California Coast University Online Degree Program |
AS - Associate of Science in Psychology

The Associate of Science online degree program in Psychology is designed to provide students with a foundation in the principles and theories relevant to the field of psychology.

The online Associate of Science degree program in Psychology is:

• a self-paced learning program;
• completed off-campus;
• online learning format;
• not structured in semesters, quarters or terms; and
• designed to allow students to begin their online Psychology studies at any time of the year.

**Military students and some employers require students to complete courses on a per term basis.  Please contact our Admissions Department for additional information.  

The online Associate of Science Degree in Psychology requires students to complete a total of 60 semester units comprised of the following:

•   6 core courses;
• 10 general education courses; and
•   4 elective courses.

**Requirements are fulfilled through coursework completed at California Coast University, coursework completed at other recognized educational institutions, and/or professional/specialized training.  Previously completed coursework and training will be evaluated to determine all applicable transfer credit.

Associate of Science in Psychology (A.S.) Core Courses

Courses required are listed below. Please click on the course to read a description.

PSY 102 Introduction to Psychology

3 Semester Units

Introduction to Psychology introduces the methods and findings of contemporary psychology. Emphasizing the need for scientific and critical thinking, topics include a survey of biology and behavior, sensory process, human development, perception, learning and motivation. Emotion, personality, psychological disorders, therapy and social interaction are also examined to provide students with a solid understanding of the facts, principles, and theories which make up the field of psychology.

Course Objectives

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Define psychology.
• Review brain function and explain how it affects behavior.
• Discuss learning and memory.
• Summarize growth and development principals.

 

PSY 220 Developmental Psychology

3 Semester Units

Developmental Psychology introduces students to the scientific study of patterns of change and stability that occur as we move through the process of human development from conception to death. Various theories of development will be presented, and an emphasis on physical, emotional, cognitive, and psychosocial changes throughout the life-span will be discussed.

Course Objectives

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Define the lifespan perspective.
• Identify the emotional and cognitive changes that occur during each developmental period.
• Examine the physical and psychological changes that occur during a person’s lifetime.
• Review the social and personality characteristics of each age group.

 

PSY 280 Marriage and Family

3 Semester Units

Marriage and Family presents a representative summary of the literature of family therapy and the complex and changing social unit known as the family. Contemporary theories and issues in marriage and family therapy including communication, gender identity, love, choosing a partner, parenting, divorce, remarriage and stepfamilies are all covered to help students be familiar with the context of the ever changing context of the American family.

Course Objectives

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Explore the history and changing nature of marriage and the key issues facing marriages and families in the twenty-first century.
• Understand the various roles, stereotypes, and power dynamics in marriages, families, and intimate relationships.
• Examine how gender, culture, religion, class, and sexual orientation affect marriages and intimate relationships.
• Identify the emotional, social, and economic consequences of divorce and legal separation.

 

PSY 380 Personality Theories

3 Semester Units

Personality Theories presents an in-depth look at a number of classical and current personality theories, providing an explanation and interpretation of personality development from several different theoretical approaches. Classic theory is integrated with the latest research and current topics, preparing students to apply theoretical approaches to better understand the particular individuals and personalities they may encounter in their professional and personal lives.

Course Objectives

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Describe the major classic and current personality theories.
• Examine the research methods used in personality research.
• Assess the role of early experiences in personality formation.
• Utilize personality theories to help understand human behavior.

 

PSY 408 Abnormal Psychology

3 Semester Units

Abnormal Psychology offers students an eclectic, multicultural approach to abnormal behavior, drawing on contributions from various disciplines and theoretical stances. The psychosocial and psychophysiological factors of abnormal behavior are examined, and the causes and classifications are discussed. Case vignettes and client experiences will be explored and combined with research based explanations of abnormal behavior.

Course Objectives

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Successfully discriminate between normal and abnormal behavior and identify the symptoms of various disorders.
• Understand the various causes, symptoms and treatment of abnormal behavior.
• Understand the basics of the DSM system and how it’s used.
• Summarize issues related to mental health and treatment.

 

PSY 418 Counseling Psychology

3 Semester Units

Counseling Psychology encompasses all that counseling is today by addressing the history of counseling and the theory behind its practice; exploring the multicultural, ethical, legal environments in which counselors operate; and examining the variety of skills today’s counselors are expected to utilize.

