Course Catalog

Criminal Justice Technology - CJT3 Degree


Campus Locations: Online

The Criminal Justice Technology associate degree program is a sequence of courses that prepares students for Criminal Justice professions. Learning opportunities develop academic, occupational, and professional knowledge and skills required for job acquisition, retention, and advancement. The program emphasizes a combination of Criminal Justice theory and practical application necessary for successful employment. Program graduates receive a Criminal Justice Technology associate degree. Graduates who are current practitioners will benefit through enhancement of career potential. Entry-level persons will be prepared to pursue diverse opportunities in the corrections, security, investigative, and police administration fields. Completion of the Criminal Justice Technology associate degree does not ensure certification of officer status in Georgia. Students must seek such certification from the Peace Officer Standards and Training (P.O.S.T.) Council.

Requirements:

  • Submit a completed application and application fee
  • Be at least 16 years of age
  • Submit official high school transcript or High School Equivalency transcript or college transcripts showing successful completion of 60+ semester credits or 72+ quarter credits
  • Submit official college transcripts, if applicable
  • Present acceptable ACCUPLACER, ACT, ASSET, COMPASS, PSAT, or SAT scores or GED score of 145 or higher or have one of the following: an associate degree or higher or have a HOPE GPA of 2.6 after the completion of 10th grade. Documentation on a college transcript of successful completion of appropriate courses from a regionally accredited college or university may be accepted in lieu of test scores.

Additional Program Requirements:

  • A satisfactory criminal background check must be completed prior to entering the Criminal Justice practicum or internship. A felony conviction could prevent students from obtaining an intern site and employment in the Criminal Justice field.
Curriculum Outline (60 hours)
General Core Courses 15
Area I - Language Arts/Communication (3 Hours) 3
ENGL 1101

Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 3 Lab 2 - 0 Lab 3 - 0 Pre-requisite(s): Degree Level Reading and Writing Scores Co-requisite(s): None Explores the analysis of literature and articles about issues in the humanities and in society. Students practice various modes of writing, ranging from exposition to argumentation and persuasion. The course includes a review of standard grammatical and stylistic usage in proofreading and editing. An introduction to library resources lays the foundation for research. Topics include writing analysis and practice, revision, and research. Students write a research paper using library resources and using a formatting and documentation style appropriate to the purpose and audience.

3
Area II - Social/Behavior Science – Complete 3 Hours 3
Area III - Natural Sciences/Mathematics - Choose One of the Following (3 Hours) 3
MATH 1100

Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 3 Lab 2 - 0 Lab 3 - 0 Pre-requisite(s): Degree Level Math Scores Co-requisite(s): None Emphasizes algebra, statistics, and mathematics of finance. Topics include fundamental operations of algebra, sets and logic, probability and statistics, geometry, mathematics of voting and districting, and mathematics of finance.

3
MATH 1101

Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 3 Lab 2 - 0 Lab 3 - 0 Pre-requisite(s): Degree Level Math Scores Co-requisite(s): None Emphasizes functions using real-world applications as models. Topics include fundamental concepts of algebra; functions and graphs; linear, quadratic, polynomial, exponential, and logarithmic functions and models; systems of equations; and optional topics in algebra.

3
MATH 1111

Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 3 Lab 2 - 0 Lab 3 - 0 Pre-requisite(s): Degree Level Math Scores Co-requisite(s): None Emphasizes techniques of problem solving using algebraic concepts. Topics include fundamental concepts of algebra, equations and inequalities, functions and graphs, and systems of equations; optional topics include sequences, series, and probability or analytic geometry.

3
Area IV - Humanities/Fine Arts - Complete 3 Hours 3
General Education Core Elective - Complete 3 Hours 3
Occupational Courses 45
CRJU 1010

Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 3 Lab 2 - 0 Lab 3 - 0 Pre-requisite(s): None Co-requisite(s): None Introduces the development and organization of the criminal justice system in the United States. Topics include: the American criminal justice system; constitutional limitations; organization of enforcement, adjudication, and corrections; and career opportunities and requirements.

3
CRJU 1030

Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 3 Lab 2 - 0 Lab 3 - 0 Pre-requisite(s): Program Admission Co-requisite(s): None Provides an analysis of all phases of the American correctional system and practices, including its history, procedures, and objectives. Topics include: history and evolution of correctional facilities; legal and administrative problems; institutional facilities and procedures; probation, parole, and prerelease programs; alternative sentencing; rehabilitation; community involvement; and staffing.

3
CRJU 1040

Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 3 Lab 2 - 0 Lab 3 - 0 Pre-requisite(s): Program Admission Co-requisite(s): None This course examines the principles of the organization, administration, and duties of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies. Topics include: history and philosophy of law enforcement, evaluation of administrative practices, problems in American law enforcement agencies, emerging concepts, professionalism, and community crime prevention programs.

