organized Crime (3 credits)

Learn about organized criminal groups ranging from tight-knit outlaw motorcycle clubs to international groups that now operate on a global scale.

Objectives:

Outline the origins of American organized rim in various cities and among different ethnic groups.
Analyze the development of organized crime internationally.
Describe how law enforcement has responded to organized crime on a local, national, and international level.

Prerequisite: CJS101-Introduction to Criminal Justice

Textbook: Organized Crime

CJS225-White Collar Crime (3 credits)

Objectives:

Identify white-collar crime
Explain the costs and victims of white-collar crime
Contrast various theories of white-collar crime
Explain occupational and governmental crime
Summarize various state-corporate crimes, finance crime, and technocrime
Analyze attempts to police and regulate white-collar crime
Critique and defend legal approaches to white-collar crime

Textbook: White Collar Crime: The Essentials

CJS215-Terrorism (3 credits)

Terrorism became a major concern for all American citizens after the September 11, 2001 attacks, especially for law enforcement professionals.

Objectives:

Discuss the theory and practice of domestic and international terrorism.
Describe the world of the terrorist.
Understand the role of law enforcement and security to keep our country functioning and free of domestic terrorism.

Prerequisite: CJS120-Police Studies

Textbook: Terrorism and Homeland Security

CJS210-Crime Scene Investigation Basics (3 credits)

Crime scene investigations entails mastering and practicing acceptable procedures and techniques, and it has become a growing concern in the law enforcement practice.

Objectives:

Describe general crime scene investigation operations and tactics.
Properly handle physical evidence.
Understand the nature of criminal and civil liability as they relate to criminal investigation.

Textbook: Practical Crime Scene Processing and Investigation

CJS255-Computer Based Crime (3 credits)

Cyberspace is an environment favorable to committing some traditional crimes and to creating new ones.

Objectives:

Classify computer crimes in terms of targets, means, and incidentals.
Describe the processing of information at the scene, including taking pictures, making sketches, looking for trace evidence, locating evidence, and bagging and tagging.

Prerequisite: CJS101-Introduction to Criminal Justice

Textbook: Computer Forensics and Cyber Crime

CJS260-Crisis Intervention (3 credits)

Objectives:

Deal with people in crisis in a culturally sensitive manner.
Describe the different types of crises experienced in adolescence.
Understand how to handle loss, posttraumatic stress disorder, and crises of victimization.

Prerequisites: CJS120-Police Studies

Textbook: A Guide to Crisis Intervention

CJS235-Multicultural Law Enforcement (3 credits)

Examine the issues of crime and justice with respect to race and ethnicity.

Objectives:

Discuss how race and ethnicity affect the likelihood of being victims of crime or offenders.
Describe how people of various races and ethnicity are treated in criminal courtrooms and by the police.

Prerequisites: CJS120-Police Studies

Textbook: Race and Crime a Text/Reader

PLS213-Family Law (3 credits)

This course will provide you with a solid foundation in the basic legal principles that apply to family law.

Objectives:

Describe the origin, development, and current trends in family law.
Define the elements of a valid premarital agreement.
Discuss the difference between a traditional ceremonial marriage and a common law marriage.
Explain the difference between a divorce and an annulment.

Textbook: Family Law

BUS315-Legal Environment of Business (3 credits)

Explore the legal aspects of business today.

Objectives:

Understand the basics of the U.S. legal system and how it affects business on a daily basis.
Describe the sources of law.
Identify the elements of contracts and rules pertaining to contracts.
Identify and interpret laws pertaining to ownership and transfer of property.
Describe the formation of sales and lease contracts and the arising legal issues.

Textbook: Business Law

Senior Capstone: Criminal Justice

Apply your criminal justice skills and write about how search-and-seizure laws relate to a specific instance and how the law would apply in your state. Then address the debate about individuals’ rights—of both the accused and the victim.

Proctored Examination