Criminal Justice Degree Online

Unlike some careers, the criminal justice field demands that students maintain a clean record. Most criminal justice agencies and organizations require criminal background checks. Criminal background checks are even required for internship and some volunteer placements. Therefore, it is essential that criminal justice students use good judgment and avoid developing a criminal record, including an excessive number of speeding tickets, underage drinking, and fake ID charges.

Increasingly, criminal justice organizations also requiring credit checks, polygraph testing, and/or psychological evaluations.

In addition, most employers take references from our criminal justice faculty very seriously. Students should know that faculty are formally and informally assessing their academic performance, attendance, timeliness, honesty, professionalism, and social skills during their time at Mount Mercy. These faculty are often asked to reflect on these character issues for references

The Mount Marty College Criminal Justice program prepares students to become practitioners in the criminal justice field. Students learn how the criminal justice system works and gain insight into investigations, corrections, juvenile justice, chemical dependency, legal writing and research, police management, ethical responsibility, and security administration.

With its emphasis on community service, internships, and practitioner mentoring, MMC’s criminal justice program is unique, focused on applied learning and preparing students for the contemporary world of work in the criminal justice system.

Criminal Justice majors are taught to challenge assumptions and investigate issues beneath the surface. Motivation to improve the world, combined with a quality education, will lead to a career that can be deeply rewarding on many levels. Given the small size of classes, professors teach all classes, know their students, and commit to helping their students to grow personally and professionally. One of the biggest benefits at MMC is individualized attention and opportunity to work closely with faculty members both in and out of the classroom.

Criminal Justice majors work closely with programs in psychology, sociology, and the behavioral sciences. These disciplines develop insight into human behavior essential to a criminal justice professional. During the senior year, all students experience a senior seminar in criminal justice.

It is recommended that students complete an internship in the criminal justice or social science area. Through this experience, students develop an in depth knowledge of the field and beyond. Graduates receive comprehensive career training that will enable them to choose among several entry-level positions in criminal justice.

MMC offers both a bachelor’s degree and an associate’s degree in Criminal Justice.

Fall: All Years Spring: All Years
Overview of the criminal justice field focusing on the history and description of the contemporary United States system. The overview will include both the adult and the juvenile justice system.

CJ 300 Criminology (3)
Fall: All Years
This course will survey the history of crime in society, including theories, research and commentaries on crime and delinquency.

CJ 309 Law and Society [ W ] (4)
Fall: All Years Spring: All Years
Relationships of law and society; social forces in law making; dynamics of law administration; social, cultural and behavioral effects of law; history and development of the legal profession; analysis of legal language and reasoning. Prerequisite may be waived with the consent of the instructor. Same as SOC 309.

CJ 312 Criminal Investigation (3)
Spring: All Years
This course will cover a variety of topics that would assist law enforcement officers in conducting investigations.

CJ 335 Criminal Law (3)
Fall: All Years
Substantive criminal law, development and meaning of principles of criminal law, current issues. Same as POL 335

CJ 337 Criminal Procedure (3)
Spring: All Years
The course will examine contemporary interpretations of the U.S. Constitution’s protections for the criminally accused, which are primarily found in the 4th, 5th, 6th, 8th, and 14th Amendments.

CJ 390 Topics in Criminal Justice (1-3)
Fall: On Demand Spring: On Demand
This is an upper division course with varying topics from the discipline of criminal justice.

CJ 400 Seminar in Criminal Justice (1-4)
Fall: All Years Spring: All Years
An in-depth analysis of a topic in criminal justice. Students may apply up to 8 credits to the degree.

CJ 430 Minnesota Criminal Law and Procedure (4)
Fall: All Years
The Minnesota criminal statutes as well as the Minnesota rules of criminal procedure are examined. Technical study of police report writing designed to meet the standards of the POST Board licensing examination will be covered.
Prerequisite: CJ 335 OR POL 335

CJ 469 Internship (1-12)
Fall: All Years Spring: All Years Summer: All Years
A supervised, practical experience in criminal justice. A maximum of 12 internship credits may be applied to the degree. Credits may not be applied to the criminal justice major.

CJ 497 Readings in Criminal Justice (1-3)
Fall: All Years Spring: All Years Summer: All Years
Selected readings in Criminal Justice under the close supervision of a member of the CJ program.

Molloy College’s graduate program in Criminal Justice contains a 15-credit core, which is required of all students. Students will complete the degree requirement by selecting from elective courses which include: Criminal Justice Technology, Advanced Research Methods, and Criminal Justice Internship, to name a few. The Criminal Justice Master of Science degree will be awarded to students who complete the 33-credit requirement. The program is designed to be completed in two (2) academic years. Classes are offered throughout the year, including summer session.

There is a BA / MS option for those already enrolled in Molloy’s undergraduate program, so they may continue their studies here at the graduate level. Students enrolled in this option will take two (2) criminal justice graduate courses during their senior year. After completing the undergraduate requirements, students will advance to the graduate program, pending additional admissions requirements.

