Criminal Justice (CJS) Courses

CJS1002 Introduction to Criminal Justice

This course presents an overview and analysis of the American criminal justice system. The concept of crime and the roles of police, courts, defense attorneys, prosecuting attorneys and corrections are considered. In addition, an overview of the causes of crime, the problems associated with the measurement of crime, and the concept of "justice" in the American criminal system is examined.
Offered at Online, Providence
3 Semester Credits

CJS1070 Criminal Courts

This course is an examination of the problems, policies and practices of the criminal court system with emphasis placed on the structure and organization of the court system. The role of the courts, from arrest to conviction and appeal, is explored.
Offered at Online, Providence
3 Semester Credits

CJS1090 Law Enforcement

This course is a survey of law enforcement agencies, their role, history and development within the field of criminal justice. Emphasis is placed on police administration, organization, management culture, relations within the community and technology.
Offered at Providence
3 Semester Credits

CJS2040 Corrections

This course is an introduction to corrections. It presents an historical look at punishment through the ages. Justification for punishment is explored including: retribution, deterrence, incapacitation, and rehabilitation. Various dispositions of prisoners are presented from capital punishment, transportation, galley slavery, and the eventual development of the prison. The evolution of prisons and acceptable conditions are discussed along with the advent of the prisoner rights movement.
Offered at Providence
3 Semester Credits

CJS2050 Criminology

This course is an overview of the study of criminal behavior. Major theories of the causes of crime are explored through an interdisciplinary approach emphasizing the sociological, psychological, scientific, medical, biological, psychiatric, psychoanalytic, economic, political, cultural, and other social and behavioral approaches.
Offered at Online, Providence
3 Semester Credits

CJS2085 Juvenile Justice

This course presents an analysis of the historical development of the juvenile justice system in the United States. The student is introduced to the changing view of juveniles from early America, when children were treated as little adults, through the nineteenth and twentieth centuries where they came to be considered as children and adolescents that had to be protected from abusive families and their environment. Socializing agents such as the family, schools and peers are studied as to their influence on the development of delinquency. Youth are studied as victims of crime, as perpetrators of crime, and their likelihood to become involved with gangs. Additionally, law enforcement, the courts and corrections are studied to show their impact on delinquency.
Prerequisite(s): Sophomore status.
Offered at Online, Providence
3 Semester Credits

CJS2150 Criminal Justice Ethics

At the core of every aspect of the field of criminal justice is an ethical dilemma involving human behavior and individual decision-making. As such, this course will provide an in-depth examination of the three major schools of ethical thought (virtue, formalism, and utilitarianism) in order to illustrate how individual ethics directly influences decision-making, and to help students develop comprehensive ethical reasoning skills. Through the examination of hypothetical case studies, actual criminal justice events, and extensive debate, this course will explore the three major areas of criminal justice to include law enforcement, courts, and corrections, in order to provide students with the opportunity to observe and evaluate the direct connection between ethics and specific aspects of the criminal justice system.
Offered at Providence
3 Semester Credits

CJS3033 Community Policing

This course is a historical examination of the strategies utilized by the police in America. It examines Sir Robert Peel and the development of the first paid police department in London in 1829. The course presents the evolution of policing as emigration in America increased and its population became more diversified. Students will come to understand how policing is a partnership with the community and how the roles of all must be considered in the development of a policing program.
Prerequisite(s): CJS1090.
Offered at Providence
3 Semester Credits

CJS3075 Criminal Investigation

In this course, the student is exposed to the fundamentals of criminal investigation. Emphasis is placed on the collection and evaluation of crime scene evidence related to specific crimes (i.e., homicide, arson, burglary, etc). Since criminal investigation must be conducted within the framework of our constitutional system of government, opinions of the United States Supreme Court that affect the collection of evidence are emphasized.
Prerequisite(s): CJS1090.
Offered at Online, Providence
3 Semester Credits

CJS3210 Victimology

This course is designed to provide an historical perspective on victimology, as well as an overview of the causes and physical and psychological consequences of victimization. Students gain an understanding of why people are victimized, as well as how the criminal justice system and various social service agencies collaborate in order to address the needs of the victim. A focus on various causes of and responses to victimization provides students with the fundamental knowledge needed to apply key concepts to actual situations. This course emphasizes the impact of trauma on an individual, opportunities for prevention, as well as issues of recurring victimization and the victim/offender overlap both domestically as well as from a global perspective.
Prerequisite(s): CJS2050.
Offered at Providence
3 Semester Credits

CJS3450 Comparative Criminal Justice

This course comparatively examines major criminal justice institutions within the United States and around the world, and also provides an in-depth examination of existing international criminal justice systems and the shared critical issues existing both domestically and internationally. The course offers a comprehensive examination of a variety of transnational crime-related issues, and explains the systems currently in place globally for addressing issues involving crime prevention, law enforcement, adjudication and corrections. Students identify and analyze the common and differing procedural aspects involved in investigating, prosecuting, defending and adjudicating criminal cases in international jurisdictions, as well as the differing global definitions of appropriate punishment including concepts of financial, corporal and capital punishment.
Offered at Providence
3 Semester Credits

CJS3820 Cyber Crimes

In this course, students explore the rise and evolution of crimes involving computers and the Internet that are fast becoming the most prolific area of criminal activity in the 21st century. This course distinguishes between crimes in cyberspace and cyber-terrorism as a form of warfare upon the global community. It defines cyber crimes (including type, nature, and origin) and the expanding criminalization of computer and Internet conduct involving concepts of privacy violation, information protection and unauthorized access of digital data. An analysis of existing and new domestic and international law enforcement innovations that prohibit digital crimes is also covered.
Prerequisite(s): LAW3025.
Offered at Online, Providence
3 Semester Credits

CJS3850 Homeland Security

This course provides an in-depth foundation for understanding the wide range of agencies and activities involved in the field of homeland security, and the varying roles that individual terrorists, terrorist groups and state sponsors of terrorism play in the formulation of the domestic and international homeland security policy of the United States. Students are provided with a comprehensive overview of the legal aspects of homeland security, and the role that intelligence and counterintelligence play in the formulation of the domestic and international homeland security policy. Additional topics include the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, border security and immigration, and the financing of terrorist activity via a wide range of highly organized criminal activities occurring both domestically and internationally.
Offered at Online, Providence
3 Semester Credits

CJS4020 Offender Assessment and Case Management

This course provides students with both theoretical knowledge and practical application of the various evidence-based risk assessment tools, classification of offenders, writing court reports, utilizing motivational interviewing skills, and conducting interviews with offenders receiving some form of correctional treatment. It also provides students with knowledge about mental health and substance use issues affecting correctional populations.
Prerequisite(s): CJS2040, junior status.
Offered at Providence
3 Semester Credits

CJS4045 Criminalistics with Lab

This course focuses on practical applications of forensic science in the field of law enforcement. Topics covered include the various forms of evidence and methods used to identify, collect and preserve physical evidence. Crime scene preservation techniques as well as methods of crime laboratory instrumentation are covered. Some focus upon legal concerns and discussion of the use of physical evidence in famous cases is also covered.
Offered at Providence
3 Semester Credits

CJS4050 Advanced Topics in Criminal Justice

This course is a forum for special issues and emerging areas of criminal justice. It is taught by faculty members and visiting experts in the areas of focus. Topics covered (which may change each offering) may include, but are not limited to: Public & Private Security, Victimology, Child Abuse & Neglect, and Organized Crime.
Prerequisite(s): CJS2050, junior status.
Offered at Providence
3 Semester Credits

CJS4065 Advanced Topics in Criminalistics with Lab

This course provides students with specific topics in the advanced study of forensic science as part of a two-term format. Emphasis is on the application of advanced and specialized areas of forensic science encountered during criminal investigations. Topics include advanced topics of forensic pathology, pattern and impression evidence, blood spatter analysis, photography, fingerprint examination, and forensic applications of the social science and legal/ethical issues in forensic science.
Prerequisite(s): CJS4045.
Offered at Providence
3 Semester Credits

CJS4070 Serial Killers

This course addresses historical perspective and the social construction of serial murder, discerning fact from fiction, as well as examines the many myths surrounding serial murder. This course challenges students to think more analytically about the nature of killing and the cultural development of monsters, demons, and evil as a means to assess biogenic and psychopathological maladaptive behaviors in response to various mental disorders. This course examines various categories of serial killers, such as healthcare workers, sexual predators, male and female murderers, team killers, and their victims. This course provides students the opportunity to develop an understanding of serial murder from a domestic/global perspective and the methods and manner in which law enforcement profile and apprehend suspects.
Prerequisite(s): Senior status.
Offered at Providence
3 Semester Credits

CJS4080 Criminal Justice Senior Seminar

This course presents an overview and analysis of the American criminal justice system in a capstone seminar format. The course examines criminal and constitutional law, criminology, law enforcement and investigation, courts, corrections and juvenile justice through the use of critical thinking, research, writing and discussion.
Prerequisite(s): RSCH2050, senior status.
Offered at Providence
3 Semester Credits

