B.S. in Criminal Justice

Walden University offers students a dynamic learning environment and a range of support services to ensure academic success. In this course, students immerse themselves in Walden University's online learning environment and apply skills from the student readiness orientation. In addition, students discover and apply the tools and services that will support them throughout their degree program. Through classroom discussions and the application of key communication principles, students establish an online community of peers and explore their degree program with discipline-specific examples. This course helps students prepare for their Walden academic career and continues their orientation to the university.

What is criminal justice and how is it delivered and sustained? This course provides students with a survey of the contemporary criminal justice system in the United States, with emphasis on the roles and responsibilities of police (law enforcement), courts (adjudication), and corrections. Students analyze the components of and major players in the criminal justice process and system and apply this content to current events and dilemmas. They overview crime and criminal law and explore how these concepts connect to criminal justice. Students also consider diversity and ethical challenges and issues as they relate to all aspects of criminal justice. Finally, students explore and discuss the juvenile justice system; consider its strengths and limitations; and examine issues, challenges, and trends related to the system.

People commit crimes for a variety of reasons, and these crimes vary in their impact on individual victims and society. Students in this course examine a range of views, definitions, and perspectives on crime and criminology; the nature, causes, and typologies of crime and offenders; theories that attempt to explain why individuals commit crimes; and approaches to the prevention and control of crime. Students apply theories and perspectives to crime in real life as well as to crime presented in vignettes and case studies. Students devote special attention to the debate between social-responsibilities and social-problems approaches to criminology. (Prerequisites: CRJS 1001 or PSYC 1002 or PSYC 1003.)

It’s hard to imagine any toddler evolving into a juvenile delinquent. And yet some do. In this course, students examine the factors that lead some juveniles along this path as well as ways to intervene in the process and outcome. They consider the biological, psychological, and sociological factors in juvenile delinquency as well as modern trends in prevention and treatment. Through traditional literature and interactive learning modules, students explore the concept of juvenile justice and consider the proper age that society should hold a juvenile criminally responsible as well as the age that juveniles should be tried as adults. (Prerequisites: CRJS 1001.)

Books, movies, and television programs about crime, particularly those that feature criminals and trials, have been popular for decades. But there’s more to criminal law than the theatrics that media often features. In this course, students examine the concepts and principles related to criminal law. They engage in discussions and assignments designed to provide practical application of content on a variety of topics, including domestic and international crimes, criminal defense, punishment, and sentencing. (Prerequisites: CRJS 1001 or PSPA 1001.)

What is the goal of the corrections system? Is it punishment, rehabilitation, or both? In this course, students have the opportunity to answer such questions through the examination of the history of corrections as well as the practice and legal environment in corrections, including institutional and community-based programs and their relationship to other areas of the criminal justice system. Students also learn about correctional philosophy and practices related to incarceration, diversions, community-based corrections, and treatment of offenders. They employ analytical skills to assess the role of corrections professionals and challenges facing corrections in a society that continues to change in demographics, norms, and expectations of criminal justice. (Prerequisites: CRJS 1001.)

What happens in a courtroom is both complex and fascinating, as is evidenced by the popularity of courtroom drama—real and fictional. In this course, students analyze and apply information about the components of the judicial system, including their structure, function, and processes. Students examine the professional roles within the system and learn how the system selects these figures. They learn about judicial conduct and professional standards and apply these concepts to examples of judicial behavior. Students also analyze issues related to the courts and judicial process in an increasingly diverse society and consider these in regard to future trends, such as in cases and legal claims. (Prerequisites: CRJS 1001 or PSPA 1001.)

There is a diverse assortment of issues and challenges involved in enforcing laws and protecting the public, for which a wide array of agencies share responsibility in addressing. Such agencies encompass federal, state, and local police as well as private figures, such as security officers and city inspectors. In this course, students examine the roles and responsibilities of law enforcement professionals and explore the development and evolution of law enforcement in the United States. They examine community policing models and the use of power, discretion, and deception by police. Students also engage in practical discussions and exercises to explore long-standing, contemporary, and future law enforcement issues and challenges. (Prerequisites: CRJS 1001.)

All criminal justice professionals must understand the methods of extracting and using data and research—a critical function lending to the responsibilities of all roles in the system, including law enforcement, crime prevention, sentencing, and corrections. Students in this course explore how professionals apply basic statistical principles and research methods to contemporary criminal justice problems and issues in court, law enforcement, and correctional settings. Students learn how to evaluate data and research, represent data using graphs, and present data using statistical measures. They also consider ethical issues related to criminal justice research and technological advancements that influence current and future criminal justice data analysis and research. (Prerequisites: CRJS 1001.)

