Course Descriptions - Online Bachelor of Arts in Criminology Completion Program
The 60-credit curriculum of the online criminology degree concentrates primarily on the behavior of criminals, professionals in the field, and human reactions. The goal is to better prepare the student for a career serving communities and working directly with people. The empathetic, human-centered approach to criminology gives students a better understanding of the motivations behind human behaviors and actions, and as a result, students learn first-hand innovative deescalation methods.
Required Courses
CR 270 Police, Courts, Probation and Parole (3 credits)
Types and functions of law enforcement; the jurisdiction, structure, processes, and personnel of the judicial system; practices, procedures, and trends in probation, parole, and other non-incarcerating sentencing alternatives.
CR 280 Introduction to Criminal Law (3 credits)
Introduction to the case method of studying criminal law, theory, concept, and philosophy of substantive law and criminal offenses; analysis of court decisions and opinions through case method.
CR 352 Ethics in Criminology (3 credits)
The course makes students aware of ethical issues in policing, courts, corrections, and policymaking. These issues are explored using real-world examples, analytical tools from the social sciences, and a variety of ethical philosophies. A major goal of this course is to encourage students in the development of a sense of personal responsibility.
CR 450 Criminology (3 credits)
The development of criminal law and definitions of crime, measurement of the incidence and types of crimes, theoretical explanations of crime, the criminal justice system and treatment programs, issues and trends in criminal justice.
CR 520 Crime Analysis (3 credits)
Crime analysis is a fundamental aspect of successfully identifying and responding to crime problems, including the underlying contributory elements. In this course, the practical and theoretical foundations of crime analysis will be covered and explored through integration of multiple disciplines including criminology theory, data analysis principles and techniques, applied statistics, and evidence-based decision-making. Within the course, students will use statistical and analytical techniques to identify problems, develop research questions and hypotheses, and create responses. Programs and initiatives will be assessed using these same techniques to determine the effectiveness of responses.
CR 590 Criminology Capstone (3 credits)
TIn this course, students will demonstrate what they learned throughout the Criminology program by applying critical-thinking and problem-solving skills to real-world situations. This course is project-oriented with particular focus on assessing students' abilities to synthesize and retain desired program learning outcomes related to the criminology curriculum, and application of that knowledge to making critical decisions about professional, personal, societal, and ethical issues.
PS 462 The Supreme Court: Civil Rights and Civil Liberties (3 credits)
An in-depth study of the American tradition of civil rights and civil liberties. The history of the Supreme Court and the way in which scholars have approached the study of civil rights and liberties lead to the study of significant court cases in the key areas of rights and liberties.
SO 110 Introduction to Sociology (3 credits)
Introduction to the academic discipline of Sociology and some of its main specialties: culture, social organizations and groups, family structures, processes of socialization and resocialization, deviance and criminal behavior, and inequality and prejudice on the basis of class, race and gender. Group discussions and projects will supplement the study of sociological concepts to encourage cultural recidivism, where students seek to understand a variety of different social and cultural models on their own terms.
Approved Electives
CR 281 Criminal Investigation (3 credits)
This course is an analytical examination of investigative theory, crime detection and solution, crime scene procedures, physical evidence, forensic sciences, interview and interrogation, field notes and reporting. It includes issues concerning rules of evidence, trial testimony, and other constitutional processes.
CR 282 Criminal Procedures and Evidence (3 credits)
This course examines ways to identify, obtain, qualify, and admit evidence for criminal investigation and prosecution. Students examine the rules and procedures of the criminal justice system pertinent to the Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth Amendments, and evaluate criminal procedures and evidence as they pertain to law enforcement principles. Learners also synthesize constitutional issues, criminal procedure concepts, court testimony, and their real-world application.
CR 300 Special Topics in Criminology (3 credits)
Course description coming soon.
CR 310 Fundamentals of Gangs (3 credits)
This course introduces students to the cultural and structural components of gang activity. It is an examination of the history of gangs, socio-psychological aspects of individual and group behavior, and the major theories and socio-economic reasons why gangs exist. Included in this course are descriptions of all types of gangs, as well as a review of social programs and law enforcement techniques designed to combat gangs.
CR 320 Crime and Media (3 credits)
Course description coming soon.
CR 330 Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (3 credits)
Concepts and problems associated with crisis and emergency management. Study of natural hazards and threats posed by domestic and international terrorist groups. Reorganization of relevant government agencies, civil preparedness measures, law enforcement responses, and changes to the law will all be examined in context.
CR 350 Victimology (3 credits)
Major theoretical issues and debates in victimology. Victim blaming and defending, research and victim statistics, legal and policy dilemmas, bureaucratic responses to victims, and evaluation of victim compensation and restitution.
CR 380 Juvenile Delinquency (3 credits)
This course examines theories of juvenile delinquency. We will examine these theories in depth. The course will begin by focusing on how the system works and then take a broad overview of why juveniles become delinquent behavior. This course is an Idea Seminar. As such, we will examine juvenile delinquency under the theme of global interdependence through diversity, change, and interconnectedness in the ever-increasing international scope of juvenile justice.
CR 490 Corrections (3 credits)
Study of the emergence of jails, prisons, and youth facilities; structures and functions of correctional facilities; staffing and personnel training; programs and services; administration of correctional facilities; prison overcrowding; legal and political issues confronting corrections.
PSCR 302 Terrorists, Patriots, and Revolutionaries (3 credits)
Examination of global terrorism, nationalism, and revolution. The course covers not only theoretical models used to examine this material, but also provides a historical view of each phenomenon. Focus on identifying possible political interventions that would produce the best results for the world community.
PY 240 Marriage and Family (3 credits)
A study of the relationships, processes, behaviors, functions, and structures involved in marriage and family over the lifespan.
PY 290 Psychology of Childhood and Adolescence (3 credits)
A study of the cognitive, social, physical, and emotional development from the prenatal period through adolescence. Personality development in cultural contexts is explored through current research. Field observations or interviews may be required.
PY 335 Abnormal Psychology (3 credits)
Studies in the historical and contemporary perspectives of psychological disorders and human deviance and approaches to treatment.
PY 375 Psychology of the Criminal Mind (3 credits)
The focus of this course will be to provide students with a unique orientation to the study of criminals and criminal behavior, which shares some affinity with the fields of deviance, abnormal psychology, criminology, forensic psychology, and victimology. This class will explore biological, environmental, sociological, and especially psychological factors that impact criminals and their behavior. Students will also be exposed to some of the principles and methods used in the profiling of criminals and violent crimes.
PY 460 Social Psychology (3 credits)
The study of how people think about, influence, and relate to one another. Such topics as attitudes, social beliefs, cultural and group influence, persuasion, conformity, prejudice, aggression, attraction, and altruism are considered.