The Criminal Justice program at the University of Great Falls prepares students for careers in law enforcement, probation and parole, and corrections. The objective of the major is to provide the student with an overall perspective of local, state, and national law enforcement and criminal justice systems. The program emphasizes the sociological underpinnings of the field of criminal justice. An emphasis is placed on the helping nature of these professions, and students become familiar with the appropriate roles and responsibilities of the criminal justice professional. Students who graduate in criminal justice are well prepared for the professional roles and responsibilities they seek. Students may enter careers in law enforcement, corrections, probation, parole, or private security as well as graduate studies in criminal justice, sociology, law, and other human service disciplines.

 

Competency Objectives

Students who earn a major in Criminal Justice will

• Identify and define “key” terms utilized within the criminal justice discipline.

• Describe and discuss the applicable major theories involved in the criminal justice discipline.

• Describe and discuss the applicable historical development and evolution of the criminal justice field.

• Interpret, appraise, and evaluate contemporary literature of the criminal justice discipline.

• Demonstrate professional behavior by taking examinations when scheduled; e.g., turning in papers when due and regular class attendance.

• Effectively communicate knowledge into writing by preparing reports, subject related papers and/or essay questions.

• Effectively research issues, trends, and history of the criminal justice field/discipline.

• Recognize ethical dilemmas within the criminal justice system, and be able to interpret what would be the proper course(s) of action.

• Discuss and identify the different areas within civil law and procedures involved in civil law suits.

• Effectively communicate through written and verbal presentations historical developments of the correctional system and theories behind punishment.

• Recognize and discuss how personal and cultural differences affect behavior and communication in American society.

• Evaluate and distinguish current social science research methodology through hypothesis development, analysis of findings, and to compare and contrast types of social research methods.

• Apply “key” terms utilized within the criminal justice discipline and apply the research and literature of the discipline demonstrating an upper-level scholarly ability.

Criminal Justice Major
Course-name and number	CR
CRJ 100 - Introduction to Criminal Justice	3
CRJ 211 - Introduction to Law	3
CRJ 306 - Criminology	3
CRJ 308 - Juvenile Delinquency	3
CRJ 371 - Corrections	3
HSV 241 - Human Relations in Society	3
PLG 231 - Criminal Law	3
PLG 251 - Criminal Evidence and Procedure	3
SOC 280 - Sociology of Deviant Behavior	3
SCS 312 - Social Reasearch Methods	4
Approved electives	3-4
FSC 201 - Introduction to Forensic Sciences
FSC 300 - Physical Evidence for Forensic Sciences
GOV 370 - Constitutional Law
HSV 394 - Casework Methods and Practices
HSV 397 - Field Projects
HSV 494 - Case Management for Human Services
HSV 495 - Internship
SCS 312 - Social Research Methods
SOC 372 - Camp Sky Child
Any CRJ course
Total credits for major	34

 

Download your Criminal Justice degree planner PDF.

 

Competency Objectives

Students who earn a minor or associates degree in criminal justice will

• Identify and define “key” terms utilized within the criminal justice discipline.

• Describe and discuss the applicable major theories involved in the criminal justice discipline.

• Describe and discuss the applicable historical development and evolution of the criminal justice field.

• Interpret, appraise, and evaluate contemporary literature of the criminal justice discipline.

• Demonstrate professional behavior by taking examinations when scheduled; e.g., turning in papers when due and regular class attendance.

• Effectively communicate knowledge into writing by preparing reports, subject related papers and/or essay questions.

• Effectively research issues, trends, and history of the criminal justice field/discipline.

• Recognize ethical dilemmas within the criminal justice system, and be able to interpret what would be the proper course(s) of action.

Criminal Justice Minor
Course-name and number	CR
CRJ 100 - Introduction to Criminal Justice	3
PLG 231 - Criminal Law	3
PLG 251 - Criminal Evidence and Procedure	3
SOC 280 - Sociology of Deviant Behavior	3
CRJ 306 - Criminology
or	3
CRJ 308 - Juvenile Delinquency
Approved electives	6
Total credits for minor	21

 

Criminal Justice Associates Degree
Course-name and number	CR
CRJ 100 - Introduction to Criminal Justice	3
CRJ 161 - Introduction to Law Enforcement	3
CRJ 211 - Criminal Evidence and Procedure	3
CRJ 211 - Introduction to Law	3
PLG 231 - Criminal Law	3
PLG 251 - Criminal Evidence and Procedure	3
SOC 280 - Sociology of Deviant Behavior	3
CRJ 306 - Criminology	3
OR	3
CRJ 308 - Juvenile Delinquency	3
Approved elective	3
Total Credits for Criminal Justice Associate Degree	24

 

Download your Criminal Justice minor planner PDF.

