Criminal Justice, Forensic Investigation Emphasis, B.A. or B.S.

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Criminal Justice

The Criminal Justice Program is designed to prepare students for careers in law, law enforcement, corrections, and social science research. Conceived with the idea that criminal justice professionals will benefit from a strong liberal arts education, the program stresses theory and policy analysis combined with professional experience. A Ferrum College criminal justice graduate will have strong oral and written communication skills as well as the ability to think critically and solve problems while recognizing the importance of high ethical standards.

B.A. Additional Degree Requirements (6 Credit Hours)

Six hours of foreign language at the 200 level or higher.

Common Required Courses (33 Credit Hours)

CJU 201 - Introduction to Criminal Justice 3 Credit(s).
CJU 204 - Fundamentals of Corrections 3 Credit(s).
CJU 220 - Criminal Law 3 Credit(s).
CJU 300 - Dilemmas and Decision Making in Criminal Justice 3 Credit(s).
CJU 314 - Courts and the Judicial Process 3 Credit(s).
CJU 320 - Deviance and Social Control 3 Credit(s). OR
SOC 320 - Deviance and Social Control 3 Credit(s).
CJU 370 - Research Methods & Statistics in Criminal Justice 3 Credit(s).
CJU 498 - Seminar 3 Credit(s).
PSC 202 - State and Local Government 3 Credit(s).
PSY 230 - Social Psychology 3 Credit(s).
SOC 203 - Sociology of U.S. Cultural Diversity 3 Credit(s).

Forensic Investigation Emphasis

The forensic investigation emphasis helps prepare students with the knowledge, skills, and ethical principles necessary to process and report on physical evidence at a crime scene or in connection with a civil investigation. The program is designed to help students understand both the theory and practice of the forensic disciplines and of police work. Based on national guidelines, the curriculum provides a basic foundation in investigative, scientific, and laboratory-based forensics and introduces students to the various disciplines that make up the forensic collaborative work-group. Students may pursue further education or employment in the field.

Required Emphasis Courses (24 Credit Hours)

CJU 330 - Criminal Investigation 3 Credit(s).
CJU 335 - Introduction to Forensic Investigations 3 Credit(s).

Elective Courses (Choose 6 Courses)

Pick any six courses from the following (no more than 3 courses from CJU)

CHM 331 - Forensic Science 4 Credit(s).
CJU 250 - Friction Ridge Analysis 3 Credit(s).
CJU 340 - Interviewing and Crisis Intervention 3 Credit(s).
CJU 375 - Crime Scene Photography 3 Credit(s).
CJU 460 - Criminal Profiling 3 Credit(s).
CSC 290, 390 or 490 - Selected Topics in Computer Science 1-3 Credit(s). Data, Cybersecurity and You (This topic only)
GEO 221 - Geographic Information Systems 4 Credit(s).
PSY 335 - Psychological and Educational Assessment 3 Credit(s).
PSY 348 - Techniques of Counseling 3 Credit(s).
SCI 144 - Science of Crime 2 Credit(s).

Criminal Justice, Forensic Investigation Emphasis, B.A. or B.S.

Criminal Justice

Experiential Component (Complete 1 of the Following Courses:)

Liberal Arts Requirements (6 Credit Hours)

Program Specific Requirements (6 Credit Hours)

B.S. Degree Requires Two Courses from the Following (6 Credit Hours)

B.A. Additional Degree Requirements (6 Credit Hours)

Common Required Courses (33 Credit Hours)

Forensic Investigation Emphasis

Required Emphasis Courses (24 Credit Hours)

Elective Courses (Choose 6 Courses)

Total Credit Hours Required in Major: 57

Total Credit Hours Required in Degree: 121