Criminal Justice (B.S. in School of Professional Studies)
Program Chair
Thomas Mostowy, Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice
Description
The Criminal Justice Major offers a curriculum focused upon the Administration of Justice, Criminal Law, the Principles of Correctional Operations, Juvenile Justice, Criminal Procedure, Law Enforcement, Criminological Theory, and Research & Writing Methods for the Criminal Justice Professional.
The curriculum guides the student through the history of theoretical and practical aspects of the discipline and the analysis of current issues in the field of criminal justice. The program also exposes the student to select specialized courses in Law 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).
Major Requirements
Thirty six (36) credits of course work are required for the Criminal Justice major involving twenty-seven (27) credits of required core course work and nine (9) credits of required concentration course work .
Two foundation core courses (6 credits)
CRJ 100 Introduction to Criminal Justice
CRJ 100 Introduction to Criminal Justice
This course will offer a survey of the U.S. criminal justice system, including the nature of law, crime, and criminology, and the function of law in society, i.e., the role of the police, the courts, and correctional agencies in the criminal justice system.
3 credits
CRJ 101 Criminal Law
CRJ 101 Criminal Law
This course examines the substantive criminal law that defines criminal behavior. The general principles of criminal liability including defenses, parties to crime, and the elements of specific crimes are examined from a broad perspective. Decisions of English and American courts are analyzed to interpret the rules and doctrines of criminal law.
3 credits
Seven core courses (21 credits)
CRJ 200 Principles of Correctional Operations
CRJ 200 Principles of Correctional Operations
Comprehensive survey of the correctional process in the U.S., including present philosophies and practices of punishment and rehabilitation; procedures of custodial institutions; functions of correctional officers; functions of probation and parole; classification program assignment; and release procedures.
3 credits
CRJ 201 Juvenile Justice
CRJ 201 Juvenile Justice
Comprehensive survey of the correctional process in the U.S., including present philosophies and practices of punishment and rehabilitation; procedures of custodial institutions; functions of correctional officers; functions of probation and parole; classification program assignment; and release procedures.
3 credits
Juvenile Justice
CRJ 202 Criminal Procedure
CRJ 202 Criminal Procedure
This course reviews procedural aspects of criminal law governing the acts of law enforcement personnel, with a special emphasis on the constitutional rights of the accused. This study includes arrest, search and seizure, confessions, right to counsel, and similar topics.
3 credits
SOCY 311 Research Methods for Social Scientists
SOCY 311 Research Methods for Social Scientists
Introduces the student to various research methods used in the social sciences. Topics include causal analysis survey, observational, and evaluating strategies; feminist methods; database management; and statistical data analysis (SPSS). Formerly SOC 342 Research Methods.
3 credits
Prerequisites: SOCY 100 and MATH 110
CRJ 401 OR CRJ 491
Three concentration courses (9 credits)
For further information about concentrations, please contact the Program Chair.
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.
Course Descriptions
CRJ 100 Introduction to Criminal Justice
CRJ 100 Introduction to Criminal Justice
This course will offer a survey of the U.S. criminal justice system, including the nature of law, crime, and criminology, and the function of law in society, i.e., the role of the police, the courts, and correctional agencies in the criminal justice system.
3 credits
CRJ 101 Criminal Law
CRJ 101 Criminal Law
This course examines the substantive criminal law that defines criminal behavior. The general principles of criminal liability including defenses, parties to crime, and the elements of specific crimes are examined from a broad perspective. Decisions of English and American courts are analyzed to interpret the rules and doctrines of criminal law.
3 credits
CRJ 200 Principles of Correctional Operations
CRJ 200 Principles of Correctional Operations
Comprehensive survey of the correctional process in the U.S., including present philosophies and practices of punishment and rehabilitation; procedures of custodial institutions; functions of correctional officers; functions of probation and parole; classification program assignment; and release procedures.
3 credits
CRJ 201 Juvenile Justice
CRJ 201 Juvenile Justice
Comprehensive survey of the correctional process in the U.S., including present philosophies and practices of punishment and rehabilitation; procedures of custodial institutions; functions of correctional officers; functions of probation and parole; classification program assignment; and release procedures.