Course Objectives

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Identify historical and contemporary figures in counseling.
• Assess pressing future issues for the profession of counseling.
• Evaluate the educational, registration, and certification requirements of the various professions in counseling.
• Examine behavioral, cognitive–behavioral, systemic, and brief theories of counseling.
• Analyze the nature of marital, couple, and family counseling.

Associate of Science in Psychology (A.S.) General Education Courses

Courses required are listed below. Please click on the course to read a description.

GED 101 Introduction to Life Science (Natural Sciences)

3 Semester Units

Introduction to Life Science explores the fundamentals of biology and includes discussions on high-interest topics such as genetic testing, climate change, and the effects of the human footprint on the environment. This course aims to instill basic scientific knowledge that students can reference in order to form well-reasoned, ecologically responsible, fact-based opinions about personal, social, and ecological issues in everyday life.

Course Objectives

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Differentiate a scientific hypothesis from a scientific theory and inductive reasoning from deductive reasoning.
• Describe the major macronutrients and micronutrients, as well as discuss the functions of each.
• Examine the relationship between alleles, genes, and chromosomes, as well as the causes of genetic diversity.
• Explain the significance of DNA profiling and how the process works.
• Describe how plants and animals can be genetically modified.
• Explain how natural selection is a mechanism of evolution.
• Analyze how human activities contribute to or reduce the risk of global climate change.

 

GED 108 Environmental Science (Natural Sciences)

3 Semester Units

Environmental Science is an interdisciplinary approach to environmental sci­ence, focusing on the interrelatedness of humans and the natural world. Historical perspectives, economic and political realities, var­ied social experiences and ethnic backgrounds are integrated into the identification of major issues and the search for possible solutions.

Course Objectives

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Define sustainability, sound science and stewardship—the three unifying themes in environmental science.
• Examine the international and U.S. measures taken to mitigate climate change and evaluate their effectiveness.
• Evaluate how our national energy policies encourage both renewable energy and energy conservation.
• Explain how the science of ecology can be described as a hierarchy of questions, describe the questions different types of ecologists ask, and anticipate different experiments they might do, all within the same natural systems.

 

GED 215 Psychology of Adjustment (Social Sciences)

3 Semester Units

Psychology of Adjustment explores major perspectives on psychology and pro­vides opportunities for students to apply useful concepts to their personal lives. Content is drawn from theory and research in dif­ferent areas of psychology and covers personality development, stress management, health issues, relationships, work, life span development and other areas of life.

Course Objectives

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Understand how society and technology today have far reaching effects on social change
• Understand the stages of lifespan development
• Explore various venues to manage emotions and the dynamics of relationships, as well as sexuality in our society
• Learn and understand group dynamics
• Understand the stages of love and commitment
• Describe the features of a psychological disorder and discuss the prevalence and incidence of various disorders
• Describe and understand the various psychological approaches for treatment
• Identify and explain the models of grief work

 

GED 216 Introduction to Sociology (Social Sciences)

3 Semester Units

Introduction to Sociology is the study of how society influences the way people act, think and feel. Culture, society, social interactions, social class, and gender stratification all influence every part of who people are, how they behave, and how they participate in their existence on this earth. An introduction to social problems including minority inequality, aging and death, women’s rights, and urban problems, in general, are also explored in this course.

Course Objectives

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Discover a new way to see yourself within the larger social world.
• Summarize sociology’s major theoretical approaches.
• Examine issues of class, race and ethnicity, and sex and gender, while also touching on issues relating to social inequality based on age.
• Analyze social institutions and build awareness of the importance of these foundational elements of society.

 

GED 120 Introduction to Humanities (Humanities/Fine Arts)

3 Semester Units

Introduction to Humanities explores the conduct of human life with emphasis on understanding the aesthetic sense—an important element in the art of being human. The course focuses on key events, styles, movements and figures of Western art, philosophy and religion, which are all essential to exploring the aesthetic human experience. Students will learn to think critically about how past themes, movements and creative geniuses have impacted—and still influence—the modern world which we live in today.

Course Objectives

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Assess the features that characterize the beginnings of human cultures.
• Explore the rise of Christianity and other major religions.
• Compare and contrast the similarities and differences between the French and the American revolution.
• Analyze the postmodern era.

