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Criminal Justice

Program Codes: ASCRJS
Associate of Science

Introduction

Mercyhurst University’s Associate of Science in Criminal Justice program affords students the ability to take a broad spectrum of courses that are designed to provide a basic understanding of the criminal justice system, to theorize why people commit crime, to review judicial processes, and to examine the effectiveness of correctional systems. Thus, our program encompasses all foundational aspects of the criminal justice system. Our curriculum prepares students for entry-level positions in public and private sectors, in safety and protective services, in legal and victim service arenas, in juvenile justice and detention services, and in correctional facilities and re-entry agencies.

Mission Statement

The Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice is dedicated to developing critical thinking, diversity appreciation, civic responsibility, leadership and social justice in our students. We prepare students for careers in the helping professions, for leadership in criminal justice and community affairs, and for the pursuit of advanced degrees. Engaging students in sustained and civil conversations about the relationship between individual and community well-being is both an objective and a means for realizing other objectives. The vision of the Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice is to provide associate degree students with a liberal arts background that will enable them to live rich and fulfilling lives, with the capability of personal responsibility, professional development and civic responsibility.

Program Outcomes:
  • Demonstrate knowledge of the historical context of the criminal justice system and profession.
  • Demonstrate synthesis, problem solving, and critical thinking skills.
  • Demonstrate basic knowledge of legal aspects of criminal justice operations.
  • Synthesize and apply basic knowledge of sociological issues affecting criminal justice.
  • Demonstrate and apply knowledge of professional skills for criminal justice positions.
Program Requirements:

Student progress and academic achievement are monitored and evaluated by the Department each semester. Students must earn an overall 2.0 GPA, along with a minimum cumulative GPA of a 2.0 in all Criminal Justice courses. The faculty may request a meeting with students to review academic progress. Students who fail to meet or maintain the GPA requirements or the appropriate conduct standards will be subject to probationary status or removal from the Criminal Justice major.

Students must meet the regular degree requirements of the University as well as the requirements of the Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice. To fulfill Associate of Science degree requirements, students must complete a minimum of 61 credits to graduate. This is inclusive of the required criminal justice courses, cognate courses, and REACH (A) courses.

Criminal Justice Required Courses (33 Credits)
REACH (AS)
Mercyhurst - Associate Science REACH
JUSTICE IN AMERICA
Course Code:
CRJS 101
Active Term:
All Terms
/ All Years
Course Description:
This course provides students with an understanding of the criminal justice system in America. An examination of the role of the police, the court systems, and the processes of corrections will be presented which enables students to critically analyze success as well as inherent weaknesses within the administration of justice in our society. Included will be a survey of problems, trends, and jurisdiction of local, state, and federal agencies engaged in the criminal justice process. Students will become familiar with those qualifications and requirements that criminal justice agencies have established for entry-level positions.
Credit:
3
Instruction methods:
Lecture
Total hours: 45
x
CRJS 101
JUSTICE IN AMERICA
3
INTRODUCTION TO CORRECTIONS
Course Code:
CRJS 104
Active Term:
Spring Term
/ All Years
Course Description:
This is an introduction to corrections systems and their relationship to the American criminal justice system. Students learn the objectives, policies, and procedures of probation, parole and prisons as well as some of the issues and problems.
Credit:
3
Instruction methods:
Lecture
Total hours: 45
x
CRJS 104
INTRODUCTION TO CORRECTIONS
3
INTRO JUV JUSTICE & DELINQ
Course Code:
CRJS 205
Active Term:
Spring Term
/ All Years
Course Description:

This is the foundation course in juvenile justice which provides an overview of the juvenile justice system and the study of juvenile delinquency. It examines the nature and development of delinquency against the backdrop of normal adolescent development. Research and theory are used to help the student distinguish between typical forms of adolescent exploration and indications of potentially serious delinquency. A variety of sociological, social psychological, and psychological theories of delinquency are reviewed. 

Credit:
3
Instruction methods:
Lecture
Total hours: 45
x
CRJS 205
INTRO JUV JUSTICE & DELINQ
3
POLICE FUNCTIONS
Course Code:
CRJS 207
Active Term:
All Terms
/ All Years
Course Description:

This course provides an overview of basic line functions found within state and local law enforcement agencies. Included are patrol procedures and community policing concepts being undertaken that enhance relationships between the police and the community they serve. The role of other operating components found within law enforcement agencies will be explored along with the responsibilities of the services and auxiliary bureaus. 

Credit:
3
Instruction methods:
Lecture
Total hours: 45
Prerequisites:

CRJS 101

x
CRJS 207
POLICE FUNCTIONS
3
CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION
Course Code:
CRJS 208
Active Term:
All Terms
/ All Years
Course Description:

The course presents basic procedures in the investigation of criminal matters. Topics include interview procedures, crime scene examinations, development of information, procedures for solving crimes, criminalistics, and the use of forensic sciences.

Credit:
3
Instruction methods:
Lecture
Total hours: 45
Prerequisites:

CRJS 207

x
CRJS 208
CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION
3
CELLULAR&MOLECULAR BIO
Course Code:
BIO 142
Course Group(s):
ANALYTICAL, CHEMISTRY MAJOR ELECTIVE COURSES
Active Term:
All Terms
/ All Years
Course Description:

Introduction to the biology of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells, including the structure and function of membranes and organelles, especially mitochondria and chloroplasts. Also included are studies of the molecular structure and function of DNA, with emphasis on the organization of the eukaryotic genome, transcription and translation.

