Course Descriptions

CCJ1000 Introduction to Criminal Justice
40 hours, 4 credits

This is an introductory course designed to provide foundational knowledge of the criminal justice system. The course explores the different components of the criminal justice system and the role of professionals involved with emphasis on professional communications. It examines the sources and the purposes of law as an effort to regulate behavior in an organized society. Topics include elements of a criminal offense, the function and purpose of law enforcement, the structure of the judicial system, and the steps of a criminal case from investigation to conviction and appeal. It also examines the purposes and types of punishments and unique aspects of the juvenile justice system.

CCJ1153 Criminology: Motives for Criminal Deviance
40 hours, 4 credits

This course examines the social and behavioral issues involved in the study of crime as a social phenomenon. Included is an explanation of what crime is, what causes crime, and the various techniques for measuring the amounts and characteristics of crime and criminals.

CCJ1382 Field Communications in Criminal Justice
20 hours, 2 credits

This course emphasizes the skills of both oral and written communication with emphasis on writing formats used by justice professionals. Students will acquire the skills necessary to effectively communicate within diverse communities.

Prerequisite: CCJ1000

CCJ2170 Practical Psychology for the Criminal Justice Professional
40 hours, 4 credits

This course explains how principles of psychology relate to the criminal justice field. It explores emotional intelligence as it relates to the criminal justice professional and those impacted by the system. This course describes the strategies of professionals to manage stress and identify biases that may impact decision making. It explains how psychology supports better responses to witnesses and victims, and how psychological approaches are used to manage and treat correctional populations.

Prerequisites: CCJ1000; PSY1012

CCJ2685 Domestic Violence
40 hours, 4 credits

This course examines violence in the family, social and legal relations within families, theories and solutions on family violence, survivors and the consequences of victimization, legal responses, the role of the police, when law enforcement responds, recognizing child abuse, recognizing elder abuse, associated crimes and stalking, and domestic homicide.

Prerequisite: CCJ1000

CCJ2930 Contemporary Issues in Criminal Justice Capstone
40 hours, 4 credits

This course is designed to measure understanding of the history of the U.S. criminal justice system, the principles of criminal law, the evolution of law enforcement, the structure of the court and correctional systems, and the elements of the juvenile justice system. It provides opportunities to demonstrate mastery of related concepts and skills.

Prerequisites: CCJ1000; Expected to be the final lower-level core course completed

CCJ3362 Communication Strategies for Criminal Justice Professionals
50 hours, 5 credits

This course allows opportunities to learn about best practices in communication within the criminal justice field. This includes de-escalation techniques, crisis intervention and conflict resolution skills. This course includes the analysis of the impact of the mainstream and social media on the criminal justice system.

CCJ3500 Applied Criminology
40 hours, 4 credits

This course analyzes the predominant criminological theories and then evaluates how these theories are utilized in the three criminal justice subsystems: law enforcement, courts, and corrections. This course provides opportunities to demonstrate application of criminological theories to the policy, procedures, and practices within the criminal justice system.

Pre- or corequisite: CCJ1000

CCJ3667 Victims in Criminal Justice
40 hours, 4 credits

This course explores the importance of the victim in the criminal justice system’s process. The victim’s role in the criminal justice process, and movements and legislation regarding victims’ impact on judicial proceedings are examined. A variety of crimes and types of victims are explored.

CCJ3695 Diversity and Special Populations in Criminal Justice
40 hours, 4 credits

This course provides historical and contemporary definitions of diverse and special populations within the criminal justice system. This course allows for the evaluation of programs, policies, and procedures utilized by each subsystem in working with these populations from an individual and multi- system approach. Finally, the course provides opportunities to evaluate emerging trends and practices in working with diverse and special populations within the field of criminal justice.

CCJ3700 Research Methods in Criminal Justice
40 hours, 4 credits

This course will explore the basic steps of conducting research. Students will explore the nature of research and the research techniques specific to the criminal justice field. Students will become familiar with research terminology and the ethics involved in various research designs. To complete the course, students will design and simulate their own research project.

CCJ4015 Values-Based Leadership in Criminal Justice
40 hours, 4 credits

This course will address some unique ethical challenges that leaders in criminal justice and related fields may confront. Topics of discussion and evaluation include delegation and abdication of duties; use of power, manipulation, and influence; discretion and responsibility to act; and the role of personal character in service professions.

CCJ4450 Criminal Justice Leadership and Management
40 hours, 4 credits

This course will familiarize students with common management theory and practice in criminal justice organizations. The application of management techniques to all areas of criminal justice will be explored, along with leadership and administration techniques and issues particular to criminal justice. Organizational philosophy, visioning, planning, and goal development will be examined.

CCJ4461 Evidence-Based Practices in Criminal Justice
40 hours, 4 credits

This course will examine the use of evidence-based practices in the criminal justice system. It provides opportunities to evaluate how law enforcement, the courts, and the correctional system have transitioned to data-driven policies, procedures, and practices. This course also examines how evidence-based practices support a multi-system approach in the criminal justice system.

CCJ4528 Fundamentals of CJ Supervision: What CJ Leaders Need to Know
40 hours, 4 credits

This course will examine important issues for leaders in every area of criminal justice, such as budgeting and funding sources in public service agencies; personnel recruitment, selection, hiring, promotion, employee motivation, conflict, coaching, and discipline.

CCJ4542 Criminal Justice Seminar
50 hours, 5 credits

This course provides students the opportunity to demonstrate mastery of the program objectives. Each objective will be explored in terms of relevance to the contemporary application of concepts and practices.

Prerequisites: CCJ3700; Intended to be taken in the student’s final term

CCJ4617 Mental Health and Substance Abuse in Criminal Justice
40 hours, 4 credits

This course provides opportunities to evaluate and analyze the intersection of mental health and substance abuse and how together they impact the criminal justice system. This course examines unique responses from the perspective of law enforcement, the courts, and corrections. The importance of collaboration and multi-disciplinary approaches is also studied. This course provides opportunities to analyze emerging trends and challenges to addressing mental health and substance abuse issues in the criminal justice system.

CCJ4931 Critical Issues in Criminal Justice
40 hours, 4 credits

This course will examine critical issues of law enforcement, the courts, and corrections. The role of the media and their impact on the development of criminal justice policy is explored. The course provides an evaluation of societal efforts to address discriminatory practices in the criminal justice system.