CJS5610 Advanced Administration of Criminal Justice

This course is a seminar that provides students with an opportunity to learn more about organizational and administration theories and how they apply to the criminal justice system. Theoretical knowledge is linked with best practices in law enforcement, court and correctional agencies. The course is intended to be an advanced seminar for graduate students; much of the work is scenario-based.
Offered at Online
3 Semester Credits

CJS5620 Contemporary Criminology and Crime Prevention

This course provides a strong academic background in criminological theory and helps students develop critical evaluation skills to assess the efficacy of particular theories. Students have the opportunity to connect criminological theory to criminal justice policy and practice. Crime prevention examples and techniques are used throughout the course to teach students how to apply theory to practice. Critical thinking and communication skills are utilized throughout. This course is intended to be an advanced seminar for graduate students.
Offered at Online
3 Semester Credits

CJS5630 Advanced Legal Issues in Criminal Justice

This course is a seminar that provides students with an opportunity to learn more about legal issues and implications in the context of criminal law. The course is intended to be an advanced seminar for graduate students, and provides students with a challenging and rigorous experience in legal thinking and applications.
Prerequisite(s): CJS5610 or RSCH5700.
Offered at Online
3 Semester Credits

CJS5650 Criminal Justice Ethics and Diversity in a Global Environment

This course examines applied ethics in criminal justice practice. By applying moral philosophy to a variety of different scenarios, students gain valuable skills in ethical decision-making for the diverse global environment of the criminal justice workplace. This course examines professional ethics for the courtroom, in law enforcement, in corrections, and while doing research. The goal of this course is not to present a single unified ethical system in the criminal justice field, but to expose students to a variety of thought-provoking ethical behaviors, and allow students to explore relevant ethical dilemmas faced by individuals working in the criminal justice system or subject to the control of the criminal justice system.
Offered at Online
3 Semester Credits

CJS5680 Juvenile Justice Issues

This course begins with a brief history of the juvenile justice system and an overview of current juvenile justice agencies and processes. Current issues and trends in the field of juvenile justice and juvenile crime prevention are explored in more detail with a focus on evidence-based practice.
Prerequisite(s): CJS5620.
Offered at Online
3 Semester Credits

CJS5700 Special Needs Populations in the Criminal Justice System

This course addresses the growing recognition that a large proportion of individuals who come into contact with the criminal justice system have special needs. Practical examples from law enforcement, courts and corrections highlight the issues faced by special needs populations and the ways to address these issues through policy and practice.
Prerequisite(s): CJS5620 (or concurrent).
Offered at Online
3 Semester Credits

CJS5740 Global Criminal Justice Issues

This course provides students with an overview of transnational crimes and the international responses to those crimes. Topics include drug trafficking, human trafficking, weapons trafficking, cybercrime and transnational environmental crime. Students gain an understanding of the nature and extent of transnational crimes and the challenges facing crime prevention and control efforts.
Prerequisite(s): CJS5610 (or concurrent).
Offered at Online
3 Semester Credits

CJS5760 Technology and GIS in the Criminal Justice System

This course is designed to give students a glimpse into how technology is being used in the criminal justice system and the social issues stemming from that use. Broken into 2 parts, students first examine basic controversies surrounding technology as it relates to citizen rights and its use in policing, courts and corrections. The second section dives into the widespread practice and theory of using geographic information systems/science (GIS) in crime mapping. Students are expected to read up-to-date academic literature on current discussions surrounding each section and defend positions on the favorability of its use or application.
Prerequisite(s): RSCH5700.
Offered at Online
3 Semester Credits

CJS5780 Social, Community and Restorative Justice

This course examines the concepts of social justice, community justice and restorative justice. Topics include strategies for planned change that address social justice issues like racism, economic inequality, sexism and poverty. Students explore how programs based on different justice models can be utilized to improve public safety.
Prerequisite(s): CJS5620 (or concurrent).
Offered at Online
3 Semester Credits

CJS6900 Criminal Justice Capstone Project

This course provides students the opportunity to integrate the knowledge and skills learned throughout the program in the capstone project. A problem in the criminal justice environment is presented and students analyze and develop a proposed solution using theories, skills and knowledge learned during the program. Guidance is provided throughout the course to assist students with addressing the problem according to professional and scholarly standards.
Prerequisite(s): CJS5610, CJS5620, CJS5650, RSCH5700.
Offered at Online
3 Semester Credits