Criminology and Criminal Justice
Mission
The School of Criminology and Criminal Justice offers high quality educational programming to support students in gaining the knowledge and skills necessary for a successful career in criminology and criminal justice or related social services fields. Students can participate in scholarly and applied research projects that involve collaborative partnerships with local and federal agencies. Students learn about emerging technologies as a means of improving and advancing criminology and criminal justice. We provide opportunities for students to connect with professionals in the classroom as well as through extracurricular events. Students are strongly encouraged to complete an internship to gain field experience prior to their graduation.
Student Learning Outcomes
- Demonstrate mastery of core content areas in criminology and criminal justice.
- Locate, integrate and use information from varied sources to effectively communicate in writing and other mediums.
- Apply specialized knowledge through field-based learning experiences, civic and/or community engagement activities, and/or policy analysis.
- Explain diverse positions, including those representing different cultural, economic, and geographic interests in the context of criminology and criminal justice.
Academic Advising
All CRCJ majors are strongly advised to schedule an appointment with our advising staff each semester. Advisors provide assistance with degree planning and course scheduling. They are also available to answer questions regarding major/minors, academic performance, and SCCJ policies or procedures. To contact an Omaha academic advisor, call 402.554.2610. To contact a Lincoln academic advisor, call 402.472.3677
Transferring to Criminology and Criminal Justice
Students wishing to transfer from another institution or department within the University of Nebraska must have a 2.0 cumulative grade point average to be admitted into the criminology and criminal justice program. Contact the school for more details on the transfer policy.
Degree Requirements
- A minimum of 30 of the last 36 semester credit hours must be earned by the student in residence in the University of Nebraska System. (Summer independent study courses are not considered in residence.)
- At least 21 hours of criminal justice must be taken at the University of Nebraska, on either the Omaha or Lincoln campus.
- A minimum of 33 credit hours must be earned in upper division (3000/4000-level) courses. At least 21 of these upper division hours must be taken in the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice courses, and 12 hours of 3000/4000 level courses are required in a concentration/minor (see course requirements section).
- A maximum of 12 credit hours of departmental independent study and internship courses may be applied toward the BCCJ degree. No more than 6 hours of CRCJ 3970 and CRCJ 3980 may apply and no more than 6 hours of CRCJ 4950 may apply.
- A maximum of 30 hours from any one department may be applied toward the BCCJ degree.
- A maximum of 24 hours may be taken pass/no pass and none of the 39 hours required for the criminology and criminal justice major may be taken pass/no pass (excluding CRCJ 3970).
- Six hours of credit for basic military training may be applied to the BCCJ degree.
- Credit from an institution that is not regionally accredited cannot be applied to the BCCJ degree.
Fast Track
The School of Criminology and Criminal Justice has developed a Fast Track program for highly qualified and motivated students providing the opportunity to complete a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in an accelerated time frame. With Fast Track, students may count up to 9 graduate hours toward the completion of their undergraduate program as well as the graduate degree program.
Program Specifics:
- This program is available for undergraduate students pursuing any of the following:
- BS in Criminology or Criminal Justice on either the UNO or UNL campuses
- Double-major at UNO with a BS in Criminology and Criminal Justice as either the primary or secondary major
- BMS with a concentration in Criminology and Criminal Justice
- Students must have completed no less than 75 undergraduate hours.
- Students must have a minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.5.
- Students must complete the Fast Track Approval form and obtain all signatures and submit to the Office of Graduate Studies prior to first enrollment in a graduate course.
- Students will work with their undergraduate advisor to register for the graduate courses.
- A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 is required for graduate coursework to remain in good standing.
- Students remain undergraduates until they meet all the requirements for the undergraduate degree and are eligible for all rights and privileges granted undergraduate status including financial aid.
- Near the end of the undergraduate program, formal application to the graduate program is required. The application fee will be waived, the applicant will need to contact the Office of Graduate Studies for a fee waiver code.
