School of Legal Studies

Bachelor's Degree in Criminal Justice

PROGRAM INFO

Tuition ::

$8000

Per Credit Hour


Semester Tuition ::

$1,300   Now $1,200

8 Semesters Required

15 Credits Per Semester


Type ::

Bachelor's Degree


Study Method ::

Online


Accreditation ::

Ashworth College is accredited by the Distance Education and Training Council (DETC).

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The Bachelor of Science program in Criminal Justice is comprised of 40 courses of 3 credit hours each. Each online course contains a course overview, lecture notes, practice exercises, multiple choice tests and an online final exam.

Semesters: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8
Electives: Criminal Justice | General Education

First Semester ::

EN110 - Achieving Academic Excellence. Sharpen skills that will help you achieve maximum learning as you complete your degree program.

EN120 - Beginning English Writing. Concentrate on improving the basic English skills necessary to write fluently. Designed to help college students develop skills in the use of standard written English and/or in the writing of well developed, coherent paragraphs.

C10V - Introduction to Computers. Introduces fundamental concepts and terminology related to computer hardware, software, networks, graphics and design, and the Internet.

HS150 - World Civilizations I. Broad survey of world history from the ancient civilizations of Mesopotamia to the mid-sixteenth century, examining political, economic, and social structures as well as outstanding cultural expressions of each civilization in art, architecture, literature, and religion.

General Education Elective 1. Options for General Education Electives.


Second Semester ::

EN130 - English Composition. Learn critical thinking skills and writing techniques for organizing, composing and proofreading reports, summaries, short essays, and research papers.

C17V - College Mathematics. Review of basics math including manipulation of whole numbers, fractions, ratios, and percentages in problem solving; basic statistics; rational numbers; problem solving using basic algebra; and principles of geometry.

C04V - Introduction to Psychology. The study of psychology; psychological research; evolution, genes, and behavior; neurons, hormones, and the brain; body rhythms and mental states; sensation and perception; learning and conditioning; the environment and behavior.

SO115 - Essentials of Sociology. Provides an overview of the terminology, theories, and questions used by sociologists to study how groups, cultures, institutions, norms, and values all work to shape society and an individual’s perception of the world.

General Education Elective 2. Options for General Education Electives.


Third Semester ::

J11V - Report Writing. A hands-on course that examines various reports used by police officers and develops the writing skills needed for note taking, police reports, and warrants.

C11V - Macroeconomics. Introduction to macroeconomic analysis and policy in business and government; an examination of the foundation of macroeconomic principles as they apply to consumption, production, inflation, unemployment, banking, monetary and fiscal policy, income and international trade.

C13V - Microeconomics. Introduction to microeconomics, with emphasis on the functioning of individual markets and their effectiveness for resource allocation; price; production; competition theory; supply and demand; labor and wages; mergers and antitrust actions; income distribution; international trade.

HS250 - World Civilizations II. Survey of world history from the late-sixteenth century through the present with an emphasis on political, intellectual, and social history.

General Education Elective 3. Options for General Education Electives.


Fourth Semester ::

MA260 - Statistical Analysis I. Introduces the foundations of statistical analysis, including distributions, measures of location and dispersion, probability, the normal probability distribution, sampling and testing methods, and decision analysis.

C12V - Business Law. Examination of the legal system and the legal environment of business today; contracts and agreements; torts; personal property defined; sales; negotiable instruments; agency and employment; creating, modifying, and dissolving a business organization; risk-bearing devices; real property issues; summary cases in business law.

SO245 - Social Impact of Technology. Examination of the broad implications of technological innovation on social organizations in terms of personal, political, economic, and environmental issues.

General Education Elective 4. Options for General Education Electives.

General Education Elective 5. Options for General Education Electives.


Fifth Semester ::

CJ310 - Introduction to Criminal Justice. An examination of the American criminal justice system as an interdisciplinary social science involving aspects of criminology, sociology, law, and political science.

