Criminal Justice -Curriculum

The curriculum in Criminal Justice offers a series of courses which examine the individual components and interrelationship of law enforcement, corrections, and the courts. This curriculum builds upon the strong liberal arts foundation of the University’s general education requirements to prepare students with the skills in leadership, communication, and critical thinking necessary in the field of criminal justice today.

The core requirements are designed to emphasize a holistic approach to criminal justice and at the same time provide in-depth study of both theory and application. Within both the core requirements and the interdisciplinary component, the interrelationship of criminal justice with the study of psychology and sociology is reinforced. Students are able to choose from an array of electives both within the major as well as in related fields of study based upon interest and career path.

The internship program allows students who wish to apply academic skills an opportunity to participate as student interns with a variety of local, state, and federal criminal justice agencies. Today's graduate with a major in criminal justice may pursue career opportunities in law enforcement, corrections, the courts, social services, or private business.

For those already employed in the criminal justice field, obtaining the bachelor's degree allows for expanded career opportunities and advancement. The criminal justice major and courses provide graduates a solid foundation for the continuation of lifelong learning as well as graduate or professional schools.

Total minimum semester hours needed for the Bachelor Degree is 120 semester hours (SH) including 51 SH in core courses, 45 SH in general education courses, and 24 SH in approved electives. Pfeiffer University at Charlotte's residency requirement is 45 semester hours.

Required Courses (34 Semester Hours):

• CRIM 202  Introduction to Criminal Justice
• CRIM 390 Research Methods in Criminal
• CRIM 205  Introduction to Criminology Justice
• CRIM 215  Substantive Criminal Law
• CRIM 520 Senior Seminar in Criminal Justice
• CRIM 220  Ethics in Criminal Justice
• PSYC 202 General Psychology
• CRIM 222  Criminal Justice Administration
• PSYC 222 Statistics & Data Analysis
• CRIM 305  Criminal Procedure I or
• BUAD 321 Business Statistics
• SOCY 201  Introduction to Sociology

Interdisciplinary Component - 9 SH

• BUAD 430  Organizational Behavior
• PSYC 295  Psych. Dev. Across the Lifespan
• COMM 355  Issues of Diversity
• PSYC 323  Psychology of Adjustment
• COMM 360  Organizational Communication
• PSYC 425  Counseling
• COMM 414  Conflict Transformation
• PSYC 498  Psychology & the Law (when offered)
• PLSC 307  Law and Society
• SOCY 204  Social Problems
• PLSC 405  Public Policy
• SOCY 206  Sociology of Family
• PSYC 210 Social Psychology
• SOCY 425  Death and Dying
• PSYC 226  Behavior Problems
• SOCY 450  Race and Ethnic Relations

Electives - 9 SH

• COMP 360 Microcomputer Applications
• CRIM 555 Internship in Criminal Justice
• CRIM 203 Criminal Investigation
• CRIM 556 Internship in Criminal Justice
• CRIM 598 Current Topics - may complete two (2)
• CRIM 204 Juvenile Justice different topics
• CRIM 207 Problems and Practices in
• PLSC 411 Constitutional Law I - Powers
• Criminal Justice
• PLSC 412 Constitutional Law II - Rights
• CRIM 210 Criminalistics
• SOCY 206 Sociology of the Family
• CRIM 442 Terrorism
• SPAN (6SH) 201, 202, 301, or 302

Criminal Justice Degree Completion Program

Criminal Justice - Course Descriptions

CRIM - 202 Introduction to Criminal Justice (3 SH)
An overview of the criminal justice system with an emphasis on the holistic nature of criminal
justice today. The history and evolution of law enforcement, the courts and corrections are
examined along with contemporary issues.

CRIM - 203 Criminal Investigation (3 SH)
An overview of the criminal investigative process and its various components including the
area of substantive crime. Emphasis is placed on the study of rules and evidence, criminal
procedures, crime scene search, the role of the crime laboratory, interviewing, and
professionalism. Prerequisite: CRIM 202.

CRIM - 204 Juvenile Justice (3 SH)
Studies traditional and contemporary views of juvenile delinquency. Historical development
of juvenile law and the juvenile justice system within the context of the criminal justice
system. Future trends in juvenile justice are examined. Prerequisite: CRIM 202 or SOCY
201.

