General Requirements: Total Hours: 62 • Minimum GPA: 2.0
Program Description: This Criminal Justice Program allows students to gain knowledge which will enhance their opportunity to become employed in a criminal justice career with a specialty in one of the following areas: Corrections or General Studies in Criminal Justice.
| General Education Requirements: 18 hours | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Area | Min. Hours | Course Code | Course Description |
| Communications | 6 | ENGL 1113 | English Composition I |
| ENGL 1213 or ENGL 2033 | English Composition II or Technical Writing and Reporting | ||
| Social Science | 6 | HIST 1483 or HIST 1493 | U.S. HIST to 1877 or U.S. HIST 1877-Pres |
| POLS 1113 | U.S. Government | ||
| Selected Gen Ed Requirements | 6 | PSY 1113 | Elements of Psychology |
| SOC 1113 | Introduction to Sociology | ||
| Technical-Occupational Specialty and Support Courses: 44 hours | |||
| Students must take the 13-credit hour core technical-occupational course sequence and select one 31-credit hour option area from: | |||
| (Requirements for each option are listed below.) | |||
| Corrections - Plan of Study | |||
| General Studies in Criminal Justice | |||
| Core Technical-Occupational Courses (required for all option areas): 13 hours | |||
| Criminal Justice | 9 | CJ 1113 | Introduction to Criminal Justice |
| CJ 2313 | Criminal Law | ||
| CJ 2443 | Criminal Law and Procedures | ||
| Fitness | 3 | HPER 1553 | Lifetime Fitness and Management |
| Institutional Requirement | 1 | COL 1111 | College Success |
| Technical-Occupational Specialty Option Area Courses: 31 hours | |||
| Corrections Option: This Associate in Applied Science program option is for the student who desires a career in Corrections. | |||
| Criminal Justice | 12 | CJ 1253 | American Corrections System |
| CJ 2353 | Administration of Correctional Institutions | ||
| CJ 2433 | Community and Cultural Diversity | ||
| CJ 2453 | Probation and Parole | ||
| Criminal Justice Electives | 9-12 | CJ | Any other CJ course not previously selected |
| Sociology | 3-6 | SOC | Any other SOC course not previously selected |
| Support Electives | 4 | Courses from student’s area of interest | |
| *Need Program Advisor Approval | |||
| General Studies in Criminal Justice Option: This Associate in Applied Science program option is constructed for the student desiring a career in a generic criminal justice field. | |||
| Criminal Justice | 21 | CJ | Any CJ course not previously selected |
| Sociology | 6 | SOC | Any SOC course not previously selected |
| Support Electives | 4 | Courses from student’s area of interest | |
Criminal Justice: Corrections Plan of Study
Plan of Study
| Course Code | Course Description | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Freshman 1st Semester | ||
| ENGL 1113* | English Composition I | 3 |
| HIST 1483 or HIST 1493* | U.S. HIST to 1877 or U.S. HIST 1877-Pres | 3 |
| CJ 1113 | Introduction to Criminal Justice | 3 |
| COL 1111 | College Success | 1 |
| HPER 1553 | Lifetime Fitness & Management | 3 |
| Total | 13 | |
| Freshman 2nd Semester | ||
| ENGL 1213* | English Composition II | 3 |
| POLS 1113* | U.S. Government | 3 |
| SOC 1113 | Introduction to Sociology | 3 |
| CJ 2353 | Administration of Correctional Inst. | 3 |
| Criminal Justice Elective | 3 | |
| Criminal Justice Elective | 3 | |
| Total | 18 | |
| Sophomore 1st Semester | ||
| CJ 1253 | American Corrections System | 3 |
| CJ Elective | 3 | |
| CJ 2453 | Probation, Parole & Community Treatment | 3 |
| CJ 2313 | Criminal Law | 3 |
| SOC 2173 or SOC 2183*** | Sociology of the Family or Prob. in Sociology | 3 |
| Total | 15 | |
| Sophomore 2nd Semester | ||
| CJ Elective | Drugs & Society | 3 |
| CJ 2433 | Community Culture & Diversity | 3 |
| PSY 1113 | Elements of Psychology | 3 |
| CJ 2443 | Criminal Law & Procedure | 3 |
| Support Elective | Course from student's area of interest | 4 |
| Total | 16 | |
NOTE: * = General Education Requirement ** = Program Core Requirement and *** = Option Requirement
Program Outcomes
The criminal justice program provides students with an understanding of the nature of crime and the personnel, institutions and process that prevent or respond to crime. Students learn both the theory and practice of the criminal justice system. The curriculum covers crime and criminal behavior, law enforcement, courts, and corrections. It provides a solid foundation for further study or entry into a variety of criminal justice professions. Students must obtain an overall grade point average of 2.0 or higher for successful degree completion.
Intended Program Outcomes
- Explain the structure of the American criminal justice system in terms of its major components (i.e., police, courts, and corrections) and the functions they serve.
- Measured by effectively communicating thru reading and writing assignments as well as exams.
- Communicate in writing to express solutions in criminal justice topics.
Measured by completing writing assignments that demonstrate effective critical thinking to identifying and defining problems and then formulating conclusions based upon reading assignments.
- Apply critical thinking skills to analyze and solve a variety of complex problems in the criminal justice environment. Assess the philosophy, theories, policies, practices, processes, and reforms of the criminal justice system
Measured thru completion of writing assignments and exams as well as a series of class discussions.
- Use technology to develop specialized technical knowledge and skills relevant to the field of criminal justice. (computer & writing skills)
Measured by demonstrating basic technology skills for class success, i.e. computer, research, on-line discussions.
- Review the major historical and contemporary issues facing the criminal justice system including events, information, programs, policies, and concepts that affect the operation of criminal justice agencies as well as issues of society ethnic and gender diversity.
Measured by reading and writing assignments as well as exams.