Criminal Justice Degree Online

In 1989, the Master of Criminal Justice (MCJ) program at St. Ambrose University began. It is the first of its kind in Iowa. Focusing on professional development, the program is built around a multi-faceted and balanced curriculum designed to produce skilled leaders in criminal justice and related fields.

The MCJ program is ideal for those interested in upper-level careers in law enforcement, security, corrections, and human services. It also prepares persons wishing to teach criminal justice, or to serve as personnel and training specialists in justice-related organizations.

Most students in the program are professionals in the criminal justice field working toward their degree on a part-time basis. Over the past few years there have been an increasing number of students entering the program on a full-time basis immediately after their undergraduate studies. The program can be completed in one to three years, depending on the number of classes taken per semester.
NEWS - Cedar Rapids and Ottumwa
We now offer the Master of Criminal Justice program in Cedar Rapids and Ottumwa, Iowa. Cedar Rapids classes are held at Kirkwood Community College and Ottumwa classes are held at Indian Hills Community College.

For more information on MCJ/graduate program information sessions and events, please go to the following website: http://web.sau.edu/GradStudies/events.htm.

For more information on the Master of Criminal Justice program at St. Ambrose, contact Professor Waylyn McCulloh, MCJ Director, at 563/333-6078 or by e-mail at McCullohWaylynC@sau.edu.

The interdisciplinary nature of Criminal Justice is reflected in the major course offerings, which include courses from Sociology, Philosophy, Political Science and Social Work, as well as specialized criminal justice courses. Collateral requirements provide added opportunities for students to benefit from the strengths of a wide variety of programs on campus. During their Internship, Criminal Justice majors gain in-depth exposure to the justice system through placement with a justice agency. Graduates pursue a wide variety of justice-related careers in law enforcement, corrections (including probation and parole), private security, youth agency work, and many others.

BA Criminal Justice
BS Criminal Justice

Double Major Option

BA/BS Sociology w/ Criminal Justice Concentration

Minor Requirements

The Justice Studies major offers students the opportunity to explore fundamental questions about justice from a humanistic, interdisciplinary perspective. Rooted in history, literature and philosophy, justice studies prepares students for basic inquiry and advanced research into issues of justice that lie behind social policy and criminal justice as well as broader problems of social morality and equity. Its courses are designed to help students develop the skills of careful reading, critical thinking and clear writing that are necessary for the pursuit of any professional career. This major provides an excellent preparation for law school and other professional programs, for graduate school in the humanities, and for careers in law, education, public policy and criminal justice.

The justice studies curriculum involves a sequence of five interdisciplinary core courses in Humanities and Justice (designated with the HJS prefix); six courses from a list of humanities courses in history, literature, or philosophy (HIS, LIT, PHI), and a choice of one of two courses on theory.

Some details:
Part 1. Disciplinary Foundations
Part 2. The Disciplinary Component
Part 3. Topics In Criminal Justice (Interdisciplinary – Two Courses)
Part 4. Problems And Research

Credits required: 36

Prerequisites: ENG 101-102 or ENG 101-201; one of the required general education courses in literature, history, or philosophy; one of the required general education courses in the social sciences and upper-sophomore standing. HJS 250: Justice in the Western Traditions is the required first course in the major.

Please note: GOV 101 is a prerequisite for GOV 375 and LAW 203 or GOV 230 is a prerequisite for LAW 301 (Part 3 of the major requires either GOV 375 or LAW 301).

Advisor and Program Coordinator: Professor Amie MacDonald, Department of Philosophy (212.237.8345, amacdonald@jjay.cuny.edu). Students must review their course of study with an advisor. The program coordinator will assign a faculty advisor to each Justice Studies student.

Additional Information. Students who enrolled for the first time at the College in September 2008 or thereafter must complete the major in the form presented here. Students who enrolled prior to that date may choose the form shown here or the earlier version of the major. A copy of the earlier version may be obtained at the Office of Undergraduate Studies or at the Lloyd George Sealy Library.