CJ340 - Criminology. An inspection of classic theories and current developments in theory, research, and policy with regard to such issues as mass and serial murder, hate and occult crimes, drugs and crime, career criminality, terrorism, and new forms of organized and white-collar crime.

CJ320 - American Constitutional Law. An examination of the historical development and constitutional principles of American government including inquiries into federalism, national and state powers, separation of powers, checks and balances, due process, and equal protection of the laws.  The primary focus will be on case law of the Supreme Court from the Marshall court to the present.

CJ330 - Criminal Law and Procedure. A comprehensive survey of source, distinctions, and limitations relating to criminal law; the development of criminal law in the United States; the principles of criminal liability; the various crimes and their elements; and the criteria considered in determining capacity and defenses.  Also explored are the elements of due process, rule of law, and the role of the Constitution in protecting rights.

CJ350 - Judicial Process. A study of the dynamics of courthouse justice including an overview of the legal basis for criminal courts, the legal actors - judges, prosecutors, and defense attorneys - and their working relationships, the stages through which criminal cases pass, and what happens after conviction.


Sixth Semester ::

CJ360 - Criminal Investigation. An examination of the fundamental principles and procedures employed in the investigation of a crime. Emphasis is placed on the investigation of specific crimes, the identification of sources of information, and the procedures necessary for the proper handling of evidence. Students develop a working knowledge of the steps of investigation beginning with the initial security of the crime scene and concluding with the presentation of evidence and proper testimony in court.

CJ400 - Ethics in the Justice System. An examination of a wide range of ethical issues in policing, the practice of law, sentencing, corrections, criminal justice research, and crime control policy.

CJ410 - Leadership in Law Enforcement. An examination of contemporary concepts and practices for first line supervisors in law enforcement.  Character, motivation, teamwork, and conflict resolution are emphasized in this practical, ethics-based approach to leadership in a complex organization.

CJ430 - Police and Community Relations. A study of the relationship between police and the community with recommendations for ways of working together to reduce crime.  Emphasis is placed on policing in a culturally diverse society.

CJ420 - Juveniles in the Justice System. A study of youthful crime: its volume, causes, and trends.  The prediction, prevention, treatment and control of juvenile delinquency by social control agencies is examined relative to social policies needed to reduce its incidence.  The organization and procedures of the juvenile justice system are also explored.


Seventh Semester ::

CJ440 - White Collar Crime.  In this course, students will review the debate regarding the definition of white collar crime, examine the costs of white-collar and corporate crime to society, consider competing theories to explain white collar criminality, and explore the use of criminal sanctions to deter the misconduct of corporations. 

CJ390 - Victimology. A comprehensive examination of the historical importance of victim restitution and contemporary developments within this field of study.  Students will explore the role of victimology in today's criminal justice system, investigate the consequences of victimization, and examine the various remedies now available for victims.

CJ450 - Private Security. An examination of private security from a historical and philosophical perspective.  Topics include the evolution of private security; basic security goals and responsibilities; investigation; loss prevention through risk management; security systems in the industrial, retail, commercial, and institutional settings; and current challenges facing the security profession.

Criminal Justice Elective 1. Options for Criminal Justice Electives.

General Education Elective 2. Options for Criminal Justice Electives.


Eighth Semester ::

CJ370 - Correctional Practice and Policy. A comprehensive study of the context, practices, and special interests of corrections.  Topics include the early history and current trends of correctional thought and practice, jails and other short-term facilities, intermediate sanctions, the prison experience, women in prison, institutional management, educational/treatment programs, prisoners’ rights, and race/ethnicity challenges.

CJ380 - Probation and Parole. An examination of the theory and practice of probation and parole, including presentence investigation, supervision of probationers, parole administration and services, treatment theory, parole officers, juvenile services, and new concepts (such as community-based corrections, the justice model, and determinate sentencing) that have impacted traditional probation and parole theory.

Criminal Justice Elective 3. Options for Criminal Justice Electives.

