Criminal Justice

An overview of the historical development and current status of American criminal justice. Attention is given to the various component parts of the system and their interactions.

An examination of the purposes and sources of criminal law. Elements of crimes against the person and crimes against property are addressed. A consideration of defenses to criminal liability is also undertaken.

Selected topics as scheduled by the division faculty.

An analysis of the social administration of juvenile justice in the U.S. The decision-making process of police, the court, and probation officials in the apprehension and processing of juveniles will be stressed.

A study of the history, structure, organization and operation of probation and parole services. The roles of probation and parole officers will be covered as well as varying state requirements and administrative guidelines.

A study of the history, structure, organization, and operation of American correctional systems.  Course emphasis includes the goals of punishment, the increasing role of probation and parole officers, varying training requirements for correctional officers, administrative guidelines, prison operations, and jail operations

An examination of techniques of the application of science to criminal law. Techniques covered via lecture and lab work includes, but is not limited to : physical properties, organic analysis, inorganic analysis, toxicology, serology, drugs, fingerprints, DNA, firearms, and document analysis.

Selected topics as scheduled by the division faculty.

Overview of legal requirements for the collection, preservation, and presentation of evidence in criminal matters. Topics include the admission and exclusion of evidence, relevance, the hearsay rule and its exceptions, the use of writings and demonstrative evidence, judicial notice, order of proof and presumptions, and issues relating to witness competency and privileges.

This course is designed to teach responsibilities, techniques, and methods of police patrol and accident investigation. Identification of police hazards, beat patrol and observation techniques of responding to crime and emergencies, crime prevention and community policy concepts will also be introduced. Procedures for proper crash investigation will be presented.

An overview of the criminal investigation process as a systematic method of inquiry that utilizes science and human resourcefulness. The course will focus on criminalistics and behavioral science and the relationship between them.

An examination of the roles of minorities as offenders, victims, and employees in the criminal justice system. An assessment of statistics, research, and the literature as it relates to minority crime.

An examination of the roles of minorities and women as offenders, victims, and employees within the criminal justice system.  An assessment and evaluation of current patterns and practices, statistics, research, and literature as it relates to current crime trends.

An in-depth study of drugs with particular attention to drug laws, detection methods and techniques, recognition of drugs and offenders, and the various investigation methods employed by law enforcement agencies.

Study of nature, causes and control of crime, social factors contributing to growth of crime. Focus is the study of the various theories as to criminality. This course will satisfy a Sociology major elective.

A hands-on defensive tactics course where students will earn a PPCT defensive tactics certification. Students will also learn how to complete detailed use of force reports and defend those reports in court. This course is intended to provide students with the skills and information necessary to effectively and reasonably control combative subjects and also equip the students to accurately document the encounter.

An examination of the relationship between law enforcement and American society with emphasis on the importance of purposes and roles in a democratic society, police-community relations and the constitutional limits on law enforcement agencies. Material presented from a theoretical standpoint and examines critical issues, advances in crime control, officer burnout; and officer stress.

Selected topics as scheduled by the division faculty.

An in-depth study of homicide investigation, including tactics, procedures, problems, forensic techniques, and legal issues.

Examines current issues impacting the U.S. criminal justice system. Focus is placed on one of the major criminal justice subsystems.

Reading or research at a greater depth than in a normal class.

Exploration of relevant factors and dimensions of sexual offenses and offenders related to the Criminal Justice system, its clientele and practitioners. This course will satisfy a Sociology major and Psychology major elective.

An analysis of the criminal justice system of the United States in regard to philosophies of violence in crime and violence toward victims. The problems of current theories in criminology, handling of offenders and victims within the criminal justice system, future conjecture concerning violence within society, and the rights of victims will be stressed.

An examination of international crime operations including sea and air piracy, serial crime, smuggling, terrorism, human trafficking/smuggling and profiling. This course is intended to provide students with the skills and information necessary to profile a broad array of global crimes that involve a review and analysis of actual cases and crimes.

Work experience under the supervision of a criminal justice professional. This experience is not employment for pay. If the student is or has been employed by the agency, the internship must be duties other than the employment duties. The internship is contracted by the agency professional, faculty supervisor, and the division dean to allow the student firsthand experience and professional contacts in a criminal justice agency.

An application of generalizations from public administration to the organization and administration of police systems.

An in-depth analysis of historical and contemporary literature in the field of criminal justice.

Examination of the philosophical application of moral principles inherent in the daily operation of the various criminal justice subsystems, focusing on practitioners.

Selected topics as scheduled by the division faculty.

Reading or research at a greater depth than in a normal class.

Advanced research techniques and qualitative or quantitative research methods, along with statistical analysis, are utilized to design and produce quality criminal justice research.