Course Descriptions
Criminology and Criminal Justice (CCJ) & Criminal Justice Studies (CJA)
CJ 151 Criminal Justice Systems (3)
Overview of criminal justice systems, processes, and personnel. Roles and relationships of various law enforcement agencies, court systems, and corrections agencies. This course provides competencies to meet the program outcome to allow students to demonstrate an understanding of practical knowledge regarding the inherent complexities and day-to-day operations of the American justice system. Open to non-majors.
CJ 201 Foundations in Criminology (3)
The study of crime; nature, types, causation theories, crime statistics, criminal law, the victim, punishment and crime prevention. This course provides competencies to meet the program outcome to allow students to demonstrate an understanding of issues of race and ethnicity, gender and social class and the need to understand social causes of crime. Open to non-majors.
CJ 220 Criminal Investigation (3)
Crime scene investigation. Collection and preservation of evidence. Admissibility of evidence, interrogations, and confessions. This course provides competencies to meet the program outcome to allow students to demonstrate an understanding of integrating concepts of forensic science, and prosecutorial law in criminal investigation instruction. Open to non-majors.
CJ 223 Introduction to Law (3)
The study of the American legal system and various subject areas of law. Areas include: criminal law, criminal procedure, contracts, property, torts, business and family law. This course provides competencies to meet the program outcome to allow students to demonstrate an understanding of learning the basic rights guaranteed to each individual by both state and federal constitutions and laws. Open to non-majors.
CJ 280 Techniques of Interviewing, Interrogation, and Report Writing (3)
This course will examine interview and interrogation procedures and techniques as performed in the United States. It will also serve as an introductory criminal justice professional writing course and focus on covering the techniques to effectively communicate facts, information, and ideas in a clear and logical manner for a variety of public safety systems reports.
CJ 291 Juvenile Justice System (3)
Components of the juvenile justice system and the processing of the juvenile through the system; rights of the juvenile; criminological theories relevant to juvenile delinquency and criminal behaviors. This course provides competencies to meet the program outcome to allow students to demonstrate an understanding of learning the basic rights guaranteed to each individual by both state and federal constitutions and laws. Open to non-majors
English 102 and Communication 101 are prerequisites for all upper division courses.
CJ 315 Behavioral Sciences Statistics (3)
Introduction to the methods and rules for organizing and interpreting observations; descriptive and inferential statistics, including frequency distributions, hypothesis testing, simple analysis of variance, estimation, and Chi-Square.
Prerequisites: EN 102, COM 101
CJ 321 Research Methods (3)
This course will introduce students to the research methodology used to assess practices and policies within the criminal justice system and in criminology overall. Students will be equipped with the range of quantitative and qualitative tools available to the criminal justice researcher. Students will also learn the ethic limitations and obligations of the social science researcher.
Prerequisites: EN 102, COM 101
CJ 375 Contemporary Issues in Criminal Justice (3)
An examination of issues currently faced by the criminal justice system focusing upon contemporary issues which are projected to have a major impact upon the quality of life for the community and the ability of the criminal justice system to provide services to the community. This course provides competencies to meet the program outcome to allow students to demonstrate an understanding of learning the basic rights guaranteed to each individual by both state and federal constitutions and laws.
Prerequisites: EN 102, COM 101, CJ 151 or CJ 201
CJ 399 Career Development in Criminal Justice (3)
This course is designed to help students explore careers in criminal justice. There is a focus on career planning strategies along with pursuing future employment in the field of criminal justice.
CJ 412 Crisis Intervention (3)
This course is designed to prepare students to understand the nature of crisis intervention, including the appropriateness of individual and team responses. It will utilize crisis intervention strategies for responding to calls pertaining to mental illness, natural disasters, and other incidents where usual patterns of functioning are impared. Special focus will address the crisis management strategies of prevention, mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery.
CJ 423 Criminal Law (3)
Concepts of criminal law including elements, parties, liabilities and defenses. Constitutional limitations on police power and the administrative process of law enforcement. This course provides competencies to meet the program outcome to allow students to demonstrate an understanding of practical knowledge regarding the inherent complexities of the American criminal justice system.
Prerequisites: EN 102, COM 101, CJ 151, CJ 223
CJ 424 Criminal Procedures and Civil Liberties (3)
The pre-trial and trial rights of the criminal defendant and society, including discussions of the law of arrest, search and seizure, confessions, identification procedures, self-incrimination, and right to counsel. Important civil liberty issues such as due process and the role of the police are also examined in this course. This course provides competencies to meet the program outcome to allow students to demonstrate an understanding of practical knowledge regarding the inherent complexities of the American criminal justice system. Prerequisites: EN 102, COM 101, CJ 151, CJ 223
CJ 426 Courtroom Advocacy in Criminal Justice (3)
Theory and practice of criminal case advocacy. Students will participate in various stages of criminal pre-trial and trial litigation in criminal case exercises. Corse topics include discovery, case preparation, motions, and trial advocacy. This course provides competencies to meet the program outcome to allow students to demonstrate an understanding of learning the basic rights guaranteed to each individual by both state and federal constitutions and laws. Open to non-majors.
