Programs
Criminal Justice Diploma Program
Criminal Justice Program | Criminal Justice Diploma | Criminal Justice Associate Degree
Students who successfully complete the Criminal Justice Diploma Program may be eligible to seek employment in various sectors of the criminal justice system, including, but not limited to the areas of law enforcement, private investigation, corrections, and corporate security.
Students must successfully complete all the courses outline below.
Request information or Enroll in the Criminal Justice Diploma Program
CRIMINAL JUSTICE SPECIALTIES
- Criminal Law
- Crime and Drugs
- Criminal Procedures
- Laws of Evidence
- Ethics
- Constitutional Law
- Criminal Investigation
- Juvenile Delinquency
- Prevention of Crime
CRIMINAL JUSTICE DIPLOMA PROGRAM TOTAL CREDITS: 30
COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
| Introduction to Criminal Justice | 3 Credit Hours |
| Introduction to criminal justice provides a realistic description of the American criminal justice system and how it works-police, courts, and corrections. Much more than an "encyclopedia" of criminal justice topics, it provides an intricately woven picture of contemporary American criminal justice such as the staggering increases in juvenile crime, police abuse/brutality, the crisis of prison overcrowding, and the growing trend of alternative sentencing. It is designed to help students integrate wealth of material to which they are exposed, and assumes a forward-looking perspective that recognizes the importance of individual rights, social order, multi-culturalism, and high-technology as they affect the day-to-day practice of criminal justice students. The fundamental tried-and-true concepts of an evolving discipline give them the critical thinking skills necessary to effectively apply those concepts to the real world, and to apply those concepts and skills to today's problems and emerging issues of tomorrow. | |
| Criminal Law | 3 Credit Hours |
| A great need for specialists in criminal law and procedures has been created by the rapidly expanding criminal justice system. Police departments, attorneys, and lawyers all need the knowledge of criminal law professionals. This course is designed to give an understanding of both the law and procedural aspects of criminal justice and to prepare you for an exciting and fulfilling career in criminal justice. | |
| Crime and Drugs | 3 Credit Hours |
| The deterioration of neighborhoods throughout this nation can be attributed to some degree by two inextricably linked associates-crime and drugs. This course will educate students on what does and does not work in the criminal justice system, and how, ironically enough, the more that is known about the problem, the less is understood. The complex problem of crime and policy, the war on crime, models of criminal justice and the concept of the "career criminal" will be discussed. The course continues with the conservative attack on crime: deterring criminals, intermediary alternatives of punishment, and the incapacitation of offenders. Finally, students will examine reform and the rehabilitation of these individuals, as well as the consequences and limits of drug policy, treatment and education, versus legalization. | |
| Criminal Procedure | 3 Credit Hours |
| The balance between the rights of individuals in today's society and the power of the government to interfere with those rights remains the primary conflict in the law of criminal procedure. This course provides an analysis and assessment of the principles governing this area of law, while exploring the Constitutional provisions that exist to ensure fair proceedings for all people-regardless of their innocence or guilt. Students will benefit from cases as seen from all sides of the law, from the law enforcement officers that apprehend suspects, to the judges and juries that hand down convictions. Criminal process, searches and seizures, arrests, police interrogations, identification procedures, Constitutional violations and the resulting court proceedings, which involve pre-trials, trials, convictions, and the post-conviction process, are essential to the comprehension of the law of criminal procedure and the critical component of balance that anchors the entire structure. | |
| Laws of Evidence | 3 Credit Hours |
| Understanding evidence law is key to any legal assistant working side-by-side with law enforcement of the trial attorney. Students will be provided with the fundamentals; the definition of the law of evidence, its origin, as well as the relevant application of such-when, and by whom. Examination of the admissibility of evidence to support or disprove facts is critical in any case; therefore, consideration will be given to actual cases as students learn evidentiary rules and the part they play in the recognition, gathering and presentation of evidence deemed admissible at trial. | |
| Ethics | 3 Credit Hours |
| This area of study is of singular significance in the criminal justice field, as any violation of the rules of right conduct could undermine the very purpose for which the system was created-the administration of justice. This course provides students with an honest, straightforward approach to the provocative issue of morals and standards in an arena filled with potential contradictions. Students will gain insight into morality, ethics and human behavior. Ethics and law enforcement, ethics and legal professionals, ethics of prosecution, punishment and corrections, and ultimately, policy and decision making are likewise noteworthy. | |
| Constitutional Law | 3 Credit Hours |
| Since the drafting of this document in 1787, the U.S. Constitution has proven to be "framework" within which its basic tenets must be met and the basic rights of people are assured. This course is designed to impart an understanding of the living law within this basic framework is by and large a product of the times and the ideologies of Supreme Court justices, the court having the final word in determining what the interpretation of the law is. This is of notable interest to the student of criminal justice, who will journey through the anatomy of the Constitution provides by way of civil rights and civil liberties. Amendments affecting the criminal justice system which include: search and seizures, arrest warrants, due process of law, Miranda rights, confessions, entrapment, double jeopardy, the right to a fair trial, bail, fines, and punishment will be given consideration as the magnitude of this document and the implications for protecting the personal freedoms of those governed by it are illustrated. | |
| Criminal Investigation | 3 Credit Hours |
| Criminal investigation is a systemic inquiry into a crime that has been committed, in the hope that these principles for investigation will bring about justice. This course emphasizes the policies and procedures established by the field, in addition to present day tools and techniques available for the law enforcement professional. Students benefit from real-life cases that will provide "hands on" approach to leaning. Topics of recent controversy such as stalking, DNA profiling and the media frenzy surrounding investigations are also covered. | |
| Juvenile Delinquency | 3 Credit Hours |
| A growing interest in the study of delinquent behavior underscores the value of this course. Students will consider theories and concepts of this ever-changing branch of the criminal justice field. The potential root of this behavior, analysis thereof, nature of such crimes, and their far-reaching effects will be considered. Pivotal issues, critical to the evolution of this area of study, include the issue of juvenile detention, the role of the adult court system, developmental implications, and, of particular significance, prevention. | |
| Prevention of Crime | 3 Credit Hours |
| "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure." These famous words, penned by Benjamin Franklin, no doubt echo the sentiments of ordinary citizens, united and passionate about employing strategies to make their communities crime-free through social reform. This course explores both the progress and pitfalls of citizens organized to reduce criminal opportunities, and how partnerships with local law enforcement agencies may prove to be a more powerful weapon in the "war on crime" wherein the rules of engagement change each and every day. The problems of crime control and prevention, community awareness, mobilization and neighborhood defense area addressed, and of particular interest, how environmental modification and social prevention through youth and family initiatives may be one viable solution. | |
