Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice

An examination of the American criminal justice system as an interdisciplinary social science involving aspects of criminology, sociology, law, and political science.This course will enable the student to grasp the complexity of the American Criminal Justice System. As we study the Administration of Criminal Justice, we will see how the several components work, their goals, organizations and how they may have different or competing philosophies.

This course will assess the criminal justice system including research theory, inquiry structure, and modes of observation, data interpretation, program evaluation, and policy analysis. The student will approach the study of research methods through reading assignments, assessing scenarios, research readings and/or questions regarding issues in research in Criminal Justice. The student will prepare a research survey regarding a topic in the criminal justice field. Students will examine the importance of theory as it relates to criminal justice research and differentiate between major research approaches, designs, data collection techniques, and research works. Students shall be introduced to the American Psychological Association (APA) style of writing regarding basic research paper format. (This course is to be considered a perquisite taken as one of the first three 300 level courses from the criminal justice and/or security curriculums).

This course is an evaluation of the breadth and complexity of contemporary police administration from a systems perspective, a traditional structural perspective, a human behavioral perspective, and a strategic management perspective. Students will apply terms and ideas in the study of policing; and be able to demonstrate and assess the historical development of law enforcement at local, state and federal levels. Additionally they will be able to critically analyze contemporary problems and trends facing law enforcement agencies including their functions, operations and management styles. Managerial theories and practices in organizations will be examined and assessed as to their application in law enforcement organizations.

This course explains criminal behavior in relationship to various theories and analysis through historical explanations including classic theories and current developments of crime causation as they relate to criminal involvement. Society's response to criminal behavior is reviewed through the assessment of legal approaches and the aspects of the criminal justice system. Discussions of types of crime, terrorism, and recent laws affecting violent criminal acts are distinguished. Research affecting social policy and public crime concerns are examined including social problems and social responsibility perspectives.

This course is an analytical examination of crime detection and solution, including such topics as crime scene procedures, physical evidence, interviews, field notes and reporting, follow-up investigation, interrogation, and rules of evidence. Specific detail is given to investigations involving homicide, sex-related offenses, and crimes against children, robbery, larceny, vehicle thefts, computer crime, environmental crime, arson, and drug abuse. There is an in depth analysis of investigation methodologies addressing inductive and deductive reasoning to assess the decision making process to solve crimes.

This course has a concentration on the major functions and structure as well as processes that underline ethical issues and types associated within the American Criminal Justice System. This course will explore the structure and nature of the various types of ethical debates within the American judicial system. There will be an assessment of the ethics in criminal justice, as it explores the issues of morality, virtue, honesty, and making ethical decisions in the United States criminal justice system. Assessments of various issues will be examined as they relate to decision making and ethics.

A comprehensive study of the context, practices, and special interests of corrections. Topics include the early history and current trends of correctional thought and practice, jails and other short-term facilities, intermediate sanctions, the prison experience, women in prison, institutional management, educational/treatment programs, prisoners' rights, and race/ethnicity challenges.

This course is an introduction to constitutional law, the Supreme Court, and criminal procedure using the "case and comment" approach. Its concentration is on the study and analysis of United States Constitutional Law. It emphasizes those provisions of the Bill of Rights pertaining to criminal justice. Topics include: the historical events that led to the development of the Constitution; principles governing the operation of the Constitution and the role of the U.S. Supreme Court; characteristics and powers of the three branches of government; development of due process and individual protections; right to counsel, unreasonable searches and seizures; compulsory self-incrimination; and cruel and unusual punishment.

A study in substantive criminal law emphasizing the principles of criminal liability and the acts, mental state, and attendant circumstances that are necessary ingredients in crimes against persons or property or in offenses involving theft, fraud, drugs, morality and decency, public peace, or public justice.

A comprehensive overview of the processes involved in the use of criminal evidence including rules of evidence; arrests, searches, and seizures; interrogations, confessions, and non-testimonial evidence, impeachment and cross-examination of witnesses; opinion evidence; hearsay evidence; and articles and exhibits of evidence.

This course presents the chemical basis for classification of, and emergency response to incidents involving, hazardous materials. It is designed for the non-chemist emergency responder, transporters and others who need to understand the implications of both single product and multiple product spills, releases and incidents.

This course is a study of the federal, state and local organizations involved in border and coastal security, associated homeland security issues, the various policy and operational strategies used for border and coastal access and security, and contemporary border and coastal security concerns. Topics also include immigration and non-U.S. approaches to border and coastal security.

Port Security is a survey course designed to provide students with a broad knowledge of port security issues. It will examine the critical importance of ports to trade and their vulnerability to disruption and attack. It will also examine several contemporary issues, including; the importance of sea borne trade to the North American and United States economies, the value of mega ports to sea borne trade, the vulnerabilities of ports to disruption and asymmetric attack, critical port security incidents such as the Halifax Explosion, and defensive measures to protect ports from disruption or asymmetric attack.

This course assesses the impact of terrorism on U.S. national security. It focuses on a variety of aspects related to U.S. policy on terrorism, the threat of terrorism to U.S. national security, and the problems inherent to U.S. counterterrorism. The student will develop a comprehensive understanding of how the U.S. views terrorism, how various policies affect outcomes of counterterrorism, strengths and weaknesses in policy and strategies, threats to U.S. national security, and suggestions for solutions to these threats.

Maritime/Admiralty Law is that body of laws which governs events and transactions which occur upon navigable waters, including oceans, gulf and inland waterways. More specifically, it addresses matters including marine navigation and commerce, shipping, maritime workers, and the transportation of passengers and goods by sea. Maritime/Admiralty law has been distinguished from the Law of the Sea, which is a body of public international law addressing navigational rights, natural resource rights, jurisdiction over coastal waters and international law governing relationships between nations. This course contains a broad review of both Maritime/Admiralty Law and the Law of the Sea, including those international and domestic laws applicable in a maritime setting which govern relationships between individuals and the state (public law) as well as individuals and/or groups (private law). Specifically, this course will survey the fundamental principles of maritime law with a broad review of civil and criminal law enforcement issues in a maritime context. Students will study various aspects of maritime jurisdiction and substantive law addressing such topics as the law of the sea, maritime law enforcement, maritime tort law, maritime commercial law, maritime liens, salvage, rights and obligations of port authorities and pilots, sovereign immunity, international maritime conventions, and piracy. After completing this course the student will be able to: A. Analyze numerous substantive legal issues related to maritime law. B. Recount various international conventions relating to maritime safety and pollution. C. Differentiate between proper jurisdictional venues for assorted maritime actions. D. Identify legal issues and limitations related to a ship owner’s liability and cargo claims. E. Examine various forms of compensation available to seamen, other maritime workers and passengers.

This course is designed to provide a solid foundation for undergraduate study in the online environment. Students will be introduced to learning theory, the tools available in the online classroom and campus, and online research. Identification of personal learning style allows students to improve their study/learning techniques and prepares them to succeed in college level courses. Students will be introduced to formatting and citation styles. APUS policy and procedure is addressed. There is an emphasis on written communication to assist students in the transition to the online environment.

This seminar is a senior level course designed to allow the student to review, analyze, and integrate the work the student has completed toward a degree in Criminal Justice. The student will complete an approved academic project or paper that demonstrates mastery of their program of study in a meaningful culmination of their learning, as well as assess their level of mastery of the stated outcomes of their degree requirements. Student must have SENIOR standing to register