Course Curriculum
Please see the following link for curriculum for non-police academy graduates. (PDF)
If you currently employed within the criminal justice system or are a police academy graduate that is OPOTA certified, please contact the Criminal Justice Program Coordinator or a regional campus advisor.
Courses offered within the criminal justice program include the following:
CJS 101: Intro to CJ Systems
Offers an overview of America’s criminal justice system, with an emphasis on the development, functions, and current issues/problems facing the current criminal justice system.
CJS 125: Law and the Courts
Provides a critical examination of the American judicial system and legal processes. Focuses on the contextual meaning of law and justice to society and will encourage critical thinking from political, sociological, historical and philosophical perspectives.
CJS 211: Law Enforcement
Provides students with an in:depth analysis of America’s system of law enforcement. Policing course which covers: historical eras of law enforcement, law enforcement styles and patrols, entering and working in the police subculture, police ethics/civil liability and the future of American law enforcement.
CJS 220: Field Experience
Students will contract with an appropriate independent agency for 120 hours of internship work. Hands:on experience within the students’ chosen component of the criminal justice system, personal reflection, and opportunity for career direction will occur.
CJS 231: Law and Individual Rights
Investigates the development and evolution of constitutional protections for American civil rights and liberties. Provides a thorough examination of U.S. Supreme Court cases and supplemental readings, with attention to the legal, historical and political influences that have shaped constitutional liberties.
CJS 232: Criminal Defense and Adjudication
Examines substantive criminal law, including: elements that comprise offenses and defenses in criminal law, the process of adjudication, and primary constitutional restrictions on criminal law.
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CJS 256: Police Organization, Administration, and Management
Examines the structures, processes, and behaviors specific to police administration including: politics behind governing a police department, leadership and communication issues specific to the law enforcement field, and legal aspects of police administration.
CJS 271: Criminal Behavior
Focuses on theories of criminal behavior and activity. Provides criminal justice students with a micro level, law enforcement approach to criminal behavior. Students will be expected to learn and apply: criminological theory, crime typologies, and appropriate agency responses.
CJS 272: Forensic Evidence
Focuses on crime scene evidence collection and analysis. Provides students with the definition, scope, and utilization of forensic science within the criminal justice system. Students will be expected to learn and apply crime scene processing, differentiate and analyze crime scene evidence, and understand special services provided by forensic agencies.
CJS 276: Homeland Security and Critical Incident Management
Focuses on the role of law enforcement within Homeland Security and critical incident response/management. Students are expected to critically analyze the conflict between civil liberties and civil defense within the context of Homeland Security, understand the sequence and importance of critical incident management, and learn how to effectively implement law enforcement response and prevention tactics.
CJS 282: Seminar in Criminal Justice
Course will involve reading, research, and discussion of issues in the criminal justice system. Students will be provided readings on a topic of their choice, will learn how to present in a professional manner, and will engage in critical analysis and interaction with other learners.
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