Graceland’s Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice will provide students with solid, lucrative, and rewarding opportunities in a wide range of career paths.
A criminal justice major from Graceland is intended for students interested in a career in law enforcement, a variety of positions in the field of adult or juvenile corrections and court services, private security, and treatment facilities.
Our society relies on criminal justice professionals to ensure the safety and security of our communities. You'll need to learn how to be an effective communicator, problem solver, and critical thinker. Graceland's bachelor's degree in criminal justice is designed to support your professional goals, teach you how to operate in criminal situations, learn and explore the causes of crime, and develop an understanding of criminal behavior and the criminal investigative process, among many other crime-related skills.
Start your journey with Graceland's criminal justice degree.
In addition to the essential education requirements, students majoring in Criminal Justice must complete 36 semester hours as prescribed below:
Required Courses (21 semester hours)
*It is recommended that MATH1370 Statistics for Sciences be taken prior to enrolling for PSYC/SOCI3510 Research Methods.
And 15 semester hours from courses listed below:
**Internships must be approved by instructor prior to enrollment.
Criminal Justice majors are required to choose CHEM1340 Forensic Chemistry with Lab (4 s.h.), for their Natural Sciences class in General Education.
A survey of the structure and process of the criminal justice system, including the study of law enforcement, criminal courts, and correctional agencies. ELO5 Social Science - Peace, ELO5 Social Science - Equality and Peace
A survey of the concept of terrorism, from the French Revolution to present day. Students will critically interrogate the varied meanings of the term, the use of the term to delegitimize opponents, and the problematic nature of the concept of terrorism.
This course focuses on the challenges present in policing multicultural settings. Issues pertaining to understanding diverse cultures and effective communication across cultures from the standpoint of law enforcement are explored in detail. Recommended prerequisite: CRMJ1200.
An overview of Constitutional law that impacts the American justice system from arrest through trial, punishment to release. Key legal cases and precedents for policing, prosecution, sentencing, and corrections will be covered in depth. Prerequisite: CRMJ2400.
This course is a comprehensive approach to the examination and treatment of physical evidence as it relates to the criminal justice system. Students will be involved in an interactive learning experience tied to the securing and preserving of crime scenes and maintaining the integrity of trace evidence for future court proceedings. Prerequisite: CRMJ1200.
A theoretical and conceptual framework of how domestic and international terrorism arises and functions. Topics discussed will include theories of the world's best terrorist analysts, the historical background on the phenomenon of terrorism, the roots of contemporary conflicts, current conflicts shaping the world stage, emerging groups, and US Homeland Security organizations—including controversies surrounding human rights and protecting civil liberties.
Study of the history and design of community-based correctional programs, including probation and parole. The nature and variety of community corrections programs are examined and analyzed. +This course is only offered every other year.
This course provides students with an understanding of United States drug policy, its evolution and current status, and alternatives from throughout the world. Updated with the latest data and research, this course also presents expanded material on cannabis, hallucinogens, the illegal drug business, and global drug policy. This course will explore addiction from a psychological and physiological lens and introduce diversion strategies and restorative justice concepts.
Survey of the history, scope, and nature of criminal law in the United States. Includes study of the legal process and rules of evidence.
Includes an examination of the nature, extent, and patterns of juvenile delinquency, evaluation of theories and causal explanations of delinquency and investigation of delinquent subcultures, as well as an examination of legal processing and treatment programs for young offenders. PREREQUISITE: SOCI1300 Introduction to Sociology. +This course is only offered every other year.
An intensive internship program in appropriate agencies or departments directly related to criminal justice, law enforcement, or corrections. Placements will be supervised by department faculty and developed in conjunction with the interests of the student. (Graded on a Pass/Fail basis.) Prerequisites: CRMJ2400, minimum 3 s.h. upper division Criminal Justice course, major in Criminal Justice, junior/senior status, a minimum GPA of 2.75 or better in the major, and instructor's consent.
A survey of the concept of terrorism, from the French Revolution to present day. Students will critically interrogate the varied meanings of the term, the use of the term to delegitimize opponents, and the problematic nature of the concept of terrorism.
Data analysis and measures of central tendency, dispersion, and correlation. Introduction to probability. Estimation and hypothesis testing. Bivariate regression. ANOVA. Introduction to nonparametric techniques. ELO6 Math, GE2B Foundational Skills-Mathematics/Quantitative.
Survey of the history, scope, and nature of criminal law in the United States. Includes study of the legal process and rules of evidence.
An introductory survey of psychological methods and thoughts as they relate to human experience and behavior. Topics include the role of the central nervous system in mediating behavior, learning and memory, states of awareness, motivation and emotion, personality, psychological disorders, and therapy. ELO5 Social Science – Innovation, GE3E Liberal Learning-Social Sciences.
