This introductory course provides a comprehensive overview of the criminal justice system, designed to familiarize students with its key components, processes and challenges. Students will explore significant historical milestones and examine the roles and interactions of police, courts and corrections within the justice process. The course introduces foundational theories of crime, criminal behavior and victimization. Additionally, students will analyze contemporary issues and special topics, assessing their impact on the criminal justice system. This foundational knowledge equips students for advanced studies in criminal justice and related fields.

This course explores the foundations of U.S. criminal law, examining its historical development, constitutional influences and key legal principles. Students will analyze the structure and jurisdiction of federal and state courts, the impact of the Bill of Rights on criminal procedures and the role of legal precedent in shaping laws. Through case studies and real-world applications, students will identify major crimes, evaluate legal interpretations and assess the evolving relationship between law and justice in society.

This course explores the evolution of policing in the United States and the intricate relationship between police agencies and the communities they serve. Students will examine key components of policing, ethical considerations and the philosophy and practice of community-oriented policing. The course emphasizes the role of community partnerships in building public trust and enhancing police effectiveness. It includes an analysis of historical and contemporary police practices, policy evaluations and discussions on current challenges and future trends in American policing.

This course provides an in-depth exploration of the U.S. corrections system, examining its historical development, legal foundations and evolving role within the criminal justice process. Students will analyze correctional policies, the rights of incarcerated individuals and the effectiveness of institutional and community-based strategies. Through discussions on contemporary challenges - such as sentencing reform, rehabilitation and emerging trends - students will develop a critical understanding of the complexities of modern corrections. This foundational course equips students with the knowledge and analytical skills needed for further study in criminal justice and related fields.

Designed to present the student with an overview of the security function in industry, business, government and institutions. The protection of personnel, facilities and other assets as well as the administrative, legal and technical problems of loss prevention and control are analyzed. Various areas within the security field are explored along with employment opportunities in each.

Introduction to fundamental ethical theory, doctrines, controversies and the rules of moral judgment. Emphasis is placed on reforms and unethical themes in criminal justice and criminal justice management.

An introductory examination of women's roles in the various aspects of criminal justice. This overview will include a focus of the various theories and approaches to the slow but progressive changes taking place by women as offenders, victims and professionals within the criminal justice system.

Introduces the investigative procedures for concluding that a crime was committed. The course also introduces the processes of recognizing, collecting and preparing physical evidence for transmission to court and preparing an investigation report in the potential prosecution of a criminal case.

An introductory examination of victimology within the sociological framework in order to deepen the student's understanding of the victim of a crime, to provide an organizing structure of the roles of victimology and the reasons for victimization. The student will explore the role of victimization and the various remedies now available for victims.

This course introduces fundamental social science research concepts and methodologies used in criminal justice. Students will critically evaluate academic research, analyze data sources and apply findings to real-world issues. The course emphasizes developing research literacy, interpreting qualitative and quantitative studies and using evidence-based approaches in academic and professional settings.

Provides supervised observation and participation in various law enforcement areas; students work with the respective agencies in the performance of regular duties. This course bridges the gap between theory and practice and requires a specific number of field work hours each week and a periodic seminar. Serves as a capstone and is to be taken the semester of graduation.

This course serves as the capstone experience for the Associate of Applied Science in Criminal Justice, integrating academic knowledge with practical career preparation. Students will explore career pathways, analyze the impact of current events on the criminal justice system and apply research to contemporary challenges. The course emphasizes field experiences, professional development, ethical decision-making and evidence-based problem-solving to prepare students for further education or entry into the workforce.

Cooperative work experience placements must be approved by the academic division.

Variable subject content that is determined by the academic division.

Course focuses on response to child abuse, domestic violence, intimate partner violence, and elder abuse. Course examines dynamics of abusive relationships, effects of victimization, intervention services and research related to family violence.

Course explores the intersection of the behavioral health and criminal justice systems. Emphasis on recognizing mental illness and substance misuse and abuse issues and identifying appropriate public health and criminal justice interventions.

Course concentrates on the theories and applications of various law enforcement interviewing and interrogation techniques. The learner examines the issues and impacts of proper and improper application of interviewing skills within the criminal justice system.

Course examines the role of criminal justice in the proper response to and management of crisis incidents. Course focuses on the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) National Incident Management System (NIMS) and Incident Command System (ICS). Course also explores appropriate responses for interacting with individuals experiencing a crisis, including the purpose of crisis intervention team models.

This course explores the role of community-based correctional strategies as alternatives to incarceration, examining probation, parole, diversion programs and other rehabilitative approaches. Students will analyze the historical development, legal foundations and effectiveness of these programs in reducing recidivism and promoting reintegration. The course emphasizes ethical considerations, risk assessment and evidence-based decision-making in community supervision. Through case studies and policy analysis, students will evaluate contemporary challenges and innovations shaping the future of community corrections.