Senior-level requirement: Students must complete HJS 410 Text and Theory: Senior Prospectus and HJS 415 Research Project in Humanities and Justice Studies.

PART 1. FOUNDATIONS Subtotal: 9 credits

Humanities and Justice 250 Justice in the Western Traditions
Humanities and Justice 310 Comparative Perspectives on Justice
Humanities and Justice 315 Research Methods in Humanities and Justice Studies

PART 2. THE DISCIPLINARY COMPONENT Subtotal: 18 credits

History and/or Literature and/or Philosophy (six courses)

Students take six advanced elective courses in one or more of the humanities disciplines in order to explore how the fundamental assumptions, methods and general subject matter of these disciplines relate to issues of justice. These courses will be chosen by the student, in consultation with an advisor, from the following list or from a designated list of other humanities courses being taught in any particular semester. Permission by the Justice Studies Coordinator is required for each of the designated courses to count toward the major. A minimum of 12 credits must be taken at the 300-level or above.

Category A. History Courses
African-American Studies History 275. African-American Military History and Social Justice
History 217 Three Hundred Years of New York City: A History of the Big Apple
History 219 Violence and Social Change in America
History 224 A History of Crime in New York City
History 260/Puerto Rican/Latin American Studies History 260 History of Contemporary Cuba
History 277 American Legal History
History 290 Selected Topics in History*
History 320 The History of Crime and Punishment in the United States
History 325 Criminal Justice in European Society, 1750 to the Present

Category B. Literature Courses
Literature 223/African-American StudiesLiterature 223 African-American Literature
Literature 290 Selected Topics*
Literature 313 Shakespeare
Literature 314 Shakespeare and Justice
Literature 315 American Literature and the Law
Literature 316 Gender and Identity in Western Literary Traditions
Literature 327 Crime and Punishment in Literature
Literature 340/African-American Studies Literature 340 African American Experience in America: Comparative Racial Perspectives
Literature 390 Individual Reading*
Literature 401 Special Topics*
Spanish 208 The Theme of Justice in 20th-Century Spanish Literature

Category C. Philosophy Courses
Philosophy 203 Political Philosophy
Philosophy 302 Philosophical Issues of Rights
Philosophy 304 Philosophy of Mind
Philosophy 310/Law 310 Ethics and Law
Philosophy 322 Judicial and Correctional Ethics
Philosophy 326 Topics in the History of Modern Thought
Philosophy 340 Utopian Thought
Philosophy 423/Government 423 Selected Topics in Justice

ART 3. TOPICS IN POLITICAL OR LEGAL THEORY Subtotal: 3 credits

Select one
Government 375 Law, Order, Justice and Society or Law 301 Jurisprudence

PART 4. PROBLEMS AND RESEARCH Subtotal: 6 credits

Both are required
Humanities and Justice 410 Text and Theory: Senior Prospectus
Humanities and Justice 415 Research Project in Humanities and Justice Studies

Total: 36 credits

* HIS 290 Selected Topics in History, LIT 290 Selected Topics, LIT 390 Individual Reading and LIT 401 Special Topics may be used to satisfy the six-course requirement of the Disciplinary Component when the topic is applicable to the Justice Studies major. To approve these courses for inclusion in the major, students and/or faculty must petition the program coordinator.

As a Criminal Justice Administration major, you’ll notice that the curriculum helps to prepare you for management careers in law enforcement, corrections, probation and parole, security and other aspects of the judicial system. If you’re thinking about attending law school after graduation, you’ll benefit from the excellent preparation DelVal’s program brings you.

The Criminal Justice Administration curriculum prepares the student through specialized courses with the necessary knowledge of the subject field and the professional skills and state-of-the-art techniques necessary for a successful career. The curriculum integrates theory and practice for the development of the individual along with sound philosophical insights for understanding society and the ideals of the American system of justice.

For practicing criminal justice personnel, the curriculum offers opportunities for continued professional growth to assist in the educational growth and development of the communities served by the college. The DelVal program fosters the advancement of knowledge and professionalism in the American legal system.

