Criminal Justice Degree Online

CJ/SOC 110 Introduction to Criminal Justice 3 hours
Course cross-listed with SOC 110. Term: 2
Historical overview of correctional systems, processes and roles to present day. Includes adult and juvenile, male and female facilities. Raises current issues.

CJ/FSC 140 Introduction to Forensic Science 3 hours
Forensic science is the application of science to the law and encompasses various
scientific disciplines. This course will introduce various methodologies and applications used in the forensic context. Topics discussed include organic and inorganic chemical analyses of physical evidence, principles of serology and DNA analysis, identification
of fresh and decomposed human remains, ballistics, fingerprint analysis, facial
reconstruction, drug analysis, and forensic entomology.

CJ/SOC 240 Correctional Institutions/Facilities 3 hours
Course cross-listed with SOC 240. Term: 2
Organizational and operational methods in correctional facilities (objectives, security levels, prerelease). Human concerns in custodial care. Includes co-ed and women’s facilities.

SOC 311 Deviant Behavior 3 hours
Prerequisite: SOC 201; Term: 1
Emphasizes interplay between society and the person in the development of deviant behavior.
Explores the different kinds of deviance, theory, social control, and social issues.

CJ/SOC 320 Juvenile Delinquency 3 hours
Prerequisite: SOC 201; Term: 2
Provides an overview of juvenile behavior and the juvenile justice system in American society. A critical approach is used exploring the history and social construction of juvenile delinquency as a social phenomenon, theoretical explanations for delinquent behavior, experiences of juvenile delinquents, and the organizational processes and politics of the contemporary juvenile justice system.

CJ 330 Criminal Behavior 3 hours
Course cross-listed with SOC 330. Term: 1
Recognition and understanding of normal and criminal behavior and prime factors influencing their development. Identifies selected problems of offenders and emerging alternatives for social control in institutional and non-institutional settings.

CJ/FSC 340 Crime Scene Investigation and Evidence Collection 1 4 hours
Prerequisite: FSC 140; CHM 140; BIO 139
Designed to provide students with the basic theoretical and philosophical understanding of the investigatory process as well as fundamental investigation techniques such as crime scene analysis, collection, preservation, and testing of evidence, modus operandi, use of technology, types of evidence, and the science of criminalistics. Analysis of problems encountered in interviewing, interrogating, evidence collection, and admissibility. Application of investigation theories to the administration of justice will also be developed.

CJ/FSC 341 Crime Scene Investigation and Evidence Collection 2 4 hours
Prerequisite: FSC 340
This course is a continuation of Crime Scene Investigation and Evidence Collection 1.

CJ 350 Ethnicity and Justice 3 hours
Course cross-listed with SOC 350. Term: 1
Sensitivity to cultural diversity and the impact of discrimination. Explores attitude formation and the role of perception in social relations. Applies theory and practice to correctional settings.

CJ/SOC 352 Women in the American Criminal Justice System 3 hours
Prerequisite: SOC 201; Term: Alternate years.
Focuses on women as offenders, victims and professionals in the criminal justice system with particular emphasis on ethnicity as an influencing factor.

CJ/SOC 358 Law and Society 3 hours
Prerequisite: Introductory course in Political Science or Social Science;
Term: Alternate years
A study of American law as seen through the United States Constitution and interpreted by the federal and state court systems. Also a brief examination of the roots of American civil and criminal law.

CJ/SOC 380 Criminal Law 3 hours
Course cross-listed with SOC 380. Term: 2
Processes of U.S. and state court systems. Studies constitutional law regarding due process, search and seizure. Includes selected precedent-setting cases. Examines
American Correctional Association standards.

CJ/SOC 491 Independent Study in Criminal Justice 1-3 hours
Prerequisites: SOC 201, junior or senior standing, permission of the instructor;
Term: 1, 2, 3
Advanced research and presentation of critically evaluated data.

CJ/SOC 493 Readings in Criminal Justice 1-3 hours
Prerequisites: SOC 201, junior or senior standing, permission of the instructor;
Term: 1, 2, 3
In-depth investigation of a selected area of Sociology.

CJ/SOC 498 Fieldwork in Criminal Justice 2-6 hours
Prerequisites: SOC 201, junior or senior standing, permission of the instructor;
Term: 1, 2, 3
Practical application of sociological concepts and skills. Planned and supervised professional experience related to Sociology which takes place outside the formal classroom with business, industry, and private/public agencies.

CRIM 210. The Sociology of Deviance. This course is designed to introduce students to the sociological and criminological study of deviant and criminal behavior. Students are also introduced to theories of crime and deviance. Cross listed with SOC 210.