CRIM - 205 Introduction to Criminology (3 SH)
The nature and scope of crime with emphasis on the social and psychological causes is
studied. Emphasis will be placed on criminological theories and the application of theories
and current crime issues. Prerequisities: SOCY 201, or CRIM 202, and Senior status or
permission of the instructor.

CRIM - 207 Criminal Justice and Society (3 SH)
A contemporary and historical study of criminal justice and its relationship with the public,
the press and other governmental agencies. Evaluation of law enforcement, judicial and
correction problems and practices in society today. Prerequisite: CRIM 202.

CRIM - 210 Criminalistics  (4 SH)
The study of physical evidence as it relates to crime. Emphasis is on collection, preservation,
delivery, and chemical and physical analysis of evidence obtained in a criminal investigation.
This course does not fulfill a laboratory science requirement. Prerequisite: CRIM 203.

CRIM - 215 Substantive Criminal Law (3 SH)
The evolution and current status of substantive criminal law in the United States, including
the role of common law, case law, and statutory law are examined. The application of
criminal law on both a federal and state level will be studied. Emphasis will be upon legal
research and the study of important legal decisions and their effect on society. Prerequisite:
CRIM 202 or PLSC 201.

CRIM - 220 Ethics in Criminal Justice (3 SH)
Potential ethical controversies confronting the criminal justice process and law enforcement
agencies. Special attention given to contemporary ethical issues in the administration
of justice.

CRIM - 222 Criminal Justice Administration  (3 SH)
An examination of the principals, elements, practices, and procedures of management and
administration that are essential to the operation of criminal justice agencies. A specific
focus of this course will be practical application of management and adminstrative techniques
in areas of law enforcement, adjudication, institutional and residential corrections.
Prerequisite: CRIM 202.

CRIM - 305 Criminal Law II (3 SH)
Criminal procedure within the United States legal system is examined with emphasis on
pre-arrest, arrest and court procedures. Both state and federal procedural law is studied
looking at the role of legal precedence, judicial decision making, administration of the
courts and the appellate process. Students will visit various state and federal courts to
observe actual court proceedings. Prerequisite: CRIM 202 or PLSC 201 and CRIM 502.

CRIM - 390 Research Methods in Criminal Justice  (3 SH)
(WI) Basic research techniques and statistical analyses used in criminal justice, field
observation, survey methods, and experimental designs; evaluation of social programs;
uses of computers in the social sciences. All students are required to design an original
research project with data that is collected through individuals or community agencies
that contribute to a specific need in the local criminal justice community. Prerequisite:
CRIM 202.

CRIM - 407 Criminal Procedure II  (3 SH)
Criminal Procedure II examines the concepts of pre-arrest, arrest, search and seizure relative
to exceptions to the search warrant requirement, consent to search, plain view searches and
seizures of evidence, vehicle searches and seizures, opens fields and abandoned property.
Emphasis is placed on criminal procedure and the fifth and sixth amendments pertinent to
Interrogations, admissions, confessions, and pretrial visual identification procedures.
Prerequisites: CRIM 202, CRIM 215.

CRIM -  442 Terrorism  (3 SH)
Provides a theoretical and conceptual framework that enables your students to understand
how terrorism arises and how it functions. The most sophisticated theories by the best
terrorist analysts in the world are presented. The focus is on the domestic and international
threat of terrorism and the basic security issues surrounding terrorism today. Prerequisite:
CRIM 202.

CRIM - 520 Senior Seminar in Criminal Justice (3 SH)
This course is designed as a capstone to integrate the knowledge and skills of the criminal
justice major. A journal of contemporary criminal justice issues, multiple class presentations
and a research project and paper are requirements.
Prerequisite: Senior status, CRIM 202 and CRIM 504 or permission of the instructor.

CRIM - 555 Internship in Criminal Justice (3 SH)
Provides an opportunity to develop professional skills in a law enforcement setting.
Requires a minimum of 100 hours of field work for the semester. A weekly seminar with a
faculty member provides guidance and evaluation of the learning experience. Prerequisites:
Senior status and approval by the department.

CRIM - 556 Internship in Criminal Justice (6 SH)
Provides an opportunity to develop professional skills in a criminal justice setting. Requires
a minimum of 200 hours of field work for the semester. A weekly seminar with a faculty
member provides guidance and evaluation of the learning experience. Prerequisites: Senior
status and approval by the department.