Criminal Justice Degree Online

Summary
Commencing Semesters

Program Code 2032
Delivery Mode Internal
Plan Location St Lucia
Course List See the Course List for courses that can be studied as part of the Criminal Justice plan/major in this program

Plan Description
This major gives students the background and skills to critically evaluate how we can better respond to emerging crime problems in our communities. Courses included in the major focus on the social factors leading to criminality and the response to criminal behaviour from the justice system. In contrast to the major in criminology for the BA which focuses more closely on theoretical and research skills in criminology, this major emphasises applied social policy issues relating to criminal justice. Students are given a broad introduction to the field in year 1, followed by upper level courses that focus on the social causes of offending and the various ways in which different parts of the justice system deal with criminal/offending behaviour.

There are basically two ways of studying Criminology at Lincoln. You can specialise in Criminology on its own as a single subject and become what we would call ‘a hard core Criminologist’ or you can take the sawn off version and study the pared down variant of Criminology as a Major alongside another subject. If you take Criminology with Psychology or Law then you will study slightly more of these subjects than Criminology but in each case you will still follow the core criminology subjects and graduate with a genuine ‘joint degree’, therefore your commitment to both components of your degree should be as equally weighted as possible. The first year is more broadly based and thus offers significant opportunities to change programmes at the end of the first year e.g. from joint to single or vice versa, although these opportunities are more limited for Law and Psychology students.
BA (Hons) Criminology

“My Criminology degree is always a topic of interest at interviews I have attended and it has definitely made me stand out from the crowd.” Joanna Lowe, BA (Hons) Criminology

The Single Honours programme is relatively unique, offering a dedicated, integrated and distinctively criminological curriculum. It is organised and taught by a team of 9 Criminologists with extensive qualifications and experience. Rather than borrow units from other degree programmes, the single subject offers specially designed units designed to fit together and develop specialist skills in criminological studies. The first year assumes no distinct Criminological knowledge but is based upon substantial awareness of popular images of crime and general sources of information. Thus a major objective is to contrast these ‘common sense’ images of criminality with an alternative criminological reality and to assess the competing merit of different sources of information about crime. A substantial training in research methods and a thorough grounding in the politics of law and Order underpin the comparative approach and this is supplemented by an appreciation of policing as dependent on a much broader web of social controls.

The second year provides a more intricate examination of the ways in which crime has been explained and the impact such explanations of its causes have on the Criminal Justice system. Key debates are highlighted within this system and students are required to put forward their own policy recommendations, the comparative and historical dimensions of criminology are illuminated and students organise their own collective conference on an agreed theme.

In final year, students examine the complex debates and justifications for punishment, examine contemporary penal policy, investigate the variety of ways in which harmful activities are executed and regulated and the role of criminalisation within these. They also examine criminological theory in more detail, address the emergence of ‘Victimology’, analyse issues in police studies and innovations in crime prevention, and complete an independent study in an area of special interest.

Baccalaureate Degrees
Business Psychology
• Requirements

Criminal Justice
The purpose of the Criminal Justice program is to provide the student with a system orientation to the field of criminal justice. Studies involve the principles of criminal justice and the related problems and issues in the field. Students develop a knowledge base for an in-depth understanding of human behavior and the kinds of problems and circumstances that often result in criminality.
• Requirements

Psychology
Psychology is one of the single largest majors at MidAmerica Nazarene University. The primary objective of the department is to present sound psychological principles within a Christ Centered Context.
• Requirements

Sociology
Sociology is the study of society and its parts, and the social sources of human behavior. Sociologists study the structure of societies, groups, organizations, and social institutions and how people interact in these settings. The subject matter of sociology encompasses the family, culture, race and ethnicity, gender, stratification, work, deviance and crime, mass media, social theory, health care, social welfare, religion and legal institutions.
• Requirements

Minor Emphases
Criminal Justice
The purpose of the Criminal Justice program is to provide the student with a system orientation to the field of criminal justice. Studies involve the principles of criminal justice and the related problems and issues in the field. Students develop a knowledge base for an in-depth understanding of human behavior and the kinds of problems and circumstances that often result in criminality.
• Requirements

Psychology
Psychology is one of the single largest majors at MidAmerica Nazarene University. The primary objective of the department is to present sound psychological principles within a Christ Centered Context.
• Requirements

