Criminal Justice Courses

Examines all three segments of criminal justice system: law enforcement, courts, and corrections, including study of their evolution, structure, agencies, career opportunities and requirements, responsibilities, and ethics. Role of Constitution and state and federal laws, current problems of each.

Prerequisite(s): ENG 101 or ENG 101/TRS 099 placement

Course Learning Outcomes
1. Evaluate his/her attitudes and attributes in relation to criminal justice careers and choose an appropriate curricular emphasis.
2. Illustrate and describe the process of a criminal prosecution from occurrence of alleged offense to discharge.
3. Identify the major components of the criminal justice system and explain their interrelationships.
4. Identify and explain the “sources of law” and their interrelationships.
5. Identify various theories of crime causation and describe their effects on the criminal justice system.
6. Differentiate key terms and concepts in the criminal justice system.
7. Identify ethical issues that are present throughout the criminal justice system and describe acceptable responses to them.

This course will cover the development, role, responsibility, limitations and liabilities of the private security industry within society from its beginnings to its current state. Specific attention will be spent on describing the relationship between private security professionals, law enforcement and representatives of the legal system. Additional topics such as work place violence, organized retail theft, the conduct of internal and external investigations, interviewing techniques, current role and impact technology, and career opportunities will also be analyzed and evaluated.

Course Learning Outcomes
1. Explain the evolving impact of technological advances within various contexts, which could include the social, business, or private security spheres.
2. Compare the responsibilities of a private security professional with those of a law enforcement officer.
3. Explain how the work of private security professionals is compatible with the American criminal and civil legal system.
4. Analyze how private security teams, in partnership with law enforcement officials, address various issues related to organized retail
5. Explain how private security professionals can address the rise of violence in the workplace.
6. Explain how private security professionals deal with white collar crime.

A study of the Federal Constitution and Bill of Rights with regard to rights of individuals participating within American society, as interpreted by leading historical and contemporary U.S. Supreme Court and N.Y. Court of Appeals decisions. Emphasis will be on the history of the U.S. Constitution including review of the diverse and varied individuals and communities that impacted and were/are impacted by the Constitution and Bill of Rights, including the 1st, 4th, 5th, 6th, 8th and 14th Amendments. Students will analyze majority opinions to identify and evaluate ideas and conclusions as well as dissenting opinions to identify and evaluate opposing arguments. Constitutional concepts will be applied to interactions between individuals and law enforcement/governmental authorities. Using the case law method students will develop conclusions as to the legitimacy of current and historical constitutional standards governing those interactions, acknowledging the constant presence of perspective and bias.

Prerequisite(s): ENG 101 OR ENG 101/TRS 099 placement

Course Learning Outcomes
1. Identify and describe legal principles included in the Articles and Amendments of the United States Constitution.
2. Discuss the purpose and methods of continuously updating knowledge of changes in constitutional law.
3. Compare and contrast New York State specific constitutional rules and rights with federal rules.
4. Apply core areas of the law to law enforcement applications critical to law enforcement operations.
5. Illustrate and explain the appellate court process.
6. Utilize proper legal terminology.
7. Analyze cases using the case law method.

A study of the fundamental concepts of the substantive criminal law, including a short history of and purposes of the law, classification of offenses and sentences. A detailed study of mental culpability, defenses, such as infancy, insanity and the anticipatory crimes, offenses against the person; and those involving intrusion upon property, fraud, public administration, and public order. (Need not be taken in sequence.)

Prerequisites: CRJ 101, CRJ 103 or permission of instructor

Course Learning Outcomes
1. State the basic principles of criminal law and explain how those principles are reflected in New York’s Penal Law.
2. Identify the major categories of New York‘s Penal Law offenses.
3. Explain the basic elements and aggravating circumstances of each category of offense in New York's Penal law.
4. Apply with proficiency the New York State Penal Law statutes to hypothetical problems or other fact patterns.
5. Explain how statutory law is impacted by constitutional law or case law with specific examples in the New York State Penal Law.
6. Discuss the purpose and methods of continuously updating changes in statutory law and relevant case law.
7. Demonstrate proficiency in using the New York State Penal Law as a reference tool.

An activity designed to enhance both the theoretical and educational concepts learned in the practical work experience gained by working 80 hours during a semester in an approved criminal justice agency. This course is also designed to assist you in your career exploration. You are required to find the right agency in which to do your internship. To get the most out of this course you should be working in an agency and in a position that best represents your career goal. Papers and assignments will be completed on the work experiences and their educational value.

Prerequisite(s): Successful completion of CRJ 101,CRJ 103, CRJ 104 and CRJ 204, or permission of instructor.

