Criminal Justice Studies (BS)

Learning Outcomes

Students completing the Bachelor of Science (BS) in Criminal Justice Studies are expected to:

• demonstrate an awareness of the history and current nature of the major components of the criminal justice system: police, courts, and corrections;
• be familiar with the basis of the law and the legal system, as well as decision-making in the criminal justice process, the social and political context of the legal system, important constitutional issues, and how criminal law differs from other forms of law;
• identify factors associated with the causes or deterrence of crime and the reaction of society to crime using multiple perspectives developed within theories of criminal behavior;
• demonstrate critical thinking skills with social issues such as race, ethnicity, poverty, addiction, and juvenile delinquency and explore their implication for criminal justice professionals;
• demonstrate knowledge of law enforcement as it relates to society, investigative processes, organizational culture and management;
• explain the history and evolution of the American correctional system with special attention to theories of punishment, prison organization and management, and current issues and trends;
• conduct a research project from beginning to end, including how to locate existing sources of relevant information, operationalize concepts of interest, collect data, interpret findings, and present information in a professional manner;
• explain the adjudication process from pretrial through sentencing for both adult and juvenile offenders; and
• relate and apply one’s own faith commitment to a criminal justice perspective that enables one to promote justice, humility, peace, and love.