The College of Arts and Sciences
Chair
Chris Chartier, Professor of Psychology
Faculty
Herb Homan, Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice
Jared Rosenberger, Assistant Professor of Sociology and Director of Institutional Assessment
Anne Strouth, Professional Instructor of Criminal Justice
Degrees Offered
Associate of Arts
Bachelor of Science
Mission
The mission of the Criminal Justice program is to provide a strong knowledge base in law enforcement, courts, and corrections in an effort to prepare students with practical and professional knowledge for employment in the criminal justice system.
Student Learning Outcomes
Students will:
Distinguish the components and functions of the criminal justice system as well as the relevant issues and programs that impact the administration of the system.
Compare how the Classical School, Positivist School, and Chicago School explain the micro- and macro-level causes of crime.
Identify a research objective, research question, hypothesis, as well as define the meaning of an independent, dependent, mediating and moderating variables.
Analyze Supreme Court cases, identify constitutional issues presented to the Court, and explain the decisions of the Court to a lay audience.
Create and defend solutions to criminal justice ethical dilemmas using ethical theories.
Assess a contemporary volatile issue in criminal justice. The student will create and defend a solution to the presented issue using at least one theory of the restorative justice model.
Student Honor Society
Students who have excelled in criminal justice are eligible for membership in Alpha Phi Sigma, a national honor society. Membership is by invitation to those students who have demonstrated good character, maintained an overall GPA of at least 3.2, a GPA of at least 3.2 in criminal justice course work, completed at least three semesters or equivalent of full-time studies, and a minimum of 12 hours in criminal justice.
Students must also have the recommendation of the Alpha Phi Sigma advisor.
Pre-Law
There is no one way to prepare for law school or a legal career. The study of law requires a variety of skills, including proficient writing, critical reasoning, analytical reading, and self-discipline. Good legal practice requires an appreciation of history, social and political institutions, and, in general, a developed understanding of human nature. Those approaching a profession in law should possess an especially acute sense of values, since their actions will affect the lives of many people.
We believe that a broad background in the liberal arts is the best way to prepare for the study of law, supplemented by some courses which introduce legal concepts. The following courses would be appropriate choices to introduce legal concepts:
CJ 235: Courts and Justice
CJ 362: Criminal Law
CJ 266: The Constitution and Criminal Procedure
CJ 403: Field Experience/Instruction
BLAW 401: Business Law I
BLAW 402: Business Law II
POLSC 336: Constitutional Powers
POLSC 337: Constitutional Rights
Description of Major
The criminal justice major is based on the strong liberal arts foundation provided by the University's core curriculum. Course work in the major acquaints students with the concepts of the modern system of criminal justice, including law enforcement, corrections, and the courts, as well as the significance and importance of restorative and social justice in our society. Significant emphasis is placed on research and real-world experiences to inform the students' understanding of the connectedness and the interdependence of making laws, breaking laws, and reacting to the breaking of laws as a function of society as a whole.
Degree Requirements
Assessment – Students will submit specified assignments during certain CJ classes as indicated on the course syllabi and assessment plan. These assignments will be analyzed to determine whether the student learning outcomes of the department have been met.
Prior Learning Credit
Veterans, current military, and those working in criminal justice professions may receive up to 32 credit hours of academic credit for related professional training and fieldwork via Prior Learning Credit. For more information, please see the Undergraduate Academic Affairs section of this Catalog.