3
CRJU 1068

Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 3 Lab 2 - 0 Lab 3 - 0 Pre-requisite(s): Program Admission Co-requisite(s): None This course introduces criminal law in the United States, but emphasizes the current specific status of Georgia criminal law. The course will focus on the most current statutory contents of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated (O.C.G.A.) with primary emphasis on the criminal and traffic codes. Topics include: historic development of criminal law in the United States; statutory law, Georgia Code (O.C.G.A.) Title 16 - Crimes and Offenses; statutory law, Georgia Code (O.C.G.A.) Title 40 - Motor Vehicle and Traffic Offenses; and Supreme Court rulings that apply to criminal law.

3
CRJU 1400

Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 3 Lab 2 - 0 Lab 3 - 0 Pre-requisite(s): Program Admission Co-requisite(s): None This course provides an exploration ethics and cultural perspectives in criminal justice. In presenting ethics, both the individual perspective and the organizational standpoint will be examined. Four areas of ethical decision making opportunities are studied including: law enforcement ethics; correctional ethics; legal profession ethics; and policymaking ethics. The presentation of cultural perspectives is designed to aid law enforcement officers to better understand and communicate with members of other cultures with whom they come in contact in the line of duty. Topics include: defining and applying terms related to intercultural attitudes, role-play activities related to intercultural understanding, developing interpersonal/intercultural communication competence, and development of personal intercultural growth plan.

3
CRJU 2070

Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 3 Lab 2 - 0 Lab 3 - 0 Pre-requisite(s): Program Admission Co-requisite(s): None Analyzes the nature, extent, and causes of juvenile delinquency, and examines processes in the field of juvenile justice. Topics include: survey of juvenile law, comparative analysis of adult and juvenile justice systems, and prevention and treatment of juvenile delinquency.

3
CRJU 2020

Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 3 Lab 2 - 0 Lab 3 - 0 Pre-requisite(s): Program Admission Co-requisite(s): None This course emphasizes those provisions of the Bill of Rights which pertain to criminal justice. Topics include: characteristics and powers of the three branches of government; principles governing the operation of the U.S. Constitution, the Bill of Rights and the Fourteenth Amendment.

3
CRJU 2050

Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 3 Lab 2 - 0 Lab 3 - 0 Pre-requisite(s): Program Admission Co-requisite(s): None Introduces the substantive law of major crimes against persons and property. Attention is given to observation of courtroom trials. Topics include: laws of arrest and search and seizure; procedures governing arrest, trial, and administration of criminal sanctions; rules of evidence; general court procedures; rights and duties of officers and citizens; and Supreme Court rulings that apply to Law Enforcement/Overview of Constitutional Law.

3
Choose One of the Following (3 Hours) 3
COLL 1010

Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 2 Lab 2 - 0.5 Lab 3 - 2.5 Pre-Requisites: None Co-Requisite: None This course is designed to assist the learner to acquire skills necessary to achieve academic, personal, and professional success and to improve student retention. Areas of importance include Getting off to a Good Start, Learning and Personality Styles, Time and Personal Financial Management, Stress Management and Wellness, Studying and Test Taking Skills, Communication Skills, Career Planning and Goal Setting, Computer Applications/Technology Skills and Employability/Professional Skills.

3
COMP 2000

Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture-3 Lab 2 - 0 Lab 3 - 0 Pre-Requisites: Program Admission Co-Requisite: None This course provides an introduction to computer applications for the development of analytical and problem-solving workplace skills. The course introduces the fundamental concepts, terminology, and operations necessary to use computers. Topics include file management, word processing software, database software, spreadsheet software, and presentation software skill development. The course also introduces terminology related to computer hardware, computer networks, and social and ethical concepts.

3
Choose One of the Following (3 Hours) 3
CRJU 2090

Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 0 Lab 2 - 0 Lab 3 - 9 Pre-requisite(s): Program Admission Co-requisite(s): None Provides experiences necessary for further professional development and exposure to related agencies in the criminal justice field. The student will pursue a professional research project supervised by the instructor. Topics include: criminal justice theory applications.

3
CRJU 2100

Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 0 Lab 2 - 0 Lab 3 - 9 Pre-requisite(s): Program Admission Co-requisite(s): None Provides experiences necessary for further professional development and exposure to related agencies in the criminal justice field. The student will pursue an externship in a related agency supervised by the instructor. Topics include: criminal justice theory applications.

3
Occupational Electives - Complete 15 Hours 15
CRJU 1043

Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 3 Lab 2 - 0 Lab 3 - 0 Pre-requisite(s): Program Admission Co-requisite(s): None This course will cover the history of both juvenile and adult probation as well as the history of parole. The probation and parole systems will be covered generally with a special emphasis on the Georgia systems and related laws. Topics include: history and philosophy of probation and parole; function of the probation and parole systems; Georgia law related to probation and parole; characteristics and roles of probation and parole officers; and special issues and programs of probation and parole.

