Coursework in a Criminal Justice Program

Aside from arming students with firm footing in general educational, the coursework for a criminal justice degree seeks to equip students with an understanding of crime, how it is dealt with, how laws are created, and how they are enforced. The concentration courses deal with investigation, criminal behavior, corrections, law enforcement, security, and court procedures. With the knowledge gained from this type of program you should be able to accurately gauge what area of criminal justice you are interested in pursuing as a career.

Coursework in a criminal justice program also includes a good amount of theoretical information and careful study of various methodologies that are proven in the field. Hands on training will also play an important role in your criminal justice training and education—there is no better way to instruct students in a subject like crime scene investigation. You will make extensive use of both statistical software and computers as part of your program of study, as technology plays a particularly important role in modern law enforcement.

Your general education requirements will give you a greater understanding of the world around you as well as prepare you for any additional challenges you might face in the field. General education course requirements are typically tailored to compliment and enforce the core classes that are part of a criminal justice program.

Sample General Education Courses
• Introduction to Computer Systems
• Biology
• Research Writing
• Mathematics
• American Government
• Physical Sciences
• Psychology
• Statistics
• Anthropology
• Ethics
• Speech and Communication
• Western Civilization

Every facet of crime prevention, apprehension, prosecution, jurisdiction, and rehabilitation is covered in a criminal justice degree program. The goal of these programs is for students to go beyond simple understanding, and find a place where they feel that they are both an integral part of the system and a contributor in its structure.

Apart from general education courses, a student’s exact schedule will largely depend on the exact program of study or specialization he or she chooses to pursue. For example, someone who intends to specialize in juvenile justice isn’t going to have much use for forensic science; however, many of the core courses will remain unchanged.

Concentration and Specialization Courses
• Criminology
• Criminal Law
• Law Enforcement Administration
• Public Safety Policy
• Criminal Investigation
• Drugs and Crime
• Forensic Sciences
• Crime Scene Investigation
• Court and Appeals Processes
• Juvenile Justice

The coursework for a criminal justice degree will challenge you to think and act in ways that you haven’t previously considered or even been aware of. It will certainly prepare you for work in a variety of exciting professions within the realms of the judicial system, law enforcement, security, or corrections. The time you spend with these classes will give you more than simply the bare minimum experience needed to “do the job”; instead, it will give you the training and knowledge to do the job to the best of your abilities and ensure a successful career.