Download your Criminal Justice associates degree planner PDF.

 

Available only with a major in Criminal Justice.

The Corrections concentration provides students with an in depth review of the corrections subsystem of the Criminal Justice System. It emphasizes the agencies, personnel and historical foundations of the corrections process, including community-based corrections. Graduates in this concentration will be prepared for positions as adult/juvenile probation and parole officers, correctional officers, youth workers, victim-witness advocates, and community corrections workers.

Competency Objectives

Students who earn a major in Criminal Justice will

• Identify and define “key” terms utilized within the criminal justice discipline.

• Describe and discuss the applicable major theories involved in the criminal justice discipline.

• Describe and discuss the applicable historical development and evolution of the criminal justice field.

• Interpret, appraise, and evaluate contemporary literature of the criminal justice discipline.

• Demonstrate professional behavior by taking examinations when scheduled; e.g., turning in papers when due and regular class attendance.

• Effectively communicate knowledge into writing by preparing reports, subject relat4ed papers and/or essay questions.

• Effectively research issues, trends, and history of the criminal justice field/discipline.

• Recognize ethical dilemmas within the criminal justice system, and be able to interpret what would be the proper course(s) of action.

• Effectively communicate through written and verbal presentations historical developments of the correctional system and theories behind punishment.

• Recognize and discuss how personal and cultural differences affect behavior and communication in American society.

• Evaluate and distinguish current social science research methodology through hypothesis development, analysis of findings, and to compare and contrast types of social research methods.

• Apply “key” terms utilized within the criminal justice discipline and apply the research and literature of the discipline demonstrating an upper-level scholarly ability.

• Analyze and demonstrate effective interview and interrogation techniques.

• Apply observational skills and draw reasonable inferences from those observations as they relate in determining truth versus deception.

• Identify major issues in juvenile corrections.

• Identify how cases are processed through systems from arrest through parole.

• Identify goals, successes, challenges of institutional and community corrections.

• Identify principles in case work and case management.

• Identify the population of youth at risk in our society.

• Identify various methods of correctional administration and management.

• Identify the major issues concerning victims and the Criminal Justice System.

Corrections Concentration
Course-name and number	CR
CRJ 309 - Juvenile Justice and the Youthful Offender
OR
CRJ 365 - Youth at Risk	3
CRJ 381 - Techniques of Interviewing	3
CRJ 445 - Probation and Parole	3
CRJ 446 - Victimology	3
CRJ 471 - Correctional Alternatives	3
HSV 394 - Casework Methods and Practices	3
HSV 494 - Case Management for Human Services	3
Total credits for concentration	21

 

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Corrections Concentration planner PDF.

 

Forensic science is a field of study that applies science to matters defined by both criminal and civil law. This concentration helps prepare criminal justice professionals with a background in scientific discipline directed to the recognition, identification, individualization, and evaluation of physical evidence by the application of the natural sciences to law-science matters. The course sequence provides courses that are congruent with the underlying criminal justice or science major. This concentration provides an overview of the specializations of pathology, toxicology, and criminalistics. Students desiring to work in crime laboratories are urged to enter graduate programming in the sciences. This concentration will assist law enforcement personnel in both rural and urban settings in the process of crime solving.

Competency Objectives

Students who earn a minor in Forensic Investigation will

• Describe connections between forensic sciences and other disciplines and express the relevance of science to daily life and health. (Level 3 minors)

• Work effectively in groups, collaborate in team investigations as well as provide constructive feedback to peers, utilize constructive feedback from peers and develop self-assessment skills. (Level 3 minors)

• Interpret scientific information accurately and draw logical conclusions. Interpret laboratory data accurately and draw logical conclusions. (Level 2 minors)

• Practice analytical laboratory skills. Critique scientific literature thoroughly and distinguish between credible and non-credible scientific information. Analyze the experiments of other scientists. (Level 2 minors)

• Integrate fundamental scientific knowledge in the solution of scientific problems, making use of crime scene investigation techniques, evidence collection and preservation methods and proper techniques of data gathering and analysis. (Level 2 minors)