 

GED 240 Art History (Humanities/Fine Arts)

3 Semester Units

Art History examines the development of the visual arts from prehistory to fourteenth-century art in Europe. The course introduces students to diverse artistic traditions in drawing, painting, sculpture, architecture, and printmaking while simultaneously exploring social implications of—and response to—various individuals and their creations.

Course Objectives

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Identify the visual hallmarks of regional and period styles for formal, technical, and expressive qualities.
• Interpret the meaning of works of art from diverse cultures, periods, and locations based on their themes, subjects, and symbols.
• Relate artists and works of art to their cultural, economic, and political contexts.
• Apply the vocabulary and concepts used to discuss works of art, artists, and art history.
• Interpret art using appropriate art historical methods, such as observation and inductive reasoning.
• Select visual and textual evidence to support an argument or interpretation.

 

GED 132 United States Government (Basic Subjects)

3 Semester Units

United States Government reviews and examines the institutions of the American political system: the presidency, Congress, the judiciary and state and local governments. It also examines political parties and the roles they have played in the development of the American polyarchy.

Course Objectives

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Classify and explain the politics of different issues.
• Analyze how power is divided between the national government and the states under the Constitution.
• Assess how legislative productivity of the U.S. Congress has varied over time.
• Evaluate why environmental policies are designed and enforced differently in America than in other industrialized nations.
• Assess how the challenge of political leadership has changed since the days of the Constitutional Convention.

GED 150 Mathematics (Basic Subjects)

3 Semester Units

Mathematics provides an introduction to college mathematics by building essential skills one at a time. The course starts with the basics of whole numbers, fractions and decimals and then moves into basic geometry, statistics and concludes with an introduction to algebra. This course is complete with examples, exercises, and practice problems to ensure your success.

Course Objectives

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Apply addition, subtraction, multiplication, division and fractions to real life situations.
• Estimate sums, differences, products, and quotients of decimals.
• Solve applied problems involving metric and American units.
• Find the mean, median and mode of a set of numbers.
• Solve problems involving comparisons, geometric formulas, and rates and percents.

 

GED 155 English (Basic Subjects)

3 Semester Units

English will help students to develop the key skills that will make them good communicators and valued members of the workforce: reading and comprehending, building a substantial vocabulary, using grammatically correct English and speaking and writing the language that is necessary for success in the workplace. This course is designed to help all levels of students from those with language skill deficiencies, or English as a second language, to professionals and businesspeople.

Course Objectives

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Describe the basic parts of speech used in standard English.
• Recognize the various components of speech used in a sentence.
• Explain how to use various types of reference tools to aid in writing.
• Compose a business letter, memo, e-mail and essay.

 

GED 232 Early U.S. History (Basic Subjects)

3 Semester Units

Early U.S. History explores the history of the United Sates from native American societies before 1492 to the year 1877, with an in-depth analysis of the transition in United States history from pre-colonial beginnings to an independent national state. This course will survey the historical, cultural, political and economic events that shaped early United States history.

Course Objectives

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Discuss the various groups of Europeans that immigrated to the American colonies during the eighteenth century and understand how these groups add to the complexity and diversity of the American colonial population.
• Explain the impact of the American Revolution on the status of women, African Americans, and Native Americans.
• Outline the major points of both the religious and racial justifications for slavery and explain the circumstances in which each argument was more likely to be used.
• Explain the long-term impact of the Fourteenth and Fifteenth Amendments as protections against racial discrimination.

 

Associate of Science in Psychology (A.S.) General Elective Courses

Courses required are listed below. Please click on the course to read a description.

BAM 105 Introduction to Business

3 Semester Units

Introduction to Business introduces the business world and the contemporary environment in which it operates. How business operations are managed and organized will be explored and the basic ideas of marketing processes and consumer behavior will be discussed. Additionally, students will become aware of the changing face of business, with its current technological and management information system advances.

Course Objectives:

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Describe the contemporary business environment.
• Explain how businesses and business operations are managed and organized.
• Describe the importance of people within organizations.
• Relate the principles of marketing, including marketing processes and consumer behavior.
• Understand the importance of managing information systems and electronic commerce; understand principles of accounting.
• Explain the financial issues facing business today, including money, banking, securities and investments.

