Criminal Justice Department
Associate of Arts Degree Requirements
Effective 2008-09 Catalog
The Associate of Arts degree in Criminal Justice requires completion of 62 credit hours (24 credit hours completed at WU; 42 graded hours). The degree is designed to be used as a step toward completion of the Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice degree. Increasingly, correctional and law enforcement agencies are recognizing the Associate of Arts degree as a desirable or required preparation for entrance to work in these fields. The degree includes courses in sociology, psychology, and political science, in addition to specific offerings relating to correctional and law enforcement functions.
University Requirements: Eight hours/grade of “C” or Better
MA 110 Exploring Mathematics OR MA 116 College Algebra (3)
EN 101 Freshman Composition (3)
PE 198 Lifetime Wellness (2)
General Education Requirements: Fifteen hours/grade of “C” or better
A. Humanities: Six hours: Selected from the general education curriculum.
B. Natural Science: Three hours of Science: Selected from the general education curriculum, in an area other than mathematics, which includes astronomy, biology, chemistry, geology, and physics.
C. Social Sciences: Six hours: Selected from the general education curriculum.
Criminal Justice Required Core Courses: 21 hours/grade of “C” or better
CJ 100 Crime and Justice in America (3)
CJ 110 Introduction to Law Enforcement (3)
CJ 120 Introduction to Corrections (3)
CJ 210 Criminal Law OR LG 345 Criminal Law (3)
CJ 220 Criminal Justice Communications (3)
CJ 230 Principles of Investigation OR CJ 240 Law of Corrections (3)
CJ 270 Juvenile Justice (3)
Correlate Requirements: 9 Hours/grade of “C” or better
One course in Diversity or Ethnic Relations chosen from the following:
AN/SO 207 Race and Ethnic Relations OR CJ 303 Diversity in American Culture (3)
One course in Criminology chosen from the following:
SO 305 Criminology OR CJ 325 Applied Criminology (3)
One course in Ethics chosen from the following:
PH 106 Ethics in America OR CJ 390 Ethics (3)
Elective CJ Courses: 9 Hours/Grade of “C” or Better
Bachelor of Science Major Requirements
Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice - Major in Corrections
The Corrections major is designed to provide an academic and experiential learning environment that will prepare students for employment in federal, state, and local corrections agencies. Consequently, the curriculum addresses the nature of both institutional and field service corrections. The degree includes a participatory observation internship, which is intended to promote the development of knowledge and skills for correctional practice while providing opportunity for professional networking, fostering professional socialization, and personal growth. Students enrolling in this specialized internship are presumed to be committed to entering the field of Corrections.
The program content is designed to provide a broad, comprehensive introduction to the theoretical as well as practical aspects of criminal justice, with greatest emphasis being placed on the correctional function. This program is designed for both personnel already employed in criminal justice and pre-service students interested in criminal justice careers.
Major Requirements (36 hours)
CJ 100 Crime & Justice in America (3)
CJ 120 Introduction to Corrections (3)
CJ 110 Introduction to Law Enforcement (3)
OR
CJ 130 Public and Private Security (3)
CJ 220 CJ Communications (3)
CJ 240 Law of Corrections (3)
OR
CJ 270 Juvenile Justice (3)
CJ 320 Correctional Treatment Strategies (3)
CJ 330 Judicial Process (3)
CJ 400 Criminal Justice Research Methods (3)
CJ 420 Probation, Parole, and Community-Based Corrections (3)
CJ 480 Corrections Internship (6)
Correlate Area - 9 hours “C” or better needed in respective major:
Group I: A Diversity Course (3)
Group II: A Criminology Course (3)
Group III: CJ460 Correctional Administration (3), CJ 495 The Correctional Experience (3), or SO 307 Penology (3)
Completion of a Minor: A Minor is required, and must be approved by the Criminal Justice Department.
Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice - Major in Law Enforcement
The Law Enforcement major is designed to provide a balanced introduction to all aspects of the criminal justice process with particular emphasis on the theoretical and practical aspects of law enforcement. The program is interdisciplinary in content, utilizing courses in the social sciences as well as those more directly related to functions and programs in the criminal justice system. This program is designed for both personnel already employed in criminal justice and pre-service students interested in criminal justice careers.
Major Requirements (36 hours)
All courses in the major must be completed with a “C” or better.
CJ 100 Crime & Justice in America (3)
CJ 110 Introduction to Law Enforcement (3)
CJ 120 Introduction to Corrections (3)
OR
CJ 130 Public and Private Security (3)
CJ 210 Criminal Law (3)
OR
LG 345 Criminal Law and Procedure (3)
CJ 220 CJ Communications (3)
CJ 230 Principles of Investigation (3)
CJ 310 Police Problems/Practices (3)
CJ 330 Judicial Process (3)
CJ 400 Criminal Justice Research Methods (3)
CJ 410 Criminal Procedure/Evidence (3)
CJ 490 L.E. Internship (6)
Correlate Area-9 hours “C” or better needed in respective major
Group I: A Diversity Course (3)
Group II: A Criminology Course (3)
Group III: CJ 365 Police & the Community (3) or CJ440 Enforcement Administration (3)
Completion of a Minor: A Minor is required, and must be approved by the Criminal Justice Department.
Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice - Major in Security Administration
The Security Administration major is interdisciplinary in nature, emphasizing practical issues and theoretical concepts related to security, safety, fire, crime prevention, investigations, law enforcement and the social sciences. This program is designed to prepare students for professional and managerial employment in security, investigations, loss prevention, and risk management positions in business, industry, government agencies and non-profit organizations. This program is designed for both personnel already employed in criminal justice and pre-service students interested in careers in security.
Major Requirements (36 hours)
CJ 100 Crime and Justice in America (3)
CJ 110 Introduction to Law Enforcement (3)
OR
CJ 120 Introduction to Corrections (3)
CJ 130 Public and Private Security (3)
CJ 220 Criminal Justice Communications (3)
CJ 230 Principles of Investigation (3)
CJ 340 Crime Prevention (3)
CJ 350 Legal Issues in Security and Safety (3)
CJ 400 Criminal Justice Research Methods (3)
CJ 425 White Collar Crime (3)
CJ 450 Security Administration and Management (3)
CJ 470 Internship in Security (6)
Correlate Area-9 hours “C” or better needed in respective major
Group I A Diversity Course (3)
Group II: A Criminology Course (3)
Group III: A Technology Administration course (3)
Completion of a Minor: A Minor is required, and must be approved by the Criminal Justice Department.
Course Descriptions
CJ 100 Crime and Justice in America (3)
This course introduces the student to the nature and extent of crime in
America and provides an overview of the public understanding of the causes
of criminal behavior. In the second portion of the course, the role of
the crime victim and the principal functions of criminal justice agencies
are considered.
CJ 110 Introduction to Law Enforcement (3)
This course examines the history and major functions of modern law enforcement
agencies and personnel. Special attention to career opportunities and
alternatives in the field of law enforcement.
CJ 120 Introduction to Corrections (3)
Contemporary correctional activities and the functions performed by correctional
agencies and personnel. Includes an overview of the functions performed
by correctional institutions and agencies for juveniles and adults.
CJ 130 Public and Private Security (3)
History and philosophy of security, goals and measures of businesses,
security firms, military services, and governmental agencies.
CJ 210 Criminal Law (3)
Review of substantive criminal law theory and specific elements common
to index offenses will be presented. Course will offer a brief synopsis
of the historical development of penal codes, as well as application of
the Model Penal Code. Special emphasis will include a review of established
defenses to criminal liability such as the insanity, self-defense and
diminished mental capacity defenses.
CJ 220 Criminal Justice Communications (3)
Methods of gathering and reporting information essential to effective
criminal justice operations are reviewed, discussed, and practiced. Emphasis
is on developing effective interviewing skills and accurate reporting
of information gathered by criminal justice practitioners.