The total number of credits required for graduation with a degree in Criminal Justice Administration is 126, plus 4 credits earned for successful completion of the Employment Program.

Career opportunities
Both anthropology and sociology are popular majors and minors for students planning futures in such professions as law, politics, social work, public health, urban planning, community relations and public administration, not to mention medicine and divinity school. Students also will find that numerous courses in criminal justice, management, marketing, business organization, labor relations, communication, journalism, recreation and nursing draw upon the principles, research techniques and findings of both sociology and anthropology.

Employers frequently look for potential employees with specific skills that are acquired in anthropology and sociology courses dealing with survey and research methods, statistics, population research and urban studies. With a number of these courses to their credit, students may well find themselves at a competitive advantage as they develop interpersonal, analytical, problem-solving and communication skills essential for success in today’s competitive job market.

A variety of career opportunities exist for our graduates in both public and private sector positions. Our graduates have found employment in a variety of law enforcement/criminal and juvenile justice agencies and social service agencies in areas of child welfare, elder services and community mental health services. Others have become teachers at various levels. For students who go on to graduate school, professional positions in teaching, research, museology and public administration are available. In addition, undergraduate study in anthropology and sociology is good preparation for business careers in local, national and international sales and marketing and careers in law.

Internship opportunities
Students enrolled in both the criminal justice and the pre-social work tracks are required to take a minimum of one, 4-credit academic internship as part of their major. Other majors may take internships. Department faculty and their advisors assist students with locating appropriate internship placement opportunities. Internships provide students the opportunity to get a “real world” experience in their field of career interest.

Where are they now?
Some of our recent alumni have gone on to graduate work in sociology, social work and law. Others have obtained positions in social service agencies, from child welfare to community mental health. Still others occupy positions of responsibility and leadership in criminal justice agencies. The current Rockford chief of police is a department alumnus as are a number of probation officers and police officers in Rockford and neighboring cities. Another alumnus is a federal prosecutor and many others have gone on to law school. One is even a U.S. marshal.

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Calendar of Events

2/6/2009
Juried Student Exhibition

2/6/2009
Juried Student Exhibition Reception

2/6/2009
Regent Players Cabaret 2009

2/6/2009
80’s Party

2/7/2009
Juried Student Exhibition

What is Sociology?
Sociology is the scientific study of human behavior and its consequences on individuals and society as a whole. The sociologist studies and investigates groups of people, their culture and interpersonal relationships. The study of sociology also lends itself to those seeking careers in law, communications, and social and human behavior.
Career Opportunities in
Sociology
With an Associate of Arts in Sociology, you will find a wealth of opportunities to pursue undergraduate and graduate level studies to achieve your career goals. Sociology is a valuable arts and sciences major for students planning careers in a wide variety of fields including human services, public administration, social research, community relations and politics. A sociology degree also provides a good foundation for those planning to enter graduate school in law, demography, social health planning, counseling, and a variety of other programs.
Salary Trends in Sociology
Salaries for Sociology graduates depend on the level of education, the job title, duties and area of the United States where you are employed. In 2006, median annual earnings in the field of Social and Human Services ranged from $20,400 to $32,400.*
* U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
High School Preparation
To prepare for your Sociology undergraduate program at Lourdes College, your high school studies should include history, social science, math and science classes. Expanding your awareness and knowledge of social science is beneficial. This goal can be accomplished by volunteering or becoming active in community organizations that service different populations.
Majoring in Sociology at Lourdes College
The Associate of Arts in Sociology Degree program gives students a solid sociological foundation of core coursework. Courses in the sociology major provide a wide range of behavioral topics to explore, such as family and marriage, race, gender, social class and poverty, deviant behavior, anthropology and sexuality. Core courses in the program include courses involving an introduction to the field of sociology, contemporary social problems, multicultural diversity and marriage and family studies.
Special Programs, Co-ops
and Internships
Undergraduate majors in sociology, criminal justice, psychology and social work are welcome to join the Social Science Club. This student organization focuses on promoting and supplementing these academic programs through seminars, workshops public speaking engagements and field experience.
Highlights of Sociology at
Lourdes College
Lourdes College prides itself on providing its students with a strong foundation in the arts and sciences. We believe that individuals who have an holistic educational experience are better prepared to engage in the world of life and work. Lourdes graduates enter (or re-enter) the working world with a consciousness of and sensitivity to the ethical, cultural and religious dimensions of the individuals and groups with whom they work and serve. Lourdes College faculty members have real-world, practical sociology experience, having worked as professionals in their field. Lourdes instructors have the professional understanding and educational qualifications to be the best professors and mentors a student could hope for.