Credit:
3
Instruction methods:
Lecture
Total hours: 45
Corequisites:

BIO 143

x
__ __
ELECTIVE
3

100-200 Level CRJS Course

POLICE COMMUNITY RELATION
Course Code:
CRJS 212
Active Term:
Spring Term
/ All Years
Course Description:

A study of the complexities in traditional and contemporary relationships involving the police and the public they serve. Emphasis is placed on role and police discretion, police self-image, public perceptions, and considerations that could possibly bring the two closer together. Community-oriented policing and crime prevention are also explored.

Credit:
3
Instruction methods:
Lecture
Total hours: 45
x
CRJS 212
POLICE COMMUNITY RELATION
3

OR

CRJS INTERNSHIP
Course Code:
CRJS 275
Course Description:
This course provides actual involvement with the various aspects of law enforcement. Open only to second year students who are recommended by the department and who have at least a 2.5 GPA. Stu- dents will also be expected to complete a research paper suggesting a solution to a police problem encountered during the internship experience.
Credit:
3
x
CRJS 275
CRJS INTERNSHIP
3
COURTS AND LEGAL CONCEPTS
Course Code:
CRJS 214
Active Term:
Randomly
/ Randomly
Course Description:

An examination of the structures, procedures, and practices of the federal and state court systems in the United States, including a comparison of civil and criminal court system and the dynamics of the criminal court system from pretrial through post-conviction processes.

Credit:
3
Instruction methods:
Lecture
Total hours: 45
x
CRJS 214
COURTS AND LEGAL CONCEPTS
3
CRIMINOLOGY
Course Code:
CRJS 230
Active Term:
Fall Term
/ All Years
Course Description:

An in-depth analysis of criminal behavior systems, theoretical developments in explaining crime, and research methodology used in Modern American Criminology.

Credit:
3
Instruction methods:
Lecture
Total hours: 45
Prerequisites:

CRJS 101

x
CRJS 230
CRIMINOLOGY
3
INTRODUCTION TO ORGANIZED CRIME
Course Code:
CRJS 204
Active Term:
Spring Term
/ All Years
Course Description:

This course explores the phenomenon of organized criminality in society. Learners will explore the varied factors which can influence the development of this crime. Both economic and social issues of society which influence this activity will be studied. Transnational criminal behavior along with terrorism and their influence on American society will be examined.

Credit:
3
Instruction methods:
Lecture
Total hours: 45
x
CRJS 204
INTRODUCTION TO ORGANIZED CRIME
3
CONTEMPORARY SOCIAL PROBLEMS
Course Code:
SOC 101
Course Group(s):
HUMANS IN CONNECTION
Active Term:
All Terms
/ All Years
Course Description:

This course is designed to provide a context for students to critically explore selected social conditions that have been determined to constitute social problems in contemporary society. Each of the issues selected will be looked at from different perspectives using the lens of various theories. The contributions of opposing ideologies and ideas, and a critique of research related to the phenomena will be utilized to facilitate an understanding of the complexity of the phenomena and clarify one's perspective.

Credit:
3
Instruction methods:
Lecture
Total hours: 45
x
SOC 101
CONTEMPORARY SOCIAL PROBLEMS
3
AMERICAN GOVERNMENT
Course Code:
POLI 100
Course Group(s):
CONTEXTS AND SYSTEMS
Active Term:
All Terms
/ All Years
Course Description:

Introductory course in political science stressing how policy-making is done at the national level. Beginning with the Constitution, an introduction is given to the three main branches of the U.S. government. Attention is also given to elections, economics, political parties, interest groups and the federal system.

Credit:
3
Instruction methods:
Lecture
Total hours: 45
x
POLI 100
AMERICAN GOVERNMENT
3
INTRODUCTION TO PSYCHOLOGY
Course Code:
PSYC 101
Course Group(s):
HUMANS IN CONNECTION
Active Term:
All Terms
/ All Years
Course Description:

A general introduction to the science of behavior and mental processes. Topics considered include learning, memory, perception, motivation, personality, psychopathology and social interaction.

Credit:
3
Instruction methods:
Lecture
Total hours: 45
x
PSYC 101
INTRODUCTION TO PSYCHOLOGY
3
INTRODUCTION TO STATISTICS
Course Code:
STAT 109
Active Term:
All Terms
/ All Years
Course Description:
This course is an introduction to the uses of statistics and probability as decision and problem solving tools. Topics included are: measures of central tendency; variability; probability; counting, binomial distribution; normal distribution; confidence intervals correlation and regression; hypothesis testing, statistical inference, sampling techniques and experimental design. Prerequisite: MATH Placement score of at least 30.
Credit:
3
Instruction methods:
Lecture
Total hours: 45
x
STAT 109
INTRODUCTION TO STATISTICS
3

OR

Any course with the MATH prefix

CELLULAR&MOLECULAR BIO
Course Code:
BIO 142
Course Group(s):
ANALYTICAL, CHEMISTRY MAJOR ELECTIVE COURSES
Active Term:
All Terms
/ All Years
Course Description:

Introduction to the biology of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells, including the structure and function of membranes and organelles, especially mitochondria and chloroplasts. Also included are studies of the molecular structure and function of DNA, with emphasis on the organization of the eukaryotic genome, transcription and translation.

Credit:
3
Instruction methods:
Lecture
Total hours: 45
Corequisites:

BIO 143

x
__ __
ELECTIVE
3

Related Programs

ASCRJLE

Criminal Justice - Law Enforcement

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