Criminal Justice Degree Online

Overview

The Department of Sociology, Anthropology & Criminal Justice at Georgian Court University plays a significant role in the university’s liberal arts education. Many of its courses are mainstays in the university’s core offerings. The department offers bachelor’s degrees in sociology and criminal justice. Students can also choose to minor in sociology, anthropology, or criminal justice.Sociology and Anthropology
The core requirements for a B.A. in sociology involve credits in sociology, anthropology, criminal justice, social work, and gerontology. What makes sociology unique is the constant quest to to apply the knowledge gained by studying society to improve society. Sociology creates the awareness that changing society for the better is the responsibility of every citizen and fosters appreciation of the interconnections between each person and the social environment.

Dr. DasGupta (center)

Criminal Justice
The criminal justice field is expected to need increased numbers of qualified college graduates, especially in the areas of forensic accounting, homeland security, crime scene analysis, rehabilitation of offenders, and private security. The criminal justice major is designed both for those new to the field as well as those already in the field who wish to increase knowledge and academic credentials. The focus on women and social justice provides a perspective not usually encountered in traditional programs.

Undergraduate Degrees
B.A. in Sociology
B.A. in Criminal Justice

Minors
Sociology
Anthropology
Criminal Justice

DetailsSociology and Anthropology
The basic objective of sociology and anthropology studies is to aid in the understanding of human life in all of its manifestations for those interested in a career in the social sciences and those interested in rounding out their liberal arts education. The basic tenet of sociology and anthropology studies is that a person is, by nature, a social creature and that any total understanding of human behavior and experience must include the social and cultural milieu that affects all peoples.

Dr. Cynthia Ninivaggi
Chairperson

The offerings are thus geared:
To provide a comprehensive and in-depth education in the field of sociology;
To equip the student with the knowledge, skills, and values to facilitate an understanding of social trends in an increasingly globalized world;
To equip the student with the knowledge, skills ,and values to enhance and support their future careers;
To enable the student to recognize sociology’s commitment to social scientific knowledge and to social justice, equality, and democracy; and
To enable students to think critically about their social lives and investigate alternative social futures of just and egalitarian societies.Criminal Justice
The major in criminal justice provides professional training in criminal justice with a strong liberal arts background for traditional students interested in the field and criminal justice professionals who wish to advance their education and enhance their expertise. In addition, the major provides the foundation for those planning to pursue graduate study.

CRM 280 INTRODUCTION TO CRIMINAL JUSTICE
Three hours. A survey of the criminal justice decision network with emphasis on the principles and values which undergird criminal justice.

CRM 320 LAW AND SOCIAL CHANGE
Three hours. Critical examination of leading theorists, legal case studies of social change, directions of change, and projection of future trends.

CRM 340 CRIMINOLOGY
Three hours. The nature and extent of crime, criminal typologies, criminological theory.

CRM 350 POLICING IN AMERICAN SOCIETY
Three hours. The functions and responsibilities of police with emphasis on issues and problems of American police.

CRM 360 JUVENILE DELINQUENCY
Three hours. The nature and extent of juvenile delinquency, theories of causation, prevention, and treatment.

CRM 370 METHODS OF SOCIAL RESEARCH
Three hours. Application of the scientific method in the study of social phenomena: research design, sampling, measurement, data collection, and analysis.

CRM 415 FORENSIC ACCOUNTING
Three hours. Study of the field and practice of forensic accounting, procedures us ed to uncover accounting crime, courtroom procedures and litigation support, and principles and techniques of business valuations.

CRM 440 JUDICIAL PROCESSES
Three hours. The jurisdictions, policies, and procedures of American courts. Rules of evidence and the impact of appellate court decisions on criminal justice processes.

CRM 450 CORRECTIONS & REHABLILITATION
Three hours. The history and philosophy of correctional programs, theory, and research.

CRM 460 CRIMINOLOGY PRACTICUM
Three or six hours. Practical experience in one or more criminal justice agencies or in research. Class will focus on integrating theory and practice.

CRM 499 SEMINAR IN CRIMINOLOGY
Three hours. Readings, research, and class discussion on crime-related topics of contemporary importance such as corporate, environmental or political crime, violence, drugs, prison over-crowing, etc.

With an integrated curriculum that combines intensive study in criminal justice, accounting, and computer science, this remarkable program — the only one of its kind in the United States — gives you the specialized investigative skills you need to pursue a rewarding career in:
Law enforcement
Corporate security management
Forensic accounting
Private consulting
…and other professional opportunities that require a solid foundation in the principles of preventing and prosecuting economic crime.

Prepare for an exciting career fighting fraud and corruption. With an interdisciplinary curriculum that combines intensive study in criminal justice, accounting, economics, computer science, philosophy and psychology this remarkable program gives you the specialized investigative skills you need to pursue a rewarding career in:
Law enforcement,
Corporate security management,
Forensic accounting,
Private consulting, and

other professional opportunities that require a solid foundation in the principles of preventing and prosecuting economic crime.
Demand for Fraud Investigators and Forensic Accountants Greatly Exceeds Supply

The need for individuals who have the academic training to fight fraud and corruption is growing. U. S. News and World Report (1996) listed forensic accounting as one of the “20 hot job tracks” for the future. Their perception of the importance changed little in the intervening years because they included it as one of eight careers to count on in 2002. Allan Koltin, chief executive of PDI Global, stated that forensic accounting is currently the hottest area in the accounting profession saying that, “I think the industry has probably quadrupled in the last seven years, and over the
next decade, anything forensic or investigative will remain hot,” (Financial Week, 2007).

Economic crimes like fraud and embezzlement are major and costly social problems around the world. Very few individuals possess the skills needed to prevent, detect, and investigate these types of crimes. The required skills encompass expertise in sociology, accounting, information systems, and economics. This proposed interdisciplinary program draws from all of these areas to provide students with the knowledge and skills needed for entry level positions in this field. The extent of white collar crime is startling. The “2006 Report to the Nation” published by the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners estimates that fraud costs U.S. organizations $652 billion annually.
The Lynchburg College Difference

A key component of LC’s Economic Crime Prevention and Investigation Program is the opportunity to work closely with professors who have had extensive professional experience. The program faculty includes professors with law enforcement and fraud investigation experience as well as relevant professional designations.

“I have reviewed your . . . program and I am of the opinion that it is right on target. It appears to be an excellent program. The classes being offered will certainly aid in preparing any student interested in pursuing a career in this field. I am sure that law enforcement agencies at all levels of government will be highly interested in young men and women with this background.”

– Captain Terry, Director of the Virginia State Police Academy
“I think there would be a great demand. We are talking about an area of specialization - one not concentrating on getting the correct bean in the correct bottle - rather it is a focus on understanding how the beans can be stolen and that translates into protection. People and companies want to know that they are safe - that their assets are safe - that someone who has the knowledge and ability to keep them from harm is on the job. In the world of post-Enron, almost every American wants to know that ‘It won’t happen to them.’ And I believe that is what your graduates would have to offer.”