Businesses whose systems are lacking or experience failure are at risk of significant loss of time, money, and customer faith. Therefore, information technology (IT) is essential to the function and success of nearly all businesses. Through this course, students prepare for a role in the field of IT as they learn fundamental concepts of the IT infrastructure that underlie information systems. Students examine both hardware (computers, networks, interface devices) and software (operating systems, middleware, applications, system software) elements. They also explore key issues of capacity, performance, reliability, scale, and obsolescence for a thorough understanding of all aspects of IT infrastructure. (Prerequisites: COMM 1001.)

The Internet stitches together many disparate devices and software components into a flexible fabric that supports an enormous variety of uses. Students in this course learn about the functions of these components through a comprehensive evaluation of internet computing. They examine the design of the Internet protocol stack, the structure and function of some of the most important Internet services and applications, and Internet governance. Students have the opportunity to gain practical experience through the application of concepts, such as performance, scale, and reliability, in the design of information systems. (Prerequisites: CMIS 1002.)

The responsibility of an information security specialist is to supervise operations that follow industry best practices for security and data integrity. This role helps to ensure that systems are free from external threats and risks that may jeopardize or harm an organization. In this course, students examine the role of a security specialist and learn the key concepts and concerns of information security and privacy, including technical, social, and policy issues. Students examine fundamental notions of authentication, authorization, and encryption in the context of everyday information systems activities. Students analyze and discuss case studies of security and privacy breaches to understand economic and human impact. (Prerequisites: CMIS 2001.)

Today, the risk of hackers infiltrating networks and computer systems is high and all organizations are at risk of potential exploitation or data theft. In this course, students examine information security attacks and defenses at the individual computer level and explore physical and software intrusions and defenses. Students learn best practices in configuring and maintaining systems to minimize the risk of compromise. They engage in application and discussion assignments focusing on topics such as viruses, Trojan horses, physical compromise, stolen credentials, and related protective measures. (Prerequisites: CMIS 4101.)

Understanding a computer network as a symbiotic system connected to the Internet, including the relationships of network devices, such as gateways, switches, routers, and hubs, is important step in minimizing the risk of threats that compromise networks. In this course, students examine information security attacks and defenses in the network. They consider hardware and software vulnerabilities and denial of service attacks. Students take a hands-on approach to understanding defense techniques as they complete practical exercises focused on planning, detection, and recovery measures. They also explore and discuss the social and technical aspects of anonymity in the network as they relate to network abuse and free speech. (Prerequisites: CMIS 4102.)

The increase of information shared online puts users, both individuals and larger entities, such as government agencies and corporations, at major risk of invasion of privacy and more serious crimes, such as child pornography, financial fraud, and personal identify theft. In this course, students learn basic approaches to analyzing information systems for evidence of illegal or inappropriate activities. They engage in a range of assignments focusing on the legal, ethical, and policy implications of various forensic techniques and monitoring practices. Students also learn to analyze forensic issues of real-world case studies to learn to choose appropriate techniques to minimize risk and combat breeches in security. (Prerequisites: CMIS 4103.)

In this capstone course, students have the opportunity to discover new concepts and synthesize existing knowledge and skills acquired throughout the program, keeping in mind the end goal of future positive social change. They first focus their attention on the basic rights of all human beings and the rule of law in the international arena—topics of increasing global importance. Students also investigate real-world examples of human rights violations, both domestic and international, and they assess responses and resolutions to such violations. Finally, students develop a project or paper that integrates and applies the concepts of international justice, rule of law, and/or human rights in their area of concentration. (Prerequisites: CRJS 1001.)

Walden University offers students a dynamic learning environment and a range of support services to ensure academic success. In this course, students immerse themselves in Walden University's online learning environment and apply skills from the student readiness orientation. In addition, students discover and apply the tools and services that will support them throughout their degree program. Through classroom discussions and the application of key communication principles, students establish an online community of peers and explore their degree program with discipline-specific examples. This course helps students prepare for their Walden academic career and continues their orientation to the university.

What is criminal justice and how is it delivered and sustained? This course provides students with a survey of the contemporary criminal justice system in the United States, with emphasis on the roles and responsibilities of police (law enforcement), courts (adjudication), and corrections. Students analyze the components of and major players in the criminal justice process and system and apply this content to current events and dilemmas. They overview crime and criminal law and explore how these concepts connect to criminal justice. Students also consider diversity and ethical challenges and issues as they relate to all aspects of criminal justice. Finally, students explore and discuss the juvenile justice system; consider its strengths and limitations; and examine issues, challenges, and trends related to the system.

