Criminal Justice, Law and Government Requirements

Technical Competencies - Criminal Justice

Observation

The ability to analyze, interpret and evaluate materials presented through demonstrations, presentations, lectures, field trips, field experiences and/or internships.

Communication
Ability to effectively utilize interpersonal skills to communicate with diverse populations that would commonly be found when working in the Criminal Justice System.

Students must be able to:

communicate effectively with others, both verbally and written, and also demonstrate awareness of own non-verbal communication and how it may be interpreted by others.
present information to the class using visual media aids.
participate in role-plays and simulations.

Sensory

Students must possess motor and sensory capacity to perform activities required for the Criminal Justice Program. They must be able to execute movements to complete classroom activities and laboratory experiments.
Behavioral

Students must demonstrate maturity, respect, and tolerance required for collaborative teamwork and other professional and socio-cultural interactions.
Students must demonstrate emotional stability to function effectively under stress and to adapt to changing environments.

Overview

Program Description

The School of Natural, Health, Social and Behavioral Sciences is committed to providing the students of Centenary University with a broad humanistic education through the social sciences. The learning process developed through sound social sciences programs can serve a student for a lifetime. The School offers a Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminal Justice. All academic writing is to be done using the American Psychological Association (APA) format; which is the standard writing format for the social sciences.

The School's program in Criminal Justice prepares students for employment in any of the three components of the criminal justice system: law enforcement, the courts, or corrections. Faculty members who have experience working in the criminal justice system teach courses, and expert guest lecturers are frequently used. Students in their senior year with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 or above may apply for an internship with an appropriate criminal justice agency. Eligible criminal justice students must first meet with their faculty advisor to apply.

Minors

Criminal Justice Minor

Students interested in completing a minor in Criminal Justice must complete a minimum of 16 credits in Criminal Justice above and beyond any courses that may be used to fulfill the University’s core requirements or other program requirements. To minor in Criminal Justice, all students must take the following courses:

CJS-1001	Introduction to the Criminal Justice System	4
-	2 sophomore 2000‐level
-	1 junior 3000‐level Criminal Justice courses

Law and Government Minor

Students interested in completing a minor in Law & Government must complete a minimum of 16 credits above and beyond any courses that may be used to fulfill the University’s core or other program requirements. To minor in Law & Government, all students must take the following courses:

POL-1001	U.S. Political Systems	4
POL-3001	American Constitutional Law	4
POL-3015	Ethics & the Professional	4
PLS-2000	Legal Research and Writing System	4