This course examines the major components of the criminal justice system through the lens of policy development and its practical impact on the system and society. Students will critically analyze key issues in the creation of criminal justice policies, evaluate their effects on law enforcement, courts, corrections and the community, and explore how contemporary events shape policy development and implementation. Through a combination of case studies and research, students will gain the skills to formulate evidence-based policies that address pressing systemic challenges in the criminal justice system. By the end of the course, students will be equipped with the tools to evaluate, influence and develop policies that can drive meaningful reform in the field.

This course explores contemporary advances in criminology, integrating foundational theories with modern perspectives on criminal behavior. Students will examine the development of crime across the life course, focusing on the impact of biological, genetic and significant life events on criminal trajectories. This course also addresses the role of behavioral health, the relationship between victimization and future offending and the use of criminology in criminal profiling. Through critical analysis and synthesis of research, students will develop evidence-based policy recommendations, preparing them to tackle current issues in the criminal justice field.

This course provides an in-depth analysis of the U.S. criminal procedure, focusing on constitutional protections, due process and the legal framework governing arrests, searches, interrogations and evidence admissibility. Students will evaluate the impact of landmark court rulings, legal precedent and procedural law on defendants' rights and law enforcement practices. The course also examines the structure, jurisdiction and functions of trial and appellate courts. Through case studies and legal analysis, students will apply procedural rules and effectively communicate complex legal concepts in professional contexts.

This course will provide an overview of crime scene profiling, psychological profiling, suspect-based profiling, and profiling applied to specific crimes such as: serial murder, serial rape, and serial arson. Students will review specific cases and apply learned profiling methods to create suspect profiles.

This course will cover the history, current and future uses of technology in the criminal justice field.

Identifies the investigative procedures used in the process of fact gathering, testing and confirmation techniques by police administrators in relationship to effective utilization of resources. Examines the executive's responsibilities, provides for implementation of command policy and studies the auxiliary services in support of police operations.

This course will examine the history of firearms as related to the criminal justice field. It will also examine firearms and ballistics evidence collection at crime scenes and their submission to crime labs for further testing.

Organized crime and its evolution into modern day organizations; federal statutes dealing with organized crime and various departments assigned to investigate them; roles of federal, state, local task forces.

This course will examine the history of fingerprints as an identification procedure in the criminal justice field. The course will explore the collection procedures in collecting fingerprints and trace evidence at a crime scene. It will also cover processing of trace evidence for submission to crime labs for further testing.

This course will cover the evolution of the crime scene investigations. It will cover how to conduct crime scene investigations from first response to court room presentation. It will also cover future trends in crime scene investigations.

Course provides an overview of drug issues in America, including an understanding of drugs and substance abuse, historical and contemporary responses to the drug problem and the role of the criminal justice system in responding to substance abuse through prevention and treatment.

Advanced study of law enforcement practices with an emphasis on major issues involving ethical practices, use of force and other liability issues, as well as high speed pursuit and certification in fire arms and other tactical weapons.

Focus on developing skills in photographing a crime scene. Includes black and white films and paper and color films and paper use and developing of photos. Also includes tools and equipment, taking basic crime scene photographs, and chemical processes used in processing crime scene photographs.

Course covers the procedures in conducting death investigations from crime scene through courtroom trial of death investigations. Topics include the role of the medical examiner/coroner, cause and manner of death, identifying human remains, the autopsy and interpretation of various types of injuries, equivocal death investigations, common mistakes made in the investigations process, legal considerations in death cases and advances in forensic science as they relate in investigative techniques.

A practice-oriented class on the techniques and methods of identifying and interpreting blood spatter evidence. Topics include fundamentals of bloodstain evidence, low velocity impact and angular bloodstains, medium and high velocity bloodstains, significance of partially dried, clotted, aged, physically altered bloodstains, and others.

Cooperative work experience placements must be approved by the academic division.

Variable subject content that is determined by the academic division.

Course concentrates on the use of the Single Lens Reflex (SLR) photographic equipment as it relates to the criminal justice field and crime scenes. Course also covers the proper ways to take, keep and store crime scene photographs with an emphasis on macro and other special photography techniques.

This course provides extensive examination of homicide (including multiple homicides, terroristic attacks, school shootings and serial killings) with particular attention to the latest theories of criminal behavior and victimology.

Course builds on the basic research course and further explores concepts related to social science research. Emphasis is placed on the development of superior writing skills and statistical evaluation of information through conducting applied research.

This course serves as the capstone experience for the Bachelor of Applied Science in Criminal Justice, integrating advanced academic knowledge with professional research, policy analysis and career development. Students will critically evaluate contemporary issues in the criminal justice system, conduct independent research and propose evidence-based reforms. This course emphasizes strategic career planning, professional communication, ethical decision-making and applied problem-solving. Through the development of a professional portfolio, students will demonstrate mastery of criminological theories, research methodologies and leadership competencies to prepare for careers or further graduate study.