Justice Studies - Criminal Justice Bachelor of Science Degree (B.S.)

Not all programs are offered for completion at each campus or through Berkeley College Online®. Please review the academic program pages (https://berkeleycollege.edu/academics/index.html) for information on where each program is offered. Additionally, all students may be required to take some courses at another campus or online. The Internship courses are only offered online.

PROGRAM LEARNING OBJECTIVES

SAMPLE PROGRAM SEQUENCE

SAMPLE PROGRAM SEQUENCE - CYBERSECURITY CONCENTRATION

SAMPLE PROGRAM SEQUENCE - HOMELAND SECURITY CONCENTRATION

SAMPLE PROGRAM SEQUENCE - INVESTIGATIONS AND SECURITY CONCENTRATION

SAMPLE PROGRAM SEQUENCE - POLICE STUDIES CONCENTRATION

SAMPLE PROGRAM SEQUENCE - SOCIAL JUSTICE CONCENTRATION

SAMPLE PROGRAM SEQUENCE - SOCIAL WELFARE CONCENTRATION

Course Requirements

MAJOR CORE COURSES

CIS1115 Computer Applications

3 Credits

Provides an introduction to computer technology with an emphasis on applications. Students learn to use software, such as Microsoft Windows, Word, PowerPoint, and Excel.

JUS1100 Introduction to Justice Studies

3 Credits

Introduces the major institutions of justice in society. Topics include justice in a free society, the police, courts, correctional services, the balance of individual rights and public order, law, and public policy, and factors affecting the future of the justice system.

JUS1110 Communication Skills for Criminal Justice Professionals

3 Credits

Examines the nature and importance of communication within the criminal justice system. Students develop report-writing skills and an understanding of the impact report writing has on the investigation and prosecution of crime, as well as on the administration of justice.

JUS2000 Career Development

3 Credits

Introduces students to the fundamentals of career development and career planning. The course focuses on setting appropriate discipline specific career goals based on self-assessment exercises that align with skills and competencies. Students learn how to write a professional resume and cover letter, how to communicate effectively in multiple media formats and how to develop effective time management skills.

Note: JUS2000 is only offered as a 7-week course.

JUS2201 Criminal Procedure

3 Credits

Introduces the methods and body of rules by which criminal law functions in a free society. Topics include the collection and handling of evidence in a crime, police procedure in regard to search and seizure, emergency police searches, vehicle searches, confessions, and arrest and interrogation procedures.

Prerequisite: JUS1100

JUS2205 Criminal Law

3 Credits

Introduces the study of criminal law. Students will learn about general categories of criminal law (felonies and misdemeanors) and the various defenses to criminal charges (alibi, justification, excuse, conspiracy, and legal insanity).

Prerequisite: JUS1100

JUS3307 Corrections, Probation, and Parole

3 Credits

Introduces the history and current state of corrections, probation, and parole in the United States. Topics include the roles of corrections, probation, and parole officers; different types of jails and prisons; restorative justice; community-based correctional models; and extra-institutional supervision of convicted offenders.

Prerequisite: JUS1100

JUS4406 Research Methods in Criminal Justice

3 Credits

Examines the process of academic research with particular attention to research designs, data collection, and sampling. This course will address the procedures and methods necessary to conduct a research study in criminal justice. Methodological problems and ethical issues will be considered in detail.

Prerequisites: JUS1100, SOC2220, MAT2215

JUS4483 Internship

3 Credits

Students work in a position related to their course of study while at the same time completing online course requirements – including focused online discussions and special online projects - that integrate the skills and knowledge learned through their degree program.

Prerequisite: Departmental permission

SOC2218 Police and Society

3 Credits

Introduces the history and traditions of American policing. Examines the role of the police in advancing justice in a democratic society. Topics include law enforcement operations and strategies, such as profiling, organizational structure, community affairs, police use of force, and various major concerns in public policy.

SOC2220 Criminology

3 Credits

Introduces the various causes of crime in a free society. This course considers factors such as free will, biology, and other possible causes, such as DNA, nutrition, hormones, and subcultures of violence.

Justice Studies Elective- 6 Credits

Major Concentration*- 12 Credits

 

LIBERAL ARTS AND SCIENCE CORE COURSES

ENG1105 Writing and Research

3 Credits

An introduction to expository writing through a comprehensive survey of forms of composition. Students are taught to use words with precision and strengthen their understanding and application of grammatical and rhetorical principles. Students are encouraged to appreciate and incorporate the principles of academic and professional writing.

ENG2205 Writing Through Literature

3 Credits

Further develop the writing, reading, and interpretive abilities introduced in ENG1105 through critical engagement with literary texts from a myriad of genres.

