Criminal Justice
Criminal Justice Bachelor of Arts
The baccalaureate degree program in Criminal Justice prepares students for careers in law enforcement, community and institutional corrections, court services, and other criminal justice-related areas. Through a combination of theoretical coursework, practical training, and experiential learning, students develop the knowledge, skills, and ethical principles necessary for employment within the criminal justice system. A baccalaureate degree program in Criminal Justice can provide a basis for advanced study in graduate school or professional programs, such as law school.
Careers in Criminal Justice
- Law Enforcement Officer,
- Corrections Officer, Probation and Parole Officer,
- Crime Scene Investigator (CSI),
- Forensic Scientist, Legal Assistant or Paralegal,
- Victim Advocate, Intelligence Analyst,
- Criminal Justice Professor or Educator, and
- Private Investigator.
Criminal Justice Core Values
- Justice and Fairness
- Integrity and Ethics
- Public Safety and Security
- Professionalism and Excellence
- Community Engagement and Collaboration
- Respect for Human Dignity
To satisfy the requirements for the Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminal Justice a student must complete a minimum of 120 semester hours, including 45 semester credit hours in Criminal Justice.
Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| CJE 101 | Intro to Criminal Justice | 3 |
| CJE 215 | Introduction to Criminal Law | 3 |
| CJE 220 | Juvenile Justice | 3 |
| CJE 320 | Law Enforcement | 3 |
| CJE 325 | Courts | 3 |
| CJE 330 | Corrections | 3 |
| CJE 335 | Theories Crime & Delinquency | 3 |
| CJE 340 | Principles of Victimology | 3 |
| CJE 345 | Comparative Criminal Justice | 3 |
| CJE 350 | Criminal Justice Ethics | 3 |
| CJE 410 | Criminal Justice Admin | 3 |
| CJE 415 | Seminar in Criminal Justice | 3 |
| CJE 430 | Criminal Justice Internship | 3 |
| CJE 433 | Criminal Justice Research Meth | 3 |
| CJE 434 | Statistics for Crim Justice | 3 |
Electives
Students are also required to take one (1) Criminal Justice Elective course and three (3) support courses (i.e., SOC 203 Principles of Sociology , SOC 305 Contemp Social Problems, and ENG 216 Technical Writing or BUA 204 Business Communication ).
Criminal Justice
CJE 101: Intro to Criminal Justice
A survey course designed to study the criminal justice process. An analysis of local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies, court, and correctional agencies.
Credit Hours: 3
Contact Hours: 3
CJE 215: Introduction to Criminal Law
The study of the development and history of criminal laws in the United States emphasizing the structure, definitions, and interpretations of criminal statutes.
Prerequisite: CJE 101 or consent of instructor
Credit Hours: 3
Contact Hours: 3
CJE 220: Juvenile Justice
A course designed to study the juvenile justice system from processing of the juvenile offender through treatment. Examines the nature and extent of delinquency in the United States and responses to juvenile crime.
Credit Hours: 3
Contact Hours: 3
CJE 320: Law Enforcement
The study of the history and development of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies and current issues in law enforcement.
Prerequisite: CJE 101 or consent of instructor
Credit Hours: 3
Contact Hours: 3
CJE 321: Private Security
The study of the historical and philosophical development of private security. Emphasis is placed on responsibilities and legal problems of private agencies.
Credit Hours: 3
Contact Hours: 3
CJE 322: Criminal Investigations
An introduction to the techniques and methods used by police investigators. Attention is given to crime scene protection, collection, preservation, and identification of physical evidence.
Prerequisite: CJE 101 or consent of instructor
Credit Hours: 3
Contact Hours: 3
CJE 325: Courts
A course designed to study the American judicial system including the function of courts, judicial process and procedures, rules of evidence, constitutional issues, and the roles and responsibilities of key court personnel.
Credit Hours: 3
Contact Hours: 3
CJE 330: Corrections
The study of the correctional process, including jails, prisons, probation and parole. Emphasis is on an analysis of correctional theory and practice.
Prerequisite: CJE 325 or consent of instructor
Credit Hours: 3
Contact Hours: 3
CJE 332: Comm. Relations Crim Justice
The study of the relationship of the community to law enforcement, correctional institutions, and other criminal justice agencies. Emphasizes techniques for conflict resolution.