CJ 225 Jail Workshop (3)
This course provides the student an overview of the history, functions,
design and operation of the American jail.
CJ 230 Principles of Investigation (3)
Gathering information; principles and procedures used for crime scene
protection and search; collection and preservation of evidence; interviewing
and interrogation of complainants, witnesses, suspects, and victims; and
scientific applications to a variety of investigations conducted in criminal
justice setting.
CJ 240 Law of Corrections (3)
An examination of the legal system in the United States with focus on
prisoners' rights and due process as applied to the correctional environment;
the relationship between sanctions, sentencing, and corrections; and principles
of vicarious liability for correctional employees.
CJ 260 Independent Study (1-3)
A research project of extensive reading on aspects of the disciplines,
or engagement in a field experience, which may be carried on in absentia.
May be elected twice for a maximum of six hours.
CJ 270 Juvenile Justice (3)
The American system of juvenile justice, including the roles and relationships
of law enforcement, courts, probation and parole, diversionary programs,
service agencies, and correctional institutions.
CJ 290 Special Topics (1-3)
Topics will vary from semester to semester and will be announced in advance.
May be taken for more than one semester for variable credit. Prerequisite:
Consent of instructor.
CJ 303 Diversity in American Culture (3)
This course is designed to explore the relationship between culture and
the criminal justice system. Emphasis is given to understanding the historical,
theoretical, and structural perspectives of racial/ethnic and minority
groups in society.
CJ 305 Crime & Justice in Film (3)
The course is intended to survey modern America's attitudes about our
criminal justice system through analysis of several motion pictures dealing
with various facets of the system.
CJ 310 Police Problems and Practices (3)
Analysis of police functions and problems commonly encountered in the
performance of those functions. Problem-solving methods and techniques
are reviewed, discussed, and practiced. Prerequisite: CJ 110 or consent
of instructor.
CJ 315 Drug Abuse and Criminality (3)
Societal reaction to drug abuse in terms of legal sanctions, treatment
alternatives, and the Criminal Justice response (law enforcement, the
courts, corrections). How substance abuse and criminal behavior are interrelated.
CJ 320 Correctional Treatment Strategies (3)
Treatment strategies employed in adult and juvenile corrections programs,
focusing on classification, types of institutional programming, as well
as community and aftercare facilities. Prerequisite: CJ 120 or consent
of instructor.
CJ 325 Applied Criminology (3)
Applied criminology will examine various criminological theories including
delinquent subculture, differential association, and conflict theories,
and their application by criminal justice professionals. In addition,
the student will understand and practice the application of criminological
theory in dealing with an individual offender.
CJ 330 Judicial Process (3)
Historical development and contemporary structure of state and federal
trial courts and courts of appellate review will be presented. Constitutional
and statutory authority for courts, court procedure, and defendant rights
in the judicial process will be reviewed to include due process, public
and speedy trial, jury composition, self-incrimination, punishment and
state and federal post-conviction relief and/or appellate review. Other
statutory and administrative/regulatory laws will be reviewed pertaining
to the Code of Professional Responsibility as it applies to respective
judicial officers. Close analysis is offered of the respective roles,
duties performed, and career paths for judicial officers such as judges,
prosecutors and defense counsel.
CJ 340 Crime Prevention (3)
Situational crime prevention, environmental design, physical security
measures, defensible space, opportunity theories, crime displacement,
rational choice theory, and crime prevention studies. Prerequisite: CJ
130 or consent of instructor.
CJ 345 Homicide Investigations(3)
An in-depth examination of homicide investigation and the tools required
to bring the case to a successful completion. Prerequisite: CJ 110 or
consent of instructor.
CJ 350 Legal Issues in Security and Safety (3)
Civil and criminal liability of security officers and employers, security
laws of arrest/search/seizure, security regulations, security licensing
and training, OSHA standards and legal requirements, and case studies.
Prerequisite: CJ 130 or consent of instructor.