- Admission to Fast Track does NOT guarantee admission to the graduate program. Successful completion of the graduate courses will be a significant consideration during the evaluation of admission to the MA or MS in Criminology and Criminal Justice.
- The admit term must be after the completion term of the undergraduate degree.
Special Note: Eligible undergraduate students may enroll in any 8000-level CRCJ course approved by the SCCJ program.
Student Group Opportunities for Undergraduate and Graduate students
Criminal Justice Student Organization (CJSO)
Association of Blacks and Browns in Criminal Justice
Alpha Phi Sigma (APS) National Criminal Justice Honor Society, Eta Chapter
Future Law Enforcement Professionals Student Organization
UNO SCCJ Graduate Student Organization
Contact
The UNO School of Criminology and Criminal Justice offers courses on the Omaha and Lincoln campuses. The Omaha office is located in the College of Public Affairs and Community Service Building (CPACS), Room 218. Our office can be reached by phone at 402.554.2610. The Lincoln office is located in Nebraska Hall, Room 310 and can be reached by phone at 402.472.3677. Events for both campus locations are regularly posted on our Website, Facebook page #unosccj, Twitter feed @unosccj, and Instagram @unosccj1.
Degrees Offered
**Criminal justice courses are offered on the Omaha and Lincoln campuses of the University of Nebraska. The BCCJ degree can be earned in its entirety on the Lincoln campus; however, the degree is conferred by the University of Nebraska at Omaha.
If you seek a career such as a police officer, DEA agent, probation officer or correctional counselor, a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminology and Criminal Justice is a key step towards turning that aspiration into reality. The CRCJ program at UNO provides undergraduates an excellent foundation in the theories of crime and the criminal justice response to crime while also introducing students to criminological research methods.
Law Enforcement
- Alcohol, Tobacco, & Firearms (ATF)
- Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA)
- FBI Agent
- Federal Protective Service Officer
- IRS Agent
- Military Police
- Postal Inspector
- Secret Service Agent
- United States Marshal
- Nonprofit Management
- Animal Control
- Police Officer
- Arson Investigation
- Campus Police
- Deputy Sheriff
- Fish & Game Officer
- Highway Patrol
Probation
- Diversion Program Coordinator
- Pretrial Services Officer
- Probation Officer (Juvenile/Adult)
Corrections
- Corrections Counselor
- Corrections Officer
- Juvenile Corrections
- Parole Officer (Juvenile/Adult)
- Prerelease Counselor
- Recreation Leader
- Warden
Courts/Law
- Bailiff
- Court Administrator
- Court Reporter
- Investigator for law offices
- Lawyer
- Legal Researcher
- Paralegal/Legal Assistant
Homeland Security
- Customs Inspector
- Emergency Management
- Coordinator
- Federal Air Marshal
- FEMA Positions
- Intelligence Analyst
- Investigative Specialist
- Immigration Inspector
- Linguists
- Surveillance Specialist
- TSA Officer
- Border Patrol Agent
Private Security
- Security Director
- Loss Prevention Specialist
- Private Security Officer
- Credit Investigator
- Bank Fraud Investigator
- Legal Researcher
Juvenile Services
- Aftercare Counselor
- Child Protective Services Worker
- Detention Counselor
- Group Home Worker
- Rehabilitation Coordinator
- Runaway Counselor
- School Attendance Officer
- Youth Advocate
Victim Services
- Caseworker
- Child Support Agency Worker
- Crisis Center Coordinator
- Crisis Counselor
- Domestic Violence
- Advocate/Counselor
- Social Worker
- Victim/Witness Service Coordinator
Research
- Legislative Assistant
- Professor
- Research Analyst}
Course Descriptions (Per Subject)
CRCJ 1010 SURVEY OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE (3 credits)
This course is designed to provide an overview of the justice process and the criminal justice system in general. Concepts of crime and justice are discussed as well as the rights of individuals in a democratic society. The law enforcement, judicial, juvenile justice, and corrections systems are explored.