A survey of the principles and practices of social research, including research ethics, experimental design, surveys, in-depth interviews, content analysis, participant observation, and field studies. Students also learn to write in scientific journal style. Prerequisite: 6 additional hours of psychology, sociology, or criminal justice.
Introduction to the perspective of sociology, its basic concepts and principles and an overview of the field.Includes study of social classes, sex roles, crime and deviance, socialization, social movements and others. ELO5 Social Science - Equality, ELO5 Social Science - Equality and Peace
This course focuses on the challenges present in policing multicultural settings. Issues pertaining to understanding diverse cultures and effective communication across cultures from the standpoint of law enforcement are explored in detail. Recommended prerequisite: CRMJ1200.
Study of the history and design of community-based correctional programs, including probation and parole. The nature and variety of community corrections programs are examined and analyzed. +This course is only offered every other year.
This course provides students with an understanding of United States drug policy, its evolution and current status, and alternatives from throughout the world. Updated with the latest data and research, this course also presents expanded material on cannabis, hallucinogens, the illegal drug business, and global drug policy. This course will explore addiction from a psychological and physiological lens and introduce diversion strategies and restorative justice concepts.
A survey of the principles and practices of social research, including research ethics, experimental design, surveys, in-depth interviews, content analysis, participant observation, and field studies. Students also learn to write in scientific journal style. Prerequisite: 6 additional hours of psychology, sociology, or criminal justice.
Includes an examination of the nature, extent, and patterns of juvenile delinquency, evaluation of theories and causal explanations of delinquency and investigation of delinquent subcultures, as well as an examination of legal processing and treatment programs for young offenders. PREREQUISITE: SOCI1300 Introduction to Sociology. +This course is only offered every other year.
A survey of the structure and process of the criminal justice system, including the study of law enforcement, criminal courts, and correctional agencies. ELO5 Social Science - Peace, ELO5 Social Science - Equality and Peace
A survey of the concept of terrorism, from the French Revolution to present day. Students will critically interrogate the varied meanings of the term, the use of the term to delegitimize opponents, and the problematic nature of the concept of terrorism.
This course focuses on the challenges present in policing multicultural settings. Issues pertaining to understanding diverse cultures and effective communication across cultures from the standpoint of law enforcement are explored in detail. Recommended prerequisite: CRMJ1200.
An overview of Constitutional law that impacts the American justice system from arrest through trial, punishment to release. Key legal cases and precedents for policing, prosecution, sentencing, and corrections will be covered in depth. Prerequisite: CRMJ2400.
This course is a comprehensive approach to the examination and treatment of physical evidence as it relates to the criminal justice system. Students will be involved in an interactive learning experience tied to the securing and preserving of crime scenes and maintaining the integrity of trace evidence for future court proceedings. Prerequisite: CRMJ1200.
A theoretical and conceptual framework of how domestic and international terrorism arises and functions. Topics discussed will include theories of the world's best terrorist analysts, the historical background on the phenomenon of terrorism, the roots of contemporary conflicts, current conflicts shaping the world stage, emerging groups, and US Homeland Security organizations—including controversies surrounding human rights and protecting civil liberties.
Study of the history and design of community-based correctional programs, including probation and parole. The nature and variety of community corrections programs are examined and analyzed. +This course is only offered every other year.
This course provides students with an understanding of United States drug policy, its evolution and current status, and alternatives from throughout the world. Updated with the latest data and research, this course also presents expanded material on cannabis, hallucinogens, the illegal drug business, and global drug policy. This course will explore addiction from a psychological and physiological lens and introduce diversion strategies and restorative justice concepts.
Survey of the history, scope, and nature of criminal law in the United States. Includes study of the legal process and rules of evidence.
Includes an examination of the nature, extent, and patterns of juvenile delinquency, evaluation of theories and causal explanations of delinquency and investigation of delinquent subcultures, as well as an examination of legal processing and treatment programs for young offenders. PREREQUISITE: SOCI1300 Introduction to Sociology. +This course is only offered every other year.
An intensive internship program in appropriate agencies or departments directly related to criminal justice, law enforcement, or corrections. Placements will be supervised by department faculty and developed in conjunction with the interests of the student. (Graded on a Pass/Fail basis.) Prerequisites: CRMJ2400, minimum 3 s.h. upper division Criminal Justice course, major in Criminal Justice, junior/senior status, a minimum GPA of 2.75 or better in the major, and instructor's consent.
A survey of the concept of terrorism, from the French Revolution to present day. Students will critically interrogate the varied meanings of the term, the use of the term to delegitimize opponents, and the problematic nature of the concept of terrorism.
Data analysis and measures of central tendency, dispersion, and correlation. Introduction to probability. Estimation and hypothesis testing. Bivariate regression. ANOVA. Introduction to nonparametric techniques. ELO6 Math, GE2B Foundational Skills-Mathematics/Quantitative.
Survey of the history, scope, and nature of criminal law in the United States. Includes study of the legal process and rules of evidence.
