Criminal Justice (B.S.) - School of Professional Studies
Program Chair
Thomas Mostowy, Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice
Description
Criminal justice is the scientific study of criminal behavior and society’s response to it. The Criminal Justice Major offers a curriculum focused upon the role of criminal justice within the broader concept of social justice in a multi-cultural, industrialized democracy. Specialized areas of study include the Administration of Justice, Criminal Law, the Principles of Correctional Operations, Juvenile Justice, Criminal Procedure, Law Enforcement, Criminological Theory, and Security Studies. The program prepares the student for a wide variety of careers in Criminal Justice, and for graduate study in Criminal Justice and related fields. It also lays the foundation for success as a criminal justice professional and as a citizen through an understanding of the integration of liberal, interdisciplinary learning with the needs of criminal justice in the 21st Century, and develops the student’s analytical and communications skills in research and writing methods for Criminal Justice professionals.
The curriculum guides the student through the historical, theoretical and practical aspects of the discipline and incorporates discussion of current issues in the field of criminal justice and challenges the student to analyze and evaluate the performance of the criminal justice system in deterring crime, protecting the public, and fostering a just society. The program also exposes the student to select specialized courses in Law and Judicial Administration, Law Enforcement, Corrections, Criminological Theory, Juvenile Justice, Forensics, and Intelligence. The curriculum has been designed in accordance with current SPS standards as well as the related professional certification standards of the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences (ACJS).
Forty-Five (45) credits of course work are required for the Criminal Justice Major involving Thirty-Six (36) credits of required core course work and nine (9) credits of required concentration course work. The concentration course work need not be in the same concentration, but must include at least one 400-level concentration course. CRJ 100 is considered a Prerequisite to all 300 and 400-level CRJ courses unless waived by instructor or Department Chair.
Four foundational core courses (12 Credits)
CRJ 100
CRJ 101
MATH 110
SSC 107
Eight core courses (24 Credits)
CRJ 200
CRJ 201
CRJ 202
CRJ 309
CRJ 205
SOCY 311
CRJ 499
(and either)
CRJ 491
(or)
CRJ 4xx Another 400-level CRJ
Three concentration courses (9 Credits)
Concentrations will be offered in Law Administration, Law Enforcement, Corrections, Criminological Theory, Juvenile Justice, Forensics, Private Security and Intelligence.
Law Administration/Legal Theory (9 Credits)
CRJ 341
CRJ 344
(and either)
CRJ 441
(or)
CRJ 444
Law Enforcement (9 Credits)
CRJ 306
CRJ 366
CRJ 466
Corrections (Prereq. CRJ 200) (9 Credits)
CRJ 351
CRJ 451
CRJ 355
CRJ 371
Criminological Theory (Prereq. CRJ 205) (9 Credits)
CRJ 377
CRJ 303
CRJ 410
CRJ 440
Juvenile Justice (Prereq. CRJ 201) (9 Credits)
CRJ 371
CRJ 377
CRJ 471
(Prereq. CRJ 101)
Forensics (9 Credits)
CRJ 321
CRJ 421
PSY 323
Intelligence and Security Studies (9 Credits)
CRJ 388
CRJ 381
CRJ 331
CRJ 333
CRJ 431
CRJ 481
CRJ 440
Program Policies
Advanced Placement:
Credits earned through AP examinations do not fulfill requirements of the Criminal Justice major.
CLEP Policy:
Credits earned through CLEP examinations do not fulfill requirements of the Criminal Justice major.
Grades in Major Courses:
Students are required to earn a grade of "C" or better in all courses counted to fulfill requirements for the major. In addition, students must achieve a passing grade on the Senior Comprehensive portfolio.
Pass/No Pass:
Courses fulfilling major requirements may not be taken pass/no pass.
TELL Policy:
Students applying for credit in experiential learning should consult with the program faculty.
Transfer Credits:
Credits in courses equivalent to those required for the major from a similar institution may be accepted toward a major. Students majoring in criminal justice must take a minimum of four criminal justice courses at Trinity.