Distribution: Social Science General Education course
CRCJ 2030 POLICE AND SOCIETY (3 credits)
This course is designed to explore the role of the police in American society. Attention is given to the origins of policing, the nature of police organizations and police work, and patterns of relations between the police and the public. The values of a democratic society as they affect the law enforcement role are discussed.
Prerequisite(s)/Corequisite(s): CRCJ 1010, or permission
CRCJ 2110 CRIMINAL COURT SYSTEM (3 credits)
The purpose of this course is to give you a greater understanding of the U.S. criminal courts system. In this course we will cover topics such as judges, lawyers, litigants, criminal and civil procedure, state and federal courts, and theories of judicial decision making. We will analyze these concepts, actors and institutions from a variety of perspectives. The course will include discussions of the constitutional rules and case law as they apply to the courts process.
Prerequisite(s)/Corequisite(s): CRCJ 1010, or permission
CRCJ 2210 SURVEY OF CORRECTIONS (3 credits)
This course provides an overview of the American criminal justice system correctional responses to criminal offending. We explore the history, philosophy, and law underlying corrections. We will focus on understanding risks and needs of offenders, treatment options and types of correctional sanctions in the U.S. These include, but are not limited to probation, jail, intermediate sanction, prison and the death penalty.
Prerequisite(s)/Corequisite(s): CRCJ 1010, or permission
CRCJ 2220 COMMUNITY-BASED CORRECTIONS (3 credits)
This course is designed to familiarize the student with the most recent developments in community-based corrections. Discussion will focus on the issues related to implementation, management, effectiveness and challenges of community-based programs. Students will be provided a broad overview of the structure and functions of Community-based Corrections. By the end of the course, students should expect to understand the best practices in community corrections.
Prerequisite(s)/Corequisite(s): CRCJ 1010, or permission
CRCJ 2410 CRIMINAL PROCEDURE (3 credits)
This course deals with the legal aspects of the investigation, arrest processes, and criminal trial proceedings, as well as the rules governing the admissibility of evidence in criminal court proceedings.
Prerequisite(s)/Corequisite(s): CRCJ 1010, or permission
CRCJ 2510 RESEARCH METHODS (3 credits)
The primary goal of this course is to facilitate your growth as both consumers and producers of research. We will explore a variety of methodologies (e.g., survey research/self-report, official stats/secondary data, quasi-experimental design, etc.) used in criminological and criminal justice research. Further, we will evaluate these methodologies within the context of design concerns such as: research purpose, operationalization, validity, reliability, and ethics.
Prerequisite(s)/Corequisite(s): CRCJ 1010, or permission
CRCJ 3000 APPLIED STATISTICS AND DATA PROCESSING IN PUBLIC SECTOR (3 credits)
A course on the use of data and statistical methods to explore and make inferences about society, while critically considering the influence of context and the powers and limitations of quantitative evidence. (Cross-listed with PA 3000, SOWK 3000).
Prerequisite(s)/Corequisite(s): ACT of 19 or higher or successful completion of MATH 1120, MATH 1130, MATH 1220, MATH 1300 or MATH 1320 with a C- or higher
CRCJ 3010 PHILOSOPHY OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE (3 credits)
This course is a philosophical examination of justice and its administration. It provides the student with a richer understanding of the conceptual foundations of justice.
Prerequisite(s)/Corequisite(s): CRCJ 1010, ENGL 1160, and 45 credit hours; or permission
CRCJ 3100 WRITING FOR CRIMINAL JUSTICE (3 credits)
This is a writing course for all Criminology and Criminal Justice majors. Students will learn how to write effective cover letters, incident reports, position papers, and executive summaries.
Prerequisite(s)/Corequisite(s): ENGL 1150, ENGL 1160, and CRCJ 1010. Not open to non-degree graduate students.
Distribution: Writing in the Discipline Single Course
CRCJ 3310 CRIMINAL LAW (3 credits)
This course will examine the development of the criminal law, the elements and types of criminal offenses, as well as principles of criminal culpability.