3 credits
CRJ 202 Criminal Procedure
CRJ 202 Criminal Procedure
This course reviews procedural aspects of criminal law governing the acts of law enforcement personnel, with a special emphasis on the constitutional rights of the accused. This study includes arrest, search and seizure, confessions, right to counsel, and similar topics.
3 credits
CRJ 205 Criminology
CRJ 205 Criminology
This course presents a framework for the scientific study of the nature and causes of crime and antisocial behavior. The course focuses on explanations provided through criminal typologies and criminological theories, by focusing on definitions, history, types, causes, and consequences of crime as well as the responses of the criminal justice system to crimes, criminals, and the victims of crimes. Topics will include crime causation, the extent of crime, victimization, social/psychological theories, and various types of criminality, including violent, property, and public order offenses.
3 credits
CRJ 303 Special Populations in Criminal Justice
CRJ 303 Special Populations in Criminal Justice
Race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, socioeconomic class and other characteristics may define individuals as minorities who deserve equitable treatment in the criminal justice system. This course examines the roles of racism, sexism, homophobia and social class in theories of crimes and the treatment of minorities by various components of the criminal justice system.
3 credits
CRJ 306 Law Enforcement Administration
CRJ 306 Law Enforcement Administration
In this course, students examine roles, responsibilities, issues, and trends related to contemporary law enforcement organizations. Other topics of study include community policing, policing in selected foreign countries, stress recognition and management, civil liability, extraordinary problems and practices, public expectations, and police careers.
3 credits
CRJ 309 Evidence
CRJ 309 Evidence
In this course the students learn the definitions of evidence and proof and their relationship to each other. The roles of the prosecutor and defense counsel in trial proceedings will also be explored. Students study different types of evidence such as real vs. testimonial, direct vs. circumstantial, and the rules regarding of hearsay and opinion testimony. Students also study the admissibility of evidence and constitutional concepts such as the exclusionary rule, search and seizure, confession, and discovery, and learn to read and brief criminal case law.
3 credits
CRJ 341 Admininstrative Law
CRJ 341 Admininstrative Law
Students will study various administrative agencies, their rule making powers, adjudicatory functions and judicial control over such agencies. Areas covered include: the scope of administrative power, judicial review, regulatory law, due process, and personal liability of public servants.
3 credits
CRJ 344 Legal Decision Making
CRJ 344 Legal Decision Making
This course will examine the politics of law, courts, the legal profession, and judicial policymaking. Students address questions of judicial policy including: What is law? How are courts organized and how do they work procedurally? What influences court access and, ultimately, judicial decision-making? How do courts make policy, and how is judicial authority constrained? The course will use an interdisciplinary approach to examine the legal process and study analyses from scholars who argue from quantitative and qualitative perspectives.
3 credits
CRJ 366 Criminal Investigation
CRJ 366 Criminal Investigation
Students examine the importance and legal significance of evidence, demonstrating how the investigative process works from crime scene preservation to case preparation and courtroom presentation. This course examines various techniques used during criminal investigations such as photography, interviewing, evidence handling, interrogation, and scene reconstruction, including how each applies to specific types of crimes.
3 credits
CRJ 441 Judicial Administration
CRJ 444 Constitutional Law
CRJ 444 Constitutional Law
An in-depth study of the U.S. Constitution and the development of basic constitutional principles such as judicial review and the separation of powers via the case-study method. The course will also examine the development and interpretation of individual rights and liberties under the Constitution through the examination of landmark cases and recent decisions by the U.S. Supreme Court, especially as it applies to law enforcement, the courts, and the criminal justice system.
3 credits
CRJ 466 Community Policing
CRJ 466 Community Policing
This course examines how community policing strategies can be tailored to meet the new challenges caused by terrorist alerts and cultural changes within the Unite States. Students will also explore the principal concepts of community policing and their relationship to culture, communities, and social order. The course will integrate measurements of community policing efforts through specific case studies and research from the texts and other government and academic sources.
3 credits
CRJ 471 Law, Justice, and the American Family
CRJ 471 Law, Justice, and the American Family
Law, Justice, and the American Family: Modern Family Law draws from constitutional law, criminal law, conflict of laws, and the laws of contracts, torts, property, inheritance, and even taxation. Students will examine the law as it involves the formation and dissolution of modern families, both traditional and non-traditional, violence against family members, adoption, custody and support of children, and government interventions in family issues. This course will also cover evolution the family law and dispute resolution process.
3 credits