Criminal Justice

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice at Mercy University is a 120-credit program that prepares students for careers in law enforcement, corrections, and related fields. The program provides a comprehensive understanding of the criminal justice system, develops critical thinking and analytical skills, and offers specialization options in areas such as forensic investigations and homeland security. Graduates are well-equipped for careers in various criminal justice agencies and institutions, as well as for pursuing graduate studies.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

• Overview: The Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice is a 120-credit program designed to prepare students for careers in law enforcement, corrections, social service agencies, victims' assistance agencies, private security, and insurance companies.
The program also provides a foundation for students who wish to pursue graduate studies in criminal justice or related fields.
• Objectives: The program's objectives are to:
• Provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the criminal justice system, including its history, structure, and function.
• Develop students' critical thinking and analytical skills.
• Prepare students for careers in criminal justice or related fields.
• Provide students with the opportunity to specialize in a particular area of criminal justice, such as forensic investigations or homeland security.

Outline:

• Program Content: The program's content includes courses in the following areas:
• Criminal justice theory and practice
• Criminology
• Law enforcement
• Corrections
• Juvenile justice
• Victimology
• Criminal procedure
• Constitutional law
• Research methods
• Statistics
• Program Structure: The program is divided into three parts:
• General Education Requirements (60 credits):
These courses provide students with a foundation in the liberal arts and sciences.
• Major Concentration (36 credits): These courses provide students with a comprehensive understanding of criminal justice.
• Open Electives (24 credits): These courses allow students to pursue their individual interests.
• Course Schedule: The program's course schedule is designed to provide students with a flexible and convenient way to complete their degree.
Students can choose to take courses on a full-time or part-time basis, and they can take courses at any of Mercy University's three campuses.
• Individual Modules: The program's individual modules are designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of a particular area of criminal justice.
Each module consists of a series of lectures, readings, and assignments.

Assessment:

The program's assessment methods include:

• Exams: Students are required to take exams at the end of each semester.
Exams cover the material that was covered in the lectures, readings, and assignments.
• Papers: Students are required to write papers on a variety of topics related to criminal justice.
Papers are graded on the basis of their content, organization, and writing style.
• Projects: Students are required to complete projects on a variety of topics related to criminal justice.
Projects are graded on the basis of their creativity, originality, and execution.

Teaching:

The program's teaching methods include:

• Lectures: Lectures are used to introduce students to new material.
Lectures are typically followed by a question-and-answer session.
• Discussions: Discussions are used to allow students to share their thoughts and ideas about the material that was covered in the lectures.
• Simulations: Simulations are used to allow students to experience real-world situations.
Simulations are typically conducted in a classroom setting.
• Field trips: Field trips are used to allow students to visit criminal justice agencies and institutions.
Field trips are typically conducted during the summer or winter break.

Careers:

Graduates of the program are prepared for careers in a variety of criminal justice fields, including:

• Law enforcement
• Corrections
• Social service agencies
• Victims' assistance agencies
• Private security
• Insurance companies
• Graduate school