CJ 355 Women in Criminal Justice (3)
An overview of the theories and facts on female criminality, employment
practices and on-the-job problems that affect female criminal justice
workers, and factors relative to female victims of crime.
CJ 360 Independent Study (1-3)
A research project of extensive reading on aspects of the disciplines,
or engagement in a field experience, which may be carried on in absentia.
May be elected twice for a maximum of six hours. Students complete a project
prospective that is approved by the supervising professor prior to enrollment.
Prerequisite: 12 hours of Criminal Justice and consent of the Department
Chair.
CJ 365 Police and the Community (3)
Relevant literature and the scope of the problem, psychological and sociological
considerations; and viable programs that effectively improve communications
between the police and the public. Prerequisite: CJ 110 or consent of
instructor.
CJ 370 Fire Investigation and Prevention (3)
This course will examine the principles of fire investigation, burn patterns,
arson, fraud, industrial and commercial fire prevention, hazard recognition,
fire control and suppression methods. Prerequisite: CJ 130 or consent
of instructor.
CJ 375 Forensic Psychological & Criminal
Profiling (3)
This course introduces students to the diverse ways in which the forensic
psychologist participates in the legal system. Particular attention is
given to the role of the forensic psychologist in criminal proceedings
as it relates to the state of mind of the offender. The course also introduces
students to basic theories of criminal profiling and ethical considerations
in the use of profiling. Prerequisite: CJ 110 or consent of instructor.
CJ 380 Terrorism (3)
An exploration of the incidence and threats of terrorism and an investigation
of the security and law enforcement measures needed to combat it. Topics
such as assassination, kidnapping, hijacking, extortion, sabotage, bomb
threats/ searches, hostage negotiations, victims' survival, and medical/tactical
reaction teams will be discussed as they relate to executive protection
and terrorism.
CJ 390 Special Topics (1-3)
Topics will vary from semester to semester and will be announced in advance.
May be taken for more than one semester for variable credit. Prerequisite:
Consent of instructor.
CJ 395 Seminar in Metropolitan Criminal Justice
(Summer) (2-3)
An overview of the functions, interrelations and problems of metropolitan
law enforcement, judicial and correctional agencies is provided through
lectures, assignments and agency visitations. Usually conducted in the
Kansas City metropolitan area over a five-day period. Prerequisite: Consent
of instructor.
CJ 400 Criminal Justice Research (3)
This course allows students to learn and demonstrate knowledge of research
methodology within the criminal justice system and become acquainted with
the range and scope of quantitative and qualitative tools available to
the criminal justice researcher. Prerequisite: 12 hours Criminal Justice
or consent of instructor.
CJ 410 Criminal Procedure and Evidence (3)
Advanced analysis of the constitutional statutory foundations of modern
criminal procedure will be emphasized, with particular focus on the 4th,
5th, and 6th Amendments. The law of search and seizure, interrogations
and confessions, warrants, indictment/information, pretrial suppression
and exclusionary rule applications will be presented. Rules pertaining
to obtaining, qualifying and admitting evidence will be discussed, to
include direct and cross examination, application of the hearsay rule,
recognized privileged communications and common evidentiary objections
will be offered in the criminal prosecution/defense perspective.
CJ 415 Forensic Science in Criminal Justice (3)
The course examines the role of forensic science in the investigation
and solution of crime. Each type of physical evidence normally encountered
in criminal investigations will be studied with regard to collection and
packaging techniques which maximize the evidence value, the current types
of scientific analyses available, and the significance and limitations
of the scientific results. The history of forensic science will also be
briefly examined. Prerequisite: CJ 110 or consent of instructor.
CJ 420 Probation, Parole, and Community-Based
Corrections (3)
Probation and parole, including the administration, procedures, and techniques
used in the treatment and supervision of offenders. Also, the history
and trends of probation and parole, and professional training in these
fields. Prerequisite: CJ 120 or consent of instructor.