Prerequisites: EN 102, COM 101
CJ 432 Law Enforcement (3)
An examination of significant and controversial criminal justice topics involving law enforcement agencies, primarily the police; clarifying, interpreting, and identifying the role of discretion in the system. This course provides competencies to meet the program outcome to allow students to demonstrate an understanding of learning the basic rights guaranteed to each individual by both state and federal constitutions and laws.
Prerequisites: EN 102, COM 101, CJ 151
CJ 435 Ethics and Criminal Justice (3)
Examines Christian perspectives on ethical issues in the field of criminal justice. The goals are to assist students to develop an understanding of the personal and social dimensions of these ethical perspectives, methods for dealing with relevant ethical issues, and the historical development of the Christian community’s reflections and moral teachings relevant to criminal justice. This course provides competencies to meet the program outcome to allow students to demonstrate an understanding of practical knowledge regarding the inherent complexities and day-to-day operations of the American criminal justice system. Fulfills interdisciplinary course requirement.
Prerequisites: EN 102, COM 101, RE 103, CJ 151 or CJ 201, or permission of instructor
CJ 451 Corrections: Prisons and Community Alternatives (3)
Analysis of trends in the functions and administration of institutions and community-based corrections programs; and processing of the convicted offender. This course provides competencies to meet the program outcome to allow students to demonstrate an understanding of learning the basic rights guaranteed to each individual by both state and federal constitutions and laws.
Prerequisites: EN 102, COM 101, CJ 151 or CJ 201
CJ 453 Organized Crime (3)
An examination of the impact upon and problems posed to the criminal justice system by organized crime in the United States and other countries.
CJ 461 Women and Crime (3)
Subjects covered include mythical assumptions commonly held about women, minorities and crime. Examines the relationship of these factors to the context of policies in policing, corrections, and preventive programs. This course provides competencies to meet the program outcome to allow students to demonstrate an understanding of issues of race and ethnicity, gender and social class and the need to understand social causes of crime.
Prerequisites: EN 102, COM 101, CJ 151 or CJ 201
CJ 463 Sex Crimes (3)
Psychopathology of sexual deviation; developmental theories of sexual abnormality; and legal, social, psychological, and moral problems associated with sexual and character disorders. Examines the role and interaction of police, victim, offender, and rehabilitation. This course provides competencies to meet the program outcome to allow students to demonstrate an understanding of integrating concepts of forensic science and prosecutorial law in criminal investigation instruction.
Prerequisites: EN 102, COM 101, CJ 151 or CJ 201
CJ 465 Narcotics and Drug Crimes (3)
An examination of the history of drugs, current trends of drug abuse and enforcement techniques. Examines both source and demand reduction strategies. Role of law enforcement agencies in detection and prosecution of drug offenses. This course provides competencies to meet the program outcome to allow students to demonstrate an understanding of integrating concepts of forensic science and prosecutorial law in criminal investigation instruction.
Prerequisites: EN 102, COM 101, CJ 151 or CJ 201
CJ 480 Special Topics (1-3)
Selected topics in criminal justice and criminology. May be repeated for credit. Open to non-majors.
CJ 487 Internship (3 -6)
Field work experience in an approved criminal justice agency. A minimum of 40 clock hours per credit hour of work experience related to criminal justice is required. In addition to the field work, the student will be required to write a paper, be evaluated by the agency, and complete an oral interview with a faculty member. This course provides competencies to meet the program outcome to allow students to demonstrate an understanding of providing service to the community and preparing for careers in criminal justice. Departmental approval is required prior to enrollment. May be repeated for a maximum of six credit hours.
Prerequisites: EN 102, COM 101
CJ 490 Seminar in Criminal Justice Agencies (3)
This is a criminal justice capstone course. Students will complete an array of assignments that integrate contemporary knowledge and understanding of criminal justice agencies with course work completed in the major. As an integral part of the capstone experience, students will complete an exit assessment instrument.
Prerequisites: EN 102, COM 101, CJ major, CJ 315 or PSY 315 SR standing
CJ 491 Juvenile Deviancy and Juvenile Justice (3)
Patterns of deviancy in youths, with particular emphasis on roles and relationships of the family, school, and peer groups; theories of causation and influence of middle-class culture on deviance. This course provides competencies to meet the program outcome to allow students to demonstrate an understanding of learning the basic rights guaranteed to each individual by both state and federal constitutions and laws.
Prerequisites: EN 102, COM 101, CJ 291
CJ 499 Directed Study (1 to 3)
Individualized study on a topic arranged through the program advisor.
