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Ellis University

Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice

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Law Enforcement Theory
Forensic Investigation concentration
Corrections conentration
Leadership/Management concentration

Criminal Justice core - 46 hours.

An introduction to the contemporary American criminal justice system. Discussion of the role of police, courts and prisons. Also examined is the juvenile justice system. General issues considered include: police discretion, due process, and change as an integral element of the American criminal justice system. (3 Credits)

An introduction to the organization and structure of a police department. Topics include an overview of the police departments and analysis of the police function, tables of organization, chains of command and lines of authority, division of labor, and the informal police organization. Attention centers on typical problems of police administration and the coordination of police services. (3 Credits)
Prerequisite: CRJ 110

This course is designed to familiarize students with concepts relating to cultural diversity and the ethics/morality of criminal justice practitioners in the U.S. It identifies specific issues that are recurrent and problematic and suggests possible solutions for practitioners. (3 Credits)
Prerequisite: CRJ 110

An explanation and analysis of the rules of evidence. The course treats recent U.S. Supreme Court decisions concerning the rights of the citizen against unreasonable search and seizure, and the rules of giving testimony and the protecting and safeguarding of evidence. (3 Credits)
Prerequisite: CRJ 110

This course provides an overview of corrections component of the criminal justice system. The student will be introduced to institutional and community-based aspects of corrections. Underlying theoretical and philosophical underpinnings will be discussed as well as ancient and early historical periods of correctional development. An overview of modern day corrections will be presented to demonstrate the full evolution of the correctional process throughout the United States. (3 Credits)
Prerequisite: CRJ 110

Introduction to criminal investigation in the field. Analysis and explanation of conduct at the crime scene, strategies for interviewing and interrogating witnesses and suspects, techniques of surveillance and preservation of evidence for presentation in court. (3 Credits)
Prerequisite: CRJ 110

A course designed specifically for the criminal justice student, the emphasis is directed toward an introduction to research, reading and writing research reports, research design and methodology, sampling, and surveys. (3 Credits)
Prerequisite: CRJ 110

This course completes the basic study of research methods by addressing observation, interviews, data analysis, measurements, dispersions, and introducing inferential statistics. (3 Credits)
Prerequisite: CRJ 310

A study of the elements of the Penal Law particularly relevant to police officers, including a review and analysis of major criminal offenses with consideration given to the available defenses and judicial interpretations. (3 Credits)
Prerequisite: CRJ 110

The culminating academic experience of the baccalaureate program. This course comprises an assignment that integrates the academic concepts of criminal justice and realities of criminal justice practice. The assignment is designed to test analytic application of critical thinking skills in working through fact-based scenarios through analysis of issues affecting contemporary practice. (4 Credits)
Prerequisite: successful completion of all core courses

This course is an introduction to the processes of the American form of democratic government, the nature and structure of US government, its chief characteristics and functions. Special attention is paid to the intimate relation and mutual impact of government and the people on each other, expanding the students’ awareness of the effects of governmental decision on the American People. (3 Credits)

An introduction to selected concepts, methods, and vocabulary of psychology. Focus of study will be on the individual and the conditions that influence behavior. Topics that will be covered include: growth and development, learning and thinking, emotions and motivations, personality and assessment, maladjustment and mental health, groups and social interaction, and social influence and society. (3 Credits)

An analysis of the social and cultural forces that govern human behavior. The principal topics include: social interaction and organization, socialization processes, primary groups and the family (associations, bureaucracy and other social institutions), collective behavior, population and ecology. (3 Credits)

An inquiry into the causes of juvenile delinquency and the social and psychological factors involved in the predictive studies and theories concerning the development of delinquency. Topics also include formation of youth gangs, methods of coping with gang activity, the types of crime committed by children and youths, narcotics problems, neglected and retarded children, the youthful offender and wayward minor, the operation of the Children’s Court, crime prevention programs. (3 Credits)
Prerequisite: SOC 110

An examination of crime and theories of crime causation. Topics include: the white-collar criminal, the professional criminal, and the structure of organized crime. The criminal justice process is analyzed, including the role of the police, the criminal courts, the probation officer, correctional services and the re-entry of the offender into society. (3 Credits)
Prerequisites: PSY 110 and SOC 110

Electives-33 hours.

From CRJ electives and inclusive of MGT 315, MGT 320, and/or MGT 410.

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Law Enforcement Theory

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Forensic Investigation concentration -18 hours.

This concentration focuses on the development of forensic investigation in criminal justice and its scientific basis. Theory to practice, professional practice, and ethical implications for the practice are addressed. Students enrolling in and successfully completing this specialization will be eligible to participate in the IAI certification examination for forensic investigators.