CRIM 250. Introduction to the Criminal Justice System. This course will introduce students to the current structure and functioning of the criminal justice system in the U.S. from arrest, district attorney’s discretionary authority in charging, indictments,conviction, sentencing, and the appeals process. Students will also be provided with a brief history of the American criminal justice system including policing, the courts, and the correctional system.

CRIM 300. The Criminogenic Family. This course will focus on family risk factors for later delinquency and criminal behavior as
well as preventative intervention and treatment. This course will examine a variety of family issues including child maltreatment, domestic
violence, family alcoholism, drug addiction, family chaos, inadequate or neglectful parenting, corporal punishment, which are known risk
factors for later criminal behavior. Students will gain a general understanding of the macro-level processes that have detrimental effects on
family functioning and family structure. Cross listed with WST 302.

CRIM 306. Juvenile Delinquency. Prerequisites:CRIM 210 and three additional hours of criminology or consent ofinstructor. The extent,
ecological distribution, and theories of delinquency in contemporary American Society, including a critical examination of trends and methods
of treatment of delinquency. Criminology majors must take this course or CRIM 401. Cross listed with SOC 306.

CRIM 315. White Collar Crime.This course will provide students with a variety of theoretical explanations and examples of corporate and
organizational crime as well as crime committed by individuals in the workplace. Cross listed with SOC 315.

CRIM 333. Sociology of Gender Violence: Prospectives on Women and Intimate Partner Violence.Prerequisites: SOC 101, SOC 203 or WST
273 and/or consent ofinstructor. This course offers social science and experiential exposure to the controversies, theories, patterns, policies,
and treatment unique to women’s experiences with date, acquaintance, and spousal violence. Focus also is given to marginalized groups,
including women of low income, women of color, and women in same-sex relationships. Cross listed with WST 333 and SOC 333.

CRIM 345. Correctional Institutions.Prerequisite: CRIM/SOC 210 and junior standing, or consent ofinstructor. This course will familiarize students with a wide range of correctional settings through daily travel to correctional facilities throughout Kentucky and neighboring states. The institutions include local, state, and federal correctional facilities for juveniles and adult offenders. Students will be required to integrate corrections literature with their experiential observations.

CRIM 380. Race, Class, Gender and Crime.This course focuses on the intersection of race, class and gender membership with regard to treatment within criminal justice system by police, judges, juries and actual sentencing decisions including the death penalty. The course also provides insights about the unique types of crime most likely to be perpetrated by specific demographic groups. Students will also be exposed to criminological theories that explain criminal justice system disparity, discrimination, and differences in actual offending patterns. Cross listed
with WST 380.

CRIM 388. Sociology of Punishment. Prerequisite:CRIM/SOC 210 or consent of instructor. This course provides the student with a background knowledge of the development of ideas and actions taken against those people who have been the objects of society’s punishment. Cross listed with SOC 388.

CRIM 395. Sociology of Serial Murder.Prerequisites: CRIM 306 or CRIM 401, six additional hours ofcriminology, sociology, or psychology, and junior or senior standing.This course is designed to provide students with an in-depth examination of the serial killers among us. It focuses on the myths and stereotypes that have evolved from mass media and public efforts to find explanations for the relatively rare phenomenon of
serial murder. Case studies are used to introduce several serial killers that have plagued the streets of America and abroad.

CRIM 399. Selected Topics. (1 to 3 hrs.)Unique topics and learning experiences that supplement regular course offerings. May be repeated in additional subject areas.

CRIM 401. Criminology. Prerequisite: CRIM 210and three additional hours of CRIM or consent of instructor. This course provides a thorough examination of criminological theories. Students will also be provided with explanations of the causes of crime, as well as the methods of effective treatment and prevention of crime. Criminology majors must take this course or CRIM 306. Cross listed with SOC 401.

CRIM 410. Seminar in Domestic Terrorism and White Supremacy. This course will provide students with an understanding of the development of a newer national white supremacy and terrorism movement ranging from militia and paramilitary organizations to the Ku Klux Klan. Ecological terrorism will also be discussed. Students will gain an understanding of the diversity of these groups and of their plans for change with regard to minority groups, the government, and involvement in criminal activities. Cross listed with SOC 410.

CRIM 450. Research Methods.Prerequisites: three hours sociology general education and sixadditional hours of CRIM/SOC or consent of instructor.Fundamental assumptions underlying sociological research; some practical experience in research design, data collection, techniques, and data analysis. Cross listed with SOC 450.

CRIM 476. Special Problems. (1 to 3 hrs.)Prerequisites: three hours sociology general education and nineadditional hours of CRIM/SOC or consent of instructor. Arranged with the department to study some particular aspect of the field of criminology.

