Criminal Justice, Bachelor of Science
Criminal Justice concentration
Crime and Intelligence Analysis concentration
Digital Forensics
Homeland Security concentration
Program Overview
The Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice degree provides a practice-based approach to learning through an overview of law enforcement, corrections, the court system and private security in the United States. Crime and other threats affect the stability of both local communities and the nation’s security. Members of the criminal justice system and certain related emergency management sectors work to identify and eliminate these threats.
Program Outcomes
Upon successful completion of the program, graduates are able to:
- Apply ethical standards across professional and personal settings
- Evaluate the quality and sufficiency of evidence in the criminal justice process
- Analyze the impact of human behavior on crime
- Assess criminal justice issues using modern techniques including technology
- Apply the skills needed to manage crisis within various populations
- Evaluate emergency operations plans
For additional information about the program link to: http://www.ecpi.edu/business/program/criminal-justice-bachelor-degree/. To see the Student Consumer Information link to: https://www.ecpi.edu/student-consumer-services which provides additional information on the future careers, success, cost, and financing for this program. For information on the University Completion and Graduation Rates, please see About ECPI University on the ECPI website.
In 2.5 years, through the year-round schedule, students can earn a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice.
Criminal Justice Concentration Outcomes
Students in the Criminal Justice concentration will gain the following additional outcomes:
- Analyze the major functions of the criminal justice system
Crime and Intelligence Analysis Concentration Outcomes
Students in the Crime and Intelligence Analysis concentration will gain the following additional outcomes:
- Apply intelligence analysis to security threats
Digital Forensics Concentration Outcomes
Students in the Digital Forensics concentration will gain the following additional outcomes:
- Apply digital forensic investigative techniques
Homeland Security Concentration Outcomes
Students in the Homeland Security concentration will gain the following additional outcomes:
- Evaluate security and response plans for the nation's critical infrastructure
About Criminal Justice
Graduates of the Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice program have many career opportunities. These career paths may lead students to positions within or related law enforcement, the courts, corrections (including community corrections such as probation and parole), emergency management and private security, one of the fastest growing sectors in criminal justice. Criminal justice positions generally are located within federal, state and local government agencies but can also be found in the military and private corporations inside the United States and beyond.
Graduates of the B.S. degree program in Criminal Justice (with the Criminal Justice concentration) are positioned to compete for employment in federal, state, local and military law enforcement agencies, courts, law firms, prisons, jails, federal and state (adult and juvenile) probation and parole offices, rehabilitative facilities and private security firms. Graduates are also positioned to compete for employment in transportation security organizations, emergency management agencies and public health departments. This is only a partial list of common employment opportunities.
Graduates of the B.S. degree program in Criminal Justice (with the Crime & Intelligence Analysis concentration) are positioned to compete for employment in federal, state, local and military law enforcement agencies, and private companies. Graduates are also positioned to compete for employment in transportation security organizations, emergency management agencies, banks, or financial institutions and public health departments. This is only a partial list of common employment opportunities.
Graduates of the B.S. degree program in Criminal Justice (with the Digital Forensics concentration) are positioned to compete for employment primarily in law enforcement fields that focus on the security of United States citizens, security and control of U.S. borders and protection of domestic critical infrastructure sectors including transportation. These agencies are looking for skilled employees who can assist in the fight to bring cyber criminals to justice and stop the current rise in cyber-attacks and computer crimes. Graduates are also positioned to compete for employment in private digital forensic companies and private security firms. This is only a partial list of common employment opportunities.
Graduates of the B.S. degree program in Criminal Justice (with the Homeland Security concentration) are positioned to compete for employment primarily in law enforcement fields that focus on the security of United States citizens, security and control of U.S. borders and protection of domestic critical infrastructure sectors including transportation. Graduates are also positioned to compete for employment in federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies in positions not solely focused on homeland security, probation offices, parole offices, emergency management agencies and private security firms. This is only a partial list of common employment opportunities.
Applicants for employment in criminal justice must be capable of completing an employment process which may include the following:
- Criminal History Check
- Drug Screening
- Psychological Screening/ Mental Health History
- Driving Record
- Polygraph Examination
- Security Clearance
- Physical Agility
- Physical Health Evaluation
- Military Disciplinary History
- Domestic Violence Investigations
- Credit History
- Social Networking Background Investigation
- Background Investigation
- Panel Interviews
- Behavioral Assessment
- Possession of a Valid Driver's License
- Compliance with policies regarding body art/ tattoos and piercings
- Tobacco Free Agreement
- Educational History
Recommended Certifications
Certifications are not required for completion of this program but are encouraged. ECPI University provides vouchers allowing students to take certification exams at a greatly reduced cost. See the Campus Program Director for a discussion on certifications offered at that Campus.
Externships are opportunities for students to gain mentored, practical experience in a “real world” job setting. Students in the College of Criminal Justice are not required to complete an externship as part of their programs of study. Each student who wishes to complete an externship will be assisted by Career Services in finding a suitable externship opportunity.