People commit crimes for a variety of reasons, and these crimes vary in their impact on individual victims and society. Students in this course examine a range of views, definitions, and perspectives on crime and criminology; the nature, causes, and typologies of crime and offenders; theories that attempt to explain why individuals commit crimes; and approaches to the prevention and control of crime. Students apply theories and perspectives to crime in real life as well as to crime presented in vignettes and case studies. Students devote special attention to the debate between social-responsibilities and social-problems approaches to criminology. (Prerequisites: CRJS 1001 or PSYC 1002 or PSYC 1003.)

It’s hard to imagine any toddler evolving into a juvenile delinquent. And yet some do. In this course, students examine the factors that lead some juveniles along this path as well as ways to intervene in the process and outcome. They consider the biological, psychological, and sociological factors in juvenile delinquency as well as modern trends in prevention and treatment. Through traditional literature and interactive learning modules, students explore the concept of juvenile justice and consider the proper age that society should hold a juvenile criminally responsible as well as the age that juveniles should be tried as adults. (Prerequisites: CRJS 1001.)

Books, movies, and television programs about crime, particularly those that feature criminals and trials, have been popular for decades. But there’s more to criminal law than the theatrics that media often features. In this course, students examine the concepts and principles related to criminal law. They engage in discussions and assignments designed to provide practical application of content on a variety of topics, including domestic and international crimes, criminal defense, punishment, and sentencing. (Prerequisites: CRJS 1001 or PSPA 1001.)

What is the goal of the corrections system? Is it punishment, rehabilitation, or both? In this course, students have the opportunity to answer such questions through the examination of the history of corrections as well as the practice and legal environment in corrections, including institutional and community-based programs and their relationship to other areas of the criminal justice system. Students also learn about correctional philosophy and practices related to incarceration, diversions, community-based corrections, and treatment of offenders. They employ analytical skills to assess the role of corrections professionals and challenges facing corrections in a society that continues to change in demographics, norms, and expectations of criminal justice. (Prerequisites: CRJS 1001.)

What happens in a courtroom is both complex and fascinating, as is evidenced by the popularity of courtroom drama—real and fictional. In this course, students analyze and apply information about the components of the judicial system, including their structure, function, and processes. Students examine the professional roles within the system and learn how the system selects these figures. They learn about judicial conduct and professional standards and apply these concepts to examples of judicial behavior. Students also analyze issues related to the courts and judicial process in an increasingly diverse society and consider these in regard to future trends, such as in cases and legal claims. (Prerequisites: CRJS 1001 or PSPA 1001.)

There is a diverse assortment of issues and challenges involved in enforcing laws and protecting the public, for which a wide array of agencies share responsibility in addressing. Such agencies encompass federal, state, and local police as well as private figures, such as security officers and city inspectors. In this course, students examine the roles and responsibilities of law enforcement professionals and explore the development and evolution of law enforcement in the United States. They examine community policing models and the use of power, discretion, and deception by police. Students also engage in practical discussions and exercises to explore long-standing, contemporary, and future law enforcement issues and challenges. (Prerequisites: CRJS 1001.)

All criminal justice professionals must understand the methods of extracting and using data and research—a critical function lending to the responsibilities of all roles in the system, including law enforcement, crime prevention, sentencing, and corrections. Students in this course explore how professionals apply basic statistical principles and research methods to contemporary criminal justice problems and issues in court, law enforcement, and correctional settings. Students learn how to evaluate data and research, represent data using graphs, and present data using statistical measures. They also consider ethical issues related to criminal justice research and technological advancements that influence current and future criminal justice data analysis and research. (Prerequisites: CRJS 1001.)

Criminal investigation is a critical duty at all levels of public and private law enforcement. Students in this course examine the integral tasks involved in such investigation through the examination of proper collection, tagging, and processing of evidence as well as the chain of custody. Students also learn how to assess a crime scene; interview and interrogate witnesses and suspects; and use informants and surveillance techniques in an investigation. Students also consider and discuss the codes of ethics to which investigators adhere as well as the impact of technological advancements on the future of criminal investigation. (Prerequisites: CRJS 1001.)