• Communicate scientific information with clarity, accuracy and conciseness, both orally and in writing. Critique scientific literature thoroughly and consider the impact on the lay public of inaccurate or biased communication of scientific information. (Level 3 minors)

• Evaluate actual and hypothetical ethical issues related to science/technology and argue convincingly on more than one side of a given issue, drawing upon scientific knowledge and personal belief systems. (Level 3 minors)

• Assess the impact of current technologies on human society and the environment and consider the questions and problems society will face as technology advances. (Level 3 minors)

Forensic Investigation Concentration
Course-name and number	CR
FSC 201 - Introduction to Forensic Sciences	3
FSC 300 - Physical Evidence for Forensic Sciences	3
FSC 301 - Advanced Forensic Sciences I	3
FSC 302 - Advanced Forensic Sciences II	3
CRJ 100 - Introduction to Criminal Justice System	3
PLG 251 - Criminal Evidence and Procedure	3
Approved elective in Forensic Sciences	3
Total credits for minor	21

 

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Must be combined with a major in Criminal Justice, Psychology, or Sociology

The concentration in Human Services is an interdisciplinary program that provides a framework for students who wish to prepare for careers in the human service field. The concentration ensures grounding in the behavioral sciences as well as practical skill based training. Career opportunities are available in public agencies and private non-profit organizations.

Competency Objectives

Students who earn a concentration in Human Services will

• Identify and define “key” terms utilized within the criminal justice discipline.

• Describe and discuss the applicable major theories involved in the criminal justice discipline.

• Describe and discuss the applicable historical development and evolution of the criminal justice field.

• Interpret, appraise, and evaluate contemporary literature of the criminal justice discipline.

• Demonstrate professional behavior by taking examinations when scheduled; e.g., turning in papers when due and regular class attendance.

• Effectively communicate knowledge in writing by preparing reports, subject relat4ed papers and/or essay questions.

• Effectively research issues, trends, and history of the criminal justice field/discipline.

• Recognize ethical dilemmas within the criminal justice system, and be able to interpret what would be the proper course(s) of action.

• Discuss and identify the different areas within civil law and procedures involved in civil law suits.

• Effectively communicate through written and verbal presentations historical developments of the correctional system and theories behind punishment.

• Recognize and discuss how personal and cultural differences affect behavior and communication in American society.

• Evaluate and distinguish current social science research methodology through hypothesis development, analysis of findings, and to compare and contrast types of social research methods.

• Apply “key” terms utilized within the criminal justice discipline and apply the research and literature of the discipline demonstrating an upper-level scholarly ability.

Human Service Concentration
Course-name and number	CR
HSV 241 - Human Relations in Society	3
HSV 262 - Introduction to Rehabilitative Services	3
HSV 326 - Ethics in Human Services	3
HSV 394 - Casework Methods and Practices	3
HSV 494 - Case Management for Human Services	3
Approved electives	6
Total credits for concentration	21

 

Download your Human Service concentration planner PDF.

 

Must be combined with a major in Criminal Justice.

The Law Enforcement concentration provides students with an in-depth review of the law enforcement subsystem of the Criminal Justice System. It emphasizes both the classroom and field experience in preparing graduates for entry-level positions in law enforcement at the federal, state and local level.

Competency Objectives

Students who earn a concentration in Criminal Justice will

• Identify and define “key” terms utilized within the criminal justice discipline.

• Describe and discuss the applicable major theories involved in the criminal justice discipline.

• Describe and discuss the applicable historical development and evolution of the criminal justice field.

• Interpret, appraise, and evaluate contemporary literature of the criminal justice discipline.

• Demonstrate professional behavior by taking examinations when scheduled; e.g., turning in papers when due and regular class attendance.

• Effectively communicate knowledge into writing by preparing reports, subject related papers and/or essay questions.

• Effectively research issues, trends, and history of the criminal justice field/discipline.

• Recognize ethical dilemmas within the criminal justice system, and be able to interpret what would be the proper course(s) of action.

• Effectively communicate through written and verbal presentations historical developments of the correctional system and theories behind punishment.

• Recognize and discuss how personal and cultural differences affect behavior and communication in American society.

• Evaluate and distinguish current social science research methodology through hypothesis development, analysis of findings, and to compare and contrast types of social research methods.

• Apply “key” terms utilized within the criminal justice discipline and apply the research and literature of the discipline demonstrating an upper-level scholarly ability.