Prerequisite: ENG1105

ENG3316 The Confident Writer 

3 Credits

Explores a wide variety of non-fiction writing genres, including personal profile, journalism, criticism, and more. Students build their reading, writing, and researching skills while also reinforcing the fundamental concepts and current developments associated with the areas of their respective majors.

Prerequisite: ENG2205

HUM2225 Introduction to Ethics

3 Credits

Introduces the study of ethics and moral philosophy, including its historical development, the major figures within that history, and ethical and moral issues that face us today. This course presents the perspectives of various schools of thought and encourages students’ own critical thinking on ethical and moral issues in dialogue with others.

MAT2215 Statistics I

3 Credits

Introduces statistical methods and procedures. Students become acquainted with the collection, analysis, and presentation of quantitative data. Topics include basic concepts of probability, frequency distributions, binomial distributions, sampling theory, hypothesis testing, and regression and correlation.

SCI2230 Forensic Science

3 Credits

Focuses on the application of science to law. This course introduces students to the field of forensic science through a hands-on approach in its applications to criminal investigations. Students are presented with clear explanations of the techniques, abilities, and limitations of the modern crime laboratory and crime scene.

SOC1123 First Year Experience

3 Credits

Explores the challenges students most frequently face in pursuing and achieving a college degree. Students will identify their own perceived challenges, share critical insights to meeting them, and implement their own plan of action to address and overcome such challenges.

SOC2210 Introduction to Sociology

3 Credits

Examines the social institutions such as culture, family, and education that shape and influence the behavior of the individual and groups with emphasis on examining contemporary social problems. Topics explored include: the study of human social life, theories and methods of sociology, and basic sociological concepts.

SOC2231 Human Relations

3 Credits

Students will develop the interpersonal skills known to be key ingredients for successful everyday interactions with a focus on the challenges of workplace relationships involving coworkers, supervisors, and customers/clients. Some major skill areas covered in the course include making a good impression with your employer, managing conflict with difficult coworkers, working on a team with diverse groups of people, providing exceptional service for customers/clients, and managing on-the-job stressors.

English Elective- 3 Credits 

Humanities Elective- 3 Credits 

Mathematics/Science Elective- 3 Credits

Liberal Arts Electives**- 24 Credits

FREE ELECTIVES- 9 Credits

Major Concentrations

Police Studies

JUS2225 Criminal Investigations- 3 Credits
JUS3301 Police Administration and Management- 3 Credits
JUS3302 Homeland Security- 3 Credits
LAW3320 Constitutional Law- 3 Credits

Homeland Security

NTS2215 Introduction to Emergency Management- 3 Credits
JUS3302 Homeland Security- 3 Credits
JUS3314 Introduction to Intelligence- 3 Credits
JUS3315 Terrorism- 3 Credits

Cyber Security

ITM3300 Fundamentals of Network Security- 3 Credits
NTS3308 Systems Security and Auditing- 3 Credits
JUS4403 Cyber Crime- 3 Credits
NTS4402 Digital Forensics- 3 Credits

Investigations and Security

JUS2225 Criminal Investigations- 3 Credits
JUS4402 Private Security Management- 3 Credits
JUS4404 White Collar Crime- 3 Credits
JUS4407 Global Security- 3 Credits

Social Justice

JUS2235 Juvenile Justice- 3 Credits
HUM3355 Social Justice Issues- 3 Credits
SOC3320 Gender, Race and Class- 3 Credits
SOC3360 Law and Society- 3 Credits

Social Welfare

LAW2235 Immigration Law- 3 Credits
SCI3301 The Science of Addiction and Obsession- 3 Credits
SOC3320 Gender, Race and Class- 3 Credits
SOC3332 Understanding Social Behavior- 3 Credits

120 SEMESTER CREDIT HOURS REQUIRED FOR GRADUATION

*Nine credits of Major Concentrations courses must be at the 3000/4000 level. 
**15 credits of Liberal Arts Electives must be at the 3000/4000 level. 

Eligibility for some internships required to obtain a Berkeley College degree and employment opportunities in fields related to this program may require candidates to meet specific health requirements or pass criminal background checks prescribed by law. Applicants for whom such requirements may be matters of concern are strongly advised to contact an Admissions counselor prior to enrolling in this program. Note that law enforcement jobs typically require the candidate to be physically and mentally fit and have a valid driver's license, a clean driving record, no felony criminal record, no domestic violence charges (felony or misdemeanor), no loan/credit card defaults, and the ability to be licensed (via your agency or department) to carry a firearm. A selection process involving qualifying examination and/or supplementary training may also be required. Job requirements for non-sworn personnel in criminal justice and related agencies vary.