Sociology
Sociology is the study of society and its parts, and the social sources of human behavior. Sociologists study the structure of societies, groups, organizations, and social institutions and how people interact in these settings. The subject matter of sociology encompasses the family, culture, race and ethnicity, gender, stratification, work, deviance and crime, mass media, social theory, health care, social welfare, religion and legal institutions.
• Requirements

The BS in Criminology focuses on the study of historical and contemporary patterns of crime and victimization, the social etiology of criminality, social responses to crime, and the processes of crime control. Criminologists combine theoretical and empirical methods to study crime and delinquency, including the manner in which offenders are processed. The functions and dynamics of the criminal justice system are studied in detail with emphasis on the linkage between these processes and various social institutions and organizations.

Criminology is a valuable liberal arts major for students planning graduate studies in criminology/criminal justice, sociology, public administration, law, urban planning, business, social services, and community planning. The major also provides a useful background for those planning to enter the job market immediately following graduation.

The Criminal Justice major emphasizes a multi-disciplinary and experiential approach to crime, justice, and the reduction of violence. It is a liberal arts major that requires students to think critically, communicate effectively, and to contemplate and appreciate alternative viewpoints. It encourages students to take both an analytical and active approach to criminal justice.

The major shows students the “working side of the street,” encouraging them to interact with people on the front lines of the criminal justice system and to confront real-life issues. Courses in the major take students to criminal justice sites such as corrections facilities, police departments, courts, and community agencies. Classes will involve guest speakers who discuss first-hand experiences with specific aspects of criminality and crime prevention.

Students who complete the criminal justice major may go on to careers in law enforcement, corrections, social work, the justice system, or law. Whether or not they pursue employment in any of these areas, students will leave with a deeper understanding of crime and justice in contemporary American society.

Three years full-time

UCAS code ML93

Study criminal issues in society

We have a long tradition of teaching applied social sciences and this course forms part of that programme of courses. We offer it in response to an increasing fascination with criminology, which has led to a high demand for the subject.

Criminology studies the many causes and effects of crime, and sociology studies the nature, structure and workings of human society.

This course will appeal if you have an interest in studying
• crime, criminality and criminal justice institutions and processes
• society, social groups and social structures

Crime is a major issue in society and it attracts a lot of political and media attention. If you choose to complete a criminology degree you are likely to be interested in how society and government respond to major issues such as • hate crime • domestic violence and other violent crime • crimes of dishonesty • the punishment and rehabilitation of offenders • different types of offenders • the police, probation service, youth justice service and the courts.

This course equips you with a thorough understanding of the relationship between criminological and sociological perspectives and criminal justice policy.

It allows you to study for a joint degree, but with a specific focus on other social science disciplines. It also equips you with the skills needed in a constantly changing labour market.

You graduate with a wide knowledge and understanding of the important theories in criminology and applied social science.

The criminology subject group has strong links with the criminal justice sector in terms of its teaching, training, research and consultancy.

The work and expertise of our Centre for Community Justice and our Centre for Research on Human Behaviour support the teaching on this course.

Visit our web pages to learn more about our criminology and sociology courses, staff and research.

Three years full-time

UCAS code MC98

Your study includes project, portfolio and research work

We have a long tradition of teaching applied social sciences and this course forms part of that programme of courses. We offer it in response to an increasing fascination with criminology, which has led to a high demand for the subject.

Criminology studies the many causes and effects of crime. Psychology studies the brain and behaviour.

This course will appeal if you have an interest in the
• study of crime, criminality and criminal justice institutions and processes
• individual and the influence of psychological perspectives in understanding human behaviour

Crime is a major issue in society and it attracts a lot of political and media attention.

If you choose to complete a criminology degree you are likely to be interested in how society and government respond to major issues such as
• hate crime
• domestic violence and other violent crime
• crimes of dishonesty
• punishing and rehabilitating offenders
• different types of offenders
• the police, probation service, youth justice service and the courts

The curriculum enables you to look at both criminological and psychological explanations of delinquency.

This course equips you with a joint degree through understanding the links between the two subjects and how they affect associated issues.

Your studies cover areas such as
• the relationship between criminological and psychological perspectives
• the modern social and political context of criminal justice beliefs
• criminal justice institutions
• criminal justice processes

The work and expertise of our Hallam Centre for Community Justice and our Centre for Research on Human Behaviour support the teaching on this course.

