Criminal Justice B.A.

  1. Understand theories of crime, criminal justice, and reentry, including traditional and contemporary approaches. 
  2. Use social science methods of data collection to investigate and document issues related to crime and victimization. 
  3. Understand ways in which race, ethnicity, class, and gender are related to outcomes within criminal justice systems.
  4. Contrast theoretical and empirical models of crime prevention and suppression with the criminal justice system’s role and function.
  5. Integrate a Christian worldview in understandings of crime, victimization, and justice.
Core Curriculum Requirements 150
Criminal Justice Major Requirements 46
General Electives24
Total Units120
1

Number of units required from the Core Curriculum not included in the major requirements below. 

Criminal Justice Major Requirements

Lower Division:
CRMJ-225Courts and Criminal Procedures3
SOC-265CIntroduction to Behavioral Statistics3
Upper Division:
CRMJ-306Justice & Law Enforcement3
CRMJ-309Race, Class, Gender and Crime3
CRMJ-311Criminological Theory3
CRMJ-490CFaith and Justice Capstone3
SOC-305Criminology/Criminal Justice System3
SOC-362Juvenile Delinquency & Justice3
SOC-369
369L
Research Design & Methods
and Research Design & Methods Lab
4
SOC-378Prisons and Jails3
Take 15 units from the following:15
Criminal Organizations
Terrorism and Homeland Security
Reentry
Community Impacts of Crime
Interview and Interrogation
Special Topic in Criminal Justice
Forensic Psychology
Deviant Behavior
Practicum
Human Trafficking
Total Units46

Disclaimer: This sample Four Year Plan is provided as a guide for the recommended sequencing of courses. Vanguard University requires that students complete a minimum of 120 units of required course work as outlined on the Requirements tab in order to receive a Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Music, Bachelor of Science, or Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree. It is the student's responsibility to confirm with the department the course rotation before enrolling in courses. If applicable, please note the footnotes at the bottom of the page for additional information related to courses listed in a particular year and term. Questions, contact the Department of Sociology and Criminal Justice.

Study Abroad Participation: Students interested in participating in the university's Study Abroad programs are encouraged to reach out to the Global Education and Outreach Office for more information and collaboration in their academic course planning. Students using Education and Training Benefits through the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs are encouraged to also reach out to the School Certifying Official for more information regarding how benefits can be applied. 

Plan of Study Grid
Year 1 Term 1Units
CORE-100C Cornerstone 1
SOC-305 Criminology/Criminal Justice System 3
HIST-PLCR1History Core Req (US Hist Or Democracy) 3
THEO-101C Foundations of Christian Life 3
ENGL-120C Persuasive Writing 3
KINE-148C Lifetime Fitness and Wellness Lecture 3
 Units16
Year 1 Term 2
SOC-100C Introduction to Sociology 3
NT-101C New Testament Survey 3
HIST-PLCR2History Core Requirement (World Civ) 3
FINA-PLCRFine Arts Core Curriculum Requirement 3
ELCT-PLHD3AGeneral Elective 3 Units 3
 Units15
Year 2 Term 1
ENGL-220C Researched Writing 3
OT-201C Old Testament Survey 3
NSCI-PLCRScience Lec/Lab Requirement 4
SOC-PLCRSocial Science Core Curriculum Reqm't 3
CRMJ-306 Justice & Law Enforcement 3
 Units16
Year 2 Term 2
CRMJ-309 Race, Class, Gender and Crime 3
ENGL-230C Literature and the Human Experience 3
COMM-201C Speech Composition and Presentation 3
CRMJ-225 Courts and Criminal Procedures 3
ELCT-PLHD3AGeneral Elective 3 Units 3
 Units15
Year 3 Term 1
SOC-265C Introduction to Behavioral Statistics 3
CRMJ-311 Criminological Theory 3
THEO-300C Developing a Christian World View 3
SOC-362 Juvenile Delinquency & Justice 3
CRMJ-PLHD3Criminology Elective 3 Units 3
 Units15
Year 3 Term 2
SOC-369 Research Design & Methods 3
SOC-369L Research Design & Methods Lab 1
SOC-378 Prisons and Jails 3
CRMJ-PLHD6Criminology Electives 6 Units 6
ELCT-PLHD3AGeneral Elective 3 Units 3
 Units16
Year 4 Term 1
CHIS-400C Christian Heritage 3
CRMJ-490C Faith and Justice Capstone 3
CRMJ-PLHD3Criminology Elective 3 Units 3
ELCT-PLHD6Electives 6 Units 6
 Units15
Year 4 Term 2
CRMJ-PLHD3Criminology Elective 3 Units 3
ELCT-PLHD9Elective 9 Units 9
 Units12
 Total Units120
CRMJ-225  Courts and Criminal Procedures  3 Credits  

This course provides an analysis of the structure, process, and personnel involved in the state and federal court systems. An overview criminal law concepts and procedures, beginning with their historical basis in the Constitution is covered. The relationship between public order and due process will be examined. Students will trace the flow of a criminal case from the time the crime is committed all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court.