The Criminal Justice program is designed for students who have already completed an associate’s degree in a related area such as law enforcement, human services technology, corrections technology, or police administration. It offers students with technical education backgrounds an academic program to broaden their education, helping them qualify for careers in law enforcement administration, parole and probation, forensic science, adult and juvenile corrections, and police administration.
More information…
Description of the Program
Curriculum
General Degree Requirements
Professional Requirements
Advising
BCJ Audit Sheet
Research
Internships
Admission and Application
Apply Online

Program Requirements:
Criminal Justice Technology Curriculum Guide (Articulated A.S. to B.S. Degree and A.A.S. Degree)

(Click this link to view the curriculum guide in PDF format. The curriculum guide outlines each program and its course requirements).
Recommended Course Sequence Planning Guide
(Click on this link to view the recommended Course Sequence for both full-time and part-time students).

Program Description:

To a great extent, the safety, order and freedom of our democratic society depends on our criminal justice professionals. These are the men and women who spend the majority of their time providing a variety of services to their communities. The complexity of today’s diverse communities demands more than ever that criminal justice professionals are broadly educated and highly trained. Valencia’s Criminal Justice Technology program is designed to provide the best possible education for students preparing for challenging careers in law enforcement, corrections, private/industry security, and other criminal justice fields. It offers a broad background in the history and philosophy of criminal justice; the organization, management and operation of modern criminal justice agencies; the social, psychological, and cultural aspects of society; and the laws impacting criminal justice functions.

Valencia’s Criminal Justice Technology program offers two options:
Articulated A.S. to B.S. Career Path - This option is designed for students who desire immediate employment in the field of criminal justice and/or who decide to continue on to any Florida public university as a junior to complete a four-year bachelor’s degree in criminal justice.
A.A.S. degree program - This option is designed for those who may already be licensed as law enforcement officers, and are seeking career enhancement or advancement.

Note: Regardless of any degree work completed, in order to be a sworn law enforcement or corrections officer in the state of Florida, you must successfully complete a state mandated training academy program such as those offered by the Criminal Justice Institute(CJI).

Typical Tasks may include:
investigating complaints, responding to traffic emergencies, driving patrol vehicles, detecting crimes, arresting violators, and issuing citations
overseeing individuals in jails and prisons
using computers to search for information on suspected criminals

Characteristics Needed to be Successful:
Even tempered
Patient, humble
Good athletic shape
Intelligent
Desire to help others
Good writing and communication skills

Our students pursue a range of activities after graduation, including further graduate studies at the Ph.D. level and careers in law, academia, research (both government and private firms), federal law enforcement, and federally-funded crime prevention initiatives.
The Department of Sociology offers two graduate programs in Criminal Justice:

Master of Arts in Criminology, Law & Society - which requires 30 credit hours.

Five-Year Combination B.A. in Criminal Justice/M.A. in Criminology, Law & Society - which affords students the opportunity to earn a Master’s degree by completing a fifth year of study in the graduate program.

For more information, please check with Lance Hannon, Ph.D., Program Director.

The BA in Criminology and Criminal Justice provides a foundation of knowledge for students interested in a variety of careers both in and out of the formal justice system. This degree program covers criminological theory, policing, courts and adjudication, corrections, research methodology, justice administration and special topics of criminal justice. The BA in Criminology and Criminal Justice prepares students for careers in law enforcement, corrections, juvenile casework, probation, parole, and other careers in the criminal justice system. It also provides a foundation for students who wish to pursue advanced degrees in the study of criminology and justice studies