CJ 425 White Collar Crime (3)
Occupational crime, fraud, theft, computer crimes, environmental crimes,
business and governmental crimes, and prevention measures. Prerequisite:
CJ 110 or consent of instructor. Prerequisite: CJ 130 or consent of instructor.
CJ 440 Enforcement Administration (3)
This is a course for students and practitioners interested in police administration.
The student will be required to participate in field and classroom experiences
designed to expose and prepare the student for an administrative role
in the criminal justice system. The student will demonstrate through examinations,
assigned papers, reports, and classroom participation his/her knowledge
of law enforcement administration principles and practices. Prerequisite:
CJ 110 or consent of instructor.
CJ 445 Drug Enforcement Policies and Programs
(1-3)
The role in establishing alcohol and other drug policy and the development
of regulation for the implementation of federal policy. Officials from
federal, state, and local agencies describe agency functions and effects
at addressing the drug problem. The course will also examine the impact
of federal drug policy at the local level. Prerequisite: CJ 110 or consent
of instructor.
CJ 450 Security Administration and Management
(3)
Advanced administration and management issues related to corporate security
functions, including strategic and operational management, risk management,
contract security services, management of emergencies and loss prevention.
Prerequisite: CJ 130 or consent of instructor.
CJ 460 Correctional Administration (3)
This course provides an overview of the basic functions of correctional
administration including activities such as planning, forecasting, budgeting,
organizing, training, implementation, evaluation and direction of personnel.
The special requirements for administration of a correctional facility
such as building public support and understanding, communicating results,
informing policy decisions, and interacting with other criminal justice
professionals are explored. Case studies from a variety of correctional
settings including institutional and field service organizations are analyzed
to enhance understanding of administrative complexities. Prerequisite:
CJ 120 or consent of instructor.
CJ 465 Criminal Justice Planning (3)
Criminal Justice planning, including analysis of crime data and systems
interrelations, forecasting, problem identification, establishing goals
and objectives, and developing plans for implementation and evaluation.
CJ 470 Internship in Security (6)
Supervised practical internship in a security setting. May be taken for
three hours for two semesters or six hours in one semester. Placement
requires agency approval. Prerequisite: CJ 100, 110, CJ 220, CJ 340, CJ
400, CJ 450 or consent of instructor.
CJ 475 The Police Experience (3)
Travel to law enforcement agencies, guest lectures and class discussion.
Prerequisite: CJ 110 or consent of instructor.
CJ 480 Internship in Corrections (3-6)
Participant observation in a correctional agency operated by all levels
of government, including participation in the treatment of offenders.
May be taken in one semester, or over the course of two semesters. Experience
may be concentrated in one agency or divided among several agencies. Placement
and continuation in the internship requires approval of the corrections
agency. Prerequisite: CJ 100, 120, 220, 320, 400, 420 or consent of instructor.
CJ 490 Internship in Law Enforcement (3-6)
Supervised observation and participation in the functions of a federal,
state, or local law enforcement agency through individual meetings and
group seminars by the faculty. Supervision of the assignment will be received
from experienced agency personnel and orientation to agency operations
provided. Students may participate in specific activities such as patrol,
records maintenance and analysis, administration, research and planning,
training, juvenile operations, investigations, and community relations.
May be taken in one semester, or over the course of two semesters. Experience
may be concentrated in one agency or divided among several agencies. Placement
and continuation in the internship requires approval of the law enforcement
or security agency involved. Prerequisite: CJ 100, 110, 230, 310, 400,
410, or consent of instructor.
CJ 495 The Correctional Experience (3)
This "impact course" is designed to provide the student with
the opportunity to "experience" the correctional institution
and draw a unique insight into corrections. Students will visit correctional
institutions, observe their operations, and interact with correctional
practitioners and confined offenders. Institutions have been chosen for
visitation to provide the student with as broad a correctional experience
as possible, beginning with juveniles through adults, including county,
state and federal institutions. Prerequisite: CJ 120 or consent of instructor.
Prerequisite: CJ 120 or consent of instructor.