What makes a criminal unique? Criminal justice professionals confront criminal behavior in many forms. In this course, students explore theories and research that provide cognitive, behavioral, and psychological explanations of criminal behavior. Through the examination of such theories, students have the opportunity to gain the professional knowledge and sensibilities to be able to interact effectively with offenders. Students also investigate potential trends and current biological research that may change or advance the study and treatment of criminal behavior. (Prerequisites: CRJS 1001.)

The implications surrounding drug trade, gangs, and organized crime are felt throughout communities domestically and around the globe. In this course, students explore these implications as well as domestic and international law enforcement efforts in managing issues contiguous to drugs and crime. Students have the opportunity to gain real world insight into urban problems involving drugs, gang processes and activity, and organized crime through examination of current information and trends. They further dissect these concerns to learn what impact such issues have on crime in general and the cost of policing in the United States. (Prerequisites: CRJS 1001.)

In this capstone course, students have the opportunity to discover new concepts and synthesize existing knowledge and skills acquired throughout the program, keeping in mind the end goal of future positive social change. They first focus their attention on the basic rights of all human beings and the rule of law in the international arena—topics of increasing global importance. Students also investigate real-world examples of human rights violations, both domestic and international, and they assess responses and resolutions to such violations. Finally, students develop a project or paper that integrates and applies the concepts of international justice, rule of law, and/or human rights in their area of concentration. (Prerequisites: CRJS 1001.)

Walden University offers students a dynamic learning environment and a range of support services to ensure academic success. In this course, students immerse themselves in Walden University's online learning environment and apply skills from the student readiness orientation. In addition, students discover and apply the tools and services that will support them throughout their degree program. Through classroom discussions and the application of key communication principles, students establish an online community of peers and explore their degree program with discipline-specific examples. This course helps students prepare for their Walden academic career and continues their orientation to the university.

What is criminal justice and how is it delivered and sustained? This course provides students with a survey of the contemporary criminal justice system in the United States, with emphasis on the roles and responsibilities of police (law enforcement), courts (adjudication), and corrections. Students analyze the components of and major players in the criminal justice process and system and apply this content to current events and dilemmas. They overview crime and criminal law and explore how these concepts connect to criminal justice. Students also consider diversity and ethical challenges and issues as they relate to all aspects of criminal justice. Finally, students explore and discuss the juvenile justice system; consider its strengths and limitations; and examine issues, challenges, and trends related to the system.

People commit crimes for a variety of reasons, and these crimes vary in their impact on individual victims and society. Students in this course examine a range of views, definitions, and perspectives on crime and criminology; the nature, causes, and typologies of crime and offenders; theories that attempt to explain why individuals commit crimes; and approaches to the prevention and control of crime. Students apply theories and perspectives to crime in real life as well as to crime presented in vignettes and case studies. Students devote special attention to the debate between social-responsibilities and social-problems approaches to criminology. (Prerequisites: CRJS 1001 or PSYC 1002 or PSYC 1003.)

It’s hard to imagine any toddler evolving into a juvenile delinquent. And yet some do. In this course, students examine the factors that lead some juveniles along this path as well as ways to intervene in the process and outcome. They consider the biological, psychological, and sociological factors in juvenile delinquency as well as modern trends in prevention and treatment. Through traditional literature and interactive learning modules, students explore the concept of juvenile justice and consider the proper age that society should hold a juvenile criminally responsible as well as the age that juveniles should be tried as adults. (Prerequisites: CRJS 1001.)

Books, movies, and television programs about crime, particularly those that feature criminals and trials, have been popular for decades. But there’s more to criminal law than the theatrics that media often features. In this course, students examine the concepts and principles related to criminal law. They engage in discussions and assignments designed to provide practical application of content on a variety of topics, including domestic and international crimes, criminal defense, punishment, and sentencing. (Prerequisites: CRJS 1001 or PSPA 1001.)

What is the goal of the corrections system? Is it punishment, rehabilitation, or both? In this course, students have the opportunity to answer such questions through the examination of the history of corrections as well as the practice and legal environment in corrections, including institutional and community-based programs and their relationship to other areas of the criminal justice system. Students also learn about correctional philosophy and practices related to incarceration, diversions, community-based corrections, and treatment of offenders. They employ analytical skills to assess the role of corrections professionals and challenges facing corrections in a society that continues to change in demographics, norms, and expectations of criminal justice. (Prerequisites: CRJS 1001.)

