B.S., Criminal Justice Systems

Director's Message

Thank you for your interest in the ASAP criminal justice systems program. This program is tailored to meet your busy work and home life schedules. It will deliver an intellectual experience that is coupled with practical and real-life application. Through our ‘cohort’ model, instructors will present you with criminal justice material that is both enjoyable and educationally challenging. ASAP instructors are both academically and professionally experienced, and will help broaden your knowledge of current criminal justice issues.

Your journey with us will be stimulating, and we look forward to helping you achieve all of your potential.

With regards,

Dr. Thomas Tremer, Program Director
Professor of Criminology/Criminal Justice

Mr. David Boyer, Program Coordinator
Assistant Professor of Criminology/Criminal Justice

Skills & Job Information

Skills achieved:

- Knowledge of the criminal justice system
- Critical, reflective and analytical thinking
- Effective written and oral communication skills
- Problem solving and decision making

Jobs/Opportunities:

- Law enforcement
- Probation
- Juvenile services
- Secret Service
- Private security
- Court worker
- Correction officer
- Airport security
- Private investigator
- Intelligence officer
- Park ranger
- Pursue graduate degree

Program Curriculum

The Bachelor of Science in criminal justice curriculum consists of 17 courses and 51 credit hours. Students take classes that meet for four hours, one night each week. In addition to classroom hours, students are expected to invest approximately 1-2 hours outside of class for each classroom hour. For planning purposes, students will spend four hours each week in class, plus an additional four to eight hours outside of class, completing readings, assignments, case studies and group work.

CJS 301 Current Issues in Criminal Justice

Study of selected current issues in the field of criminal justice systems, within the context of the origins, histories, ideologies associated with law enforcement, judicial, and corrections components. Intended for adult learners with appropriate backgrounds in the criminal justice field.

CJS 315 Deviance and Social Control

Advanced study of what constitutes deviant behavior and the interaction between deviants and the agents of social control. Emphasis on relevant theories in contemporary criminological research. Intended for adult learners.

CJS 303 Criminology

Critical examination of theories and research findings in criminology; methods of control and treatment of crime; evaluation of theories and methods as they apply to selected types of crimes, with emphasis on needs and directions for future efforts.

CJS 305 Criminal Law and Procedure

Comparative study of the criminal law with emphasis in the United States Constitution, highlighting First, Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth Amendments; prosecution and defense in crimes against persons, property, and public order; application of the New York state penal law and definitions.

POL 321 Constitutional Law: Civil Liberties and Rights

A study of the Constitution of the United States and its relationship to the following: the judicial structure and process, political dimensions of judicial review, federation and separations of power; civil liberties, and civil rights in a democratic society.

CJS 307 Current Issues in Law Enforcement

Scrutiny of current issues in law enforcement at local, state, and federal levels. Analysis of current styles of policing, and interactions among police, citizens, and the media. Identification and analysis of problem areas such as police corruption, use of excessive force and violation of citizen privacy rights. Intended for adult learners.

CJS 309 The Judicial System

Detailed study of the functioning of the American judicial system. Emphasis on the study of the influence of politics on the judiciary. Analysis of current issues before the courts. Intended for adult learners, utilizing adult learning theory.

CJS 313 Punishment and Corrections

Detailed analysis of philosophies, theories, and practices surrounding punishment and corrections. Critical examination of incarceration, probation, parole, and the issue of capital punishment. Intended for adult learners, utilizing adult learning theory.

CJS 317 Juvenile Delinquency: Developments and Trends

This course approaches juvenile delinquency as a unique kind of crime, different from ordinary adult crime in etiology, motive, prevention, justice system, and treatment. Emphasis on research findings and synthesis or theoretical perspectives in analysis and explanation of delinquency.

CJS 321 The Investigative Process

Scientific inquiry into the methods employed in successful crime solving. Emphasis on evidence gathering, criminalistics, case preparation and criminal profiling. Secondary emphasis on report writing skills. Intended for adult learners, utilizing adult learning theory.

CJS 403 White Collar Crime

Offenses committed by the more privileged members of society in the course of their occupation, including crimes such as embezzlement committed by individuals for personal gain, and crimes for corporate gain that violate business law committed as part of regular business practice.

ENG 302 Research and Writing for Professionals

Designed for adult learners making the transition back to the demands of college-level thinking, research, and writing at the upper-division level, the course will extend and refine the composition, analytical, thinking, and information literacy skills that students have acquired through prior college composition courses and direct work experience in the criminal justice system. Foundation course for CJS 405, Criminal Justice Action Research Project.

PSY 336 Abnormal Psychology and Psychopathy

Disordered behavior, major syndromes, theories of etiology, approaches to treatment, and their relationship to criminal behavior.

SOC 302 Ethnic Diversity

Interrelations of various American minority groups to dominant or other minority groups including tension, conflicts, and accommodations as well as consequences of the subordinate-dominant groups and individuals.

PHL 302 Ethics in Criminal Justice

Foundations, presuppositions, and meaning of morality; major ethical theories and standards of conduct; applications of ethical theories and principles to the behavior of criminal justice practitioners, and identification and analysis of current ethical problems related to criminal justice. Intended for adult learners, utilizing the adult learning theory.

INS 301 Integrative Studies II (Topic)

An upperclass course, taken after most other core requirements are completed, it provides students with guidance in their application of interdisciplinary knowledge to problem solving. Students are challenged to practice critical and creative thinking skills, and are expected to demonstrate competence in oral, written, and other creative modes of expression.

CJS 405 Criminal Justice Action Research Project

Design, implementation, and reporting of an original criminal justice research project. Application of research and communication skills to prepare, present, and defend relevant findings to a critical audience.

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