Criminal Justice Department Homepage

Criminal Justice (CRJ)/Legal Studies
Criminal justice is a diverse field that includes study and preparation in understanding the nature and environment of criminal behavior. The program includes investigating and examining strategies, programs and agencies involved in the public and private responses to crime. The study of criminal justice prepares students for careers in law, law enforcement, court services, corrections, juvenile work and security operations. In addition to a Bachelor of Arts degree with a major or minor in criminal justice, Dakota Wesleyan University offers an Associate of Arts degree in this area. All of these options are offered within a strong liberal arts program that stresses an interdisciplinary approach to knowledge and understanding, and prepares students not only for jobs, but also for careers of leadership, service and responsibility.

Major
Students who pursue an academic major in criminal justice complete a course of study involving a minimum of 39 academic semester credits. A core program of 24 required credits is augmented with a minimum of 15 elective credits. Students who major in criminal justice minor in a variety of academic disciplines depending on their goals. Criminal justice majors frequently minor in human services, behavioral sciences (psychology) or business (accounting).

Minor
Students who pursue an academic minor in the field of criminal justice complete a course of study involving a minimum of 21 academic semester credits. A core program of 18 required credits is augmented with a minimum of three elective credits. Students who minor in criminal justice frequently major in human services, behavioral sciences (psychology) or business (accounting).

Legal Studies Minor
Legal studies emphasizes law in a social context with a broad-based liberal arts curriculum and focuses on enhancing analytical thinking, research and writing skills. The legal studies minor treats law as a subject of liberal inquiry, open to students in any major. The legal studies minor, as a liberal studies program, is designed to acquaint students with the philosophy as well as the actual workings of the American legal system.

Associate of Arts Degree
The Associate of Arts degree in criminal justice is designed to provide a broad liberal arts preparation and an awareness and understanding of the individual, society, crime and the criminal justice process. The interdisciplinary approach associated with this program is designed to prepare students to participate in improving their leadership, service and stewardship skills in a variety of career, work and community environments. Completion of a core of General Education courses and 21 criminal justice credits is required.

Students should consult with their advisers to choose General Education and elective courses that will enhance their preparation and employment options.

*Electives to be selected with approval of the academic adviser so as to provide for one or more areas of concentration.

Specialization: Chemical Dependency
Alcohol and Drug Abuse Studies (ADAS)
The South Dakota Certification Board for Alcohol & Drug Professionals has accepted the following courses as meeting Board certification requirements for specialized education:

Course Descriptions
210 Introduction to Criminal Justice 3 hours S
This course introduces the history and philosophy of criminal justice systems, including law enforcement, courts and corrections. It offers a comprehensive study of the theory and systems of criminal justice in modern societies, and examines the interrelationships of law enforcement agencies, court systems, correctional and penal systems, and the administration of justice.

233 Issues in Human Relations 3 hours S10
Students will examine the models of human behavior, with particular emphasis on antecedents and conditions that influence personal performance in criminal justice environments.

245 Drug Use and Abuse (ADAS) 3 hours F
(Refer to HMS 245)

250 American Legal System 3 hours F08
This course examines all aspects of the judicial process, including the law, courts and politics of the American legal system. Both the criminal and civil processes will be investigated with attention focused on the major participants in the entire process. This course will also examine various current and major issues within the legal system. Extensive study and examination of the Constitution of the United States of America and its continuous interpretation will be included.

261 Criminal Law 3 hours S
Students will study the scope and sources of criminal law. This course gives special attention to the basic elements of a crime, defenses and criminal responsibility.

273 Police Organization and Management 3 hours TBA
This course examines the principles and practices common to the effective management of American law enforcement agencies.

295 Criminal Procedures 3 hours F
Students will study the effect of the U.S. Constitution on the many segments of the criminal justice system. The course pays particular attention to how constitutional decisions affect police, courts, defendants, corrections operations and the public.