Prerequisite(s)/Corequisite(s): CRCJ 1010, ENGL 1160, and 45 credit hours; or permission
CRCJ 3350 CRIMINOLOGY (3 credits)
This course is about facts and frameworks. The facts that we are interested in are facts about criminal behavior and the frameworks are theories that organize these facts in a coherent fashion. As we learn about criminological facts and the theories that organize these facts we will pay attention to research so that we understand how these facts are developed and how these theories are tested. We will also try to draw out the policy implications of the various facts and theories that we address.
Prerequisite(s)/Corequisite(s): CRCJ 1010, ENGL 1160, and 45 credit hours; or permission
CRCJ 3370 JUVENILE DELINQUENCY AND JUVENILE JUSTICE (3 credits)
This course has been designed to provide and expose students to a broad base of information about juveniles, youth in need of supervision, youth crime and how these areas are handled within the juvenile justice system in the United States. This course will examine the juvenile justice system and the role of family, peers, school, courts, law enforcement, corrections, and the broader community as it pertains to the life of a juvenile.
Prerequisite(s)/Corequisite(s): CRCJ 1010, ENGL 1160, and 45 credit hours; or permission
CRCJ 3380 RACE, ETHNICITY, AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE (3 credits)
This course provides a survey of minority groups and their experiences with regard to crime and criminal justice in the United States. This course will focus on racial and ethnic minorities as victims, as offenders, as defendants, and as criminal justice professionals.
Prerequisite(s)/Corequisite(s): CRCJ 1010, ENGL 1160, and 45 credit hours; or permission
Distribution: U.S. Diversity General Education course
CRCJ 3390 WOMEN, CRIME AND JUSTICE (3 credits)
This course focuses on women's experiences in the criminal justice system. The course will examine women's experiences as victims of crime, as offenders, as prisoners, and as criminal justice professionals. (Cross-listed with WGST 3390)
Prerequisite(s)/Corequisite(s): WGST major; CRCJ or WGST minor; CRCJ 1010, ENGL 1160, and 45 credit hours; or permission
Distribution: U.S. Diversity General Education course
CRCJ 3410 LAW AND THE BLACK COMMUNITY (3 credits)
Law and the Black Community provides an in-depth examination of the racialized American legal process as it pertains to and affects African Americans in the U.S. From the formation of the U.S. Constitution to present day, this course analyzes intersections of race, law, politics and culture, and explores the administration of justice and Black experiences through a critical legal perspective. (Cross-listed with BLST 3410).
Prerequisite(s)/Corequisite(s): BLST 1000 OR CRCJ 1010 OR Junior standing OR instructor permission.
CRCJ 3970 INTERNSHIP IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE (3 credits)
A minimum of 160 hours of experiential learning with criminal justice agencies. The internship program integrates learning with service. It allows students to learn occupational skills and competencies and develop professional relationships with organizations involved in the criminal justice sector, at the same time, students will apply criminological theories to their work. The internship prepares students to demonstrate the integration of professional ethics and values, knowledge and skills, and the capacity to think critically and constructively.
Prerequisite(s)/Corequisite(s): CRCJ 1010, ENGL 1160, 75 credit hours completed, GPA of 2.5, and permission of instructor.
CRCJ 4000 MENTAL HEALTH & CRIMINAL JUSTICE (3 credits)
This course focuses on the intersection of individuals with mental health, substance abuse, and/or severe and persistent mental illness diagnoses and the criminal justice system. Students will examine how individuals become involved in the criminal justice system and how the criminal justice system and other social services respond to their involvement.
Prerequisite(s)/Corequisite(s): CRCJ 1010, ENGL 1160, and 45 credit hours; or permission
CRCJ 4030 CRIMINAL JUSTICE ORGANIZATION AND ADMINISTRATION (3 credits)
This course covers contemporary concepts, principles and theories of organization and administration as they relate to criminal justice agencies. The historical development and modern principles of policy administration are also contrasted. The primary goal of this course is to identify the basic structure and function of criminal justice organizations, while paying particular attention to how criminal justice organizations are managed and led.