CRIM 490. Practicum in Criminology.Prerequisite: nine hours of criminology. Co-requisite: CRIM 491.The course is designed to meet with practicum students as a group for a class that meets every week. Students will discuss their practicum and will be assigned written papers associated with the practicum experience. The course consists of practical experience in a jail, detention home, juvenile or adult correctional institutions, juvenile or adult probation and parole agency, or other related agency. A minimum of 240 hours will be spent at the assigned
agency.

CRIM 491. Practicum Seminar. Co-requisite:CRIM 490. This course is required for all criminology emphasis majors.

CRIM 499C. Senior Criminology Capstone.Prerequisite: CRIM 306 or 401, CRIM/SOC 450, SOC 451, sixadditional hours of criminology, and senior standing or consent ofinstructor. This course is designed to integrate and synthesize the students’ knowledge of criminology prior to graduation. This includes a review of substantive theories, research methods, and information about criminal behavior and the criminal justice system.This course satisfies the integrative component for generaleducation.

CRIM 516. Working with Offenders.Learn the basic structure of the counseling process with offenders, including techniques and practice skills.

CRIM 561. Sociology of the Law, on demand.Provide a clear understanding of the manner in which laws are formed to protect certain groups and marginalize others who are often perceived as threatening. Deconstruct specific laws by analyzing the formation of criminal law from its incipient stages of development in American society. Cross listed with SOC 561.

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.

College: College of Health and Human Sciences
Degrees: B.S., M.S.

The term ‘criminal justice’ refers to public safety agencies, courts, and corrections as a system for the administration of city, county, state and federal laws. The curriculum also focuses on the causes of crime and theoretical explanations relating to the crime problem. There are two option of study in criminal justice: the Crime and Justice track, which is the traditional curriculum in criminal justice; and the legal track, which is designed for criminal justice majors who are interested in an intensive exposure to law in preparation for law school.

Unless otherwise noted, all courses are for 3 semester hours of credit. Course numbers preceded by an asterisk indicate courses that can be repeated for credit, with stated stipulations.
Criminal Justice (JS)
Required Seminars

600. Proseminar in Criminal Justice. Critical analysis of formal and informal processing of offenders by criminal justice agencies, including police, courts, and corrections; effectiveness and future directions.

601. Criminological Theory I. Analysis of crime patterns and known correlates; theoretical explanations of criminality including classical, biophysiological, psychological, and sociological theories.

602. Criminological Theory II. Classic and contemporary structural explanations of crime; substantive focus on relationships between crime and cultural and institutional arrangements.

604. Seminar in Criminal Justice Policy Analysis. Origins, formulation, implementation, and evaluation of criminal justice policy; classic and contemporary examples of policy innovations.

605. Seminar in Criminal Justice Research Methods. Quantitative methods of empirical research emphasizing criminal justice/criminological applications; current research methodologies relating to analysis of issues involving crime and criminal justice.

606. Seminar in Criminal Justice Data Analysis. Bivariate and multivariate analyses and interpretation of results from substantive research.
Elective Courses

500-504. Special Topics in Criminal Justice. Investigation of topics of current interest to faculty members. Topics selected for in-depth analysis are listed each term in class schedule. May be repeated in different topics for a maximum of 12 hours. 3 hours each.

507. Advanced Criminal Law. In-depth, case-study examination of substantive criminal law; analysis of acts, mental states, and attendant circumstances constituting various crimes.

540. White Collar and Corporate Crime. Analysis of illegal or deviant behavior occurring in organizational settings, including crimes committed by and against complex organizations.

541. Terrorism and Social Control. Analysis of the causes and consequences of terrorism; substantive focus on government response including investigation, prosecution, and punishment of terrorists.

542. Race, Crime, and Justice. An examination of how the subordinate status of minority groups (primarily African Americans, Hispanics, and Native Americans) affects their interaction with the justice system.

543. Women and the Criminal Justice System. Examination of the role of women in the criminal justice system as offenders, victims, and professionals.

544. Law and Society. Origins and definition of law; overview of legal systems and their characteristics; use of law to facilitate or retard social control, social change, and social conflict.

545. Juvenile Corrections. Analysis of ongoing efforts to reduce juvenile delinquency; particular attention paid to recent innovations, programs, and program effectiveness.

580 Patterns of Crime. Analysis of the social correlates of crime and the typologies of offenders.

607. Seminar in Criminal Justice Planning. Planning and integration of programs in criminal justice system; techniques and tools used by planners.

608. Seminar in Current Issues in Law Enforcement. Analysis of such issues as administration, police-community relations, corruption, and design of law enforcement agencies.

609. Seminar in Juvenile Delinquency. History, measurement, patterns, and theories relating to delinquent behavior.

610. Seminar in Correctional Systems. Correctional philosophy; legal decisions, correctional programs, research, treatment approaches, and decision-making processes.