The criminal justice graduate classes are designed to conform to the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences (ACJS). This is a society of criminal justice academicians and practitioners who serve as the certifying body for criminal justice institutions of higher learning in the United States. The Molloy College Criminal Justice graduate courses are developed utilizing specialized content area, in order to accommodate the broad scope of the criminal justice field.Course Name Credits
Required Core Classes (15-Credit Core Requirement)
CRJ 501 – Modern American Justice* 3
CRJ 502 – Constitutional and Legal Issues* 3
CRJ 503 – Research Methods in Criminal Justice 3
CRJ 504 – Ethics and Morality in Criminal Justice 3
CRJ 599 – Master’s Seminar 3

Elective Courses (18-Credit Elective Requirement)
CRJ 510 – Violence in American Society 3
CRJ 511 – Technology and Computers 3
CRJ 512 – Domestic and International Terrorism 3
CRJ 513 – Modern Law Enforcement 3
CRJ 514 – Survey of International Modern Justice Systems 3
CRJ 515 – Criminal Justice Internship 3
CRJ 516 – Advanced Research Methods in Criminal Justice 3
CRJ 517 – Ideology and Politics of Crime and Terrorism 3
CRJ 518 - Modern Correctional Systems 3
CRJ 590 – Advanced Topics in Criminal Justice 3

* For students enrolled in the BA/MS Option, these 2 core courses must be taken during their undergraduate senior year.

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Option 2 - BA / MS Dual Degree in Criminal Justice
Students enrolled in the dual degree program must first complete the required undergraduate coursework necessary for the Bachelor of Arts Degree in Criminal Justice. During their senior year, undergraduate students enrolled in this option will be required to take two (2) criminal justice graduate courses: CRJ 501 and CRJ 502. Upon the successful completion of the required 128 credits, students will be awarded the Bachelor of Arts Degree. After the graduate application process, students will enter the Criminal Justice graduate program. Once enrolled in the graduate program, students must take the remaining nine (9) required core credits outlined above, plus an additional 18 elective credits.

Total Credit Requirements for Dual Degree (155 Credits)

. B.A. Criminal Justice 128 Credits
M.S. Criminal Justice 33 Credits
Dual Degree Credit Reduction* - 6 Credits

Total Credits Required for B.A. / M.S. Dual Degree = 155 Credits

* A maximum of six (6) credits will be credited to the student for successful completion of CRJ 501 and CRJ 502, during their undergraduate senior year. This credit reduction is only applicable for Molloy College students enrolled in the BA/ MS dual degree option.

Molloy College’s graduate program in Criminal Justice contains a 15-credit core, which is required of all students. Students will complete the degree requirement by selecting from elective courses which include: Criminal Justice Technology, Advanced Research Methods, and Criminal Justice Internship, to name a few. The Criminal Justice Master of Science degree will be awarded to students who complete the 33-credit requirement. The program is designed to be completed in two (2) academic years. Classes are offered throughout the year, including summer session.

There is a BA / MS option for those already enrolled in Molloy’s undergraduate program, so they may continue their studies here at the graduate level. Students enrolled in this option will take two (2) criminal justice graduate courses during their senior year. After completing the undergraduate requirements, students will advance to the graduate program, pending additional admissions requirements.

The criminal justice graduate classes are designed to conform to the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences (ACJS). This is a society of criminal justice academicians and practitioners who serve as the certifying body for criminal justice institutions of higher learning in the United States. The Molloy College Criminal Justice graduate courses are developed utilizing specialized content area, in order to accommodate the broad scope of the criminal justice field.Course Name Credits
Required Core Classes (15-Credit Core Requirement)
CRJ 501 – Modern American Justice* 3
CRJ 502 – Constitutional and Legal Issues* 3
CRJ 503 – Research Methods in Criminal Justice 3
CRJ 504 – Ethics and Morality in Criminal Justice 3
CRJ 599 – Master’s Seminar 3

Elective Courses (18-Credit Elective Requirement)
CRJ 510 – Violence in American Society 3
CRJ 511 – Technology and Computers 3
CRJ 512 – Domestic and International Terrorism 3
CRJ 513 – Modern Law Enforcement 3
CRJ 514 – Survey of International Modern Justice Systems 3
CRJ 515 – Criminal Justice Internship 3
CRJ 516 – Advanced Research Methods in Criminal Justice 3
CRJ 517 – Ideology and Politics of Crime and Terrorism 3
CRJ 518 - Modern Correctional Systems 3
CRJ 590 – Advanced Topics in Criminal Justice 3

* For students enrolled in the BA/MS Option, these 2 core courses must be taken during their undergraduate senior year.

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Option 2 - BA / MS Dual Degree in Criminal Justice
Students enrolled in the dual degree program must first complete the required undergraduate coursework necessary for the Bachelor of Arts Degree in Criminal Justice. During their senior year, undergraduate students enrolled in this option will be required to take two (2) criminal justice graduate courses: CRJ 501 and CRJ 502. Upon the successful completion of the required 128 credits, students will be awarded the Bachelor of Arts Degree. After the graduate application process, students will enter the Criminal Justice graduate program. Once enrolled in the graduate program, students must take the remaining nine (9) required core credits outlined above, plus an additional 18 elective credits.

