Criminal Justice
Student Organizations/Clubs:
Criminal Justice Association
Career Possibilities:
The criminal justice major is designed to provide a broad-based liberal arts education for undergraduates interested in careers in criminal justice. Increasingly, criminal justice agencies require bachelor’s degrees for entry-level and management positions. Possible career opportunities include federal, state, and local law enforcement, attorneys, probation and parole officers, youth counselors, private investigators, criminal investigators, correctional officers, intelligence analysts, legal assistants, family violence counselors, victim-witness advocates and counselors, statistical research analysts, court administrators, customs officers, and border patrol agents.
Department Overview
The criminal justice major is an interdisciplinary field with emphasis on the social sciences. Criminal justice examines the scientific study of the structure and function of law enforcement, the courts and corrections. In other words, criminal justice examines decision-making processes, operations and other justice-related issues.
Courses in Criminal Justice
CRMJ 101 | Introduction to Criminal Justice | 3 cr
Introduces agencies and processes involved in the criminal justice system: law enforcement, the courts, corrections and juvenile justice. Analyzes the roles and problems within criminal justice agencies in a democratic society.
Prerequisites: None.
Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer.
Meets: Social & Behavioral Science: CRMJ, CP Civics & Perspectives, Social & Behavioral Science: CRMJ, CP Civics & Perspectives, Social & Behavioral Science: CRMJ, CP Civics & Perspectives, Social & Behavioral Science: CRMJ, CP Civics & Perspectives
CRMJ 200 | Criminal Justice Research Methods | 3 cr
Covers methods, philosophy and sources of criminal justice research.
Prerequisites: CRMJ 101 or consent of instructor.
Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer.
CRMJ 233 | Criminology | 3 cr
Examines past and current theory and research including crime as a consequence of social, economic, political, and personal factors. Includes critique of approaches to prevention and correction. Cross-listed with: SOCA 233.
Offered: Fall.
CRMJ 234 | Juvenile Delinquency and Juvenile Justice | 3 cr
Covers conceptions of juvenile delinquency; the offender in the juvenile justice system; the philosophy, structure and function of juvenile courts; the philosophy, development, and organization of diversion, detention and treatment of the juvenile offender. Cross-listed with: SOCA 234.
Offered: Fall, Spring.
CRMJ 235 | Police and Society | 3 cr
Studies the various levels, roles and functions of law enforcement in America; evaluates the nature and responsibilities of law enforcement including police accountability and civil liability. Examines the racial, ethnic, and gender issues in law enforcement. Cross-listed with: SOCA 235.
Offered: Fall, Spring.
CRMJ 290 | Special Topics in Criminal Justice | 3 cr
Selected topics in criminal justice will be examined. General elective only, not upper-level elective.
Prerequisites: Consent of instructor.
Offered: Occasionally.
CRMJ 301 | Criminalistics | 3 cr
Introduces forensic science pertaining to criminal investigations. Explores theories underlying both comparative and analytical forensic sciences, as well as the methods used in collecting evidence from a (crime) scene. Addresses techniques for discerning valid scientific methods.
Prerequisites: CRMJ 101.
Offered: Spring.
CRMJ 305 | Family Violence | 3 cr
Examines the criminal justice response to family violence, including child abuse, spousal abuse, elder abuse, and date rape. Explores prevalence and extent of family violence as well as strategies for treatment and prevention. Cross-listed with: SOCA 305.
Offered: Fall.
CRMJ 316 | Criminal Procedure | 3 cr
This course provides a selective analysis of the constitutional amendments most relevant to criminal justice process. Designed to complement criminal law and criminal court process, it offers a comprehensive explanation of the Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, Eighth, and Fourteenth amendments; more commonly known as the criminal justice amendments.
Prerequisites: CRMJ 101 or consent of instructor.
Offered: Fall.
CRMJ 325 | Restorative Justice | 3 cr
Examines the basic principles of restorative justice and its variants, such as transformative justice, peacemaking criminology, and community justice systems.
Prerequisites: CRMJ 101 or consent of instructor.
Offered: Occasionally.
CRMJ 340 | Introduction to Cyber Crime | 3 cr
Explores crime perpetrated via computers and/or other electronic means. Addresses the legal issues involved in cyber crime investigations.
Prerequisites: CRMJ 101, Junior standing; or consent of instructor.
Offered: Fall.
CRMJ 344 | Organized Crime | 3 cr
This course examines the development of organized crime in America and internationally, including the history, development, ethnic links, and impact on society and the economy. International cooperation in addressing the problem of organized crime will be covered.
Prerequisites: CRMJ 101 or consent of instructor.
Offered: Occasionally.
CRMJ 345 | White Collar Crime | 3 cr
This course covers a variety of issues in white collar and corporate crime including the kinds of offenses officially defined in the law as white collar crime. Criminological theories about white collar crime, including controversies over how it is defined, will be reviewed.
Prerequisites: CRMJ 101 or consent of instructor.
Offered: Occasionally.
