Mount Vernon Nazarene University

Mount Vernon Nazarene University

Criminal Justice

Program Coordinator, Merel E. Pickenpaugh

Faculty

Merel E. Pickenpaugh, MA

Criminal Justice Program Objectives

The courses and curriculum of the criminal justice program are designed to achieve the following student outcomes:

  • demonstrate a foundation of knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to succeed in a criminal justice profession or to enter into graduate school;
  • learn about the causes of crime; methods of prevention; and responsibilities of all individuals involved in the apprehension, prosecution, punishment, correction, and reintegration of offenders;
  • demonstrate understanding of the legal and political framework under which the justice system operates, and embrace the opportunity to seek advocacy measures of restorative justice in specific while examining major assumptions about crime and justice in general;
  • become critical thinkers who can articulate, in oral and written form, a comprehensive knowledge of criminal justice issues, particularly from a Christian perspective and framework;
  • articulate relevant and critical questions concerning crime and its control, and meaningfully address such issues from a variety of perspectives including a restorative justice framework;
  • demonstrate comprehension of relevant criminological theories and justice structures, and practically apply such knowledge to contemporary justice issues; and
  • understand the ethical implications of the work of justice professionals, and prepare to act with honesty and integrity as leaders who will become agents of positive change in the criminal justice system.

Criminal Justice Programs

Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice

Required Social Foundations Courses

SOC1013G Introduction to Sociology

3

PSY1013G General Psychology

3

PSY3063 Abnormal Psychology

3

Required Criminal Justice Courses

CJU1001 Writing for Criminal Justice Professionals

1

CJU1002 Field Observation in Criminal Justice

2

CJU1003 Introduction to Criminal Justice

3

CJU2003 Introduction to Policing

3

MAT2063G Introduction to Statistics

3

CJU3003 Criminal Law and Procedures

3

CJU3013 Juvenile Justice

3

CJU3023 Criminology and Victimology

3

CJU3043 Chemical Dependence and Abuse

3

SOC3113 Social Research Methods*

3

CJU4002 Criminal Justice Capstone: Restorative Justice in Theory and Practice

2

CJU4034 Corrections

4

Select at least 12 hours from the following:

12-13

(A minimum of 3 hours must be courses numbered 3000 or above.)

 

SWK2003G Cultural and Human Diversity

 

CJU2023 Criminal Investigations

 

POL1003G American Politics and Government

 

aCJU3034 Introduction to Forensic Science with
Laboratory

 

PSY/SOC3053 Social Psychology

 

CJU3083 Terrorism and Homeland Security

 

SOC3093 Sociology of Deviance

 

CJU4023 Crisis Intervention

 

CJU4089 Special Topics in Criminal Justice

 

CJU5019 Independent Study

 

CJU5029 Criminal Justice Internship

 

Total

54-55 Hours

*Students who choose to complete double majors in psychology and criminal justice must complete Research Design in Psychology as the required research methods course. Students who choose to complete double majors in sociology and criminal justice must complete Social Science Research Methods as the required research methods course.

The student with a major in criminal justice must complete a minor in another field.

Criminal Justice Minor

CJU1003 Introduction to Criminal Justice

3

CJU3003 Criminal Law and Procedures

3

Select four of the following

12-14

(at least 6 hours must be 3000 or above):

 

CJU2003 Introduction to Policing

 

CJU2023 Criminal Investigations

 

CJU3013 Juvenile Justice

 

CJU3023 Criminology and Victimology

 

aCJU3034 Introduction to Forensic Science with Laboratory

 

CJU3043 Chemical Dependence and Abuse

 

aCJU3083 Terrorism and Homeland Security

 

CJU4034 Corrections

 

PSY/SOC3053 Social Psychology

 

aSOC3093 Sociology of Deviance

 

CJU4023 Crisis Intervention

 

Total

18-20 Hours