Prerequisite: CJE 320 or consent of instructor
Credit Hours: 3
Contact Hours: 3
CJE 335: Theories Crime & Delinquency
A course designed to study the major theoretical explanations of crime and delinquency.
Credit Hours: 3
Contact Hours: 3
CJE 340: Principles of Victimology
Study of crime, its victims, and their relationship to the criminal justice process. Emphasizes psychological, financial, and medical needs and problems of the victim. CREDIT: 3 SEMESTER HOURS.
Credit Hours: 3
Contact Hours: 3
CJE 345: Comparative Criminal Justice
A course designed to examine the nature, location, and impact of crime in the United States including its historical foundations, theories of criminality, measurement of crime, typologies, and public policies concerning crime control with emphasis on cross-cultural perspectives.
Credit Hours: 3
Contact Hours: 3
CJE 350: Criminal Justice Ethics
A course designed to examine the theoretical foundations of ethics, ethical decision-making, and ethical issues confronting the criminal justice system, its processes and personnel.
Credit Hours: 3
Contact Hours: 3
CJE 410: Criminal Justice Admin
The study of the principles of organization, administration, leadership, management, and function of criminal justice agencies, including problem-solving, planning, and evaluation techniques used by criminal justice administrators.
Credit Hours: 3
Contact Hours: 3
CJE 415: Seminar in Criminal Justice
The study of special issues in criminal justice. Special emphasis is placed upon solutions to particular administrative problems
Prerequisite: CJE 410 or consent of instructor
Credit Hours: 3
Contact Hours: 3
CJE 420: Criminal Justice Res Methods
An in/depth research effort in the field of criminal justice. To include an introduction to basic logic, knowledge and skills of research design and methodology in criminal justice.
Prerequisite: Consent of instructor
Credit Hours: 3
Contact Hours: 3
CJE 425: Statistics for Crim Justice
This course serves as an introduction to the use of statistics as a method of describing and analyzing data from research in criminal justice with an emphasis on applied methods. (Three hours of lecture, one hour of laboratory per week)
Credit Hours: 4
Contact Hours: 4
CJE 430: Criminal Justice Internship
A supervised placement in a criminal justice agency which enables students to obtain practical experience in a criminal justice setting.
Credit Hours: 3
Contact Hours: 3
CJE 433: Criminal Justice Research Meth
An in-depth research effort. To include an introduction to basic logic, knowledge and skills of research design and methodology.
Prerequisite: Consent of instructor
Credit Hours: 3
Contact Hours: 3
CJE 434: Statistics for Crim Justice
This course serves as an introduction to the use of statistics as a method of describing and analyzing data from research in criminal justice with an emphasis on applied methods. (Three hours of lecture, one hour of laboratory per week)
Credit Hours: 3
Contact Hours: 3
CJE 435: Statistics Criminal Justice
This course serves as an introduction to the use of statistics as a method of describing and analyzing data from research in Criminal Justice with an emphasis on applied methods.
Credit Hours: 3
Contact Hours: 3
CJE 495: Spec. Top in Criminal Justice
Credit Hours: 3
Contact Hours: 3
CJE 500: Sem. in Adv. Crimin. Procedure
This graduate-level seminar course examines the processes and legal principle relating to the United States judicial system. This course takes an advanced look at case law, statutes, constitutional framework, procedural rules and governing practice in criminal casework.
Credit Hours: 3
Contact Hours: 3
CJE 505: Sem. in Law Enforce. Admin.
This graduate-level seminar provides a comprehensive examination of law enforcement administration, including relative theory, practice and contemporary matters. This course also studies organizational, managerial, and leadership effecting law enforcement agencies. Critical and analytical skill are employed to address complex problems faced by law enforcement administrators.
Credit Hours: 3
Contact Hours: 3
CJE 510: Seminar in Correctional Admini
This graduate-level seminar offers a wide-ranging examination of issues, policies, and practices within correctional administration. This course analyzes management, operations and challenges encountered in correctional administration. It draws upon theoretical perspectives, empirical research and case studies pertaining to administration in the correctional setting. Special focus is given to rehabilitation, institution safety concerns and maintaining constitutional standards.
Credit Hours: 3
Contact Hours: 3
CJE 520: Sem in Juven. Justice Admin.