Course Learning Outcomes
1. Discuss the relationship between Formal Education and Work Experience in career preparation.
2. Analyze interpersonal problems experienced in the workplace.
3. Explain strategies employed by agencies to deal with interpersonal problems in the workplace.
4. Discuss changes in personal attitudes as a result of incidents and experiences in the workplace.
5. Develop a career achievement plan which may include; self-assessment, goal setting or job search strategies.
6. Discuss potential ethical problems associated with employment in a Criminal Justice agency.
7. Explain strategies employed by Criminal Justice agencies to deal with ethical problems.
8. Discuss the purpose and importance of Performance evaluation in the workplace.
9. Discuss the purpose and importance of the Mission Statement in a Criminal Justice agency.

This course focuses on the major programs within the corrections component of the criminal justice system. It includes analysis of probation, institutional treatment, parole, and community corrections programs. Development of corrections philosophy, theory, and practice will be presented with emphasis on constitutional rights of offenders.

Course Learning Outcomes
1. Discuss the corrections component of the criminal justice system.
2. Describe the conflicting purposes, goals, and objectives of the corrections system.
3. Describe the various correctional philosophies and how they affect the system.
4. Identify the choices available to the correction system, such as incarceration, probation, or community-based corrections.
5. Discuss the basic differences between jail and prison.
6. Discuss the basic differences between probation and parole.
7. Discuss the basic differences between community-based corrections and current correctional practices.
8. Identify ethical issues in the corrections system and describe acceptable responses to them.

A review of the Constitution, Bill of Rights, civil rights of institutional inmates and those under supervision; legal authority and responsibilities of institutional, probation and parole officers; procedural law with an explanation of the court systems of the U.S. at all levels, emphasizing adversary proceedings in the criminal and civil courts as they apply to corrections.

Prerequisite: Successful completion of CRJ 101 and CRJ 103.

Course Learning Outcomes
1. Discuss the purpose and methods of continuously updating knowledge of constitutional law affecting prisons and prisoner.
2. Compare and contrast New York State specific constitutional requirements and New York State Minimum Standards with those mandated by federal court decisions.
3. Apply basic knowledge of the federal and state constitutions to critical issues in the area of corrections.
4. Illustrate and explain the appellate court process.
5. Utilize legal terminology with proficiency.
6. Analyze cases using the case law method.

The function of the correctional officer is examined: attitude, obligations and authority. Institutional procedures in reception, classification, program assignment and release procedures are reviewed. Trends in jail programs, work release programs, half-way houses, narcotic addiction control centers and contract program planning are described and evaluated.

Prerequisite: Successful completion of CRJ 101 and CRJ 103.

Course Learning Outcomes
1. Discuss inmate attitudes and functioning in a jail/prison atmosphere.
2. Explain jail/prison procedures from reception to release from the staff point of view.
3. Explain jail/prison procedures from reception to release from the inmate point of view.
4. Explain current trends regarding inmate procedures and programs.
5. Identify the New York State Minimum Standards and how they apply to the operation of a New York State correctional facility.
6. Describe the various programs available to inmates.
7. Evaluate the purposes and success of programs available to inmates.

A study of the qualities of an investigation, general criminal investigative methods, procedures and techniques, and phases of investigation.

Prerequisites: Successful completion of CRJ 101 and CRJ 103.

Course Learning Outcomes
1. Explain the role of investigations in the criminal justice process.
2. Identify skills required to successfully investigate crimes.
3. Process physical evidence at a crime scene.
4. Define physical parameters of a crime scene.
5. Document all phases of the criminal investigation process.
6. Identify solvability factors.
7. Prioritize evidence of the crime with an eye towards prosecution.
8. Evaluate elements of a crime with an eye towards prosecution
9. Identify ethical issues that are present throughout the criminal justice system.
10. Describe acceptable responses to ethical issues as they pertain to investigation.

This course will cover the process of initiating, conducting and completing an investigation within the private security field. Particular attention will focus on the role of technology within private security investigations, analyzing different types of investigations, defining the multiple components of an investigation, describing skills an investigator must possess, explaining the interviewing process of witnesses and suspects, and the obtaining of written statements. Finally, additional topics such as legal liabilities, investigator and business responsibilities, the role of law enforcement, and the future of private investigative services will be discussed.

Prerequisite: CRJ 102

Course Learning Outcomes
1. Explain the different types of technology which can be used to assist a private security investigation.
2. Assess the necessary steps an investigator must follow to conduct and fully complete a private security investigation.
3. Differentiate between the conduct of a private security investigation and a law enforcement investigation.
4. Summarize the purpose of interviewing witnesses and suspects from a private security perspective.
5. Describe the process of obtaining written statements from witnesses and suspects from a private security perspective.
6. Contrast how the investigative process will vary in different private security investigations.

Juvenile delinquency and the role of the criminal justice practitioner in handling juvenile matters is examined. The philosophy and history of juvenile proceedings, including trends in prevention, placements, current court decisions and "rights of children" are emphasized. The Family Court Law of New York and handling of juvenile matters are explored.