Program Outline
To receive the Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice degree, students must earn 121 semester credit hours. The program requires a minimum of 8 semesters, which is equivalent to 30 months or 120 weeks of instruction. The program requirements are as follows:
Program Requirements
Core Curriculum
48 semester credit hours
CJ100 | Introduction to Criminal Justice | 3 |
CJ106 | Criminal Law I | 3 |
CJ110 | Law Enforcement Operations | 3 |
CJ125 | Criminal Procedure | 3 |
CJ130 | Ethics in Criminal Justice | 3 |
CJ135 | Corrections | 3 |
CJ200 | Investigations | 3 |
CJ225 | Crime Scene Management | 3 |
CJ229 | Cybercrime Investigations | 3 |
CJ230 | Introduction to Terrorism | 3 |
CJ235 | Criminology | 3 |
CJ325 | CJ Special Populations | 3 |
CJ340 | Organized Crime | 3 |
CJ350 | Criminal Justice Documentation | 3 |
CJ380 | Private Security I | 3 |
CJ430 | Critical Incident Management | 3 |
Arts and Sciences*
31 semester credit hours
*For allowable substitutions of arts and sciences courses, see the Arts & Sciences Department page.
Self-Integration
6 semester credit hours
Concentration Requirements
Crime and Intelligence Analysis
18 semester credit hours
CJ240 | Intelligence | 3 |
CJ250 | Introduction to Geospatial Technologies | 3 |
CJ301 | Crime Intelligence Analysis | 3 |
CJ315 | Mobile Device Forensics | 3 |
CJ390 | Crime Mapping | 3 |
CJ400 | Fraud Examination | 3 |
| Various Electives | 18 |
Criminal Justice
18 semester credit hours plus electives
CJ115 | Drugs and Crime | 3 |
CJ205 | Juvenile Justice | 3 |
CJ370 | Rules of Evidence | 3 |
CJ435 | Emergency Planning | 3 |
CJ461 | Media Relations for Law Enforcement | 3 |
CJ480 | Probation and Parole | 3 |
| Various Electives | 18 |
Digital Forensics
27 semester credit hours
CJ310 | Digital Forensic Analysis | 3 |
CJ315 | Mobile Device Forensics | 3 |
CIS106 | Introduction to Operating Systems | 3 |
CIS123 | Introduction to Python Scripting | 3 |
CIS150 | Introduction to Networking | 3 |
CIS206 | Linux Administration | 3 |
CIS212 | Principles of Cybersecurity | 3 |
CIS225 | Network Protocols and Services | 3 |
CIS403 | Ethical Hacking | 3 |
| Various Electives | 9 |
Homeland Security
18 semester credit hours plus electives
CJ210 | Global Comparative Justice | 3 |
CJ245 | Multi-Cultural Communication for Law Enforcement | 3 |
CJ320 | Human Trafficking and Domestic Violence | 3 |
CJ416 | Domestic Terrorism | 3 |
CJ435 | Emergency Planning | 3 |
CJ485 | Homeland Security | 3 |
| Various Electives | 18 |
Electives
Digital Forensics only Electives
9 semester credit hours
ACC160 | Principles of Accounting I | 3 |
BUS121 | Introduction to Business | 3 |
CJ245 | Multi-Cultural Communication for Law Enforcement | 3 |
CJ290 | Externship-CJ III | 3 |
CJ320 | Human Trafficking and Domestic Violence | 3 |
Criminal Justice Electives (except Digital Forensics)
18 semester credit hours
ACC160 | Principles of Accounting I | 3 |
ACC161 | Principles of Accounting II | 3 |
BUS121 | Introduction to Business | 3 |
CJ115 | Drugs and Crime | 3 |
CJ140 | Research Methods | 3 |
CJ205 | Juvenile Justice | 3 |
CJ240 | Intelligence | 3 |
CJ245 | Multi-Cultural Communication for Law Enforcement | 3 |
CJ290 | Externship-CJ III | 3 |
CJ291 | Externship-CJ II | 2 |
CJ292 | Externship-CJ I-a | 1 |
CJ305 | Victimology | 3 |
CJ310 | Digital Forensic Analysis | 3 |
CJ320 | Human Trafficking and Domestic Violence | 3 |
CJ361 | Law Enforcement Management | 3 |
CJ370 | Rules of Evidence | 3 |
CJ390 | Crime Mapping | 3 |
CJ400 | Fraud Examination | 3 |
CJ410 | CJ Capstone Project | 3 |
CJ416 | Domestic Terrorism | 3 |
CJ461 | Media Relations for Law Enforcement | 3 |
CJ480 | Probation and Parole | 3 |
CJ481 | Case Management for Criminal Justice Professionals | 3 |
CJ485 | Homeland Security | 3 |
CJ490 | Externship-CJ Sr. III | 3 |
EET350 | Overview of Electronic Security Devices | 3 |