College of Arts and Sciences
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Education
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Engineering
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Criminal Justice
Professor Helen Eigenberg, Head
The Criminal Justice program promotes an understanding of the justice systems on the undergraduate and graduate levels to both majors and nonmajors. Emphasis is placed on intellectual, experiential, and problem solving activities. Students acquire conceptual knowledge and learn basic skills, i.e., interpersonal, computer, legal research, for entry level employment in criminal justice systems and social service agencies. At the graduate level, students engage in rigorous study in preparation for managerial and leadership roles throughout the justice system.
2176 - Criminal Justice (B.S.)
- General Education (see for list of approved courses)
- Rhetoric and Composition: Two approved courses in rhetoric and composition (6 hours).
- Mathematics: One approved mathematics course (3 hours)
- Statistics: One approved statistics course ( 3 hours)
- Natural Sciences: Two approved natural science courses, at least one including a laboratory component ( 7-8 hours)
- Humanities and Fine Arts: Two approved humanities and fine arts courses, one from fine arts and one from either (6 hours)
- Cultures and Civilizations: Option A: Western Humanities I and II and Non-Western Cultures and Civilizations OR Option B: World Civilization I, II, III (9 hours total)
- Behavioral and Social Sciences: Sociology 151* and another approved behavioral or social science course. The second social science course may not be in sociology and must be taken outside the major. (6 hours)
Major and Related Courses
- 36 hours including: Criminal Justice 110, 170, 211, 303 or 317 or 425, 310, 311, 312, 325, 375, 410, 485; and 3 hours from Human Services 405 or Legal Assistant Studies 300
- 15 hours Criminal Justice electives with at least 9 of the 15 elective hours at the 300/400 level
- Psychology 101† and Sociology
151† (These courses may also be used to satisfy general
education requirements.)
- A minimum grade of C required in core and concentration course work, and a 2.0 overall GPA in the major is required.
- No more than 3 hours of Criminal Justice 470 or 471 may be applied toward the 15 hours of Criminal Justice electives.
- Electives to complete 120 hours.1
- Minimum of 39 hours of 300-400 levels courses.
Additional requirements.
1Electives may be taken
from any academic program.
*Also satisfies requirement in
the major.
†Also satisfies general education
requirement.
4541 - CRIMINAL JUSTICE MINOR
18 hours including Criminal Justice 110, 170 and 12 hours of criminal justice electives with at least 9 hours at the 300/400 level (excluding 470/471, 485, 495, 497, 498).
Minimum 2.0 average in the minor.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE COURSES (CRMJ)
110 Introduction to the Criminal Justice System (3)
An overview of the criminal justice system as it currently operates in its three major components: police, courts, corrections. A broad-based interdisciplinary perspective is employed to introduce the student to theories of crime and the process of criminal justice in modern America.
170 Introduction to Criminal Law (3)
An overview of both substantive and procedural law related to the definitions, investigations, processing and punishment of crimes, providing students with an overall understanding of the articulation between law and the criminal justice system. It also reviews the historical foundations of criminal law, elements of crime, purposes and functions of law, limits of the law, and the function of law in American society.
199r Special Projects (1-4)
Individual or group projects. On demand. Maximum credit 4 hours.
201 Violence in America (3)
An historical investigation into violence in America and the evolutionary response of criminal justice agencies. Every semester.
211 Information Systems in Criminal and Juvenile Justice (3)
An introduction to information management tools and processes of accountability as they relate to the two systems of justice. Fall semester.
250 Media and the Criminal Justice System (3)
Critical exploration of media portrayals of crime and criminal justice. News and entertainment genres are examined. Connections between crime, culture, politics, society and individual behavior, and the mass media receive special attention.
295 Violence Against Women (3)
Examines a variety of forms of violence against women in the United States including domestic violence, sexual assault, sexual harassment and pornography. Explores how violence against women has been minimized in society and how the criminal justice system has rarely developed effective ways to address these types of crimes. May be registered as WSTU 295. Credit not allowed in both Criminal Justice and Women’s Studies 295.
303 Comparative Criminal and Juvenile Justice Systems (3)
An examination of these two systems of justice as they function in other countries. Every semester. Prerequisite: Criminal Justice 110 or completion of general education social science requirement or approval of instructor.
310 Law Enforcement in Criminal and Juvenile Justice (3)
Examines the historical and philosophical evolution of the police and the role of police in society. Discusses police functions, subculture, community relations and decision making. Explores issues such a police corruption and deviance and attempts to control police behavior. Prerequisite: Criminal Justice 110 or approval of instructor.
311 Criminal Justice Research Methodology (3)
Examination of the contemporary philosophy and techniques of research as applied in the criminal justice field. Prerequisite: Criminal Justice 110.
312 Correctional Perspectives in Criminal and Juvenile Justice (3)
Philosophical and historical evolution of corrections in the U.S. Emphasis on punishment and rehabilitative rationales, institutional programs and procedures, inmate social structures, and contemporary issues. Prerequisite: Criminal Justice 110 or approval of instructor.
317 Minorities and Criminal Justice (3)
This course involves a critical analysis of multicultural, intergroup relations in the United States. It is intended to help students gain increased understanding of how race, ethnicity, gender, social status, age, occupation, etc., are related to the myriad of problems confronting social relations and the workings of the criminal justices system. On demand. Prerequisite: Criminal Justice 110 or completion of general education social science requirement or approval of instructor.