Prerequisite(s)/Corequisite(s): CRCJ 1010, ENGL 1160, and 45 credit hours; or permission
CRCJ 4060 CRIMINAL JUSTICE ETHICS (3 credits)
This course is designed to examine ethical issues that arise in the three major areas of criminal justice: police; courts; and corrections. The course explores general philosophical theories of ethics as well as Codes of Ethics that operate to control the institutional and personal behavior of police, court, and correctional systems.
Prerequisite(s)/Corequisite(s): CRCJ 1010, ENGL 1160, and 45 credit hours; or permission
CRCJ 4110 BIOSOCIAL CRIMINOLOGY (3 credits)
This course is designed to acquaint students with the biological, genetic, and environmental origins to criminal and antisocial behavior. Toward this end, we will examine an array of topics including personality development, brain functioning, and the biosocial basis of crime. Discussion will also center on the manner in which various environmental influences operate through biological mechanisms to influence criminal behavior across different stages of the life course. Particular emphasis will be placed on using empirical-based research to understand the etiology of antisocial and criminal conduct and issues pertaining to the criminal justice system.
Prerequisite(s)/Corequisite(s): CRCJ 1010, ENGL 1160, and 45 credit hours; or permission
CRCJ 4130 SOCIOLOGY OF DEVIANT BEHAVIOR (3 credits)
This course is designed to investigate the etiology of many forms of norm-violating conduct. Emphasis will be placed on rule-breaking behavior as defined in the criminal statutes. (Cross-listed with CRCJ 8136).
Prerequisite(s)/Corequisite(s): CRCJ 1010, ENGL 1160, and 45 credit hours; or permission
CRCJ 4210 INSTITUTIONAL CORRECTIONS (3 credits)
The course presents an in-depth analysis of the history and operation of prisons and jails in the United States and other countries. The course covers the management and operation of prisons and jails from the perspective of both employees and incarcerated persons.
Prerequisite(s)/Corequisite(s): CRCJ 1010, ENGL 1160, and 45 credit hours; or permission
CRCJ 4400 DOMESTIC VIOLENCE (3 credits)
This course examines the criminal justice system response to domestic violence/intimate partner violence. A focus on the interactions between battered victims and components of the criminal justice system, as well as the role of the community in addressing and preventing this violence serves as the foundation for this course. Students will also gain insight into factors contributing to the incidence of intimate partner violence, explore the background/history of domestic violence.
Prerequisite(s)/Corequisite(s): CRCJ 1010, ENGL 1160, and 45 credit hours; or permission
CRCJ 4410 VICTIMOLOGY (3 credits)
This course has been taught several times as a special topics course with good enrollment each time. Victimology is a necessary component of a comprehensive Criminology & Criminal Justice curriculum. Whereas criminology is the study of criminal behavior and criminal justice is the study of the system's response, both interact with victims. That is, most crimes have victims and it is important for students to understand the characteristics of victims and how the criminal justice system responds to victims.
Prerequisite(s)/Corequisite(s): CRCJ 1010, ENGL 1160, and 45 credit hours; or permission
CRCJ 4420 CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT (3 credits)
This course addresses issues related to child abuse and neglect investigation, intervention and prevention efforts facilitated through criminal justice system processes. Course content discusses the history of child maltreatment, definitional challenges, statistical trends, physical and behavioral indicators, mandatory reporting, investigative processes, intervention strategies and prevention efforts.
Prerequisite(s)/Corequisite(s): CRCJ 1010, ENGL 1160, and 45 credit hours; or permission
CRCJ 4430 HUMAN TRAFFICKING (3 credits)
This course is designed to provide students with a systematic introduction to the study of human trafficking. Students will learn about what constitutes human trafficking, theories of victimization as they apply to trafficking, debates about the language and definitions surrounding sex trafficking and prostitution. Students will discuss the prevalence, predictors, and consequences of various forms of trafficking and critically assess efforts related to measurement, intervention, and prevision.
