Criminal Justice Degree Online

The criminal justice program offers coursework leading to the M.S.C.J. Upon graduation, students will be prepared for agency employment or continued study in the field of criminal justice/criminology.

Degree and program plans require a minimum of 36 semester hours of credit, to include the following:

Required Core (36 Hours)

CJ 606 Contemporary Issues in Juvenile Justice (3)
CJ 610 Nature and Function of the American Judicial System (3)
CJ 614 Management and Policy in Criminal Justice Organization (3)
CJ 618 Crime in America (3)
CJ 622 Contemporary Issues in Corrections (3)
CJ 630 Victimology (3)
CJ 634 Advanced Criminal Procedure (3)
CJ 640 Methods of Research in Criminal Justice (3)
CJ 645 Advanced Statistical Applications (3)
CJ 650 Criminological Theories (3)
CJ 660 Comparative Criminal Justice (3)
CJ 690 Contemporary Issues in Law Enforcement (3)
CJ 698 Comprehensive exam (0)

Optional (3 hours)

CJ 699 Independent Study/Research

In the last semester in which all other course requirements are expected to be completed, the student must register for CJ 698 in order to take a written comprehensive examination prior to graduation in order to complete the program.

COURSES

CJ 606. Contemporary Issues in Juvenile Justice.

An analytical approach to the controversies surrounding the juvenile justice process. Including the goals of the system, police-juvenile interaction, juvenile adjudication and corrections.

CJ 610. Nature and Function of the American Judicial System.

Structure and function of the American judicial system; judicial process, ethics and decision making in the criminal and juvenile courts.

CJ 614. Management and Policy in Criminal Justice Organizations.

Approaches to the effective management of criminal justice organizations, with specific emphasis on personnel management and policy implications. Specialized topics include management principles, organizational structures, legal mandates, and political and social influences.

CJ 618. Crime in America.

This course will focus upon the statistical patterns of specific crimes, the modus operandi of offenders, the social-psychology of specific types of offenders (rapist, arsonists etc…), techniques of crime prevention/protection, and potential solutions to the crime problem.

CJ 622. Contemporary Issues in Corrections.

An analytical examination of current issues in corrections, including those applicable to American prisons and jails, probation, parole, and correctional programs both within correctional institutions and in the community.

CJ 630. Victimology.

The study of victims and victimization, including sources of victimization data, patterns of victim/offender relationships, the role of victims in their own victimization, special needs of victim types, responses of the community, law enforcement, judicial and correctional systems to the needs of victims.

CJ 634. Advanced Criminal Procedure.

Investigation, pretrial procedure, trial procedure and sentencing, post-trial motions, appeals, reviews, and remedies in the criminal courts.

CJ 640. Methods of Research in Criminal Justice.

The application of the elements of scientific research to criminal justice; the implementation of research designs and tools; data processing analysis.

CJ 645. Advanced Statistical Applications.

An examination of the use of inferential statistics in the analysis of criminal justice data. Major course topics will include the analyses and applications of probabilities, chi-square, t-test, ANOVA, correlations, bivariate and multiple regression.

CJ 650. Criminological Theory.

A critical analysis of the major criminological theories and their empirical foundation with emphasis on current theory and research.

CJ 660. Comparative Criminal Justice.

A study of international expressions of law, police, courts, and corrections emphasizing how various countries organize and administer their formal social control efforts. This course aims to provide students with an opportunity to contrast American criminal justice practices with those of several countries so as to understand why criminal justice systems work as they do and what advantages and disadvantages are related to such expressions of criminal justice.

CJ 690. Contemporary Issues in Law Enforcement.

An analytical examination of the controversies surrounding law enforcement practice, with primary emphasis on its functions, problems, administration, and interaction with other criminal justice agencies.

CJ 698. Comprehensive Examinations.

Orientation to and administration of written comprehensive examination for the M.S.C.J. program. A non-credit course required of all candidates to be taken the last term in which the student is expected to complete all other program requirements. A grade of “S” indicating satisfactory performance or a grade of “U” for unsatisfactory will be recorded on the transcript. A grade of “S” is required for graduation; may be repeated once. Prerequisite: student must have completed all other program requirements or be enrolled in the last course for program completion.

CJ 699. Independent Study/Research.

Guided independent study and/or research in an area related to criminal justice administration. Prerequisite: approval from department chair.

Welcome to the UNA criminal justice program. Our mission is to provide an understanding of how the criminal justice system operates. While recognizing the interdisciplinary nature of criminal justice, our faculty members have a broad knowledge base, which includes forensics, criminal justice, psychology and political science. We strive to challenge students with critical thinking, reasoning ability, writing and research. Upon graduation, students may pursue graduate study leading to teaching and research at the university level, law school, or assume employment within law enforcement, corrections, court administration, or other law related and social service areas within the federal, state and local government agencies.

