Fundamentals of Criminal Justice
Undergraduate Certificate Online Program

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, focusing on how the system is structured to respond to crime.

Course Objectives

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

• Describe the nature and extent of crime and discuss the foundations of law and the criminal justice system.
• Examine law enforcement from the history of policing through to contemporary issues and challenges confronting the profession.
• Describe the role of the courts in the criminal justice system and the process of prosecution, criminal trial, and sentencing.
• Discuss the key aspects of corrections including its history, community and institutional corrections, prison life, and parole.
• Examine special issues in criminal justice related to juvenile justice, terrorism, human trafficking, hate crimes, and the #MeToo Movement.
• Demonstrate proficiency with academic writing related to criminal justice.

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 the investigation of different types of crimes.

Course Objectives

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

• Identify and define the study of criminal investigation and discuss the foundations of criminal investigation.
• Demonstrate an understanding of follow-up investigative processes and analyze the legal issues involved.
• Discuss best practices for obtaining information through interviews, interrogations, criminal intelligence and surveillance operations.
• Examine the various types of crimes related to people, property and national security.
• Demonstrate proficiency with academic writing related to criminal investigation.

Procedures in the Justice System is organized around the theme of balancing the need to detect, investigate, prosecute, and punish crime against the constitutional commitment protecting the rights and liberties of individuals. This course is designed to help students develop a working knowledge of the procedures involved in the justice system and covers the fundamental principles and procedures employed throughout the legal process. Topics include factors related to investigating crimes, considerations and practices related to the procedural and prosecutorial processes, and the trial, sentencing, and appellate processes.

Course Objectives

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

• Describe the criminal justice process and the sources of criminal procedure.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the factors and requirements related to searches and seizures.
• Examine practices related to interrogations, lineups, and identifications.
• Evaluate the different remedies for constitutional violations.
• Examine the pretrial and trial process, sentencing, and appeals.
• Demonstrate proficiency with academic writing related to procedures in the justice system.

Forensic Science provides an introduction to the field of forensic science as it relates to crime and terrorism. Students will examine best practices within the field including evidence collection, preservation, and analysis. The methods and science used to analyze physical evidence is presented. This course will also introduce students to the role of forensic science related to terrorism and homeland security.

Course Objectives

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

• Define forensic science and criminalistics including commonly used terms and key concepts.
• Examine the concept of trace evidence and pattern evidence related to fingerprints, shoeprints, document analysis, and firearms.
• Explore the concept of chemical evidence related to metals, gunshot residue, arson, and drugs of abuse.
• Explore the concept of biological evidence related to toxicology, biological fluids, and DNA typing.
• Assess the role of forensic science as it relates to terrorism investigation.
• Demonstrate proficiency with academic writing related to forensic science.