CRMJ 350 | Street Gangs and Crime | 3 cr
Examines the history of gangs and current gang culture. Explores the nature of and social context of the "gang problem". Investigates community-based and legal intervention strategies.
Prerequisites: CRMJ 101.
Offered: Spring.
CRMJ 353 | Criminal Justice/Social Justice | 3 cr
This course explores the theory, policy and practice of justice from the criminological, sociological and philosophical perspectives of justice. The relationship between criminal justice and social justice will be examined.
Prerequisites: CRMJ 101 or consent of instructor.
Offered: Occasionally.
CRMJ 355 | Forensic Evidence | 3 cr
This course covers a variety of issues in forensic evidence including the types of scientific evidence frequently encountered in the courts. Particular emphasis on scientific evidence in criminal court proceedings and a few selected cases involving introduction of scientific evidence in the courts, will be reviewed.
Prerequisites: CRMJ 101 or consent of instructor.
Offered: Occasionally.
CRMJ 357 | Forensic Recovery Methods | 3 cr
Discusses foundational knowledge of forensic archaeological recovery methods and anthropological analysis. Includes survey and search methods, evidence collection and the chain of custody, laboratory analysis, forensic photographic methods, and report construction.
Prerequisites: CRMJ 101.
Offered: Spring, Summer.
CRMJ 359 | Law and Society | 3 cr
Explores selected legal rules, principles, and institutions from a sociological perspective, including influence of culture and social organization on law; role of law in social change; social aspects of the administration of justice; and social knowledge and law. Cross-listed with: SOCA 359.
Offered: Occasionally.
CRMJ 362 | Community Corrections | 3 cr
An overview of major components of community-based methods of correctional supervision with an emphasis on probation and parole. Community supervision will be examined from historical, philosophical, social and legal perspectives.
Prerequisites: CRMJ 101 or consent of instructor.
Offered: Occasionally.
CRMJ 363 | Corrections | 3 cr
Analyzes the organization of correctional agencies and the role of corrections in the criminal justice system. Includes review of theories, practices, systems, and treatment methods. Cross-listed with: SOCA 363.
Offered: Fall, Spring.
CRMJ 364 | Capital Punishment | 3 cr
An examination of historic and current trends in capital punishment. Considers the literature and philosophical basis of capital punishment, and other issues (e.g., the costs, future trends). Provides an in-depth examination of capital punishment from a criminal justice policy perspective.
Prerequisites: CRMJ 101 or consent of instructor.
Offered: Occasionally.
CRMJ 365 | Race, Crime, Law | 3 cr
Explores the intersections of race, crime and law in terms of the historical context, the present day situation and future directions. Focuses on multiple perspectives from offender to victim to criminal justice practitioner. Community-based learning designation. Cross-listed with: SOCA 365.
Offered: Fall, Spring.
Meets: CP Civics & Perspectives, Ethnic Diversity, Community Based Learning, CP Civics & Perspectives, Ethnic Diversity, Community Based Learning, CP Civics & Perspectives, Ethnic Diversity, Community Based Learning, CP Civics & Perspectives, Ethnic Diversity, Community Based Learning
CRMJ 366 | Women, Crime and Criminal Justice | 3 cr
This course examines the study of female crime and delinquency. In addition to women as offenders, this course focuses on women as victims and workers in the criminal justice system. Cross-listed with: WGSS 366.
Prerequisites: CRMJ 101 or consent of instructor.
Offered: Occasionally.
CRMJ 367 | Latinos(as) and the Law | 3 cr
Introduces and examines experiences Latinos(as) encounter with and within the U.S. criminal justice system, as well as related international and transnational issues. Uses a range of theoretical frameworks, including socio-ecological, political and psychological. Cross-listed with: LBST 367/POLS 367.
Offered: Occasionally.
Meets: CP Civics & Perspectives, Ethnic Diversity, CP Civics & Perspectives, Ethnic Diversity, CP Civics & Perspectives, Ethnic Diversity, CP Civics & Perspectives, Ethnic Diversity
CRMJ 368 | Victimology | 3 cr
Examines the causes and consequences of crime victimization including the history and re-emergence of the study of the victim and types and circumstances of victimization. Addresses victims' rights and the victims' rights movement. Cross-listed with: SOCA 368.
Offered: Spring.
CRMJ 371 | The Criminal Mind | 3 cr
Examines criminal behavior in relation to learning factors, psychopathy, juvenile delinquency, mental disorder, violence and homicide, sexual offenses, economic crimes, drugs and alcohol and the correctional system.
Prerequisites: CRMJ 101 or consent of instructor.
Offered: Occasionally.
CRMJ 372 | Violence | 3 cr
Introduces the study of violence and offers a historically grounded, multidisciplinary approach that integrates perspectives from the social sciences, humanities, and the natural and physical sciences in order to provide a comparative framework within which to understand violence.
Prerequisites: CRMJ 101 or consent of instructor.
Offered: Fall, Spring.
