Criminal Justice (CJ)

CJ 1301. Introduction to Criminal Justice. 3 Semester Hours.

Survey of the philosophy, history, and practices of the American criminal justice system. Emphasis is given to current needs, ethics, duties, and diverse opportunities in various local, state, and federal agencies. This course is a prerequisite for all Criminal Justice courses. (Fall; Spring).

CJ 2304. Criminal Justice Administration. 3 Semester Hours.

Study of the nature, organizational structures and administration of criminal justice agencies. (Spring).

CJ 2310. Criminal Procedure and Evidence. 3 Semester Hours.

Study of legal rules governing the procedures for gathering and admitting criminal evidence in court proceedings. (Spring).

CJ 2312. Police-Community Relations. 3 Semester Hours.

Study of the role of the police officer in achieving and maintaining positive relations with the general public.(Spring).

CJ 2314. Substantive Criminal Law. 3 Semester Hours.

Jurisprudential philosophy and historical development of common law and statutory crimes; classification of crimes; elements of specific crimes, defenses and penalties. (Fall).

CJ 2350. Ethics in Criminal Justice. 3 Semester Hours.

Study of ethical issues confronted by the criminal justice profession. (Fall).

CJ 3300. Adjudication of Social Issues. 3 Semester Hours.

Issues vary from semester to semester as our society faces new developments and challenges. Examples of offerings include sanctity of life, euthanasia, AIDS, environment, genetic research, obscenity, privacy, conscience, consumer rights, the family, suicide, religious freedom, freedom of the press, victimless crimes, family abuse, affirmative action and reverse discrimination, equality, and justice. (Fall).

CJ 3302. Process & Policy of American Courts. 3 Semester Hours.

Study of the structure, organization, and procedures of federal and state courts.(Spring).

CJ 3303. International Justice System. 3 Semester Hours.

A cross-national study of crime and crime control. (Spring).

CJ 3307. Issues in Policing. 3 Semester Hours.

Study of current issues affecting police management and administration. (Fall).

CJ 3310. Corrections in the Community. 3 Semester Hours.

Study of probation, parole, and other community-reintegration procedures. (Fall).

CJ 3313. Correctional Institutions. 3 Semester Hours.

Study of the philosophy, organizational structure and practices of correctional institutions. (Fall).

CJ 3316. Drugs and Society. 3 Semester Hours.

This course is designed for the advanced student in criminal justice and criminology. It will focus on both licit and illicit drugs and their major impacts on society. More specifically, this course will focus on the following: a historical analysis of drugs in American society and the world, important U.S. drug legislation, current drug regulations, drugs and crime, the legalization and decriminalization of select drugs, how forensic drug testing is conducted, how drugs affect and are affected by the human body and how some drugs are addictive. Much of the course will focus on specific drugs like marijuana, alcohol, opioids, cocaine, methamphetamine and amphetamine, designers like synthetic cannabinoids/ MDMA, hallucinogens, sports performance enhancers, CNS depressants, and over the counter (OTC) drugs. Other topics based on student interest may also be discussed.

CJ 3330. Research Methods in Criminal Justice. 3 Semester Hours.

Study of methods and techniques of social research with an emphasis on criminology and criminal justice. (Spring) Additional fee associated with this course. See fee schedule for details at https://www.stmarytx.edu/admission/financial-aid/tuition/.

CJ 3332. Statistics in Criminal Justice. 3 Semester Hours.

An introduction to inferential and descriptive statistics in the field of criminal justice. The course provides students with first-hand experience in the use of statistics and statistical packages. (Spring).

CJ 4301. The Law and Criminal Justice. 3 Semester Hours.

Study of a special topic and the law. Emphasis given to legal reasoning, of case briefing, historical evolution of the law, and critical thinking. (Fall).

CJ 4302. Senior Seminar in Criminal Justice. 3 Semester Hours.

Capstone course designed to evaluate knowledge and skills acquired by criminal justice and criminology students about their discipline. Students will design, analyze, write, and present a research project. The student must demonstrate knowledge of computer applications to research methodologies. In addition, the student must demonstrate critical thinking, problem-solving, oral and written communication skills, and the ability to effectively work within groups.

CJ 4303. Internship in Criminal Justice/ Criminology. 3 Semester Hours.

The student must acquire a minimum of 160 hours of practical experience in an approved criminal justice or social service agency. Unless an exception is made, this course is to be taken between the junior and senior years. (Fall, Spring, and Summer).

CJ 4304. Independent Study in Criminal Justice/ Criminology. 3 Semester Hours.

Based on the student's professional and academic interest, the instructor will design an individualized reading course for the student. (Fall, Spring and Summer).

CJ 4305. Special Topics in Criminal Justice/ Criminology. 3 Semester Hours.

Selected topics in criminal justice or criminology. (Fall and Spring).

CJ 4325. Constitutional Law II. 3 Semester Hours.

Analyses of the constitutional system, including political and civil rights such as speech, press, assembly, religion, race discrimination, criminal procedure, and privacy. (Fall).