Criminal Justice
Criminal Justice is one of the most popular majors in the College of Education and Human Services.
The study of criminal justice is the application of the scientific method to the policies and practices of those government agencies charged with the enforcement of law, the adjudication of crime, and the correction of criminal behavior. The primary components of the criminal justice system are the police, courts, and corrections. These agencies are studied to determine how they accomplish their mission and how their functions are influenced by crime control policy and the attitudes of society.
The Department of Criminal Justice offers a Bachelor of Science degree focused on the comprehensive study of crime and delinquency as well as prevention and control strategies. Undergraduate students complete courses which develop their understanding of theory; these courses are complemented by courses which emphasize the development of analytical skills that enable students to conduct and understand applied criminal justice research.
What career choices are available?
The multidisciplinary nature of the criminal justice program makes its graduates attractive to a wide range of public and private employers. Criminal justice majors are also prepared to enter graduate school and other advanced professional programs.
What courses will I take?
Students in the criminal justice program take a core of required courses designed to provide initial exposure to the separate areas of police, law, courts, and corrections.The core program provides students with courses emphasizing theory and research skills.The core has one capstone course where students demonstrate their understanding of the operation of the criminal justice system.
- CRJ 100 - Introduction to Criminal Justice
- CRJ 211 - Criminal- Law and Procedure
- CRJ 221 - Policing A Democracy
- CRJ 241 - Survey of Corrections
- CRJ 309 - Theories of Crime and Crime Control
- CRJ 310 - Research Methods
- CRJ 452 - Race, Ethnicity, and Crime
- CRJ 454- Policy, Professionalism, and Ethics
Students must choose 21 credits of elective courses from the following list:
- CRJ 321 - Criminal Investigation
- CRJ 326 - Victimology: The Victim and the Law
- CRJ 336 - Introduction to Forensic Science
- CRJ 345 - Organization and Management of CRJ Agencies
- CRJ 348 - Clinical Intervention and Treatment
- CRJ 351 - Juvenile Justice
- CRJ 356 - Organized Crime
- CRJ 365 - White Collar Crime
- CRJ 370 - Mock Trial
- CRJ 390 - Selected Topics in Criminal Justice
- CRJ 393 - Selected Topics in Criminal Justice
- CRJ 396 - Selected Topics in Criminal Justice
- CRJ 397 - Selected Topics in Criminal Justice
- CRJ 411 - Terrorism
- CRJ 433 - Evidence Law
- CRJ 456 - Forensic Science: Evidence Analysis
- CRJ 461 - Social Construction of Homicide
- CRJ 463 - Comparative Criminal Justice
- CRJ 464 - Popular Culture, Crime and Justice
- CRJ 466 - Women and Criminal Justice
- CRJ 471 - Internship in Criminal Justice I
- CRJ 472 - Internship in Criminal Justice II
- CRJ 473 - Internship in Criminal Justice III
- CRJ 474 - Internship in Criminal Justice IV
Internships are available at the local, state and federal level. Internships provide students with practical experience,and networking opportunities. Internships enhance a graduate's ability to enter the job market, with some interns being hired at the conclusion of their internship experience. Internships require the permission of the department chair and the dean of the College of Education and Human Services.
Who are the faculty members in the department?
Melissa L. Ricketts, chair, Ph.D., Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Areas of interest: Victimology; criminological theory testing; advanced quantitative methods; cybercrime; school violence; fear of crime; prescription drug abuse
C. Nielsen Brasher, interim assistant chair, Ph.D., American University. Areas of interest: methods; public policy analysis.
Sara A. Grove, interim assistant chair, J.D..The Dickinson School of Law of The Pennsylvania State University: Ph.D., The University of North Carolina . Areas of interest: Administrative law, research methods.
Matthew D. Fetzer, Ph.D.,University at Albany-SUNY. Areas of interest: Research methods, statistics and quantitative methods, juvenile delinquency, homicide, hate crime, domestic violence.
Billy Henson, Ph.D., University of Cincinnati. Areas of Interest: Victimology, criminology, policing, popular culture, violent, sexual, and repeat victimization, fear of crime, crime prevention, cybercrime victimization.
Stephanie A. Jirard, J.D., Boston College. Areas of interest: Criminal law and procedure; capital punishment; constitutional law.
John H. Lemmon, Ph.D., University of Maryland. Areas of interest: Juvenile delinquency, child maltreatment and family life; causes and correlates of deviancy; clinical and casework practice; community organization.
E. Britt Patterson, Ph.D., University of Maryland. Areas of interest: Juvenile justice; research and
quantitative methods; race, gender and crime; criminology and delinquency
theories.
Laura A. Patterson, Ph.D., University of Maryland. Areas of interest: Juvenile delinquency and justice; victimology; white collar crime; theories of crime and deviance; community and institutional corrections; quantitative research methods.
Where can I obtain more information?
For specific program information, contact:
Department of Criminal Justice
Shippen Hall 321
Shippensburg University
1871 Old Main Drive
Shippensburg, PA 17257-2299
Telephone: 717-477-1558
Fax: 717-477-4087
E-mail: crimjust@ship.edu
Website: http://www.ship.edu/criminal_justice