What happens in a courtroom is both complex and fascinating, as is evidenced by the popularity of courtroom drama—real and fictional. In this course, students analyze and apply information about the components of the judicial system, including their structure, function, and processes. Students examine the professional roles within the system and learn how the system selects these figures. They learn about judicial conduct and professional standards and apply these concepts to examples of judicial behavior. Students also analyze issues related to the courts and judicial process in an increasingly diverse society and consider these in regard to future trends, such as in cases and legal claims. (Prerequisites: CRJS 1001 or PSPA 1001.)

There is a diverse assortment of issues and challenges involved in enforcing laws and protecting the public, for which a wide array of agencies share responsibility in addressing. Such agencies encompass federal, state, and local police as well as private figures, such as security officers and city inspectors. In this course, students examine the roles and responsibilities of law enforcement professionals and explore the development and evolution of law enforcement in the United States. They examine community policing models and the use of power, discretion, and deception by police. Students also engage in practical discussions and exercises to explore long-standing, contemporary, and future law enforcement issues and challenges. (Prerequisites: CRJS 1001.)

All criminal justice professionals must understand the methods of extracting and using data and research—a critical function lending to the responsibilities of all roles in the system, including law enforcement, crime prevention, sentencing, and corrections. Students in this course explore how professionals apply basic statistical principles and research methods to contemporary criminal justice problems and issues in court, law enforcement, and correctional settings. Students learn how to evaluate data and research, represent data using graphs, and present data using statistical measures. They also consider ethical issues related to criminal justice research and technological advancements that influence current and future criminal justice data analysis and research. (Prerequisites: CRJS 1001.)

Today’s criminal justice organizations are complex, varied, and require effective management, administration, and leadership. Students in this course analyze and discuss the function and nature of criminal justice organizations. Through the examination of traditional literature, in addition to contemporary videos and articles, students learn about criminal justice management and leadership roles and processes, politics and socialization, motivation, organizational change, technology, and current ethical considerations. Students apply concepts presented in the course to practical management problems and issues in law enforcement, prosecution, courts, and corrections. (Prerequisites: CRJS 1001.)

Planning and applying effective budgeting strategies are critical elements in managing corporate and government criminal justice organizations. In this course, students have the opportunity to gain fundamental skills for effective management while focusing on short- and long-term financial analysis as well as on policy and budget creation. They complete practical application assignments, focusing on issues of plan development, grant sources, and different tasks and challenges related to budgeting. Students also engage in discussions with peers on a variety of topics, such as the public and private budgets, strategies, financing, forecasting, and ethical issues related to public budgeting. (Prerequisites: CRJS 1001 or MATH 1002.)

What happens when disasters occur, natural or otherwise, and the agencies that respond operate independent of one another? Students in this course have the opportunity to examine the fallout of such events to learn effective ways to manage critical incidents, avoiding errors of the past, thus helping to prevent widespread harm to communities. They learn about the development of broad-based contingency planning and the development of strategies, policies, and procedures for cross-agency coordination. Through practical exercises and simulations, students sharpen their critical-thinking and problem-solving skills as they learn ways to develop models of cross-agency coordination that anticipate prototypical critical incident responses. (Prerequisites: CRJS 1001.)

While victim response is vital, it is also important to focus on the potential effects of crime on a community, such as economic instability, drug use, prejudices, and further criminal activity. Students in this course identify existing community resources that professionals use in conjunction with planned and ad hoc community responses to learn positive and effective intervention strategies that address the needs of individuals and communities affected by criminal incidents. They also assess the challenges inherent in such efforts and discuss ways to mitigate obstacles. Gaining new perspectives on possible ways to address the coordination of community response, students examine how victims perceive crime and/or change their role as a result of the crime. (Prerequisites: CRJS 1001.)

In this capstone course, students have the opportunity to discover new concepts and synthesize existing knowledge and skills acquired throughout the program, keeping in mind the end goal of future positive social change. They first focus their attention on the basic rights of all human beings and the rule of law in the international arena—topics of increasing global importance. Students also investigate real-world examples of human rights violations, both domestic and international, and they assess responses and resolutions to such violations. Finally, students develop a project or paper that integrates and applies the concepts of international justice, rule of law, and/or human rights in their area of concentration. (Prerequisites: CRJS 1001.)

Walden University offers students a dynamic learning environment and a range of support services to ensure academic success. In this course, students immerse themselves in Walden University's online learning environment and apply skills from the student readiness orientation. In addition, students discover and apply the tools and services that will support them throughout their degree program. Through classroom discussions and the application of key communication principles, students establish an online community of peers and explore their degree program with discipline-specific examples. This course helps students prepare for their Walden academic career and continues their orientation to the university.