3
CRJU 1050

Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 3 Lab 2 - 0 Lab 3 - 0 Pre-Requisites: Program Admission Co-Requisite: None This course presents the knowledge and skills associated with police patrol operations. Emphasis is placed on patrol techniques, crimes in progress, crisis intervention, domestic disputes, Georgia Crime Information Center procedures, electronics communications and police reports. Topics include: foundations, policing skills and communication skills.

3
CRJU 1054

Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 2 Lab 2 - 2 Lab 3 - 0 Pre-requisite(s): None Co-requisite(s): None This course examines the critical issues involved in the survival of a police officer in all aspects including their physical, mental, and psychological wellbeing. Emphasis is placed on personal protection skills, defensive tactics, handcuffing techniques, patrol tactics, vehicle stops, building searches and use of force.

3
CRJU 1062

Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 3 Lab 2 - 0 Lab 3 - 0 Pre-requisite(s): Program Admission Co-requisite(s): None This course presents the fundamentals of criminal investigation. The duties and responsibilities of the investigator both in field and in the courtroom are highlighted. Emphasis is placed on techniques commonly utilized by investigative personnel as well as the procedures used for investigating various crimes.

3
CRJU 1063

Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 1 Lab 2 - 4 Lab 3 - 0 Pre-requisite(s): Program Admission Co-requisite(s): None This course presents students with practical exercises dealing with investigating crime scenes and gathering various forms of physical evidence. Emphasis is placed on crime scene assessment, search, fingerprinting, and evidence collection. Topics include: crime scene management, evidence characteristics, identification, documentation and collection as well as techniques for developing and lifting latent

3
CRJU 1065

Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 3 Lab 2 - 0 Lab 3 - 0 Pre-requisite(s): Program Admission Co-requisite(s): None Presents the fundamentals for the community-oriented policing philosophy, including the comparison of traditional and community policing philosophies; law enforcement and community relationships; importance of political and public support and involvement; attitudinal changes involving the roles of police management, supervisors and line personnel; creation of partnerships with community organizations, businesses, private security, other governmental agencies, and special interest groups; and police problem-solving methodologies. Topics include: foundations of community-oriented policing, partnerships and problem-solving in community-oriented policing, and community-oriented policing projects and programs.

3
CRJU 1072

Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 3 Lab 2 - 0 Lab 3 - 0 Pre-requisite(s): Program Admission Co-requisite(s): None The origin, history and role of forensic science in the investigative process. Philosophical, rational and practical framework that supports a case investigation will be outlined. The unifying principles of forensic science, the rooting of forensic science in the pure sciences, and the unique ways in which a forensic scientist must think will also be discussed. The special areas of forensic science will be explored.

3
CRJU 1074

Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 1 Lab 2 - 4 Lab 3 - 0 Pre-requisite(s): None Co-requisite(s): None This course complements CRJU 1072: Introduction to Forensics, focusing particularly on the practical application of forensic science in law enforcement including the following: crime scene investigation; interview and interrogation techniques; as well as case preparation and courtroom testimony.

3
CRJU 2500

Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture – 3 Lab 2 – 0 Lab 3 – 0 Pre-requisite(s): CRJU 1010 Co-requisite(s): None Explains and demonstrates the effectiveness of the entire criminal investigation process through various reports in the criminal justice system. An examination of what goes into the preparation, content, elements, mechanics, and format of documenting administrative, court, investigative, and procedural processes. Topics include: Communication processes, field notes, initial information, basic reports, affidavits and other forensic reports, questioning, interviewing, interacting with victims of crime, evidence, and hostage negotiations, laboratory analysis and results, investigative follow-up, suspect statements, and the characteristics essential to quality report writing.

3
CRJU 2060

Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 3 Lab 2 - 0 Lab 3 - 0 Pre-requisite(s): Program Admission Co-requisite(s): None Introduces the nature, extent, and factors related to criminal behavior, and the etiology of criminal offenses and offenders. Topics include: sociological, psychological, and biological causes of crime; effectiveness of theories in explaining crime; theory integration; and application of theory to selected issues.

3
CRJU 2110

Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture –3 Lab 2 - 0 Lab 3 - 0 Pre-requisite(s): Program Admission Co-requisite(s): None The course provides an introduction to the principles of homeland security, roles and responsibilities of constituencies and implications for criminal justice fields. Topics include: intelligence and warning, border and transportation security, domestic counterterrorism, protecting critical infrastructure, defending against catastrophic threats, and emergency preparedness and response.