Criminal Justice Elective 4. Options for Criminal Justice Electives.

General Education Elective 5. Options for Criminal Justice Electives.


Criminal Justice Electives ::

BU310 - Fundamentals of Management. Offers a skill-based approach to planning and decision-making, organization theory, leadership, and motivation to provide a concrete understanding of how these processes relate to business activity.

BU350 - Organizational Behavior. Focuses on the people in the organization and how they work and behave in the work environment. It examines the behavior of individuals, the dynamics of teamwork, the processes of small groups, decision-making, problem solving, and conflict management.

BU490 - Business Ethics. Examines ethics and values in business, beginning with an introduction to ethics in business.  The perspective then broadens to include corporate ethics and the role of moral leadership in business, and concludes with an examination of ethical dilemmas created by an expanding global economy.

J08V – Domestic Violence. A careful examination of crimes committed by a family member against another family member, offering practical applications of theory and dispelling myths about victims and offenders.

P08V – Family Law. Emphasizes substantive law and overview of common procedures related to domestic relations law, including the formation and dissolution of marriage, marital property, child custody and support, and related matters. 

P09V – Legal Research and Writing. Intensive introduction to legal research tools and techniques, including retrieval of case and statutory authority, use of encyclopedias, legal periodicals, treatises and other secondary authority, proper case citation form, and the drafting of internal and external documents, letters, memoranda, and other written materials.

R04V - Human Relations. An examination of the four major issues in human relations:  understanding and managing one’s self, dealing effectively with others, fostering career success, and managing one’s personal life.  These issues are presented within the premise that career and personal success are interrelated.

S05V - Social Problems. Overview of social problems with emphasis on sexual variance, alcohol and drugs, crime and delinquency, violence, poverty, family problems, physical and mental illness, war, population, aging, urban problems, and environmental destruction.

S06V - Social Psychology. Introduction to the behavior of individuals as members of the larger society, with emphasis on beliefs, judgments, attitudes, conformity, persuasion, group influence, prejudice, aggression, intimacy, altruism, conflict, peacemaking, and practical applications.

S08V - Psychology of Personality. Factors shaping personality, including the biological (genes and evolution), the intrapsychic (factors within the mind that influence behavior, thoughts, and feelings), the dispositional (aspects of personality that are stable over time and relatively consistent in a variety of situations), the cognitive and experiential (perceptions, thoughts, feelings, desires, beliefs, and other conscious experiences), the social and cultural (social institutions, social roles and expectations, and relationships with other people), and adjustments to events in day-to-day life. 


General Education Electives ::

AR300 - Art History. Entry-level survey of art history that begins with primitive cave paintings from Lascoux, France and progresses to 20th century art from around the world. Covers a variety of artistic movements ranging from Classic Greek, Baroque, and Rococo to the Impressionists.

EN360 - Technical Documentation. Teaches the fundamentals of writing technical manuals for end users.

GE350 - World Geography. Introduction to the human and physical attributes that give uniqueness and diversity to world regional patterns on the Earth’s surface; provides a better background for understanding contemporary world events.

MA270 - Statistical Analysis II. Covers advanced topics in the statistical analysis of business operations and describes the application of statistical procedures for the purposes of forecasting, quality control, and decision-making.

PY360 - Ethics in Technology. Explores the diverse moral issues surrounding the use of computers and information technology today, with an emphasis on how one might determine the difference between ethical and unethical behavior in a number of scenarios.

SC140 - Elements of Chemistry. Designed for non-chemistry majors who have little or no chemistry background. Presents the basic tenets of chemistry relating to the environment, energy, and health, and provides an understanding of the chemical processes involved in the functioning body and environment.

SC160 - Basic Biology. Introduction to the essential principles of biology and the structure of biological systems.

SC260 - Introduction to Ecology. Explores the fundamental principles of ecosystem processes, community and ecosystem development, and species adaptation and diversity.


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