An introductory survey of psychological methods and thoughts as they relate to human experience and behavior. Topics include the role of the central nervous system in mediating behavior, learning and memory, states of awareness, motivation and emotion, personality, psychological disorders, and therapy. ELO5 Social Science – Innovation, GE3E Liberal Learning-Social Sciences.
A survey of the principles and practices of social research, including research ethics, experimental design, surveys, in-depth interviews, content analysis, participant observation, and field studies. Students also learn to write in scientific journal style. Prerequisite: 6 additional hours of psychology, sociology, or criminal justice.
Introduction to the perspective of sociology, its basic concepts and principles and an overview of the field.Includes study of social classes, sex roles, crime and deviance, socialization, social movements and others. ELO5 Social Science - Equality, ELO5 Social Science - Equality and Peace
This course focuses on the challenges present in policing multicultural settings. Issues pertaining to understanding diverse cultures and effective communication across cultures from the standpoint of law enforcement are explored in detail. Recommended prerequisite: CRMJ1200.
Study of the history and design of community-based correctional programs, including probation and parole. The nature and variety of community corrections programs are examined and analyzed. +This course is only offered every other year.
This course provides students with an understanding of United States drug policy, its evolution and current status, and alternatives from throughout the world. Updated with the latest data and research, this course also presents expanded material on cannabis, hallucinogens, the illegal drug business, and global drug policy. This course will explore addiction from a psychological and physiological lens and introduce diversion strategies and restorative justice concepts.
A survey of the principles and practices of social research, including research ethics, experimental design, surveys, in-depth interviews, content analysis, participant observation, and field studies. Students also learn to write in scientific journal style. Prerequisite: 6 additional hours of psychology, sociology, or criminal justice.
Includes an examination of the nature, extent, and patterns of juvenile delinquency, evaluation of theories and causal explanations of delinquency and investigation of delinquent subcultures, as well as an examination of legal processing and treatment programs for young offenders. PREREQUISITE: SOCI1300 Introduction to Sociology. +This course is only offered every other year.
A minor in Criminal Justice consists of 18 semester hours in criminal justice, including:
A survey of the structure and process of the criminal justice system, including the study of law enforcement, criminal courts, and correctional agencies. ELO5 Social Science - Peace, ELO5 Social Science - Equality and Peace
This course focuses on the challenges present in policing multicultural settings. Issues pertaining to understanding diverse cultures and effective communication across cultures from the standpoint of law enforcement are explored in detail. Recommended prerequisite: CRMJ1200.
An overview of Constitutional law that impacts the American justice system from arrest through trial, punishment to release. Key legal cases and precedents for policing, prosecution, sentencing, and corrections will be covered in depth. Prerequisite: CRMJ2400.
This course is a comprehensive approach to the examination and treatment of physical evidence as it relates to the criminal justice system. Students will be involved in an interactive learning experience tied to the securing and preserving of crime scenes and maintaining the integrity of trace evidence for future court proceedings. Prerequisite: CRMJ1200.
This course focuses on the challenges present in policing multicultural settings. Issues pertaining to understanding diverse cultures and effective communication across cultures from the standpoint of law enforcement are explored in detail. Recommended prerequisite: CRMJ1200.
A survey of the structure and process of the criminal justice system, including the study of law enforcement, criminal courts, and correctional agencies. ELO5 Social Science - Peace, ELO5 Social Science - Equality and Peace
This course focuses on the challenges present in policing multicultural settings. Issues pertaining to understanding diverse cultures and effective communication across cultures from the standpoint of law enforcement are explored in detail. Recommended prerequisite: CRMJ1200.
An overview of Constitutional law that impacts the American justice system from arrest through trial, punishment to release. Key legal cases and precedents for policing, prosecution, sentencing, and corrections will be covered in depth. Prerequisite: CRMJ2400.
This course is a comprehensive approach to the examination and treatment of physical evidence as it relates to the criminal justice system. Students will be involved in an interactive learning experience tied to the securing and preserving of crime scenes and maintaining the integrity of trace evidence for future court proceedings. Prerequisite: CRMJ1200.
This course focuses on the challenges present in policing multicultural settings. Issues pertaining to understanding diverse cultures and effective communication across cultures from the standpoint of law enforcement are explored in detail. Recommended prerequisite: CRMJ1200.
After graduating from an accredited criminal justice program, like the criminal justice major from Graceland University, you’ll have the opportunity to move directly into positions in law enforcement, corrections, and other areas of criminal justice. Some students choose to go on to graduate school or even law school. Our program can help prepare you for these careers:
…and many other exciting fields.
99% of students on the Lamoni campus receive financial aid.
As you consider college, you want a simple, easy-to-understand formula designed to ensure that the one-of-a-kind Graceland Experience is within reach for your family. Undergraduate tuition includes our unique Transformational Leadership major, and we offer generous financial aid and scholarships to all of our students, making Graceland as affordable, if not moreso, than most public universities.
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