What is criminal justice and how is it delivered and sustained? This course provides students with a survey of the contemporary criminal justice system in the United States, with emphasis on the roles and responsibilities of police (law enforcement), courts (adjudication), and corrections. Students analyze the components of and major players in the criminal justice process and system and apply this content to current events and dilemmas. They overview crime and criminal law and explore how these concepts connect to criminal justice. Students also consider diversity and ethical challenges and issues as they relate to all aspects of criminal justice. Finally, students explore and discuss the juvenile justice system; consider its strengths and limitations; and examine issues, challenges, and trends related to the system.

People commit crimes for a variety of reasons, and these crimes vary in their impact on individual victims and society. Students in this course examine a range of views, definitions, and perspectives on crime and criminology; the nature, causes, and typologies of crime and offenders; theories that attempt to explain why individuals commit crimes; and approaches to the prevention and control of crime. Students apply theories and perspectives to crime in real life as well as to crime presented in vignettes and case studies. Students devote special attention to the debate between social-responsibilities and social-problems approaches to criminology. (Prerequisites: CRJS 1001 or PSYC 1002 or PSYC 1003.)

It’s hard to imagine any toddler evolving into a juvenile delinquent. And yet some do. In this course, students examine the factors that lead some juveniles along this path as well as ways to intervene in the process and outcome. They consider the biological, psychological, and sociological factors in juvenile delinquency as well as modern trends in prevention and treatment. Through traditional literature and interactive learning modules, students explore the concept of juvenile justice and consider the proper age that society should hold a juvenile criminally responsible as well as the age that juveniles should be tried as adults. (Prerequisites: CRJS 1001.)

Books, movies, and television programs about crime, particularly those that feature criminals and trials, have been popular for decades. But there’s more to criminal law than the theatrics that media often features. In this course, students examine the concepts and principles related to criminal law. They engage in discussions and assignments designed to provide practical application of content on a variety of topics, including domestic and international crimes, criminal defense, punishment, and sentencing. (Prerequisites: CRJS 1001 or PSPA 1001.)

What is the goal of the corrections system? Is it punishment, rehabilitation, or both? In this course, students have the opportunity to answer such questions through the examination of the history of corrections as well as the practice and legal environment in corrections, including institutional and community-based programs and their relationship to other areas of the criminal justice system. Students also learn about correctional philosophy and practices related to incarceration, diversions, community-based corrections, and treatment of offenders. They employ analytical skills to assess the role of corrections professionals and challenges facing corrections in a society that continues to change in demographics, norms, and expectations of criminal justice. (Prerequisites: CRJS 1001.)

What happens in a courtroom is both complex and fascinating, as is evidenced by the popularity of courtroom drama—real and fictional. In this course, students analyze and apply information about the components of the judicial system, including their structure, function, and processes. Students examine the professional roles within the system and learn how the system selects these figures. They learn about judicial conduct and professional standards and apply these concepts to examples of judicial behavior. Students also analyze issues related to the courts and judicial process in an increasingly diverse society and consider these in regard to future trends, such as in cases and legal claims. (Prerequisites: CRJS 1001 or PSPA 1001.)

There is a diverse assortment of issues and challenges involved in enforcing laws and protecting the public, for which a wide array of agencies share responsibility in addressing. Such agencies encompass federal, state, and local police as well as private figures, such as security officers and city inspectors. In this course, students examine the roles and responsibilities of law enforcement professionals and explore the development and evolution of law enforcement in the United States. They examine community policing models and the use of power, discretion, and deception by police. Students also engage in practical discussions and exercises to explore long-standing, contemporary, and future law enforcement issues and challenges. (Prerequisites: CRJS 1001.)

All criminal justice professionals must understand the methods of extracting and using data and research—a critical function lending to the responsibilities of all roles in the system, including law enforcement, crime prevention, sentencing, and corrections. Students in this course explore how professionals apply basic statistical principles and research methods to contemporary criminal justice problems and issues in court, law enforcement, and correctional settings. Students learn how to evaluate data and research, represent data using graphs, and present data using statistical measures. They also consider ethical issues related to criminal justice research and technological advancements that influence current and future criminal justice data analysis and research. (Prerequisites: CRJS 1001.)

