Criminal Justice
Associate in Science
Modern criminal justice professionals must be educated in a vast array of subject matter that reaches far beyond what is learned in the academy. Goodwin College developed the Criminal Justice program with the intent of offering students a hands-on experience as well as a traditional class room education. The combination will make them well-rounded and capable of understanding today's changing criminal justice system.
The Associate Degree in Criminal Justice provides students the opportunity to experience and learn about all aspects of the criminal justice system. The program will develop the critical thinking skills necessary for modern law enforcement, security, emergency response and investigative professions. Students will be exposed to contemporary policing issues as well as the historical development and future of criminal justice. The Criminal Justice program offers a unique opportunity to focus elective courses on homeland security, computer crime, forensics or law enforcement, in addition to the contemporary law enforcement subjects.
Upon completion of the program, students should be prepared for entry-level positions or advancement in a criminal justice profession. These career opportunities may be in areas such as federal, state, or municipal law enforcement, corrections and security, and include jobs such as Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Transportation Security Administration, Federal Bureau of Prisons, and private and personal security agencies.
Program Outcomes
Upon successful completion of all program requirements, graduates will be able to:
- Explain the basic structure and functions of the American Criminal Justice System, including the juvenile justice system.
- Discuss the development of the corrections system in the United States, including the systems of probation, parole and community supervision.
- Identify the structure and function of the Federal and State court systems.
- Demonstrate knowledge of the development of criminal law and criminal procedure.
- Discuss the effects of a culturally diverse society on the development of the Criminal Justice System.
- Understand the ethical and legal issues of criminal justice professionals.
- Assess the basic issues and problems in policing, the courts, and corrections in America.
- Identify the major sociological theories that may explain criminal behavior and delinquency.
Additionally, graduates will complete the comprehensive learning outcomes of the General Education components.
Graduation Requirements
Students are required to complete the major core courses with a GPA of 2.3 or higher. In addition, students must complete the general graduation requirements as stated in the catalog.
Curriculum
Associate in Criminal Justice
General Education Core requirements - 24-25 credits
English Composition |
3 |
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Investigative Report Writing |
3 |
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CAP 1XX |
Computer Literacy Elective |
3 |
|
COM 1XX |
Oral Communication Elective |
3 |
|
S 1XX |
Social Science Elective |
3 |
|
MATH 1XX |
Math Elective |
3 |
|
SCI 1XX |
Science Elective |
3-4 |
|
Ethical and Legal Issues |
3 |
||
Non-Major Core Requirements - 3 credits
The College Experience |
3 |
Criminal Justice Major Core Requirements - 21 credits
Freshman Year
CJS 101 |
Introduction to Criminal Justice and the Law |
3 |
CJS 112 |
Criminal Procedure |
3 |
CJS 140 |
Introduction to Corrections |
3 |
CJS 150 |
Criminology |
3 |
Sophomore Year
CJS 210 |
Criminal Law |
3 |
CJS 243 |
Juvenile Justice in America |
3 |
CJS 299 |
Internship OR |
|
CJS 290 |
Research Project in Criminal Justice OR |
|
CJS 250 |
Service Learning |
3 |
Electives - 12 credits
CJS 1XX |
Electives |
6 |
||
CJS 2XX |
Elective |
3 |
||
Open |
Elective |
3 |
||
|
Total Credits in Program |
60-61 |
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