• Analyze and demonstrate effective interview and interrogation techniques.

• Apply observational skills and draw reasonable inferences from those observations as they relate in determining truth versus deception.

• Evaluate and question police officer discretion and ethical practices in the field.

• Infer and analyze personal and societal values as they pertain to law enforcement officers.

• Independently assess the diverse aspects of police patrol operations.

• Summarize, compare and contrast problem-solving techniques utilized in contemporary community policing.

• Identify community issues (e.g., crime and quality of life) and strategies used by police departments to address them.

• Formulate investigative strategies employed in the criminal investigation process.

• Perceive and make relationships in determining the identification and appropriate physical evidence collection, and crime scene processing in a criminal investigation.

• Analyze structure and organization of management styles within law enforcement agencies.

• Identify ones own managerial strengths and weaknesses as they apply to law enforcement supervision.

Law Enforcement Concentration
Course-name and number	CR
CRJ 161 - Introduction to Law Enforcement	3
CRJ 261 - Patrol Operations and Procedures	3
CRJ 361 - Community Policing	3
CRJ 381 - Techniques of Interviewing	3
CRJ 451 - Criminal Investigation	3
CRJ 461 - Police Management	3
HSV 397 - Field Projects	3
Total credits for concentration	21

 

Download your Law Enforcement concentration planner PDF.

 

 

CRJ 100 Introduction to Criminal Justice System. History, role, development, and philosophy of the criminal justice system in democratic society; introduction to agencies and their functions in the administration of criminal justice; and career orientation. Expected to be offered: Fall and Spring semesters; Distance Learning: Fall semesters 3 credits

CRJ 161 Introduction to Law Enforcement. This course will explore the historical development of law enforcement agencies, focusing on the British and American systems. Application procedures and pre-hiring criteria, examinations, physical and psychological testing, background investigations, mandatory police training, field training programs, and in-service training will be detailed, as well as the role of the police, police ethics, and values. Prerequisite: CRJ 100 Expected to be offered: Spring semesters, odd years; Distance Learning: Spring semesters, even years 3 credits

CRJ 211 Introduction to Law. Introduction to basic legal concepts common to private and public law systems. General principles involved in tort, contract, law of association, property, family law, criminal law, and criminal procedure. Student will become familiar with court procedures and organization. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor or upper class standing Expected to be offered: Fall semesters and Spring semesters, even years; Distance Learning: Spring semesters 3 credits

CRJ 261 Patrol Operations and Procedures. This course will examine operations, methods, and techniques of police patrol function, emphasizing the philosophy and theories of patrol, types of patrol, methodologies, tactical operations and their contribution towards crime prevention, crime repression, and community service. Prerequisite: CRJ 161 Expected to be offered: Fall semesters, even years; Distance Learning: Spring semesters, even years 3 credits

CRJ 284 Basic Firearms in Law Enforcement. This course will provide prospective law enforcement officers with basic marksmanship skills, including: introduction to firearms, shooting fundamentals, range behavior and safety, range work for basic firearms, classroom and range work for practical firearms, and handgun qualification. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor and upper class standing Expected to be offered: Sufficient demand 2 credits

CRJ 285 Defensive Tactics for Law Enforcement. This course will provide prospective law enforcement officers with basic police defensive tactics skills, including: instruction in the use of the side-handled baton, instruction in the use of pepper spray chemical agents, and pressure point control tactics techniques involving speed handcuffing and physical restraint techniques. This class will involve physical contact! Prerequisite: Consent of instructor and upper class standing Expected to be offered: Sufficient demand 2 credits

CRJ 306 Criminology. This course is designed to explore crime and the criminal; social, cultural, biological, and psychological theories of crime causation; and control and treatment of the criminal. The student will be offered an overview of the field of criminology, which has been defined as a discipline that gathers and analyzes empirical data. The purpose of the activity is to attempt to determine the society's response to these violations. Prerequisite: ENG 117 or equivalent and CRJ 100 or SOC 101 Expected to be offered: Fall semesters; Distance Learning: Fall semesters, odd years 3 credits

CRJ 308 Juvenile Delinquency. Etiology and extent of delinquency; personal, familial, and community factors; theories, punishment and treatment; preventive and institutional agencies; and research. Prerequisite: ENG 117 or equivalent and CRJ 100 or SOC 101 Expected to be offered: Spring semesters; Distance Learning: Spring semesters, odd years 3 credits