CRMJ 373 | Criminal Justice and Mental Health | 3 cr
Explores historical and cultural contexts relating to individuals with severe and persistent mental conditions within the criminal justice system. Community-based learning designation.
Prerequisites: CRMJ 101 or consent of instructor.
Offered: Yearly.
Meets: Community Based Learning, Community Based Learning, Community Based Learning, Community Based Learning
CRMJ 374 | Crime and Human Rights | 3 cr
Focuses on the interrelationship between crime and human rights. Discusses the Bill of Rights especially the freedom of expression, fundamental fairness and equality. Examines the American criminal justice system via the works of prominent writers, researchers and activists.
Prerequisites: CRMJ 101 or consent of instructor.
Offered: Occasionally.
CRMJ 375 | Criminal Court Process | 3 cr
An analysis of the criminal court process from the formal charging of criminal cases through sentencing. An examination of the manner in which cases move through the criminal court system.
Prerequisites: CRMJ 101 or consent of instructor.
Offered: Occasionally.
CRMJ 376 | Homicide | 3 cr
Examines the history, cultural myths, and technical aspects of homicide. Focuses on the major divisions between types of homicides, methods of homicide, and underpinning sociobiological components of individuals who commit the crime.
Offered: Spring.
CRMJ 380 | Criminal Law | 3 cr
Analyzes substantive criminal law. Includes elements of crime; crimes against person, property and public morality; complicity; and inchoate crime.
Prerequisites: CRMJ 101 or consent of instructor.
Offered: Yearly.
CRMJ 385 | Media, Crime, and Criminal Justice | 3 cr
Examines interrelationship among the mass media, crime, and criminal justice. Covers media and the social construction of crime, crime and justice in the entertainment and news media, media as a cause of crime, and media-based anti-crime efforts. Cross-listed with: COMM 384.
Prerequisites: CRMJ 101 or consent of instructor.
Offered: Fall.
CRMJ 387 | Terrorism and Security | 3 cr
This course explores and examines the phenomenon of terrorism from a global context. Focusing on a critical understanding of the history and theories of terrorism as well as the societal responses to terrorism, and the civil and human rights implications of such response.
Prerequisites: CRMJ 101 or consent of instructor.
Offered: Occasionally.
CRMJ 388 | Comparative and International Criminal Justice Systems | 3 cr
Examines theory and methods of comparative criminal justice. Surveys of the procedures and processes employed by other countries to identify, adjudicate and respond to crime and deviant behaviors.
Prerequisites: CRMJ 101 or consent of instructor.
Offered: Occasionally.
CRMJ 391 | The Criminal Justice Profession | 3 cr
This course examines the development of criminal justice profession-the historical changes, present-day issues and future directions. In addition, this course focuses on various issues such as professional socialization ranging from the macro-occupational structure of the profession to the micro-processes of becoming a criminal justice professional, traditional and non-traditional career paths within criminal justice, promotions, and professional advancement.
Prerequisites: CRMJ 101 or consent of instructor.
Offered: Occasionally.
CRMJ 401 | Repatriation: The Return of Human Remains | 3 cr
Examines ethics and laws pertaining to the repatriation of human remains to their descendent communities. Delves into analysis and synthesis of human and community- impacting data, policies, and procedures in light of evolving ethical concerns as well as legal precedents at both the state and federal levels.
Offered: Fall, Spring.
CRMJ 490 | Special Topics in Criminal Justice | 3 cr
Selected topics in criminal justice are offered and the content varies from semester to semester. May repeat with different topic.
Prerequisites: CRMJ 101 and junior standing, or consent of instructor.
Offered: Occasionally.
CRMJ 491 | Forensic Fieldwork | 3 cr
Develops a basic understanding of the foundations of forensic archaeological recovery and forensic anthropological analytical methods. Requires fees.
Prerequisites: CRMJ 101.
Offered: Summer.
CRMJ 492 | Criminal Justice Research Seminar | 3 cr
A selected criminal justice research project at the advanced level will be offered to students under faculty supervision. Hands-on community research will be conducted as a class project. Research projects will vary from semester to semester. May be repeated for credit with different projects.
Prerequisites: CRMJ 101, junior standing, and consent of the instructor.
Offered: Occasionally.
CRMJ 494 | Criminal Justice Internship | 3-6 cr
Field experience designed to further the student's integration of theory and practice in a professional setting. Potential placement include federal, state, country and municipal criminal justice or administrative law agencies or nonprofit residential treatment facilities. Only 3 credits of the 6 credits can be used to fulfill the criminal justice upper-level elective credit.
Prerequisites: Junior standing, degree GPA of 2.25, criminal justice major, departmental permission required.
Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer.
CRMJ 499 | Independent Study | 1-4 cr
Provides opportunities for independent work on specific problems in criminal justice not explored in existing curriculum under faculty supervision.
Prerequisites: Criminal justice major; junior standing, and consent of instructor and department chair.
Offered: Occasionally.