 

BAM 312 Business Communications

3 Semester Units

Business Communications covers the fundamental dimensions of communication: language and behavior. Alternatives for conveying messages are discussed. The course also covers, in detail, the various channels and media for business communication, with guidelines for effective and successful use of each.

Course Objectives

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Show an understanding of the fundamentals of effective business communication and the writing process.
• Write successful business letters, memos, e-mail correspondence and other short messages.
• Gather information and communicate it effectively through writing, visuals and new technologies such as the Internet.
• Plan and write formal reports and proposals.
• Design and present effective oral presentations.
• Create persuasive employment documents and display an understanding of successful interview techniques.

 

BAM 406 Business and Society

3 Semester Units

Business and Society explores both market and nonmarket components of the business world. While interrelated, managers must understand how the market and nonmarket environments interact and address those issues to achieve superior performance. To do this, the course combines the disciplines of economics, political science, and law to provide students with a deeper understanding of the complex managerial issues involved. The focus is on strategy and its implementation within the context of social, governmental and legal constraints.

Course Objectives

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Analyze nonmarket issues and the formulation of nonmarket strategies.
• Analyze the framework based on the nonmarket issue life cycle for addressing a crisis.
• Discuss some of the political explanations for regulation.
• Understand the role of politics within environmental protection.
• Examine the market and nonmarket opportunities and risks.

 

BAM 410 Organizational Theory and Behavior

3 Semester Units

Organizational Theory and Behavior emphasizes the relationships among individuals, groups, organizations, and society. It presents a dynamic, systems approach to understanding and facilitating work relationships. Emphasis is given to the interaction of individual values, attitudes, needs, abilities, traits, and motivation within teams and organizations.

Course Objectives

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Identify the challenges and opportunities managers have in applying Organizational Behavior (OB) concepts.
• Show how culture affects our understanding of intellectual abilities, biographical characteristics, and learning.
• Describe the main functions of communication.
• Identify the six elements of an organization’s structure.

 

BAM 315 Principles of Management

3 Semester Units

Principles of Management serves as an introduction to the discipline of management. It is designed to integrate the accepted theories in the area with real world applications to provide students with the basic knowledge and skills needed for managing others. This course begins with a discussion of the current issues in management and then proceeds to cover the traditional functions of management: planning, organizing, leading, and controlling. By the end of this course, students should have an understanding of the needs of modern public and private organizations, including emerging national and international trends.

Course Objectives

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Identify the principles of managing formal organizations.
• Recognize the various challenges faced by today’s managers.
• Give examples of organizations engaging in the management functions of planning, organizing, leading and controlling. 
  

 

BAM 411 Human Resource Management

3 Semester Units

Human Resource Management explores the fundamentals of human resource management and its significance to a company’s success. Examined, in detail, are HR functions such as recruitment, retention, appraisal, compensation, labor relations, development, and current trends in the field. Practical skills-oriented concepts and techniques are highlighted throughout the course, as is the emphasis on building and maintaining an engaged and productive workforce.

Course Objectives

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Assess the roles and responsibilities of an organization’s human resource management team.
• Define the process of job analysis and discuss its importance as a foundation for human resource management practice.
• Describe the steps required to analyze, develop, implement, and evaluate an employee training program.
• Identify how new technology, such as social networking, is influencing human resource management.
• Recognize the importance of employee and labor relations and risk management.

 

BAM 418 Small Business Management

3 Semester Units

Small Business Management presents an overview of entrepreneurship, including launching a new venture, managing an on-going venture, financial planning, taxation and other topics specific to entrepreneurs. Students will learn the necessary elements to successfully start, run and manage a small business and they will be able to apply those concepts and ideas within their business careers, even if they do not choose the entrepreneurial route.

Course Objectives

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Possess a well-grounded understanding of essential entrepreneurial business principles.
• Develop an understanding of important business issues as they relate to new ventures.
• Identify, appreciate, and assess the knowledge, attitudes, and skills of an entrepreneur.
• Establish a level of confidence in creating a business plan as a tool to assess, create and communicate a business concept.

 

BAM 421 Operations Management

3 Semester Units

Operations Management introduces the theory and practice of operations management and explores the systems approach to tie information together. The course explores issues in operations strategy, development and implementation. Students will be able to apply various management tools such as inventory management and supply-chain management to effectively contribute to managing business operations.