CRJ 309 Juvenile Justice and the Youthful Offender. Examination of the various methods used to control and treat the youthful offender, including, but not limited to, diversion, detention, institutionalization, probation, parole, group homes, and foster homes. Prerequisite: ENG 117 or equivalent and CRJ 308 Expected to be offered: Fall semesters, even years; Distance Learning: Summer semesters, odd years 3 credits

CRJ 361 Community Policing. This course will focus on innovative, proactive policing, while exploring the relationships and sometimes misunderstandings between police and the citizens that the police "Protect and Serve." Prerequisite: ENG 117 or equivalent and CRJ 261 Expected to be offered: Fall semesters, even years; Distance Learning: Fall semesters, odd years 3 credits

CRJ 365 Youth At Risk. An examination of the dynamics concerning youth at risk. This group of young people has been affected by stress, substance abuse, adolescent pregnancies. truancies, and developmental disabilities. It includes missing, abducted, runaway, and throwaway children, and those affected by the multiple-problem family and fetal alcohol syndrome. Prerequisite: ENG 117 or equivalent and CRJ 100 or PSY 200 or SOC 101 Expected to be offered: Spring semesters, even years 3 credits

CRJ 371 Corrections. This course is designed to explore the topic of corrections. This exploration will include the developmental history of the field, the issues facing the decision-makers, the social reactions to the control and treatment of offenders, the various components that make up the corrections system, and how social change has impacted the field. Prerequisite: ENG 117 or equivalent and CRJ 100 and CRJ 306 Expected to be offered: Fall semesters, odd years; Distance Learning: Fall semesters, even years 3 credits

CRJ 381 Techniques of Interviewing. This course discusses how facts are gathered and analyzed. It will begin with the initial interview and cover such topics as taking statements from witnesses and victims, detecting deception and interrogation techniques. Prerequisite: ENG 117 or equivalent Expected to be offered: Fall semesters, odd years; Distance Learning: Fall semesters, even years 3 credits

CRJ 392 Special Topics in Criminal Justice. Expected to be offered: Fall semesters, even years 3 credits

CRJ 397 Field Projects. Provides field experience in the available areas of human services. Designed to integrate theory with practice in order to develop appropriate skill, knowledge, attitudes, and professional identification. Students may enroll for two semesters. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor Expected to be offered: Fall and spring semesters; Distance Learning: Fall, spring and summer semesters 3 credits

CRJ 445 Probation and Parole. Introduction to and survey of probation and parole practices from a historical perspective. Assumptions and theories about human behavior underlying such practices; contemporary and future trends in the field. Prerequisite: ENG 117 or equivalent and CRJ 371 Expected to be offered: Spring semesters, odd years; Distance Learning: Summer even years 3 credits

CRJ 446 Victimology. An examination of the relationship between the criminal and his or her victim, the victim's role in the criminal justice system, and the rights and needs of the victim as well as the crime impact on the victim. Prerequisite: ENG 117 or equivalent and CRJ 100 or HSV 241 or instructor permission Expected to be offered: Fall semesters, odd years; Distance Learning: Summer even years 3 credits

CRJ 451 Criminal Investigation. This course will focus upon the role of the police investigation in the crime scene preservation and investigative techniques. Securing the crime scene, documentation of the crime scene, collection and preservation of physical evidence, preliminary and follow-up investigation will be presented. Theoretical approach in the investigation of felonies or serious crimes. Investigative techniques involving homicides, robberies, sexual assaults, child abuse, and domestic violence will be emphasized. Prerequisite: ENG 117 or equivalent and CRJ 261 or FSC 300 Expected to be offered: Spring semesters, odd years; Distance Learning: Fall semesters, odd years 3 credits

CRJ 461 Police Management. Course will introduce management within law enforcement agencies. Operation, administration, leadership skills, and suggestions to create a better understanding of what is required to have an efficient, effective law enforcement agency. Prerequisite: ENG 117 or equivalent and CRJ 261 Expected to be offered: Fall 2005 3 credits

CRJ 471 Correctional Alternatives. Course will examine the concept of community-based corrections, the role of the corrections worker, and specific programs including, but not limited to: community service, community residential centers, fines, and work release. Prerequisite: ENG 117 or equivalent and CRJ 371 Expected to be offered: Spring semesters, even years; Distance Learning: Summer odd years 3 credits

CRJ 495 Internship. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor Expected to be offered: Sufficient demand 1-15 credits