Total Credit Requirements for Dual Degree (155 Credits)

. B.A. Criminal Justice 128 Credits
M.S. Criminal Justice 33 Credits
Dual Degree Credit Reduction* - 6 Credits

Total Credits Required for B.A. / M.S. Dual Degree = 155 Credits

* A maximum of six (6) credits will be credited to the student for successful completion of CRJ 501 and CRJ 502, during their undergraduate senior year. This credit reduction is only applicable for Molloy College students enrolled in the BA/ MS dual degree option.

Located at the Providence Campus, the objectives of the CJA are to improve criminal justice studies, promote professional, academic, and public awareness of criminal justice issues, and provide a unified voice for students in the criminal justice field.

Typical career tracks for graduates of the criminal justice program include positions with local, state, federal police agencies; court administration; corrections, probation, or parole officers; private security and loss prevention managers; and social service providers.

Jobs within the Criminal Justice field include:

Airport Security Officer
Border Patrol Agent
CIA Agent
Corrections Officer
Customs Agent
Deportation Officer
Drug Enforcement Agent
FBI Agent
Fish & Game Warden
Paralegal
Police Officer
Secret Service Agent
Sheriff
U.S. Customs Agent
U.S. Marshall

The Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Criminal Justice is an interdisciplinary major which prepares students for careers in the criminal justice system. Coursework in the Criminal Justice program combines traditional social science classes like sociology and psychology with specialized classes in areas such as criminology, forensics and law enforcement administration. By developing students’ critical thinking skills and providing a solid understanding of core issues in criminal justice, the program prepares students for professional work or graduate training.

Degree Overview:

To earn a B.S. students complete 120 credits of coursework that includes general education classes and liberal arts electives in addition to classes in criminal justice.

Students pursuing a B.S. in Criminal Justice choose one of two concentrations: Police Science or Social Science.
The Police Science concentration focuses on law enforcement administration and community-police relations.
The Social Science concentration focuses on the sociology of crime and law enforcement, as well as the psychology of criminal behavior.

Students in either concentration complete foundation classes in sociology and psychology, along with a series of core classes in criminal justice. Students also complete 12-16 credits worth of advanced classes that are chosen to match a student’s concentration and career interests. For example, a student interested in working with young offenders may choose electives such as Juvenile Delinquency, Sociology of Violence and Sociology of Deviance. A student interested in forensics could choose electives such as Forensic Psychology, Psychology of Criminal Behavior, and Forensic Science.

Who Should Apply?

The Criminal Justice program attracts students from a wide variety of academic and professional backgrounds. Some students are already working in the criminal justice field and are seeking a college degree in order to advance their career. The program is also appropriate for students who don’t have a great deal of coursework or work experience in criminal justice and are looking for an introduction to the field.

Careers and Advanced Degrees

Careers and Jobs
Law enforcement and administration, corrections, forensics, customs, public administration, criminal investigation, private and corporate security, counseling, homeland security, FBI, CIA, DEA, ATF, Secret Service, and Military Intelligence.

Advanced Degrees
Master of Arts in Criminal Justice, Master of Arts in Forensic Psychology, Master of Science in Forensic Science and Master of Science in Protection Management.

Prepare the graduate with the appropriate knowledge, skill, and background to pursue a meaningful career in Criminal Justice and related professions Prepare the graduate with the appropriate knowledge, skills, and background to pursue graduate or advanced studies in Criminal Justice or the related fields of Public Administration, Political Science, Sociology, Law, etc. Objectives – After completing the degree in Criminal Justice, the graduate will be able to: Demonstrate knowledge of current issues, concepts, philosophies and theories in the field of Criminal Justice Utilize the research method to keep abreast of Criminal Justice issues. Demonstrate the ability to speak as well as write cogently, effectively, and correctly. Apply the knowledge of ethical principles with the high standards expected of criminal justice practitioners Demonstrate a commitment to community service. Differentiate the minority and non-minority perspective in the Criminal Justice field.The number of hours required of a Criminal Justice major are: Hours General Education (students must take ECON 231 for GER) 50 Criminal Justice major courses 33 Social Science core courses 24 Electives 18 TOTAL 125

With a 95 percent placement rate, the Criminal Justice major at Siena Heights is booming. The events of Sept. 11, 2001, have yielded many changes in our way of life. As a result, more and more jobs in the criminal justice field are being created. As our nation buckles down to fight terrorism and keep Americans safe, more law enforcement officers are needed and new jobs are developing.

“Employment opportunities are tremendous at the state and local level because there is a shortage of police officers,” said Danielle Teunion-Smith, coordinator of the Criminal Justice program. “This is the time for someone to get a criminal justice degree and find employment.”

Siena’s program boasts two strengths — faculty members with practical experience and internships.

“All our faculty have practiced or are currently practicing in the criminal justice field,” Teunion-Smith said. “Many larger universities lack instructors with this background. And, our internships have always been a strength. We were doing internships when other places were not — we’ve done it for 25 years. We’re a leader.”