Certificate in Criminal Justice

The Certificate in Criminal Justice is designed to familiarize students with the organization and operation of the major branches of the criminal justice system, their mandate and related materials about the nature and extent of crime. Students are introduced to legal aspects of administrating justice as well as some of the behavioral dimensions of how judges and other key players in the justice system carry out their respective roles. The program builds upon popular interest in crime, criminal behavior, and crime scene investigation. It requires no prerequisites and is complementary to most majors, especially psychology and political science.

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Benefits of the Minor in Forensic Criminal Justice

Students who earn the 12 credit Certificate in Criminal Justice acquire a comprehensive understanding of how our criminal justice system is organized and how it operates, from policing and arrest to prosecution and trial, to the determination of guilt and ultimately the imposition of penal sanctions. They also learn legal concepts crucial to the administration of the justice system and its procedures. The Certificate also provides the student with entry into the fascinating world of criminal behavior and the behavior of those responsible for monitoring the law, preventing its violation and ameliorating its negative consequences to crime victims.

Curriculum

Course Requirements Include:

CCJ 1020 Introduction to Criminal Justice
A comprehensive overview of the philosophies and history of the three major areas in the criminal justice system: law enforcement, the judiciary and corrections. Included will be an assessment of the extent of crime and an evaluation of career opportunities. Required of all Criminal Justice majors.

CJL 3510 Courts and the Criminal Justice System
An introduction to courts and administrative procedures, due process, legislative power, regulatory administration, conflict of interest statutes, torts, etc.

CJC 3011 Corrections
A comprehensive view of American corrections in order to develop an awareness of new approaches and developments in the field of criminal rehabilitation. The course emphasizes the historical, philosophical, social, legal, and professional aspects of correctional administration.

Plus one of the following:

CCJ 2930 Crime in South Florida
An intensive, critical examination of the crime problem in Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and the surrounding communities. In addition to descriptive materials covering the nature and extent of various types of offenses, offenders, and crime victims, the course focuses on the police, court, and correctional systems as state and local administrative agencies mandated to combat crime specifically in South Florida.

CCJ 3666 Victimology
This course on the social and psychological characteristics of crime victims, their role in precipitating criminal acts, the difficulties they encounter in the criminal justice system, alternative social programs for helping crime victims, and legal policies designed o compensate, protect, and rehabilitate victims of crime.

CJJ 3010 Crime and Delinquency
An analysis the underlying causes of juvenile delinquency with an emphasis on ways to prevent its occurrence. The course reviews recent developments in delinquency prevention and rehabilitation.

CJE 4410 Community Policing: Theory and Practice
Examines the social dimensions of law enforcement agencies and their relationship to the total community; the changing police role, conflicting forces affecting law enforcement, and public attitudes toward police; and the conflict between society’s demand for law and order and the means granted police for attaining that goal. The course emphasizes the police officer’s role in mediating racial conflict in the urban ghetto. Mass media’s relationship with police and the community is also discussed.

CCJ 4940 Field Internship
Field internship offers an opportunity to relate theory to practice through observation and experience. The internship must be performed in an approved agency. Credits are determined according to the type of internship. This course is graded with a letter grade. Note: When used for the certificate in criminal justice the field internship must be for 3 or more credits.

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