Criminal Justice Professional

The Criminal Justice Professional program provides students with the basic competencies involved in criminal justice, legal and investigative ethics, criminal law and procedure as well as juvenile justice and criminal courts. Many legal assistants, law enforcement professionals, as well as court and corrections officials have acquired a background understanding in Criminal Justice in order to better inform their positions and everyday actions on the job. An increasingly complex field, with the capability of DNA evidence, the growing privatization of correctional facilities and multifaceted discussions on changes in federal sentencing legislation, criminal justice professionals have a background that is applicable in a variety of fields. Ideal for anyone looking toward a career in this fascinating field as well as experienced professionals looking for additional education, the Criminal Justice Professional program has a variety of applications.

The American criminal justice system is one of the most unique and robust legal frameworks in the world. Facing a host of issues from overwhelming corrections populations to evolving search and seizure methods within the confines of the Fourth Amendment, professionals working in the Criminal Justice system require a comprehensive understanding of the various issues facing all of the players in the legal system on the criminal side as well as the societal and utilitarian principles affected by these decisions every day. Beyond that, the amount of technology changes for law enforcement and other security and investigative agencies requires a broad understanding of the criminal justice system overall. This program offers a comprehensive look at the American criminal justice system, particularly from the legal side.

Program Objectives

• A Historical Overview
• An Overview of the U.S. Legal System
• The U.S. Supreme Court: The Final Word
• Equal Protection under the Law: Balancing Individual, State, and Federal Rights
• The First Amendment: Basic Freedoms
• The Second Amendment: The Gun Control Controversy
• The Fourth Amendment: An Overview of Constitutional Searches and Seizures
• Conducting Constitutional Seizures
• Conducting Constitutional Searches
• The Fifth Amendment: Obtaining Information Legally
• The Sixth Amendment: Right to Counsel and Fair Trial
• The Eighth Amendment: Bail, Fines, and Punishment
• The Remaining Amendments and a Return to the Constitution
• Criminal Law: Purposes, Scope, and Sources
• Jurisdiction
• Essential Elements of a Crime
• Criminal Liability
• Criminal Responsibility and the Capacity to Commit a Crime
• The Law Governing the Use of Force
• Other Criminal Defenses
• Criminal Punishments
• Free Speech, Public Order Crimes, and the Bill of Rights
• Homicide
• Assault, Battery, and Other Crimes Against the Person
• Sexual Assault, Rape, Prostitution, and Related Sex Crimes
• Theft
• Robbery, Burglary, and Related Crimes
• White-Collar Crime, Cybercrime, and Commercial Crime
• Drug Abuse and Alcohol-Related Crimes
• Terrorism
• Organized Crime and Gangs
• Immigration Crimes, Contempt, and Other Crimes Against Government
• Morality, Ethics, and Human Behavior
• Determining Moral Behavior
• Justice and Law
• Becoming an Ethical Professional
• The Police Role in Society
• Police Discretion and Dilemmas
• Police Corruption and Responses
• Law and Legal Professionals
• Discretion and Dilemmas in the Legal Profession
• Ethical Misconduct in the Courts and Responses
• The Ethics of Punishment and Corrections
• Discretion and Dilemmas in Corrections
• Correctional Professionals: Misconduct and Responses
• Making Ethical Choices

Certification Opportunities

After completing this program, learners will have the opportunity to take the leading national/industry-recognized certification exam(s) essential to entry-level employment in this fast-growing field.

National Workforce Career Association (NWCA) Criminal Justice (CJ-PRO)

Job and Externship Placement Services

Regardless if you elect to pursue national certification or not, if you enroll and successfully complete this program, assuming you pass a background check and drug screen, you will have guaranteed access to our Ready to Work (RTW) Job and Externship Placement services. All students who successfully complete this program (and pass a background check and drug screen) will have access to the RTW Externship or Job placement services at no additional cost.