Criminal Justice
Majors and Minors
Major Minor In-Seat Online
Courses
This course introduces the learner to the field of criminal justice by examining the major disciplines in the field of criminal justice. Students will be introduced to law enforcement, courts, corrections, and contemporary challenges in criminal justice.
As one of its three main components, along with law enforcement and the courts, the field of corrections is fundamental to the study of criminal justice. This course will provide an introduction to the history and background of corrections and the fundamental theories of punishment and rehabilitation. Emphasis will be placed on the policies, practices, and issues within the correctional system, the incarceration of criminal populations in jails and prisons, and the expansion of community-based corrections. Included in the course will be an examination of the cultural, social, and theoretical contexts from which these developed.
This course examines the legal implications of obtaining evidence directly from the suspect. The Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth Amendments, and the rules of evidence are discussed as they relate to the investigation of criminal acts.
This course will provide students with the framework for studying organized crime to identify public safety needs to control organized illegal activities. Learners will examine the evolution of criminal organizations, focusing primarily on organizations operating in the United States.
This course examines the psychological motivations for terrorist acts. It also explores the historical and governmental factors that provide a breeding ground for terrorist activities. Finally, it examines the social and religious justifications often utilized by terrorists. Both domestic and international terrorist groups are examined with a focus on prevention, identification, and deterrence of terrorist activities.
Special topics courses are offered on a variety of issues pertaining to the field of criminal justice. They will be designed to offer an in-depth look at a particular aspect of criminal justice. Prerequisite: to be determined or consent of instructor.
This course is designed to introduce students to the origins and history of policing, various law enforcement agencies and careers, and the current functioning of policing in America. Students will study strategies of policing as well as current debates in the field.
This course is designed to introduce students to the various classical, biological, psychological, and sociological theories of crime with emphasis placed predominately on sociological explanations of crime. Students will learn more about the correlates of criminal behavior at the individual, group, and societal level as well as measures intended to control crime and the theoretical frameworks that guide our thinking about the criminal justice system. Prerequisite: CRJ 101 Introduction to Criminal Justice.
This course provides a broad overview of ethics as it applies to criminal justice practitioners. Ethical issues such as abuse of authority, racial discrimination, lying and deception, and others are addressed in the context of policing, courts, corrections, probation, and parole. Special attention is paid to the role leaders in criminal justice agencies play in establishing ethical practices within the organization.
This course looks at the role of courts in the criminal justice process. Jurisdiction and the legal process are examined for an understanding of the legal system. The rules of evidence are explored in how they provide fairness to court proceedings.
This course introduces students to the process by which crime scene investigation is conducted. Students learn about the various personnel involved in crime scene processing and the important role each plays in a criminal investigation. Guidelines for crime scene processing and evidence gathering are emphasized in the context of investigating various types of crimes.
Internship courses allow practical application of classroom knowledge and intentional development of skills applicable to the student's professional growth. The internship experience requires 120 hours of relevant field work, assigned readings and quizzes, reflection papers, evaluation by on-site supervisor, and a final paper. This course is restricted to Junior/Senior status. Internship courses are graded pass/fail. May be repeated once. Only 3 credits of internship may be applied toward the upper level CRJ electives towards the major.
In this course, students will complete a series of assignments that will allow them to further explore career options within the criminal justice field. This course emphasizes experiential learning. Students will participate in interviews with criminal justice professionals.
This course is designed to introduce students to the various research methodologies utilized to understand crime and the criminal justice system. Both qualitative and quantitative research methods will be discussed. The course covers research design, ethics, and data analysis. In addition to exams and assignments, students will write a research proposal, which includes a literature review, research design, and potential findings/implications. Prerequisite: CRJ 101 Introduction to Criminal Justice. Students strongly encouraged to take ENG 380 with this course.
This course provides a comprehensive foundation in forensic pathology and ethical decision-making within death investigation and injury analysis. Students will examine key topics including time of death determination, postmortem changes, and the forensic implications of various injury mechanisms such as blunt force trauma, gunfire, asphyxia, and drowning. The course also explores specialized areas including pediatric deaths, radiologic forensics, toxicological influences of alcohol and marijuana, and the ethical dimensions of autopsy procedures and medicolegal reporting. Emphasis is placed on applying ethical principles to complex forensic scenarios involving human remains, trauma interpretation, and cause-of-death determination.
This course prepares forensic professionals to deliver credible expert testimony and produce legally sound documentation. Students apply ethical and professional standards, develop pretrial strategies, practice objective courtroom communication, and create defensible forensic reports. Emphasis is placed on evidence preservation, chain of custody, and maintaining integrity within the judicial process.
This course prepares forensic professionals to lead and participate effectively in interprofessional teams. Students will develop protocols for coordinated care, identify key partners and their roles in forensic investigations, and assess systemic and organizational barriers to collaboration. Emphasis is placed on evaluating and clearly articulating the unique contributions of the forensic nurse within multidisciplinary settings.
This course offers an intensive examination of the complex intersection between forensic practice, the legal system, and societal factors. It delves into the foundational principles guiding forensic professionals including scene investigators, reconstructionists, and specialized practitioners like forensic nurses who function where legal and scientific inquiries overlap.