Welcome to the Criminal Justice Program. The criminal justice major is designed to meet the needs of students considering a career in the criminal justice system. It provides students with an understanding of the Criminal Justice System (CJS) and how this system operates w/in American society. The program of study has an interdisciplinary liberal arts focus. The major fosters an appreciation for the value of diversity, the commitment to social justice, and the enhancement of critical thinking. The program offers a variety of courses that help students understand the structure and philosophy of the American CJs, including the causes of crime and delinquency, theories of crime prevention and control, the nature and theory of law enforcement, the organization and operation of criminal courts, the philosophies and practices of correctional programs, as well as the nature and sources of criminal law.

The curriculum is both theoretical and practical, and prepares students for successful criminal justice careers. The curriculum includes a significant internship experience in a criminal justice setting. Police certification is also available.
Criminal Justice (CRMJ) Program Broad Goals:

The Criminal Justice major will:
Prepare students for a successful career in the Criminal Justice System.
Prepare students in understanding the structure and philosophy of the American Criminal Justice System, including the causes of crime and delinquency, theories of crime prevention and control, the nature and theory of law enforcement, the organization and operation of the criminal courts, the philosophies and practices of correctional programs, as well as the nature and sources of criminal law.
Prepare students to value diversity, the commitment to social justice and the enhancement of critical thinking.

Criminal Justice (CRMJ) Program Student Learning Outcomes:

Upon graduation:
Students will communicate effectively - orally and in writing - in an appropriate manner both personally and professionally.
Students will be able to utilize, evaluate and conduct research in the social sciences.
Students will be able to analyze, evaluate and respond to ethical issues from an informed personal, professional and social value system.
Students will be demonstrate and value responsible citizenship through service resulting in personal growth and community influence.
Students will be able to compare, analyze and appreciate the significance of social location (e.g., gender, race, ethnicity, social class, etc.) as it relates to the experience, perspective and behavior of self and others.
Students will be able to utilize the theories and philosophies of the Criminal and Juvenile Justice Systems to analyze and evaluate various situations faced by practicing professionals, including prevention and control.
Students will be able to describe and evaluate the functions and operations of the components of the Criminal and Juvenile Justice Systems, as well as their overall organizational structure.

Overview:
The Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice is a 120 credit-hour program. It is an interdisciplinary major, predicated on a common core of the humanities, social sciences, mathematics, and physical sciences. The goal of the program is to develop in students an increased analytical awareness of the role of law enforcement agencies, courts, and correctional institutions in the criminal justice system.

The course of study consists of an extensive overview of the criminal justice system and an intensive examination of each of the major components of the system. The program is designed to serve students who may elect to enter the criminal justice profession immediately upon graduation, students of the liberal arts without professional interest in criminal justice, and students who desire to continue their education through graduate studies.

The Criminal Justice major has grown from four students in 1969 to present day enrollment of over 750 full-time majors. Currently, the Criminal Justice Department offers its baccalaureate program at Westfield State College through the day and evening divisions, and part time through Continuing Education at Framingham State College. The Department also offers the Master of Science Degree in Criminal Justice at Westfield State College and Framingham State College.

Course Offering Plan (Spring 2007 - Spring 2010)

New prerequisites for all CJ courses

Internships Information about doing an internship

Application to change your major to Criminal Justice Print it out, fill it in and submit to the CJ Department

Welcome to the Criminal Justice Program. The criminal justice major is designed to meet the needs of students considering a career in the criminal justice system. It provides students with an understanding of the Criminal Justice System (CJS) and how this system operates w/in American society. The program of study has an interdisciplinary liberal arts focus. The major fosters an appreciation for the value of diversity, the commitment to social justice, and the enhancement of critical thinking. The program offers a variety of courses that help students understand the structure and philosophy of the American CJs, including the causes of crime and delinquency, theories of crime prevention and control, the nature and theory of law enforcement, the organization and operation of criminal courts, the philosophies and practices of correctional programs, as well as the nature and sources of criminal law.

The curriculum is both theoretical and practical, and prepares students for successful criminal justice careers. The curriculum includes a significant internship experience in a criminal justice setting. Police certification is also available.
Criminal Justice (CRMJ) Program Broad Goals:

The Criminal Justice major will:
Prepare students for a successful career in the Criminal Justice System.
Prepare students in understanding the structure and philosophy of the American Criminal Justice System, including the causes of crime and delinquency, theories of crime prevention and control, the nature and theory of law enforcement, the organization and operation of the criminal courts, the philosophies and practices of correctional programs, as well as the nature and sources of criminal law.
Prepare students to value diversity, the commitment to social justice and the enhancement of critical thinking.