Prerequisites: EN 102, COM 101, CJ major, JR or SR standing and consent of program advisor prior to enrollment
CJA 604 CONSTITUTIONAL LAW & CIVIL RIGHTS (3)
Survey of criminal law, including the development of substantive criminal law under the United States Constitution. Historical consideration of landmark civil rights events in American history. Examination of the judicial opinions related to the criminal justice process and civil liberties.
CJA 605 CRIMINOLOGY (3)
The study of the factors associated with crime and criminality, as organized and integrated by explanatory scientific theories.
CJA 610 LAW ENFORCEMENT (3)
Examines historical development, current changes, and future trends regarding police procedures and practices with some attention to relationships with other public agencies. Emphasis on critical issues and applying technology to police service and various related agencies.
CJA 630 CORRECTIONS (3)
Examines basic elements of correctional administration, management, and treatment of incarcerated individuals. An in-depth look at budget constraints, personnel, inmate health, the effect of the Disability Act on facility design, rehabilitation, corrections in the community, and other related issues.
CJA 680 SPECIAL TOPICS (3)
Seminar on selected issues concerning public administration, offenders, victims, and/or the criminal justice system.
CJA 705 FORENSIC PSYCHOLOGY (3)
Study of criminal behavior from a psychological perspective, looking at the criminal offender as embedded in and influenced by multiple systems within the psychosocial environment. Review of contemporary research, theory, and practice concerning the psychology of crime and psychopathy. Focuses on cognitive aspects of criminal offenders, delving into their perceptions, reasoning, beliefs, decision making, and attitudes. Aspects of prevention, intervention and treatment discussed along with topics such as profiling terrorism, criminology, and forensics. Cross-listed with PSY 705
CJA 706 MANAGING CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS (3)
Description and analysis of historical, contemporary and projected future techniques and procedures used in apprehending criminals. An emphasis is placed on administrative techniques for managing large-scale investigations that involve multiple agencies.
CJA 708 TERRORISM AND JUSTICE (3)
Examination of terrorist organizations, activities, methodology, and the threats posed to a free society. Historical study of national and international terrorist organizations and leaders. Focus is upon the application of knowledge to policy choices, anti-terrorism efforts, and legal implications for the judicial and governmental entities.
CJA 725 CYBERCRIME & DIGITAL SECURITY (3)
This course provides an overview of cybercrime and the digital law enforcement practices put in place to respond to them. The course will focus on the types and extent of current cyber crimes, how the justice system responds to these crimes, the various constitutional protections afforded to computer users, the law and policies that govern cybercrime detection and prosecution, and related technologies.
CJA 735 TRAUMA & CRISIS INTERVENTION (3)
This course is designed to prepare students to understand the nature of crisis, trauma, and disasters, including the appropriateness of individual and team responses. It will utilize crisis intervention and suicide prevention strategies, to understand the nature and scope of individual, group or organizational trauma. It will introduce students to the responsibilities as members of an interdisciplinary emergency management response team during a local, regional, or national crisis, disaster or other trauma-causing event.
CJA 751 CONTEMPORARY ISSUES IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE (3)
A series of lectures that critically examine the ever changing and current controversial issues relating to criminal justice. Emphasis will focus on corrections, crime, the judicial system, law enforcement, and social justice.
CJA 766 ETHICS IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION (3)
Examines values expressed in the criminal justice system and public administration through customs, laws, and practices, and their impact on the quality of justice.
CJA 790 RESEARCH METHODS AND DATA ANALYSIS (3)
Overview of research methods with a focus on survey research, development, and data analysis. Emphasis is placed upon sampling, the development and analysis of questions, and the interpretation and reporting of research findings.
CJA 791 SEMINAR IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE STUDIES/CAPSTONE (3)
Students will focus on examining the integrated parts of all branches of government under the criminal justice lens, including policies, procedures, trends, etc. Students will also complete exit materials for assessment of the graduate program and their experiences. Required course. Prerequisite: completion of all CJA Core Courses OR concurrent completion of last core course during last term taking CJA 791.
CJA 795 INTERNSHIP (3)
This course provides students with the opportunity to observe and participate in criminal justice system operations by providing a structured internship experience within a criminal justice or related setting. Student internship placements may include, but is not limited to, law enforcement agencies, courts, correctional facilities, probation and parole offices, private law firms, private investigative firms, private and corporate security companies, juvenile justice agencies, social service agencies, and non-profit agencies. Students will enhance future opportunities or advancement in the field of criminal justice by integrating classroom knowledge with practical experience in the field and expanding professional skills, experience, and professional contacts. Students will complete 160 hours for this three credit course, with a criminal justice or related agency. The work should enable the student to experience new or advanced tasks and responsibilities in the assigned agency. The student reports to both the site coordinator and the faculty internship coordinator.
Prerequisites: completion of 9 credit hours and instructor approval.