Course Objectives

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Describe operations management and how operations affect productivity and competitive advantage.
• Analyze issues in operations strategy, strategy development and strategy implementation.
• Examine how tools such as supply-chain management, inventory management, aggregate planning and material requirements planning (MRP), short-term scheduling and project management contribute to managing operations.
• Utilize resources including decision-making tools, linear programming, transportation models, waiting-line model, and learning curves in the operations management environment.

 

HCA 200 The United States Health Care System

3 Semester Units

The U.S. Health Care System is designed to introduce students to the organization, structure, and operation of the nation’s health care system. This course aims to help students effectively identify their present and future roles as consumer, provider, manager, decision- maker, and analyst. The class examines an overview of the health care system, causes and characteristics of health service utilization, the nature of wellness and disease, individual provider settings, financial and nonfinancial resources used and needed, and measurement of quality of care.

Course Objectives

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Demonstrate an understanding of those factors that make health care delivery in the United States unique.
• Discuss the relationship between health care and the economy.
• Describe the role of the government on the delivery of health care in the United States.
• Discuss the impact of the “Aging of America” on the delivery and cost of health care.
• Identify major challenges for our health care system of the future and formulate strategies to meet these challenges.

HCA 320 Essentials of Managed Health Care

3 Semester Units

Essentials of Managed Health Care focuses on health insurance as it impacts the management of healthcare organizations. This course provides a systematic overview of the history of managed healthcare and health insurance in the United States, types of health plans and available payers, the provider network, utilization management, quality management, accreditation, Medicare Advantage, Medicaid managed care, and laws and regulations in health insurance and managed care.

Course Objectives

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Discuss the major forces shaping health insurance and managed care today.
• Outline the basic types of health insurers and managed care organizations.
• Identify the basic elements of risk-based and non-risk-based provider payment.
• Describe the basic components of utilization management for medical services.
• Identify the basic elements of the internal operations of payer organizations.
• Explain the Medicare and Medicaid benefit structures.
• Identify key state and federal laws and regulations governing managed care.

 

HCA 340 Cultural Diversity in Health and Illness

3 Semester Units

Cultural Diversity in Health and Illness promotes an awareness of the dimensions and complexities involved in interactions between health professionals and patients from diverse socio-cultural backgrounds. It examines different cultural perspectives regarding health, illness and health care that exists within American society by demonstrating traditional health beliefs and practices among selected populations. Emphasis is placed on the importance of having culturally competent health care professionals to better serve an increasingly diverse population.

Course Objectives

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Recognize the cultural phenomena affecting health care.
• Evaluate what it means to be a culturally competent health care professional.
• Understand the issues related to health care reform.
• Describe various types of folk medicine.
• Discuss health care problems in various demographic groups.
• Examine health and illness from a multicultural perspective.

 

HCA 420 Medical Law and Ethics

3 Semester Units

Medical Law and Ethics explores the study of medical ethics, or applied ethics, for healthcare professionals who often face dilemmas that are not experienced by the general population. The fast-paced growth of medical technology has made the study of ethics even more relevant. The study of bioethics, or biomedical ethics, refers to moral dilemmas due to advances in medicine and medical research. Since medical law and ethics are often interrelated, students need to have a clear understanding of both in order to protect themselves, their employer, and the patient. The study of ethics includes many questions for which there is no one answer.

Course Objectives

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Describe the similarities and differences between laws and ethics.
• Discuss the difference between ethics and bioethics.
• Describe how to apply the three decision-making models discussed in this text.

 

BAM 306 Principles of Marketing

3 Semester Units

Principles of Marketing examines the various functions of modern marketing including the market, product and price systems, distribution structure and promotional activities. Specialty field marketing, planning and evaluation of the marketing effort, and socially responsible global marketing are also explored.

Course Objectives:

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Outline the steps in the marketing process.
• Explain the importance of understanding customers and how marketing works to deliver customer value.
• Discuss a customer-driven marketing strategy.
• Describe the principles of sustainable marketing.

 

MKT 230 Consumer Behavior

3 Semester Units

Consumer Behavior focuses on the examination and application of consumer behavior principles to the development and implementation of marketing strategies. The text explains how "new media" (e.g., the expansive internet, enhanced cell phones, specialized search engines, E-commerce-oriented websites, and TiVo-like devices) has greatly influenced the marketer's ability to more precisely track and understand consumer behavior. Substantial attention is given to consumer online behavior, and the importance and power of the internet and other digital technologies in facilitationg consumer communications, as well as their ability to purchase products online.