Acts of physical and psychological violence to create fear have occurred throughout the ages, but they have only recently begun to affect the United States directly. The American public, now more than ever, must be aware of the possible threat of further terrorist attacks. In this course, students learn about current legislation to counter terrorism as well as to provide U.S. citizens with knowledge of these efforts and any further threats. Students engage in assignments on topics related to domestic and international terrorism, including theory, history of and trends related to terrorism, causes and goals of terrorist groups, and responses to terrorist acts by the criminal justice system. Students examine and analyze contemporary terrorist threats and movements and contemplate future trends.

What happens when disasters occur, natural or otherwise, and the agencies that respond operate independent of one another? Students in this course have the opportunity to examine the fallout of such events to learn effective ways to manage critical incidents, avoiding errors of the past, thus helping to prevent widespread harm to communities. They learn about the development of broad-based contingency planning and the development of strategies, policies, and procedures for cross-agency coordination. Through practical exercises and simulations, students sharpen their critical-thinking and problem-solving skills as they learn ways to develop models of cross-agency coordination that anticipate prototypical critical incident responses. (Prerequisites: CRJS 1001.)

In an age of technological innovation, nuclear advancement, and virtual spread of knowledge, terrorism is at the vanguard of governmental action. In this course, students explore and discuss methods used by the criminal justice system to counter and manage disaster incidents, and they examine law enforcement responses to such incidents. Students learn about the function of the National Incident Management System (NIMS) and the Incident Command System (ICS)—agencies created specifically to provide specialized guidance and support to all levels of government and nongovernmental organizations who respond to disasters. They examine different types of weapons of mass destruction (including biological and chemical threats) as well as cyberterrorism. Through this course, students work toward gaining practical skills to engage in organizational preparation efforts in many different professional positions, including disaster response. (Prerequisites: CRJS 1001.)

In this capstone course, students have the opportunity to discover new concepts and synthesize existing knowledge and skills acquired throughout the program, keeping in mind the end goal of future positive social change. They first focus their attention on the basic rights of all human beings and the rule of law in the international arena—topics of increasing global importance. Students also investigate real-world examples of human rights violations, both domestic and international, and they assess responses and resolutions to such violations. Finally, students develop a project or paper that integrates and applies the concepts of international justice, rule of law, and/or human rights in their area of concentration. (Prerequisites: CRJS 1001.)

Walden University offers students a dynamic learning environment and a range of support services to ensure academic success. In this course, students immerse themselves in Walden University's online learning environment and apply skills from the student readiness orientation. In addition, students discover and apply the tools and services that will support them throughout their degree program. Through classroom discussions and the application of key communication principles, students establish an online community of peers and explore their degree program with discipline-specific examples. This course helps students prepare for their Walden academic career and continues their orientation to the university.

What is criminal justice and how is it delivered and sustained? This course provides students with a survey of the contemporary criminal justice system in the United States, with emphasis on the roles and responsibilities of police (law enforcement), courts (adjudication), and corrections. Students analyze the components of and major players in the criminal justice process and system and apply this content to current events and dilemmas. They overview crime and criminal law and explore how these concepts connect to criminal justice. Students also consider diversity and ethical challenges and issues as they relate to all aspects of criminal justice. Finally, students explore and discuss the juvenile justice system; consider its strengths and limitations; and examine issues, challenges, and trends related to the system.

People commit crimes for a variety of reasons, and these crimes vary in their impact on individual victims and society. Students in this course examine a range of views, definitions, and perspectives on crime and criminology; the nature, causes, and typologies of crime and offenders; theories that attempt to explain why individuals commit crimes; and approaches to the prevention and control of crime. Students apply theories and perspectives to crime in real life as well as to crime presented in vignettes and case studies. Students devote special attention to the debate between social-responsibilities and social-problems approaches to criminology. (Prerequisites: CRJS 1001 or PSYC 1002 or PSYC 1003.)

It’s hard to imagine any toddler evolving into a juvenile delinquent. And yet some do. In this course, students examine the factors that lead some juveniles along this path as well as ways to intervene in the process and outcome. They consider the biological, psychological, and sociological factors in juvenile delinquency as well as modern trends in prevention and treatment. Through traditional literature and interactive learning modules, students explore the concept of juvenile justice and consider the proper age that society should hold a juvenile criminally responsible as well as the age that juveniles should be tried as adults. (Prerequisites: CRJS 1001.)

Books, movies, and television programs about crime, particularly those that feature criminals and trials, have been popular for decades. But there’s more to criminal law than the theatrics that media often features. In this course, students examine the concepts and principles related to criminal law. They engage in discussions and assignments designed to provide practical application of content on a variety of topics, including domestic and international crimes, criminal defense, punishment, and sentencing. (Prerequisites: CRJS 1001 or PSPA 1001.)

