Criminal Justice

Degrees and Certificates

Courses

CRJU 146: Writing for Criminal Justice

This course focuses on two areas of criminal justice writing. The first area is the development of writing skills for writing criminal justice reports, such as reports of criminal investigations. The second area is learning how to write an academic paper, including identifying peer-reviewed sources, and developing a theme. Students will learn how to use the library resources to write their criminal justice papers, including their senior project. Students will also learn how to develop a résumé for applying for criminal justice jobs.

CRJU 147: Introduction to Criminal Justice

This course provides the student with an overview of the criminal justice system, including how the various components work together. Students will examine the impact of the courts, Constitution, and laws on the various organizations within the system. This course also presents the student with the definitions of key terms and concepts that will appear throughout the criminal justice curriculum.

CRJU 148: Law Enforcement

This course provides the student with an overview of the development of law enforcement organizations throughout American history, with an emphasis on local policing. Students will examine the missions, procedures, and challenges found in local law enforcement agencies. Topics covered in the course include arrest procedures, patrol strategy, community relations, and organizational structure.

CRJU 149: Corrections

This course introduces students to the philosophical foundation behind punishment and defines American correctional methods, including incarceration and community-based programs. Students will examine the sentencing process and the challenges of managing a correctional institution. This course also includes analysis of contemporary correctional issues, including privatization and capital punishment.

CRJU 201: Criminal Law and Procedures I

This course provides content on the purpose and creation of criminal laws. In addition, students examine the processes involved in prosecuting a criminal case, from the time of arrest through the trial and appeal. Topics covered in this course include arraignment, pre-trial preparation, and courtroom procedures.

CRJU 211: Criminology

This course explores the major scientific theories of crime, including, biological, psychological, and sociological theories that attempt to explain why individuals commit criminal acts. The course also explores the application of these theories to the development of public policy related to crime and the criminal justice system. Emphasis is placed on a scientific understanding of crime to assist criminal justice and human services practitioners in their response to criminal behavior and the problem of crime.

CRJU 260: Field Observation

This is a 50-hour observational experience in a criminal justice agency of the student’s choice. Instructor approval of the placement is required. The purpose of the observation is to increase the student’s knowledge of practical job skills needed in criminal justice.

CRJU 301: Criminal Investigation

This course provides content on specific investigative techniques and the roles played by criminal investigators. Students examine the laws and court cases that govern interrogations, property seizure, and evidence preservation. The course also provides opportunities for students to practice basic skills related to surveillance and the collection and preservation of crime scene evidence.

CRJU 311: Juvenile Justice

This course covers content on the unique characteristics of the juvenile branch of criminal justice. Students examine the crimes and behaviors typical of juveniles and the methods used by law enforcement and social organizations to prevent and correct these behaviors. This course includes a review of the “vocabulary” of juvenile justice and the root causes of delinquency.

CRJU 316: Community Corrections

This course operates on two assumptions: First, most offenders spend a great deal of their sentence being supervised and/or treated in the community rather than jail or prison. Second, 95%-97% of all incarcerated offenders will be released at some point in their lives. Most will undergo some sort of community supervision as they transition into society. Due to advancements in effective correctional interventions, more is known about what works with certain types of offenders. Therefore, most of the community correctional interventions covered in this course are evidence-based and because of the use of these Evidence-Based Practices (EBP), a vast acceptance of this empirical research has changed the way many criminal justice agencies operation and utilize community corrections.

CRJU 321: Homeland Security

This course introduces students to the various agencies tasked with the mission of protecting America from foreign threats and the methods these agencies employ. Students will examine the major terrorist groups, both foreign and domestic, that present the most serious threats to national security. The course includes a review of the Patriot Act and other legislation related to homeland security.

CRJU 371-374: Special Topics in Criminal Justice

Special topics in criminal justice provides students with a space in which to explore in greater focus and depth issues concerning the criminal justice system in the U.S. In a spirit of both celebration and critical investigation, each course will consider historical events and figures of particular significance to the topic of focus, will examine current socio-political and economic events and developments of particular salience for that population, and will investigate best practice with regard to engagement and work with that population from the perspective critical thinking within the criminal justice field. Each course will highlight issues important for criminal justice in the U.S., and for administering a criminal justice system that is fair and equitable to all. Each course will provide students with the opportunity to develop a deeper appreciation for. and understanding of, the rich diversity of human experience as it relates to the practice of criminal justice. Each special topics class will have its own course level objectives. 

CRJU 470: Internship

This course provides an in-depth internship in a criminal justice agency. The internship is designed to test and increase the student’s skill, clarify the relationship between theory and practice, assist in the appropriate use of supervision, and increase self-awareness and the use of critical thinking skills, and completing the development of a professional identity. Student must successfully complete CRJU 147 and 4 additional CRJU courses in order to enroll in this course. Student should have second semester junior or senior status to enroll. Instructor permission required prior to enrollment.

CRJU 490: Senior Project

This course is a self-directed research project on a selected topic. The course
is designed to assist students in the application of research skills.