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 all Criminal Justice courses, 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 Women's Studies 295. Credit not allowed in both Criminal Justice 295 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. Fall 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. Spring semester. 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. Spring semester. Prerequisite: Criminal Justice 110 or approval of instructor. For Criminal Justice majors, credit not allowed in both Criminal Justice 312 and Sociology 323.
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. Spring semester. Prerequisite: Criminal Justice 110 or completion of general education social science requirement or approval of instructor.
325 Law and Justice System (3)
An overview of the role of the actors in the American courtroom, the interaction of these actors and the effect of social forces on their behavior. Includes prosecutor, plaintiff and defense lawyers, judges, juries, eye witnesses, expert witnesses, and court staff. Spring semester. Prerequisite: Criminal Justice 110 or approval of instructor.
330 Probation, Parole and Community Corrections (3)
Examines the history, law, administration and current status of community correctional programs, including diversion, probation, parole, halfway houses, volunteer programs and other community programs for juvenile and adult offenders. Prerequisite: Criminal Justice 110 or approval of instructor.
355 Public and Private Security (3)
The organization of security systems in public and private agencies and institutions. An in-depth analysis of the historical perspectives, current status components, and opportunity in private security. Prerequisite: Criminal Justice 110 or completion of social science general education requirement or approval of instructor.
370 Drugs: The Law and the Community (3)
Study of the drug problem, related law, and treatment of alternatives. On demand. Prerequisite: Criminal Justice 110 or completion of social science general education requirement or approval of instructor.
375 Juvenile Justice (3)
A study of historical, philosophical, and legal influences defining the juvenile justice system. Students will examine the structure of the juvenile court, choices for intervention, methods for measuring crime, and special topics associated with juvenile justice. Fall semester. Prerequisite: Criminal Justice 110 or completion of general education social science requirement or approval of instructor. For Criminal Justice majors, credit not allowed in both Criminal Justice 375 and Sociology 322.
390 Police Procedure and Criminal Investigation (3)
A study of the laws on arrest, use of force, search and seizure, interrogation of suspects, obtaining confessions, and criminal identifications. Includes investigative techniques associated with collection and preservation of physical evidence as well as interrogation and preparation of formal statements of witnesses and suspects. Prerequisites: Criminal Justice 110 and 310.
400 Constitutional Law (3)
An examination of the leading constitutional principles pertaining to modern criminal procedure. Fall semester. Prerequisites: Criminal Justice 110 and 170, or other law related course, or approval of instructor.