What is the goal of the corrections system? Is it punishment, rehabilitation, or both? In this course, students have the opportunity to answer such questions through the examination of the history of corrections as well as the practice and legal environment in corrections, including institutional and community-based programs and their relationship to other areas of the criminal justice system. Students also learn about correctional philosophy and practices related to incarceration, diversions, community-based corrections, and treatment of offenders. They employ analytical skills to assess the role of corrections professionals and challenges facing corrections in a society that continues to change in demographics, norms, and expectations of criminal justice. (Prerequisites: CRJS 1001.)

What happens in a courtroom is both complex and fascinating, as is evidenced by the popularity of courtroom drama—real and fictional. In this course, students analyze and apply information about the components of the judicial system, including their structure, function, and processes. Students examine the professional roles within the system and learn how the system selects these figures. They learn about judicial conduct and professional standards and apply these concepts to examples of judicial behavior. Students also analyze issues related to the courts and judicial process in an increasingly diverse society and consider these in regard to future trends, such as in cases and legal claims. (Prerequisites: CRJS 1001 or PSPA 1001.)

There is a diverse assortment of issues and challenges involved in enforcing laws and protecting the public, for which a wide array of agencies share responsibility in addressing. Such agencies encompass federal, state, and local police as well as private figures, such as security officers and city inspectors. In this course, students examine the roles and responsibilities of law enforcement professionals and explore the development and evolution of law enforcement in the United States. They examine community policing models and the use of power, discretion, and deception by police. Students also engage in practical discussions and exercises to explore long-standing, contemporary, and future law enforcement issues and challenges. (Prerequisites: CRJS 1001.)

All criminal justice professionals must understand the methods of extracting and using data and research—a critical function lending to the responsibilities of all roles in the system, including law enforcement, crime prevention, sentencing, and corrections. Students in this course explore how professionals apply basic statistical principles and research methods to contemporary criminal justice problems and issues in court, law enforcement, and correctional settings. Students learn how to evaluate data and research, represent data using graphs, and present data using statistical measures. They also consider ethical issues related to criminal justice research and technological advancements that influence current and future criminal justice data analysis and research. (Prerequisites: CRJS 1001.)

Criminal justice involves more than retribution; it is twofold in that it must punish offenders and also address their needs and the needs of victims and the community. Students in this course explore the theory of justice and practices that emphasize repairing the harm caused by criminal behavior. They learn the ways in which this effort contrasts with an adversarial approach to justice. Students learn about strategies involving stakeholders in actions that transform the relationships among victims, offenders, communities, and criminal justice agencies in their response to crime. They also explore and reflect on case studies and topical models for an in-depth understanding how professionals conduct restorative justice in the real world. (Prerequisites: CRJS 1001.)

While victim response is vital, it is also important to focus on the potential effects of crime on a community, such as economic instability, drug use, prejudices, and further criminal activity. Students in this course identify existing community resources that professionals use in conjunction with planned and ad hoc community responses to learn positive and effective intervention strategies that address the needs of individuals and communities affected by criminal incidents. They also assess the challenges inherent in such efforts and discuss ways to mitigate obstacles. Gaining new perspectives on possible ways to address the coordination of community response, students examine how victims perceive crime and/or change their role as a result of the crime. (Prerequisites: CRJS 1001.)

There are many considerations related to the perception, needs, and treatment of crime victims, which continue to lend to a growing area of study and legislation. Students in this course learn about the different types of victimization as well as the differences between direct and indirect victims of crime. They examine the role of criminal justice practitioners who work with and respond to victims. Students also assess and discuss the many ethical issues related to victims’ human and civil rights and the impact of these rights on criminal justice professionals and changing legislation. Through case studies and contemporary literature, students also analyze both current problems and future trends in victimology. (Prerequisites: CRJS 1001.)

In this capstone course, students have the opportunity to discover new concepts and synthesize existing knowledge and skills acquired throughout the program, keeping in mind the end goal of future positive social change. They first focus their attention on the basic rights of all human beings and the rule of law in the international arena—topics of increasing global importance. Students also investigate real-world examples of human rights violations, both domestic and international, and they assess responses and resolutions to such violations. Finally, students develop a project or paper that integrates and applies the concepts of international justice, rule of law, and/or human rights in their area of concentration. (Prerequisites: CRJS 1001.)