This graduate-level seminar course provides instruction in the administration, policies, and practices within the juvenile justice system. It focuses on the historical, theoretical, and practical dimensions of juvenile justice and administration. Subject matter includes organization and management concerns, legalities, intervention strategies and other challenges faced by juvenile offenders.
Credit Hours: 3
Contact Hours: 3
CJE 521: Sem. in Private Sec. Admin.
This graduate-level seminar course offers examination theory, practice and other relevant issues in private security administration. It focuses on the establishment of the knowledge and skills necessary for management in private security organizations. Emphasis is directed at strategic leadership, risk management, asset preservation, data utilization, and personnel matters.
Credit Hours: 3
Contact Hours: 3
CJE 522: Sem. in Prob. & Paro. Admin.
This graduate-level seminar course provides an exploration of the theory, practice, and issues associated with probation and parole administration. It focuses on the knowledge and skills necessary to manage probation and parole systems from effective reentry to public safety. Including leadership, decision-making, and collaboration with stakeholders.
Credit Hours: 3
Contact Hours: 6
CJE 530: Cyber Crimes
This graduate-level seminar course provides in-depth exposure to cybercrime. It focuses on case studies, legal frameworks, emerging trends, computer crimes, social media and other challenges to law enforcement. Additional topics include theoretical perspectives, investigative techniques, and strategies for prevention and response.
Credit Hours: 3
Contact Hours: 3
CJE 531: Principles of Cybersecurity
This graduate-level seminar course offers an advanced overview of principles, practices and concepts relevant to cybersecurity operations. Knowledge will be obtained in the area of digital assets, cyber threats, confidentiality, integrity, and information systems, among others.
Credit Hours: 3
Contact Hours: 3
CJE 532: Sem. in Cyber Crime & Cyberter
This graduate-level seminar provides a comprehensive overview of cybercrime and cyberterrorism. It addresses the theoretical, legal, and practical aspects relevant to challenges faces in society. Focus is placed on understanding cybercriminal and cyberterrorism activities and proactive strategies for prevention, detection, and response.
Credit Hours: 3
Contact Hours: 3
CJE 540: Criminal Justice Reform
Credit Hours: 3
Contact Hours: 3
CJE 541: Restorative Justice Practices
Credit Hours: 3
Contact Hours: 6
CJE 542: Community Engagement, Learning
Credit Hours: 3
Contact Hours: 6
CJE 600: Adv. Crimin. & Crimino. Theory
This graduate-level seminar course focuses on advanced concepts, debates, and empirical research relating to criminological theory. Key theoretical perspectives are explored relating to the etiology of crime, the social construction of deviance, and criminal behavior. Exploration includes theoretical readings, empirical studies, and application.
Credit Hours: 3
Contact Hours: 3
CJE 605: Adv. App. Stat for Crim. Justi
The graduate-level seminar course provided comprehensive knowledge of advanced statistical methods and application within criminology and criminal justice research. Instruction and practical application is conducted to ensure understanding of data collection, management, analysis, and data interpretation. Emphasis is placed on techniques to address research hypotheses, policy evaluation, and decision-making within the criminal justice system.
Credit Hours: 3
Contact Hours: 3
CJE 610: Adv. Res. Meth. in Crim.Justic
This graduate-level course explores advanced research methodology used in criminology and criminal justice research. Advance emphasis is placed on methodology, ethics, and quantitative and qualitative methods used.
Credit Hours: 3
Contact Hours: 3
CJE 680: Dir. Stud. in Crim. Justice
The Directed Study in the Criminal Justice course offers graduate students the opportunity to engage in self-directed research or scholarly study of a particular management or problem within criminal justice. Study takes place under the guidance of a faculty mentor. The course provides the opportunities to explore areas of interest not covered in existing coursework.
Credit Hours: 3
Contact Hours: 3
CJE 681: Intern in Crim. Just.
This graduate internship in criminal justice course allows students to earn academic graduate credit while engaging in an immersive experiential learning opportunity within the criminal justice system (CJS). These opportunities include practical experience, supervised field placement, reflective practice, ethical considerations, critical analysis and hands-on activities. Internships may be completed with or without compensation.
Credit Hours: 3
Contact Hours: 3
CJE 690: Comprehensive Exa + Grad Elect
Credit Hours: 3
Contact Hours: 6
CJE 699: Capstone Option
Credit Hours: 3
Contact Hours: 6