Prerequisite: Recommended to take PSYC-103C, SOC-100C, or ANTH-102C as aprerequisite.

Terms Typically Offered: Spring.

CRMJ-306  Justice & Law Enforcement  3 Credits  

This course introduces students to the history of policing and provides an overview of recent approaches to policing. This course also includes an in-depth examination of police behavior, discretion, and community responses and attitudes toward law enforcement.

Prerequisite: PSYC-103C SOC-100C or ANTH-102C

Terms Typically Offered: Fall.

CRMJ-307  Criminal Organizations  3 Credits  

This course will examines organized criminal structures including street gangs and organized crime rings. Studies the role society plays in increasing and decreasing membership into these organizations. Explores the societal and law enforcement approaches to the reduction of organized crime.

Prerequisite: PSYC-103C SOC-100C or ANTH-102C

Terms Typically Offered: Spring.

CRMJ-308  Terrorism and Homeland Security  3 Credits  

This course covers key theories about the causes of terrorism, including social-psychological theories about the individual to macro-level theories about which countries experience terrorism and why. Students will learn about types of terrorism including suicide terrorism, state terrorism, ecoterrorism, and revolutionary terrorism. Various responses to terrorism are considered, including the law, media representations of terrorism, and human rights repercussions.

Prerequisite: PSYC-103C SOC-100C or ANTH-102C

Terms Typically Offered: On Demand.

CRMJ-309  Race, Class, Gender and Crime  3 Credits  

This course critically examines the influence of race, class and gender in the creation and application of criminal justice. This course discusses victimization and criminal behavior patterns, theoretical explanations, and the dynamics of differential involvement of specific groups in the criminal justice system. The class considers social movements and advocacy groups and their alternative proposals to transform the way we think of and enact justice, punishment, and prevention.

Prerequisite: PSYC-103C SOC-100C or ANTH-102C

Terms Typically Offered: Spring.

CRMJ-311  Criminological Theory  3 Credits  

Students examine theoretical perspectives on crime causation and review associated empirical literature. The course covers the application of theory to various criminal justice policies.

Prerequisite: PSYC-103C SOC-100C or ANTH-102C

Terms Typically Offered: Spring.

CRMJ-312  Reentry  3 Credits  

Investigates the role of the correctional system in the prisoner reentry process. Reviews the empirical research on successful reentry programs. This course covers the challenges of reentry for the community and those returning to society.

Prerequisite: PSYC-103C SOC-100C or ANTH-102C

Terms Typically Offered: Fall and Spring.

CRMJ-314  Community Impacts of Crime  3 Credits  

Exposes students to social problems related to mass incarceration, including those that impact families, local economies, law enforcement-community relations, and churches. Students investigate policies aimed at addressing these issues.

Prerequisite: PSYC-103C SOC-100C or ANTH-102C

Terms Typically Offered: Fall and Spring.

CRMJ-315  Interview and Interrogation  3 Credits  

Students will learn theories and evidence-based techniques to interview and interrogate witnesses, informants and suspects. 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: PSYC-103C SOC-100C or ANTH-102C

Terms Typically Offered: Fall and Spring.

CRMJ-470  Special Topic in Criminal Justice  1-3 Credits  

Study of a special topic in one of the fields of Criminal Justice. May be repeated for credit. Special topic courses are developed by faculty according to student interest and are offered periodically.

Prerequisite: ANTH-120C, SOC-100C, or PSYC-103C

Terms Typically Offered: On Demand.

CRMJ-490C  Faith and Justice Capstone  3 Credits  

This course explores the concept of faith and justice and how these ideas have changed over time. Considers various faith-based methods used to restore an offender to the community, including restorative justice. Examines the Christian faith as a motivator in producing social change pertaining to crime, victimization, offending, and reentry.

Prerequisite: CRMJ-311

Terms Typically Offered: Fall and Spring.