Criminal Justice (CRMJ) Program Student Learning Outcomes:

Upon graduation:
Students will communicate effectively - orally and in writing - in an appropriate manner both personally and professionally.
Students will be able to utilize, evaluate and conduct research in the social sciences.
Students will be able to analyze, evaluate and respond to ethical issues from an informed personal, professional and social value system.
Students will be demonstrate and value responsible citizenship through service resulting in personal growth and community influence.
Students will be able to compare, analyze and appreciate the significance of social location (e.g., gender, race, ethnicity, social class, etc.) as it relates to the experience, perspective and behavior of self and others.
Students will be able to utilize the theories and philosophies of the Criminal and Juvenile Justice Systems to analyze and evaluate various situations faced by practicing professionals, including prevention and control.
Students will be able to describe and evaluate the functions and operations of the components of the Criminal and Juvenile Justice Systems, as well as their overall organizational structure.

Criminal justice majors may graduate with either a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in criminal justice or an Associate (A.S.) degree in criminal justice. Upon graduation, students in criminal justice and/or corrections will be equipped with knowledge of basic criminal justice and corrections, its
current and specific areas and problems within the system.

Students majoring in criminal justice mustcomplete 30 hours in the major of which 24 hours are in required courses. These courses include Introductionto Criminal Justice, Introduction to Law Enforcement, Current Issues in Criminal Justice, Juvenile Justicein a Changing Society, and Basic Constitutional Lawand the American Justice I and II. In addition, studentsmust complete a three hour practicum consisting of supervised placement in criminal justice agencies, and Methods of Criminal JusticeResearch, providing exposure to applied researchin the subjectarea. Practicum areas include police agencies, courtsand corrections environments at local, state andfederal levels. Practica also exist in the areas of counseling treatment and casework at halfway houses and runaway shelters.

In addition to the 24 required hours in criminal justice, students select an additional six hours from elective courses such as Criminal Law, Crime and Personality, Psychology of Delinquency and Private Security.
Corrections

Criminal justice students may graduate with an associate (A.S.) degree in corrections. In addition, students may minor in corrections. Requirements for the Associate of corrections include 28 hours of core curriculum requirements as well as 18 specified hours of corrections courses. In addition, a 2.000 cumulative average must be maintained in the corrections courses.
Criminalistics

A criminalistics concentration was recently added to the curriculum. Courses include areas of forensic science/criminalistics. Areas of study are: fingerprinting, crime scene investigation, DNA testing, drug testing procedures, etc. 15 hours are required for the concentration.

Required courses for the concentration in criminalistics includes Introduction to Criminal Justice, Introduction to Law Enforcement, Criminalistics I, Criminalistics II and Criminalistics III.
Criminal Justice Minor

A minor in criminal justice is earned by completing 15 credit hours of required criminal justice courses. Also, an 18 credit hour certification in corrections or criminal justice is available for practitioners in the field who need to be updated on contemporary trends or for others with interest in obtaining basic knowledge of the field. Students should consult the department chair concerning specific requirements for the minor.
Corrections Minor

To minor in corrections, 18 specified hours of corrections courses must be completed. For more information on minors and associate’s degrees, contact the department chair.
Certifications

Students wishing to pursue criminal justice or corrections certification need only complete 18 hours. This includes those pursuing Associate degrees. Bachelor’s degree students in criminal justice are automatically certified upon completion of the four-year program.

Required courses for certification in criminal justice include Introduction to Criminal Justice, Introduction to Law Enforcement, Current Issues in Criminal Justice, Basic Constitutional Law and American Justice I, Juvenile Justice in a Changing Society, and Overview of Contemporary Corrections.

Required courses for certification in corrections include Introduction to Corrections, Introduction to Criminal Justice, Overview of Contemporary Corrections, Basic Constitutional Law and American Justice II, Understanding Juvenile & Adult Offender Behavior, and Correctional Counseling & Communications.

Criminal justice investigates into the nature, incidence, prevalence, distribution, causation and remedies to crime and delinquency in our society; historically and contemporarily, domestically and crossculturally.
It further explores the philosophy and ideology, theory and practice, structure and process, policy and programs, and problems and issues of police, courts and corrections. Upon graduation, students are equipped with research skills, theoretical understanding and practical knowledge on
how the criminal justice system operates.
4 Cool Classes

1 Criminalistics

Study of legal scientific physical evidence: e.g. fingerprinting, DNA analysis and famous crime scene investigations.

2 Crime and Personality

3 Practicum in Criminal Justice

4 Law and Justice in America