2023-2024 Undergraduate Catalog
Criminal Justice, B.A. |
Criminal Justice
With communities growing and citizens expecting safer towns and cities, along with the attention the FBI and other law enforcement offices have received in the wake of the tragedy of September 11th, the criminal and juvenile justice workforce continues to grow. Besides the need to prepare students for career opportunities in the field of criminal justice, this program provides a unique major of Criminal Justicein Southeastern Pennsylvania, in which the Franciscan vision of peace and justice supports and vitalizes law enforcement professions.
This distinctive program, in concert with Neumann University’s Mission , aims to plant the seed of the spirit of Saint Francis where it has most need of being started and the best chance for making a difference in the world. This spirit takes a view of sin and redemption, penance, justice, forgiveness, and preferential options for the poor and disenfranchised as the essential foundation of a criminal justice curriculum. Based in Gospel principles, the Criminal Justice program at this Franciscan University relies upon the innate goodness of humanity and the possibilities for redemption and rehabilitation for the betterment of the total community.
In order to spread this vision of criminal justice, the program prepares students to find employment in wide-ranging areas: courts and judicial offices, juvenile facilities, federal law enforcement agencies, forensic investigations, police departments, state prisons, sheriffs departments, city police organizations, state police departments, or community-based corrections (probation and parole). The Criminal Justice major provides opportunities for the study of many facets of the criminal justice system within a context of Franciscan values and is designed for those students who plan to attend graduate or professional school and/or pursue careers in criminal justice or other forms of public service.
Outcomes Approved by LOAC:
Upon successful completion of the undergraduate Criminal Justice program, the student will earn a Bachelor’s degree and will:
- Demonstrate a working knowledge and application of the principles, processes, and language relating to the criminal justice system.
- Demonstrate proficiency in the communication, technology, and teamwork skills needed to function effectively as a criminal justice professional.
- Apply the RISES values to working with diverse populations in the criminal justice field.
- Analyze the cultural context of contemporary crime and crime control in light of social and historical factors.
- Engage in self-reflection to contemplate the realities of working as a criminal justice professional.
Admission Criteria
Candidates for admission to the Criminal Justice major are required to:
- Complete CJ 101 Introduction to Criminal Justice and ENG 102 with a minimum grade of “C.”
- Achieve a grade of “C” or higher for all Criminal Justice courses taken prior to admission to the major.
- Have earned a minimum 2.00 cumulative GPA.
Progression Criteria/Degree Requirements
Progression in the Criminal Justice major leading to a Bachelor of Arts degree requires students to:
- Submit a current Pennsylvania Criminal Background Clearance preceding the semester of application for either an internship or Cooperative Education experience.
- Achieve a grade of “C” or higher for all major course requirements. Students who fail to earn a grade of C or better in CJ 201 and CJ 210 , or in any three courses in the program, should be counseled out of the major.
- Maintain a minimum 2.00 cumulative GPA.
- Complete a minimum of 122 credits.
Internship Requirement
Students are required to complete a minimum of three (3) credits of internship experience in areas related to Criminal Justice.
Major Requirements: 60 Credits
- CDM 206 Effective Public Speaking 3 Credits
- CJ 101 Introduction to Criminal Justice 3 Credits
- CJ 201 Criminology 3 Credits
- CJ 202 Judicial Process and Procedures 3 Credits
- CJ 204 Interview Techniques 3 Credits
- CJ 205 Writing for Criminal Justice 3 Credits
- CJ 210 Juvenile Justice System 3 Credits
- CJ 220 Criminal Investigations 3 Credits
- CJ 250 Criminal and Civil Law 3 Credits
- CJ 260 Criminal Behavior 3 Credits
- CJ 303 Research Methods 3 Credits Or CJ 495 3 Credits
- CJ 320 The Penitent: Corrections and Rehabilitation 3 Credits
- CJ 330 Victimology: Consequences of Crime 3 Credits
- CJ 370 Systems of Justice: Restorative Justice 3 Credits
- CJ 410 Multicultural Issues in Criminal Justice 3 Credits
- CJ 420 Strategies of Crime Prevention 3 Credits
- CJ 460 Senior Seminar 3 Credits
- EDU 494 / EDU 495 or EDU 496 3 Credits
- INT 202 Exploring Diversity 3 Credits
- MATH 102 Introductory Statistics 3 Credits*
- PHIL 205 Ethics in Criminal Justice 3 Credits***
- POLSC 101 The American Political Process 3 Credits
- PSYCH 101 General Psychology 3 Credits**
- THEO course at the 200-level or above 3 credits †
Electives for Criminal Justice Majors
In addition to major requirements, students are required to take 21 credits of electives and are strongly encouraged to consider either criminal justice elective courses (from the following list below) or to pursue a minor. Some recommendations for a minor could include any of the following: Psychology, Intelligence Studies, Spanish, or Accounting.
Students should consult with their major advisor when determining their elective courses.
- CJ 226 Special Topics in Criminal Justice Credit Varies
- CJ 230 Police Organization and Behaviors 3 Credits
- CJ 240 Criminalistics 3 Credits
- CJ 301 White Collar Crime 3 Credits
- CJ 302 Organized Crime 3 Credits
- CJ 310 Forensics 3 Credits
- CJ 340 Terrorism 3 Credits
- CJ 401 Violent Crime 3 Credits
- CJ 430 Drug Abuse and the Criminal Justice System 3 Credits
Suggested Four-Year Curriculum: 122 Credits
Criminal Justice Major at Neumann University
4-Year Curriculum Progression Plan - 2022-2023 Catalog
Freshman Year - Fall Semester (16 credits) |
Freshman Year - Spring Semester (15 credits) |
CJ 101 Introduction to Criminal Justice ENG 101 Rhetoric and Writing I INT 101 The Neumann Experience MATH 102 Introductory Statistics POLSC 101 The American Political Process OR PSYCH 101 General Psychology THEO 104 Theological Foundations OR History Core |
ENG 102 Rhetoric and Writing II Fine Arts Core PSYCH 101 General Psychology OR POLSC 101 The American Political Process THEO 104 Theological Foundations OR History Core CDM 206 Effective Public Speaking |
Sophomore Year - Fall Semester (15 credits) |
Sophomore Year - Spring Semester (15 credits) |
ENG Literature Core General Elective (i.e., Modern language 101) CJ 201 Criminology CJ 202 Judicial Process and Procedures CJ 205 Writing for Criminal Justice |
Modern language 102 (Core) CJ 204 Interview Techniques CJ 220 Criminal Investigations CJ 250 Criminal and Civil Law CJ 303 Research Methods OR CJ 495 Internship II (depending on professional interest) |
Junior Year - Fall Semester (15 credits) |
Junior Year - Spring Semester (16 credits) |
CJ 210 Juvenile Justice CJ 370 Systems of Justice: Restorative Justice PHIL 102 Exploring Ethics CJ 494 Internship I General Elective |
THEO course at 200-level or higher CJ 330 Victimology Science Core (with lab) INT 202 Exploring Diversity General Elective |
Senior Year - Fall Semester (15 credits) |
Senior Year - Spring Semester (15 credits) |
CJ 260 Criminal Behavior CJ 320 The Penitent: Corrections and Rehabilitation CJ 410 Multicultural Issues in Criminal Justice CJ 420 Strategies of Crime Prevention PHIL 205 Ethics in Criminal Justice |
CJ 460 Senior Seminar 12 credits of General Electives |