3
CRJU 2150

Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 3 Lab 2 - 0 Lab 3 - 0 Pre-requisite(s): CRJU 1010, CRJU 2050 Co-requisite(s): None This course is designed to address the fundamental principles of different types of cybercrime investigations, and the specific procedures used to investigate them. Emphasis is placed on the investigation of specific offenses, the identification of sources of information, and the procedures used to properly collect and store digital evidence. The course is designed to develop a working knowledge of the investigative steps to be followed in a cybercrime investigation, beginning with initial crime scene security and concluding with proper testimony and presentation of evidence in court. This course includes study designed to reinforce important investigative and forensic evidence collection skills.

3
CRJU 2201

Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 3 Lab 2 - 0 Lab 3 - 0 Pre-requisite(s): Program Admission Co-requisite(s): None This course examines the historical context on the development, functions, and controversies in the courts system. Topics include: introduction to the courts; participants of a trial; courtroom processes; and the post conviction process.

3
FOSC 1206

Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 3 Lab 2 - 0 Lab 3 - 0 Pre-requisite(s): Program Admission Co-requisite(s): None This introductory course will provide a broad overview of the areas in forensic science covered in higher level courses. Topics include the recognition, identification, individualization and evaluation of various types of physical evidence, forensic science and the law, and ethics in forensic science. The relationship of forensic science to the natural sciences and the use of the scientific method in forensic science will also be explored.

3
FOSC 2033

Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 3 Lab 2 - 0 Lab 3 - 0 Pre-requisite(s): FOSC 1206 with a C or better Co-requisite(s): None This course examines the fundamentals of a medicolegal death investigation, the operation of death investigation system and the role of the death investigator. Procedures required to assist the medical examiner/ coroner in determining the deceased persons cause and manner of death are discussed. Additional topics include autopsy technique, sudden and unexpected death, natural death, specific wound and injury characteristics, and child death.

3
FOSC 2037

Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 3 Lab 2 - 0 Lab 3 - 0 Pre-requisite(s): Program Admission Co-requisite(s): None While individuals have been crime victims for many years, victimology or the study of crime victims is a relatively recent discipline. The majority of criminological research and discussion has been focused on the offender rather than the victim. This course provides an overview of the principles and concepts of victimology, an analysis of victimization patterns and trends, and the role of victimology in the justice system. In addition the repercussions of victimization, victim reporting patterns and remedies available for victims are also explored.

3
FOSC 2041

Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 3 Lab 2 - 2 Lab 3 - 0 Pre-requisite(s): Program Admission, FOSC 1206 with a C or better Co-requisite(s): None This course explains the history, biology, and basic principles of friction ridge analysis. Properly recording, processing, documenting, collecting, and preserving latent print evidence will be discussed. Students will also be introduced to the Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS) and the analysis, comparison, and evaluation of latent prints. Various lab exercises will also be conducted to demonstrate processing methods used in latent print examination.

4
FRSC 1141

Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 3 Lab 2 - 2 Lab 3 - 0 Pre-requisite(s): Program Admission Co-requisite(s): None This course provides emergency responder personnel with the information to respond safely, limit possible exposure to all personnel, and to provide information to the proper authorities as being a primary goal while reacting in the defensive mode of operation. The first responder operations level responsibilities are recognition and identification of a hazardous material scene, the gathering of information, the notification of the proper authorities, the isolation of the area by setting perimeters/zones, possible evacuation, protection by initiating the incident management system, emergency decontamination, and performing defensive actions only. Even though the first responder is a member of an emergency response service, they are not trained in specialized protective clothing or specialized control equipment. Thus, the first responder is not a member of a hazardous materials response team. This course meets the requirements of NFPA 472 - Professional Competence of First Responders to Haz Mat Incidents at the Operations Level. This course also meets the requirements of OSHA 29 CFR 1910.120, EPA, USDOT, and all other appropriate state, local and provincial occupational health and safety regulatory requirements. Also required as prerequisite: NPQ FF I and NPQ Hazardous Materials Awareness Level

4
FRSC 2170

Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture - 3 Lab 2 - 2 Lab 3 - 0 Pre-requisite(s): Program Admission Co-requisite(s): None Presents an introduction to Fire Investigation. Emphasis is placed upon: fire behavior, combustion properties of various materials, sources of ignition, and investigative techniques for - structures, grassland, wildland, automobiles, vehicles, ships and other types of fire investigation, causes of electrical fires, chemical fires, explosive evaluations, laboratory operation, techniques used in fire deaths and injuries, arson as a crime, other techniques, State and Federal laws, and future trends in fire investigative technology.

4
Faculty
Advisor

Criminal Justice Technology Program Coordinator
Coffee Campus

Advisor

Criminal Justice Instructor
Valdosta Campus

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