Criminal Justice Overview
If you'd like a career which lets you blend your interest in crime, security, investigation, law enforcement, and technology ... and if you have a desire to improve community safety, then our Criminal Justice program could be the right choice for you. Criminal Justice is a growing field in today's society. Our program prepares graduates for opportunities in:
- Homeland Security
- Border Protection
- Law Enforcement Agencies from the local to federal levels
- Fraud Investigation
- Public and Private Security (including Workplace Security and Surveillance)
- Corrections
The program focuses on providing the graduate the ability to:
- Understand the policies and procedures of law enforcement.
- Understand the legal system and court structure.
- Gain knowledge of security and surveillance principles.
- Work with technology to investigate, solve, track, and deter crime.
In 2.5 years, you can earn a Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice. An Associate Degree program is also available which prepares the graduate for entry level employment in the Criminal Justice field.
What You Can Learn in Criminal Justice
The Criminal Justice program focuses on real world application of criminological principles. Criminal Justice professionals are the front line advocates of Constitutional Rights and community and national safety. These individuals also assist with the investigation, prosecution and sentencing of perpetrators of offenses committed in both the tangible and cyber realm.The curriculum provides graduates with knowledge and skills in:
- Law Enforcement, Security, Surveillance, and Investigations
- Juvenile Justice
- Courtroom Procedures
- Corrections
- Anti-Terrorism and Homeland Security Functions
Where You Can Go in Criminal Justice
Criminal Justice graduates are employed in a variety of areas such as:
- Police Officer
- State Trooper
- Corrections
- Probation
- Parole
- Community Corrections
- Federal Officer / Investigative Positions Including those related to FBI, CIA, DEA, and TSA (Federal Air Marshall and Transportation Security Officer)
- Insurance Investigation
- Border Patrol
- U.S. Customs
- Private Security
- Juvenile Justice
- Clerk of Court or Law Firms
- Park Ranger
Degree Objectives
Program objectives include:
Students in the B.S. degree program in Criminal Justice learn about issues in crime scene management, terrorism, and law enforcement operations. Students study criminal procedures and criminal law. Computer investigation techniques are also taught to the Criminal Justice students.
About the Profession
Students in the B.S. degree program in Criminal Justice learn about issues in crime scene management, domestic and international terrorism, corrections, and ethics. They also learn about managing public relations during crisis events. Students study criminal procedures and learn about management of probation and parole. Computer investigation techniques are also taught to the Criminal Justice students.
The B.S. degree in Criminal Justice leads to many interesting career paths. Graduates work as law enforcement officers, special agents, and intelligence analysts. They also have the opportunity to work in emergency management and planning. Many graduates prefer to accept positions in the private sector, including private investigation, surveillance, and corporate security. In their careers, graduates have the ability to work with cutting-edge investigative technologies to analyze biometrics, signs of fraud, and other criminal evidence. *Certifications recommended for entry level career.
Requirements for Typical Employment Opportunities
Applicants for employment in criminal justice must be capable of completing an employment process which may include the following:
- Criminal History Check
- Drug Screening
- Psychological Screening/ Mental Health History
- Driving Record
- Polygraph Examination
- Security Clearance
- Physical Agility
- Military Disciplinary History
- Domestic Violence Investigations
- Credit History
- Social Networking Background Investigation
- Background Investigation
- Panel Interviews
- Behavioral Assessment
- Possession of a Valid Driver's License
- Compliance with policies regarding body art/ tattoos and piercings
Entry Level Employment Opportunities By Job Title and/or Industry
Graduates of the B.S. degree program in Criminal Justice obtain jobs in many different law enforcement fields. They may find employment in federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, federal and state probation and parole offices, counseling facilities, and private security firms. Graduates may also work in transportation security organizations, emergency management agencies, public health agencies, courts, and law firms. Positions in community and institutional (adult and juvenile) corrections are also available to these graduates.
Physical Requirements
The physical requirements for the Criminal Justice positions may vary from position to position; however the general requirements are as follows:
- Vision
- Hearing
- Physical Agility
- Stamina
- Heavy Lifting
- Ability to concentrate
None.
Certifications Recommended for Entry Level Career.
Certifications are not required for completion of this program but are encouraged. ECPI University provides vouchers allowing students to take certification exams at a greatly reduced cost. Available certifications for this program include CERT, CPR, FEMA (various certifications available), AED, Red Cross Mass Casualty, CPI (Crisis Prevention Intervention), and DNA.
Program Specific Academic Policies
Students in Criminal Justice Concentration are encouraged to complete the CERT Disaster Training Certification prior to graduation.
Externships are opportunities for students to gain mentored, practical experience in a "real-world" job setting. Students in the School of Criminal Justice are required to complete an externship as part of their programs of study. Each student will be assisted by Career Services in finding a suitable externship opportunity.