Prerequisites: Successful completion of CRJ 101 and CRJ 103.

Course Learning Outcomes
1. Describe his/her attitudes and attributes in relation to juvenile justice careers.
2. Describe the various theories of crime causation.
3. Describe the effects of crime causation on the juvenile justice system.
4. Discuss the major components of the juvenile justice system.
5. Explain the interrelationships of the major components of the juvenile justice system.
6. Define key terms and concepts in the juvenile justice system.
7. Differentiate among key terms and concepts in the juvenile justice system.
8. Compare and contrast key terms in juvenile justice with those in criminal justice.
9. Discuss the problems unique to juveniles in contemporary culture.
10. Discuss the applicable federal and New York State law relevant to juvenile procedures.
11. Illustrate and explain the process of an adjudication from occurrence of the alleged act to disposition.
12. Discuss current trends in juvenile justice, which could include prevention, investigation, treatment, or rehabilitation.

A study of rules of evidence in criminal matters. Particular emphasis is placed on rules of evidence in the fourth, fifth, and sixth amendments of the Bill of Rights which safeguard such fundamental individual liberties as personal security, protection from self-incrimination, and right to counsel, with emphasis on New York law.

Prerequisites: Successful completion of CRJ 101 and CRJ 103.

Course Learning Outcomes
1. Discuss the purpose of continuously updating knowledge of the rules of evidence.
2. Discuss the methods of continuously updating knowledge of the rules of evidence.
3. Outline chain of custody from discovery at crime scene to admission of evidence at court.
4. Explain the rules of evidence to include privileged communications, exclusionary rule, hearsay, documents, or photographs.
5. Identify the key elements of testifying effectively.
6. Express legal literacy.
7. Compare and contrast New York State specific rules of evidence with federal rules.

Examines the application of the physical and biological sciences to criminal investigation. Modern technology will be detailed as it applies to crime scene management, fingerprint science and photography. Emphasis is placed on the inter-relationship between science and law enforcement. The student will have the opportunity, in a classroom equipped with laboratory materials, to demonstrate their learning with hands-on activities directly related to the contemporary crime scene.

Prerequisite: Successful completion of CRJ 101 and CRJ 103, or permission of instructor.

Course Learning Outcomes
1. Describe the History of Forensic Science.
2. Utilize proper Forensic Science terminology.
3. Apply appropriate Forensic Science principles to Investigations.
4. Explain the “Synergistic Process” involved in Forensic Science investigations.
5. Describe crime scene investigation principles to include; reconstruction, evidence collection, preservation of evidence, photography and documentation.
6. Describe orally all aspects of a Crime Scene Forensic Investigation in preparation for court testimony.
7. Demonstrate methods of collection, processing, analysis, and evaluation of evidence.
8. Identify and discuss ethical issues regarding crime scene management.
9. Develop competence in oral and written documentation relating to crime scene management.

The inter-relationship of community values and ethical conduct in the administration of justice is explored. Through interaction and study, the student will become aware of how community and professional expectations can affect role performance. Open communication and accountability within and without the justice process will be stressed. (It is strongly suggested that students register for this course during their final semester before graduation.)

Prerequisite(s): CRJ 101, CRJ 103, CRJ 104, and CRJ 204, or permission of instructor. Co-requisite: CRJ 121 or previously completed

Course Learning Outcomes
1. Discuss contemporary problems in the area of criminal justice.
2. Identify and describe acceptable responses to current ethical problems in criminal justice.
3. Analyze contemporary criminal justice issues utilizing media or other sources of information.
4. Identify and describe issues with regard to partnerships between criminal justice agencies and the community.
5. Apply critical thinking and reasoning techniques to criminal justice issues.
6. Research contemporary criminal justice issues.
7. Participate in debates on contemporary criminal justice issues.
8. Evaluate how community perception of the police and justice system shapes relations between cultural groups within the community through analysis of historical police and citizen involvement.

A seminar which explores alternatives to incarceration in centralized penal institutions. Problems of work-release and school-release programs are discussed. Management of halfway houses, probation, and parole are reviewed. The success and failure of community-based corrections programs in the United States and in Europe are also explored.

Prerequisites: Successful completion of CRJ 101 and CRJ 103.

Course Learning Outcomes
1. Describe the basis for community corrections as an alternative to incarceration.
2. Explain the historical development of community corrections.
3. Discuss contemporary trends in deinstitutionalization.
4. Explain how community-based corrections or diversion is a component of a comprehensive corrections system.
5. Define the different forms of diversion programs.
6. Evaluate the need for various services within pre-trial release programs.
7. Compare and contrast probation and parole.
8. Evaluate critically the effectiveness of various community corrections programs currently utilized in the United States.

See the Department Chairperson.

Check if course is offered:
Intersession 2025
Spring Semester 2025