Prerequisite(s)/Corequisite(s): CRCJ 1010, ENGL 1160, and 45 credit hours; or permission
CRCJ 4440 VICTIMS' RIGHTS AND SERVICES (3 credits)
This course focuses on the experiences of victims of crime through the criminal justice system, from reporting the crime to case closure. Students will learn about the types of victim services and advocacy throughout various points of the criminal justice system (e.g., police, courts, corrections), as well as about the history of victims' rights and the development of victim services over time.
Prerequisite(s)/Corequisite(s): CRCJ 1010, ENGL 1160, and 45 credit hours; or permission
CRCJ 4450 SEXUAL VIOLENCE (3 credits)
This course will examine the complicated nature and dynamics of sexual violence. Students will learn about the nature and extent of sexual violence. Data and measurement issues will be addressed as well as the history of system responses to sexual violence and victimization.
Prerequisite(s)/Corequisite(s): CRCJ 1010, ENGL 1160, and 45 credit hours; or permission
CRCJ 4510 VIOLENCE (3 credits)
This course is a survey of the nature and extent of violence. The focus is on patterns of violence across social groups, the causes and correlates of violence and violent behavior, and programs/policies geared toward violence prevention and reduction. Also of interest is the relationship between theory and violence research. (Cross-listed with CRCJ 8516).
Prerequisite(s)/Corequisite(s): CRCJ 1010, ENGL 1160, and 45 credit hours; or permission
CRCJ 4520 DRUGS AND CRIME (3 credits)
Drugs and Crime is an introduction course to the major facts and issues concerning criminal justice and drug-taking behavior in America. It is specifically designed to provide the means for understanding (1) the multiple challenges that drug abuse brings to our society, (2) the drug control policies we have enacted to meet those challenges, (3) the range of international and domestic law enforcement efforts and drug control strategy, and (4) the systems of criminal justice that have been established to deal with the prosecution of drug law offenders.
Prerequisite(s)/Corequisite(s): CRCJ 1010, ENGL 1160, and 45 credit hours; or permission
CRCJ 4540 CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS (3 credits)
This course examines the processes, practices, and people involved in the investigation of criminal acts, highlighting recent developments in policy, tactics and technology. We explore theoretical approaches to investigating various crimes, examining how aspects of each approach can benefit investigators. We will analyze, discuss, and learn how to complete thorough investigations that will ensure best chances for successful case prosecution in court.
Prerequisite(s)/Corequisite(s): CRCJ 1010, ENGL 1160, and 45 credit hours; or permission
CRCJ 4550 GANGS AND GANG CONTROL (3 credits)
This course will examine criminal street gangs, including these gangs’ members, activities, underlying dynamics, and the roles that drugs and sex trafficking play in gang activity. We will consider the history and proliferation of gangs in the United States, common characteristics of U.S. gangs across different regions, how gangs obtain their power and the connection between street gangs and prison gangs. Lastly, we will evaluate multiple methods employed by communities and law enforcement to control and defeat criminal street gangs.
Prerequisite(s)/Corequisite(s): CRCJ 1010, ENGL 1160, and 45 credit hours; or permission
CRCJ 4560 HOMICIDE INVESTIGATIONS (3 credits)
This course is designed to present an overview of the crime of homicide. Attention is given to homicide data, theories of why homicides occur, types of homicide, investigating/solving homicides, prosecuting homicide cases, and the impact on co-victims and society as a whole. Students will use critical thinking skills while exploring various investigative techniques.
Prerequisite(s)/Corequisite(s): CRCJ 1010, ENGL 1160, and 45 credit hours; or permission
CRCJ 4710 COMPARATIVE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEMS: ENGLAND (3 credits)
This is a specialized course which provides a comparison of the criminal justice systems of the United States and the United Kingdom. The design of the course allows for an exploration of how the American system developed from the British system and why social and cultural factors influenced the differences/similarities in their development.
