Criminal Justice Degree - Bachelor of Science

College of Arts & Sciences

Degree Information

The Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice is a comprehensive program designed to develop an in depth knowledge of the criminal justice system, with a specific topical emphasis on contemporary social issues, criminal behavior analysis, legal and ethical principles, and strategic management and policy development. Students will be expected to be able to demonstrate this knowledge through the application of critical thinking to key issues, the illustration of essential writing and communication skills, and the production of structured projects and analyses.

Curriculum

Major Requirements (36 credit hours)

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• CJUS 305 Theory and Practice of Criminal Justice

  This course will provide a foundation and overview of the diverse criminal justice system. The focus of the course will be on the different components of the criminal justice system and concepts and theories in criminal justice.

• CJUS 315 The American Criminal and Civil Legal Systems

  This course will provide an examination of the Constitutional underpinnings of criminal and civil law as it applies to the criminal justice system. Special focus will be devoted to an overview of the American court system, specific elements of crime, the operation of civil jurisprudence, and a review of the policies and procedures that influence law in America.

• CJUS 325 Professional Responsibility and Ethics in Criminal Justice

  This course will address ethical issues in criminal justice at both the theoretical and applied levels. Special emphasis will be given to an examination of the relationship between ethical principles, moral and normative judgments.

• CJUS 335 Crime in America

  This course will provide a critical analysis of the nature and extent of crime in society. Special emphasis will be placed on offense types and crime trends, social and policy factors affecting crime, and the impact of crime on the operation of the criminal justice system.

• CJUS 345 Criminal Behavior and Victimology

  This course will focus on the underlying sociological, biological, and psychological explanations for criminal behavior and provide an overview of victimization patterns, causal factors and the consequences of victimization. Particular attention will be paid to an examination of deviant and criminal behavior characteristics, the treatment of victims by the criminal justice system and the relationship between offenders and victims.

• CJUS 405 Criminal Justice Organizations and Strategic Management

  This course will focus on the contemporary theories of operations management in criminal justice with an emphasis on strategic planning. Specific management concepts including resource management and interagency communication and collaboration will be explored.

• CJUS 415 Criminal Procedure and Public Policy

  This course will examine the impact of U.S. Supreme Court decisions on the policies and practices of criminal justice agencies. Rules of evidence, search and seizure, custodial rights, and the associated procedural laws will be emphasized.

• CJUS 425 Justice and Contemporary Social Issues

  This course will focus on problems of social justice, the meaning of justice in a diverse society, and issues of social inequality. An emphasis will be placed on exploring the notion of social ills as precursors to criminal behavior and the possible prophylactic measures to alter those behaviors.

• CJUS 435 Criminal Justice Problem Analysis

  The course will focus on a comprehensive analysis of the criminal justice system through the integration of case study, research, and critical thinking. Specific emphasis will be given to criminological theory, data analysis and integrity, understanding crime problems, urban issues, strategic planning and relevant literature review.