299 Selected Topics – Basic 1-3 hours TBA

300 Alcohol Use and Abuse (ADAS) 3 hours S
(Refer to HMS 300)

320 Victimology 3 hours S09
(Refer to HMS 320)

325 Policing in Small Towns and Rural Areas 3 hours S09
This course considers the special problems and procedures encountered by law enforcement in less populated areas. It will examine staffing, geographical area, need for expertise and sociological and psychological features unique to small departments.

335 Legal Liability in Criminal Justice 3 hours TBA
This course is an examination of state and federal legal liabilities and remedies with criminal justice and policy implications.

345 Juvenile Justice 3 hours TBA
This course examines the origins, philosophy and objectives of the juvenile justice systems. The focus will be on the jurisdiction of juvenile courts, role of law enforcement agents, judicial process, fact-finding hearing, disposition, waivers, appeals and philosophy of the juvenile court with attention to the legal rights of children. The course will include a review of contemporary juvenile correctional systems and discussion of recent research concerning the juvenile institution and various field services.

356 Juvenile Delinquency 3 hours F09
Students will study the causes, correlates and consequences of juvenile delinquency. The class will investigate delinquency-prone physical and social environments as well as strategies of response and treatment.

357 Corrections, Penology and Rehabilitation 3 hours S09
This course introduces the concepts, philosophies and theories of corrections and penology. Students will examine trends and patterns in treatment of criminal offenders with special emphasis on early identification, referral processes and current innovative methods of rehabilitation.

358 Criminology 3 hours F08
This course includes an analysis of the major sociological theories of crime causation, sociological aspects of types of offenders, and the methodologies of measuring and analyzing criminal behavior and environments conducive to criminal behavior.

360 Comparative Criminal Justice Systems 3 hours S10
This course is a review of criminal justice systems worldwide and is a means of establishing cooperation toward mutual goals despite structural, historical and ideological differences.

370 Trial and Evidence 3 hours S10
Students will examine the rules of evidence as they relate to the prosecution and defense of criminal cases and apply them to criminal procedure from arrest through trial. Students will prepare for and participate in a mock trial.

373 Probation and Parole Procedures 3 hours S10
Students will study the structure, organization and operation of probation and parole systems with emphasis on applicable guidelines; the role of the probation/parole officer as an agent of behavioral change; and the social and physical environmental contexts of the probation/parole process.

385 Criminal Investigation 3 hours S10
This course is an introduction to the principles involved in the investigation of crimes, with particular attention to historical origins, the investigator, organization and management of the investigative function, and investigative methods, including crime scene processing, suspect identification and use of information sources.

425 Legal Research and Writing 3 hours TBA
This course introduces legal research and writing. Students will conduct legal research using sources such as statutes, reporters, digests, Shepard’s, annotations, legal encyclopedias and dictionaries, and law reviews. This course also introduces the Internet as a source in legal research and examines writing legal memorandums and briefs.

433 Seminar in Criminal Justice 3 hours F
This course is an advanced seminar and capstone experience for students majoring in criminal justice. Students will focus on emerging issues of significant concern for agencies, organizations and individuals within the criminal justice profession.

450 Criminal Justice Internship 1-16 hours F,S
Students may choose a field placement experience in an agency or organization related to the practice of criminal justice. These internships are open only to criminal justice majors and minors. Students must register at least two months in advance of the semester in which the course is to be taken to allow for developing an appropriate internship experience.
Prerequisite: Consent of department chair.

460 Independent Study in Criminal Justice 1-3 hours F,S
This independent course allows for study in specific areas of criminal justice literature and practice not covered by existing organized courses within the criminal justice curriculum.
Prerequisites: Consent of instructor and department chair.

495 Advanced Criminal Investigation 3 hours TBA
This course is a continuation of CRJ 385 where students apply investigative methods, crime scene processing and suspect identification methods to the investigation of specific crimes. The greatest emphasis is placed on homicide investigations. Other crimes included are robbery, burglary, arson, sex offenses, terrorism and enterprise crime.

499 Selected Topics – Advanced 1-3 hours TBA