Prerequisite(s)/Corequisite(s): CRCJ 1010, ENGL 1160, and 45 credit hours and instructor permission
CRCJ 4740 HOMELAND SECURITY (3 credits)
Students will learn about the history of homeland security including historical laws and regulations constructing and modifying the current national structure of homeland security in the United States. They will examine the complexities of homeland security while exploring disciplinary subfields of threats to national security including counterterrorism studies, transportation security, border security and immigration, cybersecurity, community resilience, and the associated response of the homeland security apparatus. This course is recommended for students with an interest in criminal justice careers at the federal level.
Prerequisite(s)/Corequisite(s): CRCJ 1010, ENGL 1160, and 45 credit hours; or permission
CRCJ 4750 INTERNATIONAL CRIMINOLOGY AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE (3 credits)
This course analyzes the dynamics of criminality and the social response to criminality across countries. Differences in crime and justice between developed and developing countries and between socialist and capitalist nations are emphasized.
Prerequisite(s)/Corequisite(s): CRCJ 1010, ENGL 1160, and 45 credit hours; or permission
Distribution: Global Diversity General Education course
CRCJ 4760 TERRORISM (3 credits)
This course is designed to assist the student in developing an understanding of terrorism as a political crime. It includes an examination of the social, political and psychological aspects of this behavior.
Prerequisite(s)/Corequisite(s): CRCJ 1010, ENGL 1160, and 45 credit hours; or permission
Distribution: Global Diversity General Education course
CRCJ 4770 ORGANIZED CRIME (3 credits)
A course designed to trace the origins and historical development of the activities that have come to be known as organized crime. These crimes are some of the most dangerous to American society and range from the commonly known offenses of gambling, shylocking and narcotics trafficking to the more subtle and sophisticated, less understood but equally serious, crimes of extortion, commercial bribery and political corruption.
Prerequisite(s)/Corequisite(s): CRCJ 1010, ENGL 1160, and 45 credit hours; or permission
CRCJ 4780 WHITE COLLAR CRIME (3 credits)
This course is designed to examine those illegal acts committed by non-physical means and by concealment or guile, to obtain money or property, to avoid the payment or loss of money or property, or to obtain business or personal advantage.
Prerequisite(s)/Corequisite(s): CRCJ 1010, ENGL 1160, and 45 credit hours; or permission
CRCJ 4800 SPECIAL TOPICS (1-3 credits)
This course is a topical approach that explores various aspects of Criminology and Criminal Justice. Topics and disciplines will vary from term to term. Course description will be announced in advance. This course will be devoted to the exploration and analysis of contemporary problems in the criminal justice system. On occasion the course will be offered in three one-credit hour modules and students may register for one, two or three credit hours.
Prerequisite(s)/Corequisite(s): CRCJ 1010, ENGL 1160, and 45 credit hours; or permission
CRCJ 4950 INDEPENDENT STUDY (1-3 credits)
Faculty-guided research in an area of mutual interest to the student and his instructor. Students are responsible for selecting the area of inquiry prior to contacting the instructor. May be repeated to a maximum of six hours.
Prerequisite(s)/Corequisite(s): CRCJ 1010, ENGL 1160, and 45 credit hours and instructor permission
CRCJ 4960 ISSUES IN CRIME AND JUSTICE (3 credits)
This is a capstone course that will focus on contemporary issues of crime and justice. It will examine the justice process and the general operations of the criminal justice system. Concepts of crime and deviance, rights and discrimination in a democratic society will be reviewed and critiqued against the backdrop of contemporary issues. The law enforcement, judicial, juvenile justice, and corrections subsystems will be explored, and a number of reform proposals presented and considered.
Prerequisite(s)/Corequisite(s): CRCJ majors with senior standing, OR permission of the instructor.
CRCJ 4970 SENIOR HONORS PROJECT/THESIS (3-6 credits)
An independent research project supervised by School faculty. The senior honors project must be approved by the CPACS Honors Coordinator.
CRCJ 4990 APPLIED SENIOR ASSESSMENT (1 credit)
Prerequisite(s)/Corequisite(s): Students must register for CRCJ 4990 in the term in which they plan to graduate. Not open to non-degree graduate students.