Program Requirements
- High School Diploma or GED
- Admissions test with passing score
Core Curriculum
| DEGREE |
Bachelor of Science |
|---|---|
| PROGRAM |
Criminal Justice |
| CONCENTRATION |
Criminal Justice |
| SEMESTER CREDIT HOURS |
120 |
| Course ID | Course Name | Credits | Potential Certifications* |
|---|---|---|---|
| ENG110 | College Composition | 3 | |
| ENG120 | Advanced Composition | 3 | |
| COM110 | Principles of Speech | 3 | |
| MTH131 | College Algebra | 3 | |
| MTH140 | Statistics | 3 | |
| PHY120 | Physics OR BIO 122 Environmental Biology | 3 | |
| PHY120L | Physics Lab OR BIO 122L Environmental Biology Lab | 1 | |
| PSY105 | Introduction to Psychology | 3 | |
| PSY220 | Positive Psychology | 3 | |
| CAP480 | Arts & Science Capstone | 3 | |
| HUM205 | Culture & Diversity | 3 | |
| Course ID | Course Name | Credits | Potential Certifications* |
| Course ID | Course Name | Credits | Potential Certifications* |
|---|---|---|---|
| FOR112 | College Orientation | 3 | |
| COR090 | Career Orientation | 0 | |
| IST106/ CIS106 | Introduction to Operating Systems | 3 | |
| IST120 | Computer Applications | 3 | |
| Course ID | Course Name | Credits | Potential Certifications* |
| Course ID | Course Name | Credits | Potential Certifications* |
|---|---|---|---|
| CJ100 | Introduction to Criminal Justice | 3 | |
| CJ105 | Criminal Law | 3 | |
| CJ110 | Law Enforcement Operations | 3 | |
| CJ125 | Criminal Procedure | 3 | |
| CJ130 | Ethics in Criminal Justice | 3 | |
| CJ135 | Corrections | 3 | |
| CJ136 | Research Methodology I | 3 | |
| CJ200 | Investigations | 3 | |
| CJ225 | Crime Scene Management | 3 | DNA |
| CJ227 | Computer Investigation | 3 | |
| CJ230 | Introduction to Terrorism | 3 | |
| CJ235 | Criminology | 3 | |
| CJ350 | Criminal Justice Documentation | 3 | |
| CJ415 | Domestic & International Terrorism | 3 | |
| CJ420 | Security Management Technology | 3 | |
| CJ460 | Public Relations | 3 | |
| CJ480 | Probation & Parole | 3 | |
| Course ID | Course Name | Credits | Potential Certifications* |
| Course ID | Course Name | Credits | Potential Certifications* |
|---|---|---|---|
| CJ135 | Corrections | 3 | |
| CJ137 | Research Methodology II | 3 | |
| CJ205 | Juvenile Justice | 3 | |
| CJ352 | Advanced Criminal Law | 3 | |
| CJ435 | Emergency Planning | 3 | FEMA IS100, IS200, IS700 &IS800 |
| Course ID | Course Name | Credits | Potential Certifications* |
Note: elective courses may include courses from other concentration areas in addition to courses in this list.
| Course ID | Course Name | Credits | Potential Certifications* |
|---|---|---|---|
| BUS122 | Principles of Business and Management | 3 | |
| CJ115 | Drugs and Crime | 3 | |
| CJ136L | Research Methodology I | 1 | |
| CJ215 | Community Policing | 3 | |
| CJ220 | Criminal Justice Special Topics | 3 | |
| CJ290 | Criminal Justice Externship | 3 | |
| CJ300 | Advanced Computer Investigation | 3 | |
| CJ345 | Managing Hazardous Materials | 3 | |
| CJ361 | Law Enforcement Management | 3 | |
| CJ370 | Rules of Evidence | 3 | |
| CJ380 | Private Security I | 3 | |
| CJ390 | Crime Mapping | 3 | |
| CJ390L | Crime Mapping Lab | 1 | |
| CJ430 | Conflict Management | 3 | |
| CJ470 | Private Security II | 3 | |
| CJ480 | Probation and Parole | 3 | |
| CJ485 | Homeland Security | 3 | |
| CJ490 | Senior Criminal Justice Externship | 3 | |
| Course ID | Course Name | Credits | Potential Certifications1 |
1The certifications listed in the "Potential Certifications" column are the actual certification exams that students may be prepared to take following achievement of student learning outcomes from a course or a set of courses. Some certifications may require additional outside preparation prior to taking the exams; and receipt of one or more certifications is not guaranteed. Students are strongly encouraged to take all appropriate certification examinations for their program of study. To facilitate student access to the certifications, ECPI offers its students access to the certification exams at a significant discount. Some programs may require the student to obtain one or more certifications as part of the curriculum.
Future Possible Careers for This Program
| 43.0104 | Criminal Justice/Safety Studies | |
|---|---|---|
| 325-1111.00 | Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Teachers, Postsecondary | |
| 33-1011.00 | First-Line Supervisors/Managers of Correctional Officers | |
| 33-1012.00 | First-Line Supervisors/Managers of Police and Detectives | |
Success
Q
How long will it take to complete this program?
A
The program is designed to take 30 months to complete. 53% of graduates from this program finish in this time. The median time for graduates to complete this program was 30 months.
Cost
Q
How much will tuition and fees be?
A
The cost of tuition and fees is: $51,350
Q
What about the cost of books and supplies?
A
The cost of books and supplies is: $2,000. Foundation course requirements can result in additional costs and increase the time to graduation.
Financing
Q
What are my financing options to pay for the program?
A
In addition to any grant and scholarship aid for which they are eligible, graduates used loans to finance their education. The median debt for program graduates is:
| Loan Type | Amount |
|---|---|
| Federal (Title 4) Loans | $28,900 |
| Private Educational Loans | $0.00 |
| Institution Financing Plan | $0.00 |
