Areas of Study

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Criminal Justice

Bachelor of Arts

Wheeling University’s major in Criminal Justice prepares students for a broad range of careers that demand effective writing, speaking and critical thinking skills. This major offers a solid, rigorous course of instruction in criminal justice that will allow students to successfully compete successfully after graduation, whether in graduate school, law school, or employment opportunities.

Upon completion of the Criminal Justice program, students will demonstrate the ability to:

Exhibit familiarity with basic concepts, such as justice, crime and criminality.
Explain the operations of the Criminal Justice System and how the various subsystems are interrelated.
Explain the theoretical underpinnings of crime, victimization and punishment.
Explore in detail the processes and professional roles found within criminal justice organizations.
Analyze and evaluate contemporary issues in the criminal justice field that profoundly impact
American society.

Requirements

Core Curriculum

33-35 cr

The Wheeling University core curriculum provides all students, regardless of their major, with the skills that will allow them to pursue their own integral development and to contribute to the common good. All Wheeling University students must complete this Core Curriculum in addition to the requirements of their major. View Core Curriculum »

Major

30 cr

CRJU 121

Introduction to the Criminal Justice System

3 cr

Surveys patterns of crime and the processes of the American justice system. Crime, law enforcement, judicial process and corrections are examined from political, sociological and psychological perspectives.

Course Offered: Every Spring

CRJU 120

Survey of Criminology

3 cr

Looks at theoretical approaches to criminal behavior and the controversies arising from them. Modern criminal justice policies and the ideologies that lie behind them are applied to the problems of crime control and the sentencing of criminal offenders.

Course Offered: Every Fall

CRJU 212

Criminal Law and Procedure

3 cr

The basic principles of substantive criminal law are illustrated through analysis of cases. Topics include the elements of crimes against persons and property, the fundamentals of criminal liability and justifications and excuses such as self-defense and insanity. Problems of advocacy at both trial and appellate levels are also explored.

*Satisfies EXSL Core Requirement Course Offered: On Demand

CRJU 215

Law Enforcement

3 cr

Provides a social science perspective on the training and socialization of police, police corruption, police community relations and the pressures of police work. The fundamentals of criminal procedure are also covered, including arrest, search and seizure and the use of deadly force.

Prerequisite: CRJU 120 Course Offered: On Demand

CRJU 250

Criminal Investigations

3 cr

This course examines the roles played by criminal investigators, with emphasis on legal restrictions and principles. Students will apply laws and court decisions to the tasks that comprise criminal investigations, such as interrogation, evidence collection, and surveillance. This course examines special investigative challenges such as death investigations and arson cases. The course also allows students to develop and practice certain skills commonly possessed by professional investigators.

Prerequisite: CRJU 121

CRJU 312

The Juvenile Justice System

3 cr

Analyzes theories of the causes of juvenile crime and the processes of the juvenile justice system, including a critical look at juvenile correctional policies.

Prerequisite: CRJU 120 Course Offered: On Demand

CRJU 318

Occupational Crime

3 cr

Examination of conduct in violation of the law that is committed through opportunities created in the course of a legal occupation. Methods for counting and regarding occupational crimes and criminals. Theories and explanations of these behaviors. Sanctioning and social control of occupational crime.

Course Offered: Fall of every even year

CRJU 321

Corrections

3 cr

Examines American correctional policies and their historical development. Provides a close look at both community-based and institutional corrections, as well as the processes of probation and parole and the legal rights of prisoners.

Prerequisite: CRJU 120 Course Offered: On Demand

CRJU 340

Issues in Criminal Justice

3 cr

Analysis of specific topics, depending on student interest and current importance; examples include the international war on drugs, causes and effects of domestic violence.

Prerequisite: CRJU 120 Course Offered: Fall of every odd year

CRJU 410

Ethics

3 cr

This course introduces the student to prominent ethical systems, then applies those concepts to specific aspects of the Criminal Justice field. Students will analyze the ethical challenges that arise in the fields of law enforcement, courts, and corrections in particular, and explore the methods designed to mitigate ethical problems in these areas.

Prerequisites: CRJU-121, CRJU-212, CRJU-215 CRJU-321

Electives

58-60 cr

Total Credits

120 cr*

*Students who do not reach the 120 cr. minimum using all required course credits must take electives to reach the 120 cr minimum.