Course Catalog

Criminal Justice Technology, AAS (CJT3) Degree

Campus Locations: Online

The Criminal Justice Technology associate degree program is a sequence of courses that prepares students for Criminal Justice professions. Learning opportunities develop academic, occupational, and professional knowledge and skills required for job acquisition, retention, and advancement. The program emphasizes a combination of Criminal Justice theory and practical application necessary for successful employment. Program graduates receive a Criminal Justice Technology associate degree. Graduates who are current practitioners will benefit through enhancement of career potential. Entry-level persons will be prepared to pursue diverse opportunities in the corrections, security, investigative, and police administration fields. Completion of the Criminal Justice Technology associate degree does not ensure certification of officer status in Georgia. Students must seek such certification from the Peace Officer Standards and Training (P.O.S.T.) Council.

Program Outcomes: Upon completion of this program, students will attain comprehensive academic, occupational, and professional knowledge necessary for their chosen field. They will acquire essential skills for acquiring, retaining, and advancing in their careers, ensuring they are well-prepared for success in the workforce.

Careers: Corrections, Security, Investigative, Police Administration (Some careers will require Peace Officer Standards and Training), First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives

Length of Program: 5 Terms

Admission Requirements:

General College Admissions and Placement

Program Requirements:

A satisfactory criminal background check must be completed prior to entering the Criminal Justice practicum or internship. A felony conviction could prevent students from obtaining an intern site and employment in the Criminal Justice field.

Curriculum Outline (60 hours)

General Core Courses	15
Area I - Language Arts/Communication	3
ENGL 1101Composition and Rhetoric Explores the analysis of literature and articles about issues in the humanities and in society. Students practice various modes of writing, ranging from exposition to argumentation and persuasion. The course includes a review of standard grammatical and stylistic usage in proofreading and editing. An introduction to library resources lays the foundation for research. Topics include writing analysis and practice, revision, and research. Students write a research paper using library resources and using a formatting and documentation style appropriate to the purpose and audience.	3
Area II - Social/Behavior Science	3
Area III - Natural Sciences/Mathematics	3
MATH 1100Quantitative Skills and Reasoning Emphasizes algebra, statistics, and mathematics of finance. Topics include fundamental operations of algebra, sets and logic, probability and statistics, geometry, mathematics of voting and districting, and mathematics of finance.	3
MATH 1101Mathematic Modeling Emphasizes functions using real-world applications as models. Topics include fundamental concepts of algebra; functions and graphs; linear, quadratic, polynomial, exponential, and logarithmic functions and models; systems of equations; and optional topics in algebra.	3
MATH 1111College Algebra Emphasizes techniques of problem solving using algebraic concepts. Topics include fundamental concepts of algebra, equations and inequalities, functions and graphs, and systems of equations; optional topics include sequences, series, and probability or analytic geometry.	3
MATH 1103Quantitative Skills and Reasoning This course focuses on quantitative skills and reasoning in the context of experiences that students will be likely to encounter. The course emphasizes processing information in context from a variety of representations, understanding of both the information and the processing, and understanding which conclusions can be reasonably determined. Students will use appropriate technology to enhance mathematical thinking and understanding. Topics covered in this course include: sets and set operations, logic, basic probability, data analysis, linear models, quadratic models, exponential and logarithmic models, geometry, and financial management.	3
Area IV - Humanities/Fine Arts	3
General Education Core Elective	3

Occupational Courses	45
CRJU 1010Introduction to Criminal Justice Introduces the development and organization of the criminal justice system in the United States. Topics include: the American criminal justice system; constitutional limitations; organization of enforcement, adjudication, and corrections; and career opportunities and requirements.	3
CRJU 1030Corrections Provides an analysis of all phases of the American correctional system and practices, including its history, procedures, and objectives. Topics include: history and evolution of correctional facilities; legal and administrative problems; institutional facilities and procedures; probation, parole, and prerelease programs; alternative sentencing; rehabilitation; community involvement; and staffing.	3
CRJU 1040Principles of Law Enforcement This course examines the principles of the organization, administration, and duties of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies. Topics include: history and philosophy of law enforcement, evaluation of administrative practices, problems in American law enforcement agencies, emerging concepts, professionalism, and community crime prevention programs.	3
CRJU 1068Criminal Law for Criminal Justice This course introduces criminal law in the United States, but emphasizes the current specific status of Georgia criminal law. The course will focus on the most current statutory contents of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated (O.C.G.A.) with primary emphasis on the criminal and traffic codes. Topics include: historic development of criminal law in the United States; statutory law, Georgia Code (O.C.G.A.) Title 16 - Crimes and Offenses; statutory law, Georgia Code (O.C.G.A.) Title 40 - Motor Vehicle and Traffic Offenses; and Supreme Court rulings that apply to criminal law.	3
CRJU 1400Ethics/Cultural Perspectives for Criminal Justice This course provides an exploration ethics and cultural perspectives in criminal justice. In presenting ethics, both the individual perspective and the organizational standpoint will be examined. Four areas of ethical decision making opportunities are studied including: law enforcement ethics; correctional ethics; legal profession ethics; and policymaking ethics. The presentation of cultural perspectives is designed to aid law enforcement officers to better understand and communicate with members of other cultures with whom they come in contact in the line of duty. Topics include: defining and applying terms related to intercultural attitudes, role-play activities related to intercultural understanding, developing interpersonal/intercultural communication competence, and development of personal intercultural growth plan.	3
CRJU 2070Juvenile Justice Analyzes the nature, extent, and causes of juvenile delinquency, and examines processes in the field of juvenile justice. Topics include: survey of juvenile law, comparative analysis of adult and juvenile justice systems, and prevention and treatment of juvenile delinquency.	3
CRJU 2020Constitutional Law for Criminal Justice This course emphasizes those provisions of the Bill of Rights which pertain to criminal justice. Topics include: characteristics and powers of the three branches of government; principles governing the operation of the U.S. Constitution, the Bill of Rights and the Fourteenth Amendment.	3
CRJU 2050Criminal Procedure Introduces the substantive law of major crimes against persons and property. Attention is given to observation of courtroom trials. Topics include: laws of arrest and search and seizure; procedures governing arrest, trial, and administration of criminal sanctions; rules of evidence; general court procedures; rights and duties of officers and citizens; and Supreme Court rulings that apply to Law Enforcement/Overview of Constitutional Law.	3
COMP 1000Introduction to Computer Literacy This course introduces the fundamental concepts, terminology, and operations necessary to use computers. Emphasis is placed on basic functions and familiarity with computer use. Topics include introductions to computer and digital terminology and usage, operating systems, Internet and digital communication, word processing applications, spreadsheet applications, database applications, and presentation applications. Please note that this course may not transfer to a 4-year institution. Students should check with their transferring institution for transferability of courses. COMP 2000 may be taken in place of COMP 1000 if it is required by a transferring institution.	3
CRJU xxxxAdvisor-Guided CRIMINAL JUSTICE Electives (15 hrs) Select courses from CRJU, LETA, FOSC, EMYT, FRSC, LENF, or SOCI 2600.	15
and choose ONE of the following	3
CRJU 2090Criminal Justice Practicum Provides experiences necessary for further professional development and exposure to related agencies in the criminal justice field. The student will pursue a professional research project supervised by the instructor. Topics include: criminal justice theory applications.	3
CRJU 2100Criminal Justice Internship/Externship Provides experiences necessary for further professional development and exposure to related agencies in the criminal justice field. The student will pursue an externship in a related agency supervised by the instructor. Topics include: criminal justice theory applications.	3