612. Seminar in Comparative Criminal Justice Administration. Theories, philosophies, and techniques of criminal justice systems worldwide; evaluation of governmental role in administration of justice systems.

613. Seminar in Law and Society. Classical and modern perspectives on the nature, origins, and functions of law.

614. Seminar in Advanced Legal Problems. Legal theories; criminal law, evidence, and procedure; origins, philosophy, and development of legal system; exposure to legal reasoning.

620. Investigation and Prosecution of White Collar Crime. Analyses of legal aspects of case preparation and presentation; legal theories of individual and collective criminal responsibility; trial strategies

676. Law, Evidence, and Procedure. Legal aspects of physical evidence; role of expert witnesses in criminal process; moot court activities.

*696. Graduate Internship in Criminal Justice. Field experience in criminal justice agency setting. May be repeated for a maximum of 6 hours of credit.

*697, 698. Directed Research. Independent study in a student’s substantive area of interest under the direction of a faculty member.

*699. Thesis Research. Prerequisite: Admission to candidacy and successful defense of thesis proposal. 1-6 hours.

Crime and Justice Interdisciplinary Concentration

The crime and justice interdisciplinary concentration (sociology, political science and psychology) focuses on the sociological, psychological and legal/political analysis of criminal deviance and society’s responses to it. Students in this program pursue a curriculum which includes sociological and legal/political perspectives on crime, criminal deviance, juvenile delinquency, victimization, criminal law and legal sanctions, and the political/legal aspects of criminal codes within both the United States and in the global community. The courses in the curriculum provide students with a broad-based understanding of the traditional and contemporary theoretical explanations of criminal behavior, the current patterns related to the incidence and prevalence of crime and victimization in contemporary society; the methodological and statistical techniques used to measure and analyze criminal deviance; and the implications and ramifications of criminal deviance for society in general and for its individual members.

Requirements:
SOC 101 Introduction to Sociology
(required general studies social science course)
Any one of the following:
- SOC 201 Social Problems
- SOC 230 Cultural Sociology
- SOC 231 Cults and New Religious Movements
- SOC 262 Social Stratification and Structured Inequality
- ANT 204 Introduction to Anthropology
SOC 240 Statistics (fulfills general studies quantitative reasoning requirement)
SOC 251 Crime and Deviance
Any three of the following:
- SOC 253 Criminal Investigation and SOC 254 Advanced Criminal Investigation (must take both courses)
- ANT 310 Crime, Culture and Conflict Resolution
- SOC 302 Juvenile Delinquency
- SOC 305 Terrorism
- SOC/LAS 307 Organized Crime
- SOC 309 Criminal Corrections
- SOC 311 Domestic Violence
- SOC 384 Elite Deviance
- SOC 385 Violence and Victims
SOC 341 Research Methods
SOC 490 Senior Seminar
POS 101 American Government (required general studies social science course)
POS 205 Comparative Politics or PSY 290 Diversity
POS 216 Law and Society
POS 231 Criminal Law
POS 425 Senior Seminar in Political Science
One of the following:
- POS 214 Public Policy
- POS 302 Public Administration
- POS 310 Metropolitan Politics
PSY 100 General Psychology
Two of the following:
- PSY 106 Social Psychology
- PSY 230 Theories of Development
- PSY 250 Theories of Personality
- PSY 390 Adult Psychopathology and Behavior Disorders*
- PSY 391 Child Psychopathology and Behavior Disorders*
One from the following:
- IDS 303 Sex Roles
- IDS 305 Psychology and the Law
- IDS 323 Men and Women: Debating the Differences
*PSY 230 or permission of the instructor is a prerequisite for this course

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Crime and Justice Program

The purposes of the crime and justice program include:
Introducing students to the dimensions and definitions of crime
The implications of criminal deviance for crime victims as well as the changes in lifestyles and options for all members of society caused by both violent and nonviolent crime
Understanding the nature of social systems and how criminal deviance is related to other social institutions
Understanding the sociological theories used to explain criminal deviance
Understanding, from a variety of academic perspectives, the role of law in human societies as both a regulating force and a preserver of individual rights and freedoms Students interested in completing this program will be able to satisfy some of their general studies requirements through courses in political
science, sociology, history and philosophy.

Requirements:
Social Problems (SOC 201)
Crime and Deviance (SOC 251)
Two from the following: Crime, Culture and Conflict (ANT 310); Public Policy (POS 214); Law and Society (POS 216); Criminal Law (POS 231)
Public Administration (POS 302)
Philosophy and the Law (PHI 230)
Juvenile Delinquency (SOC 302)
American Social History (HIS 311)
One from PSY 390 (if the student has satisfied the prerequisite) or PSY 391 (with permission of the instructor)