Besides gaining specialist knowledge of the subjects, you gain skills such as teamworking, report writing and research applicable to many different careers.

We run a British Psychological Society (BPS)-accredited conversion course. Graduates from the BSc (Honours) Criminology and Psychology and BSc (Honours) Psychology and Sociology will be eligible to join this course (one year full-time or two years part-time) if they wish to acquire BPS graduate status. For more information see the Graduate Diploma in Psychology.

Visit our web pages to learn more about our criminology and psychology courses, staff and research.

Three years full-time

UCAS code M931

You develop theoretical understanding and practical research skills

We have a long tradition of teaching applied social sciences and this course forms part of that programme of courses. We offer it in response to an increasing fascination with criminology, which has led to a high demand for the subject.

Criminology studies the many causes and effects of crime and the most effective methods of reducing it.

This course will appeal if you have an interest in studying crime, criminality and criminal justice institutions and processes.

Crime is a major issue in society and attracts a lot of political and media attention. If you choose to complete a criminology degree, you are likely to be interested in how society and government respond to major issues such as • hate crime • domestic violence and other violent crime • crimes of dishonesty • the punishment and rehabilitation of offenders • different types of offenders • the police, probation service, youth justice service and the courts.

You may be considering a career in criminal and community justice or following other options in the voluntary and community sector.

You study areas such as • criminology in a social science context • criminological theories and debates • criminological research methods • criminal justice policies • the part played by agencies in the criminal justice system such as the police service, the prison service and the legal profession.

We equip you with a thorough awareness of criminal activity and its relationship to areas such as class, gender and race.

You develop theoretical understanding and practical research skills, which you apply to specialised criminological modules, including policing and victimisation.

The work and expertise of our Hallam Centre for Community Justice supports the teaching of the course.

To learn more about our courses, staff and research, visit our criminology web pages.

The department offers an Area of Concentration in Criminology and an Emphasis in Criminology. Students pursuing either of these options develop a working knowledge of general concepts that comprise criminological and sociological analysis. Students also learn about the criminal justice system including basic skills in working with offenders, theoretical explanations of criminality, research methodology/ data analysis, and the effects of social institutions and policies on the system.

The CRIMINOLOGY program focuses on understanding the causes of crime, the structure of the criminal justice system, and an understanding of how the criminal justice processing system operates. While this program is separate and distinct from a criminal justice degree, our students work in a variety of different capacities within the criminal justice system ranging from adult corrections, probation, parole, and law enforcement. Many students also decide to enter the field of juvenile corrections.
The Sociology Department offers two types of Criminology options

Area of Concentration Crim Concentration Map

This choice requires additional criminology credit hours beyond the number required for the Emphasis. If you decide to take the Area of Concentration you have less time for a minor and technically do not have to declare one. While we encourage all of our students to consider a minor, be aware that it may take longer for you to complete your program of study.

Emphasis in Criminology Crim Emphasis Map

This emphasis provides you with ample time to choose a minor. We encourage students to declare a minor as it will provide you with a more complete liberal arts education and ensure your familarity with another disciplinary perspective outside criminology. We suggest a variety of minors, including women’s studies, international studies, government, history, or a foreign language. Spanish as a second language would be particularly useful for working within any aspect of this field.

The global criminology concentration is focused on key dimensions of international issues in crime and justice. The globalization in many spheres - for example, markets, people, capital, culture, information, knowledge, technology, military, biologically relevant substances - is affecting the causes, motives, opportunities and control of misconduct at the local, national and international levels. Global criminology covers a wide range of interconnected issues and focuses on the need to draw from the wisdom and experience of countries other than one’s own. Crime-related theory, theory-testing, research and policy are studied and conducted through a global lens. A special focus is on international norm creation, enforcement and control, as well as issues of international standards’ legitimacy and justice. Emphasis is placed on the patterns, trends and impact of cross-border criminality (including transnational organized crime) and international law violations with the view of developing preventive and control strategies, mechanisms and measures applicable to traditional and emerging forms of crime. Experiential education is the cornerstone of a Northeastern education. Anchored by our signature cooperative education program, students can choose from a variety of experiences such as working in their chosen field(s), participating in research with faculty, volunteering in the community or broadening their viewpoint with an international component such as study abroad or an international co-op. The experiences our students gain enhance the classroom discussions with living examples and augment their résumés with responsible positions.