Program Description
The Bachelor of Arts Degree in Criminal Justice is an interdisciplinary approach to the study of crime and justice. "Criminal Justice" refers to law enforcement, processes of the courts and corrections as a system for the administration of city, county, state and federal laws and procedures. The curriculum includes a broad range of study to meet the academic needs of both pre-professional students who plan future careers in the criminal justice field and those currently employed in criminal justice and juvenile justice systems. The courses are designed to give students an understanding of theory and the use of empirical data to solve practical problems. The criminal justice program focuses on the following: the interrelationship of the criminal justice system with other social institutions; crime prevention; the forms of crime and the classification of offenders; policing and crime control; the courts, probation and parole; rehabilitation treatment interventions and counseling programs; and qualitative and statistical methods in the measurement and analysis of crime. This foundation will prepare students for careers in criminal justice, including but not limited to law enforcement, and court administration, social services, and graduate study.
Student Learning Outcomes
Graduates of the Criminal Justice Program will be able to:
- Discuss theoretical concepts and perspectives of criminology in our society.
- Explain theoretical perspectives pertaining to criminal activities to inform the nature of crime, the historical and philosophical foundations of law enforcement agencies, criminal courts, and correctional institutions.
- Integrate constitutional due process guarantees with the management practices of law enforcement, prosecution, and corrections.
- Recognize the differences between crimes and other types of legal and moral wrongs and discuss the role of punishments and the effect that punishment has on the substantive criminal law and the law of criminal procedure.
- Examine and communicate the current research topics and policy in the area of criminal justice critically and objectively.