Documentation, collection, and preservation of comprehensive physical evidence; latent fingerprints, trace and biological evidence processing and collection techniques. Biohazard and other safety concerns are stressed in this course. (3 Credits)
Prerequisite: CRJ 250

This course provides an exploration of the potentiality of physical evidence through an examination of the wide scope of the forensic sciences. Fundamental overview of crime laboratory analytical techniques, historical development of the scientific investigation of crime, exploration of the current state of instrumentation and technology, concentration on relevancy of laboratory results to the overall investigative effort from the field investigator’s perspective. This course also covers advanced latent fingerprint development techniques. (3 Credits)
Prerequisite: CRJ 350

This course exposes students to the science of photography, in general, and special techniques and legal requirements in the application of photography in criminal justice contexts. This course will stress the proper use of camera, film, and light in diverse law enforcement applications such as crime scene investigations and surveillance. This course also covers legal admissibility of recorded images, including videography and digital photographs. (3 Credits)
Prerequisite: CRJ 110

This course focuses on composition of light, specialized forensic applications, advanced low light techniques, and techniques involving reflection, absorption, and fluorescence, as well as digital image capture and processing techniques. (3 Credits)
Prerequisite: CRJ 352

This course focuses on the investigation of violent, sudden, unexpected, and suspicious deaths through an examination of pathologies, artifacts of decomposition, and trauma. (3 Credits)
Prerequisite: CRJ 250

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Corrections concentration - 18 hours.

The specialization is centered on developing greater understanding of various forms of social censure and incapacitation as a method to correct abnormal and deviant behavior.

An examination of organization and management in probation and parole systems. Topics include: distinctions between probation and parole in terms of organizational function and types of clients served; client relationships and interactions with other social control agencies, case loads, case work methods, and case supervision; problems in pre-sentence investigation; and job requirements and performance standards for probation and parole officers with particular emphasis on recruitment, training and assignment. (3 Credits)
Prerequisite: CRJ 240

This course provides an examination of the structure and function of the prison setting and prison operations. Particular emphasis is placed on security procedures, legal aspects, and the role of various custodial staff. In addition, the effects of the prison environment and the prison subculture upon staff and inmates are presented. (3 Credits)
Prerequisite: CRJ 240

This course provides an in-depth examination of various treatment practices within both the institutional and the community-based setting. Assessment, classification and risk prediction, the correctional counseling process, and evaluation of treatment effectiveness are all presented. This course places particular emphasis on counseling paradigms and techniques that are commonly used in correctional programs. (3 Credits)
Prerequisite: PSY 310

This course focuses on the juvenile segment of the correctional system in the United States. The history of juvenile corrections is provided with detailed emphasis on the rationale behind the juvenile correctional process. Specific attention is given to the reformative nature of juvenile corrections. Further emphasis on modern juvenile correctional systems, classification, and treatment planning is provided. This course presents both institutional and community-based programs commonly used throughout the United States. (3 Credits)
Prerequisites: CRJ 240, SOC 330

This course provides a detailed investigation of the various criminal subgroups that are commonly encountered in custodial institutions and on community supervision caseloads. Sex offenders, geriatric offenders, juvenile offenders, female offenders, mentally ill offenders, and offenders with communicable diseases are addressed. These various offender typologies present unique challenges for correctional workers; students will gain an understanding of the complications that often face correctional staff and supervisors that must contend with these specialized offender groups. (3 Credits)
Prerequisites: CRJ 240, PSY 310

A study of mental health and abnormal behavior. The topics covered include: definitions of mental health and mental illness; problems of adjustment; the causes, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of mental disorders. Case studies supplement and illustrate the theoretical parts of the course material. (3 Credits)
Prerequisite: PSY 110

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Leadership/Management of CJ Organizations concentration - 18 hours.

This concentration is designed towards the goals of developing knowledge and skills in the direction and maintenance of essential social services.

This course will examine the structure of criminal justice organizations including formal organizational theory, behavior and its application to the structure and methods of operation. The course will also explore the bureaucratic, political and environmental characteristics that impact criminal justice organizations. (3 Credits)
Prerequisite: CRJ 210

This course will examine the role of management and leadership within criminal justice agencies. The course will also explore the complicated interrelationships between members of law enforcement agencies, its leadership and the communities to which they serve. (3 Credits)
Prerequisite: CRJ 210

This course is intended to identify and clarify ethical issues associated with criminal justice organizations and professional practice. Specifically, these issues address conflicts between duty and morality, personal and professional accountability, and the philosophies of law, justice and civil rights. Practical ethics in professional life are examined. (3 Credits)
Prerequisite: CRJ 110

An introduction to the management of human resources for the effective support and achievement of an organization’s strategies and goals. The major functions of planning and staffing, employee development and involvement, compensation and reward and employee relations are examined. Decision-making skills in these areas are developed through class assignments. (3 Credits)
Prerequisite: MGT 201

The course is designed to meet two objectives: to introduce the student to the background and relationships between economics, public policy, unionism, and business management and their impact upon management -labor relations; to provide a basic orientation to the framework, processes, and strategies involved in collective bargaining and the resolution of labor grievances and arbitration in management-labor relations. (3 Credits)
Prerequisite: MGT 315

The management of human resources takes place in a complex legal environment which places obligations and responsibilities on the employer and extends protections and rights to the employee. Federal and state requirements in EEO, employment standards, wages, job security, safety and health, workers compensation and other benefits will be covered. Integration of such requirements in day-to-day management practices is emphasized. (3 Credits)
Prerequisite: MGT 209