Course Objectives

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Understand the psychological foundations of consumer behavior.
• Apply the mechanisms of influence that are most likely to lead consumers to change their attitudes, their beliefs, and, most importantly, their actions.
• Analyze how products and commercial messages often appeal to our senses.
• Understand how consumers learn about products and services.

 

MKT 310 Advertising and Promotions

3 Semester Units

Advertising and Promotions will allow students to see a collective picture of integrated marketing communications. Focus is placed on business-to-business marketing concepts, international marketing discussions, brand management and various advertising and promotional tactics. This is an integrated approach with a solid advertising core.

Course Objectives

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Understand the foundation of integrated marketing communications.
• Analyze advertising tools, marketing power, and message strategies.
• Evaluate promotional tools, selling, and public relations.
• Become familiar with integration tools such as technology and business specific programs.

 

MKT 333 Marketing Management

3 Semester Units

Marketing Management offers a streamlined approach of current marketing management practices and theory, with a focus on helping companies, groups, and individuals adapt their marketing strategies and management to the marketplace of the twenty-first century. Outside cases and simulations are presented to help students utilize their marketing knowledge for successful marketing practices, and to effectively solve marketing problems with the latest tools and techniques.

Course Objectives

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Understand marketing management.
• Consider ways to connect with customers.
• Assess the importance of building strong brands.
• Discuss shaping the market offerings.
• Analyze the importance of communicating value.
• Strategize how to create long-term growth.

 

BCJ 100 Introduction to Criminal Justice

3 Semester Units

Introduction to Criminal Justice aims to provide students with a general understanding of the criminal justice system’s response to crime in society. It is important to note that the general theme of this course involves the delicate balance between community interests and individual rights that criminal justice decision-making requires. This theme will be explored by examining the criminal justice process in some detail, focusing on how the system is structured to respond to crime.

Course Objectives

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Explore the history of crime in America and corresponding changes in the American criminal justice system.
• Explain how multiculturalism and diversity present special challenges to, and opportunities for, the American system of criminal justice.
• Examine the development of criminological theory including the role of social research in that development.
• Describe the development of American courts including the concept of the dual-court system.
• Consider the history of punishments and its impact on the modern philosophy of corrections.

 

BCJ 230 Criminal Investigation

Criminal Investigation aims to provide students with an overview of the criminal investigation field. Course topics include the fundamentals of criminal investigation, follow-up investigative processes, methods for obtaining information, and how to approach investigation of different types of crimes.

Course Objectives

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Discuss the solvability factors in a criminal investigation.
• Identify the qualities of a good investigative report.
• Explain how to collect and search for evidence at a crime scene.
• Examine the role of investigative analysis to solve crimes.
• Identify the legal guidelines for conducting searches.
• Differentiate between interviews and interrogations.
• Distinguish between the criminal intelligence and criminal investigation functions.

BCJ 240 Procedures in the Justice System

3 Semester Units

Procedures in the Justice System covers the fundamental principles and procedures employed in the investigation of crimes. The course connects criminal procedure cases to the real world through innovative pedagogy and encourages critical thinking. This course is designed to help students develop a working knowledge of the steps of investigation, beginning with the initial security of the crime scene and concluding with the presentation of evidence and proper testimony in court in such a way as to make the concepts easy to apply to any state’s specific procedural laws.

Course Objectives

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Discuss the law of constitutional criminal procedures.
• Understand criminal procedures in its social, political, and historical contexts.
• Review the purposes and rules that emerge from cases.

 

BCJ 351 Forensic Science

3 Semester Units

Forensic Science explores the forensic investigation process and procedures. Students will learn how to identify, gather, and analyze multiple types of evidence through contemporary case studies. This course is designed to make the subject of forensic science comprehensible to a wide variety of students who are, or plan to be, aligned with the forensic science profession.

Course Objectives

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Define and distinguish forensic science and criminalistics.
• Describe proper techniques for packaging common types of physical evidence.
• Understand the difference between qualitative and quantitative analysis.
• Understand the use of DNA computerized databases in criminal investigation.