Cedar Crest College

Criminal Justice – Major/Minor

For information, contact Scott Hoke.

Criminal justice is the study of the social factors, social conditions and environmental influences that affect the development of human behavior that is contrary to commonly accepted norms. It is a field of study that attempts to scientifically examine the causes, personal and societal consequences, and effective preventative/rehabilitative responses to socially dysfunctional behavior such as crime, drug abuse, violence, prejudice and human exploitation.

Housed in the Social Sciences Department, the criminal justice major at Cedar Crest College is designed to provide an academically challenging program of studies that will promote educational excellence in the preparation of women to assume leadership positions in the various professional arenas associated with criminal justice.

Primarily, the coursework has been designed to continually encourage the student to examine the critical issues faced by today’s professional. These issues are introduced early in the curriculum and are continually built upon with each advanced course. In addition, courses from other fields of study have been specifically chosen for their ability to further examine these critical issues from a non-criminal justice perspective. This provides the student with an understanding of the key issues not seen in other area curriculums.

Additionally, the emphasis on research methods, evaluation and presentation allows the student to develop leadership skills through the practical application of problem solving strategies. Combined with a sound field experience, the student is allowed to apply material presented throughout the curriculum to the professional setting, further enhancing their ability to understand, process, and evaluate the critical issues facing the profession.

Field Experience

The field experience enables the student to apply knowledge acquired in the major in a criminal justice agency of the student’s choice. This application of knowledge is vital to the career placement of the graduate. Students are required to engage in a 225-hour experience, 16 hours per week in a community setting developed by the criminal justice faculty.

In addition, a field experience seminar has been designed to be taken concurrent with the field experience. The seminar provides an opportunity for students to critically assess learning in the field with theoretical concepts associated with the major in criminal justice.

Academic Requirements

In order to participate in, or maintain one’s status in the Criminal Justice Program students must have achieved a GPA of at least 2.000; must receive no less than a C in any of the professional courses; and must complete the required field experience.

Additionally, students must complete a criminal history check. Students will not be permitted into the program if they possess either a felony conviction, or a misdemeanor involving the possession or use of a controlled substance; fraud; violence; or child neglect or abuse.

Requirements for the Criminal Justice Major

(Please note: Transfer students should consult with Assistant Professor Scott Hoke, as to specific requirements as contained in articulation agreements with their current college.)

The major in criminal justice consists of the following foundation courses:

ANT 100 Cultural Anthropology 3 credits

BIO 111 The Human Agenda: Environment (SR) 4 credits

BIO 112 The Human Agenda: Health Issues 4 credits

CST 110 Introduction to Communication 3 credits

FSC 101 The Scientific Investigation of Crime 3 credits

HIS 122 Survey of United States History 3 credits

MAT 102 College Mathematics 3 credits

PSC 202 Law and Justice 3 credits

PSC 218 Criminal Procedure 3 credits

PSY 100 General Psychology 3 credits

PSY 309 Abnormal Psychology 3 credits

PSY 310 Forensic Psychology 3 credits

REL 227 Islam in America 3 credits

SOC 100 Introduction to Culture and Society 3 credits

SOC 324 Social Science Statistics 3 credits

SWK 303 Human Behavior and Social Environment 3 credits

SWK 313 Minorities and Human Relations 3 credits

SWK 325 Research Methods and Design 4 credits

SWK 326 Evaluating Social Work Research 4 credits

Required Professional Courses

CRJ 101 The Legal System 3 credits

CRJ 106 Criminology 3 credits

CRJ 201 Addiction, Psychopathology and Crime 3 credits

CRJ 206 Class, Race, Gender, and Crime 3 credits

CRJ 211 Criminal Justice Ethics 3 credits

CRJ 301 Juvenile Justice 3 credits

CRJ 306 Corrections: Crisis in America 3 credits

CRJ 311 Crime and Place 3 credits

CRJ 316 Crime and Public Policy 3 credits

CRJ 321 Criminal Justice Field Experience 3 credits

CRJ 326 Criminal Justice Field Experience Seminar 3 credits

CRJ 331 Leadership for Women in Criminal Justice 3 credits

Requirements for the Criminal Justice Minor

The minor in criminal justice would be 18 credits and comprise the following arrangement:

Required courses: