Crime and Criminal Investigation

Two Ways to Learn

Choose the learning path that fits your life and experience. Here are the two ways to earn your degree:

^*May not be available for all programs

Course-Based Learning

Curriculum

Degree Completion Requirements

• 181 total quarter credits
  • General education courses (46 cr.)*
  • Core courses (45 cr.)
  • Concentration courses (20 cr.)
  • Elective courses (65 cr.)
  • Capstone course (5 cr.)

Students may be eligible to transfer up to 135 credits. At least 45 credits must be completed at Walden.

This sequence represents the minimum time to completion. Time to completion will vary by student, depending on individual progress and credits transferred, if applicable. For a personalized estimate of your time to completion, call an Enrollment Specialist at 855-646-5286.

*Click here for required general education courses by program.

Courses

Show Course Descriptions

Course Code	Title	Credits
	FIRST-TERM COURSE
HMNT 1001	Living and Learning in a Technological World Show Imagine life without cell phones, television, or the Internet. Recent technological developments have significantly altered all aspects of human life: at work; in play; and in personal, family, and social interactions. In this course, students examine the advantages, disadvantages, and controversies of living and learning in an ever-changing technological environment. By exploring multiple perspectives, students discover how technology is changing media, culture, business, health, human behavior, and overall access to information. In a dynamic, reflective, and engaging classroom environment, students use a variety of audio, visual, literary, and artistic resources, to engage in open dialogue. Students are also introduced to the tools essential to success at Walden. Students complete the course with a personalized success plan that provides a customized roadmap and tools that they can use immediately on their journey toward the completion of their bachelor's degree. *Note: virtual, cyber, digital, and asynchronous are used to describe online environments in this course.	(6 cr.)
	CORE COURSES
CRJS 1001	Contemporary Criminal Justice Systems Show What is criminal justice and how is it delivered and administered? Student in this course are provided 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 methods of diversion by criminal justice personnel at all levels of practice. 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, mental health considerations, and ethical challenges and issues as they relate to all aspects of criminal justice. Finally, students explore and discuss how the criminal justice system addresses criminality; consider its strengths and limitations; and examine issues, challenges, and trends related to the system.	(5 cr.)
CRJS 2001	Criminology and Social Control Show 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.   (Prerequisite(s): CRJS 1001 or PSYC 1002 or PSYC 1003.)	(5 cr.)
CRJS 2002	Juvenile Delinquency and Justice Show In this course, students examine the factors that lead some juveniles to engage in criminal or antisocial behavior 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. (Prerequisite(s): CRJS 1001.)	(5 cr.)
CRJS 2003	Criminal Law Show 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 on a variety of topics, including domestic and international crimes, criminal defense, punishment, and sentencing.   (Prerequisite(s): CRJS 1001 or POLI 1001.)	(5 cr.)
CRJS 3001	Corrections Show 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.   (Prerequisite(s): CRJS 1001.)	(5 cr.)
CRJS 3002	Courts and Judicial Process Show The pathways through the judicial process begin with choices—from a decision to arrest through the pursuit of a case in the system. 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. (Prerequisite(s): CRJS 1001 or PSPA 1001, and CRJS 2003.)	(5 cr.)
CRJS 3003	Law Enforcement Show 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. (Prerequisite(s): CRJS 1001.)	(5 cr.)
CRJS 3004	Data Analysis for Criminal Justice Professionals Show 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. (Prerequisite(s): CRJS 1001.)	(5 cr.)
CRJS 4203	Introduction to Victimology Show 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.   (Prerequisite(s): CRJS 1001.)	(5 cr.)
	CONCENTRATION COURSES
CRJS 4101	Criminal Evidence and Investigation Show 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.   (Prerequisite(s): CRJS 1001.)	(5 cr.)
CRJS 4102	The Criminal Mind Show 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.   (Prerequisite(s): CRJS 1001.)	(5 cr.)
CRJS 4103	Drugs, Gangs, and Organized Crime Show 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.   (Prerequisite(s): CRJS 1001.)	(5 cr.)
CRJS 4301	Terrorism Show 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. (Prerequisite(s): CRJS 1001.)	(5 cr.)
	CAPSTONE
CRJS 4160	Capstone: Ethics and Diversity in Criminal Justice Show Students in this course will explore the implications of ethics and diversity in the criminal justice field. Students examine the importance of ethical behavior on controversial issues and decision-making in law enforcement, corrections, and the courts system. Students will also explore the importance of diversity among employees in the field of criminal justice, as well as an understanding of cultural diversity as a building block of an unbiased justice system.	(5 cr.)
	ELECTIVE COURSES
	Choose 13 courses from general education, BS in Criminal Justice, or other Walden bachelor’s degree programs. Your elective credits should total 65 to meet your program requirements. At least 5 credits must be at the 3000, 4000, or 5000 level. You may also be eligible to transfer credit to meet your elective requirements.
VIEW ALL COURSES Less Courses

Tuition and Fees

Curriculum Component	Requirements	Cost	Total *
Tuition	181 total quarter credit hours	$325 per quarter hour	$58,825
Technology Fee	Per quarter	$160	$2,560
		TOTAL	$61,385
		Transfer up to 135 credits	$45,795
		Total with Maximum Transfer Credits†	$15,590

The tuition reflects the minimum time to completion. Time to completion varies by student, depending on individual progress and credits transferred, if applicable. For a personalized estimate of your time to completion, call an Enrollment Specialist at 855-646-5286.

^*Tuition and fees are subject to change. Books and materials are not included and may cost up to an additional $5,000.

^†Maximum transfer credit total includes reduction in technology fee as related to reduced number of courses over time.

Tempo Competency-Based Learning

Admissions Requirements

Admission is considered for adult students who hold a high school diploma or its equivalent. Applicants must also meet one of the following criteria:

You are 21 years of age or older.
You are less than 21 years of age with 60 quarter credit hours.
You are an active member of the military or a veteran with documentation of service.
You are concurrently enrolled in an approved partner institution with an articulation agreement with Walden. More information for international applicants.