Bachelor of Arts in Social and Criminal Justice
Receive a broad-based approach to working in the law enforcement and criminal justice market in this program. Along with your work experience, you'll find this degree is designed to provide understanding of the criminal justice system and the impact social issues have on maintaining a just society.
Course Requirements:
(36 semester credits, all classes are 3 credits)
SOC 120 Introduction to Ethics and Social Responsibility
This course introduces the basic ethical concepts and explores philosophic perspectives for understanding the meaning of social responsibility. Topics include ethical theories, the role of government, the role of corporations, environmental issues, and ethical integrity.
POL 303 The American Constitution
This course is a study of the Constitution of the United States and its role in American history and government. The study covers the drafting and ratification of the Constitution, its subsequent amendment and interpretation, and its contemporary role in American politics and government.
CRJ 201 Introduction to Criminal Justice
This course provides an analysis of the criminal justice system focusing on the police, courts, and corrections.
SOC 305 Crime & Society
The course considers the basic sociological theories and research findings concerning crime. The punishment and corrections process, organized crime, corporate crime, the police, the courts and the impact of crime on the victim are examined.
SOC 331 Social Justice & Ethics
This course examines the foundations of social justice theory and their application to criminal justice theories and practice. Issues such as poverty, social policy, diversity, welfare, and alternative social programs provide students with a working understanding of the interrelation and copasetic relationship between social and criminal justice issues. Students will also understand ethical applications for both social justice initiatives as well as the ethics of criminal justice policies and initiatives.
CRJ 308 Psychology of Criminal Behavior
An integrated course applying the research and methodology of psychology and sociology to the understanding of criminal conduct. Theories of psychology are explored including: biological, developmental, cognitive, social learning and psychoanalytic. The sociological concepts of social process and structure, social control and social conflict are introduced.
CRJ 305 Crime Prevention
This course explores strategies of crime prevention including programs designed to reduce opportunities to commit crime; programs to alleviate demoralizing community social and economic conditions that foster criminal behavior; programs to improve police/community cooperation; and, programs to educate young people as to likely consequences of criminal behavior.
CRJ 301 Juvenile Justice
This course describes prevalent patterns of juvenile delinquency, relates these patterns to theories of child and adolescent development, and examines various theories pertaining to the causes of criminal behavior among juveniles. In addition, this course surveys the roles of police, courts and delinquency intervention programs in the administration of juvenile justice. Emphasis will be given to strategies of prevention and early intervention.
CRJ 306 Criminal Law & Procedure
A survey of constitutional rights, police compliance to constitutional rights, and constitutional amendments that specifically apply to the individual. The course examines the application of these rights in the enforcement, investigation, and adjudication of specific crimes.
CRJ 311 Forensics
Forensic science applies scientific methodology to crime scene investigation and crime solving. This course analyzes techniques of crime scene investigation and the lawful gathering of evidence. Emphasis is placed upon the Federal Rules of Evidence, including the admissibility of physical evidence at trial, as well as the role of forensic science in the criminal justice system and the identification, collection and preservation of physical evidence (chain of custody issues).
CRJ 303 Corrections
An analysis of correctional procedures and institutions, especially jails, prisons, parole and probation is the focus of this course. Other topics include inmate subcultures, rehabilitation and prisonization.
CRJ 422 Criminal Justice Capstone
Students will review all learning objectives achieved throughout previous course work and develop a comprehensive, focused study of a modern criminal justice issue while applying solutions and predictions for future trends in criminal and social justice. Successful students will focus on the pragmatic application of principles and theories which guide criminal justice practice in the United States.
If this program sounds like it will fit your goals, contact us at 866-711-1700 to learn more, or request additional information.