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Criminal Justice -- Law Enforcement option
[see also Corrections option]
Associate in Science Degree in Criminal Justice
The Law Enforcement option of the Criminal Justice program caters to the
professional and educational needs of students interested in careers in law
enforcement and of current law enforcement personnel who desire to increase
their proficiency or to improve their professional career opportunities.
Successful graduates of the program will be able to:
- discuss the history and philosophy of the components of the criminal justice system;
- describe the formal and informal political and community structures that affect criminal justice agencies;
- describe the fundamental concepts and principles of management and administration employed in various police agencies;
- discuss the roles of various criminal justice professionals.
Although some of the course work is presented
during the day, the complete option requires some evening attendance.
The option may be pursued either full-time or part-time. During the sophomore
year, cooperative education is available for students interested in the
realistic application of law enforcement and criminal justice theory to
the criminal justice system.
Admission to Law Enforcement requires
a high school diploma or equivalent and English competency as demonstrated by placement testing.
Graduates of the Basic Course for Police Officers may receive 12 credits of advanced standing in the Law Enforcement option.
Applicants should be aware that institutions,
agencies, and offices of the criminal justice system establish mental,
physical, and/or character requirements. Persons interested in this option
are advised to gain an awareness of the specific requirements for their desired work setting.
Graduates of this option have secured
positions with city, county, state, and federal law enforcement agencies
as well as private security organizations. Graduates have also gone on
to pursue careers in law, criminology, and social welfare.
Students have transferred to various
baccalaureate institutions such as The College of New Jersey, Temple University,
John Jay College of Criminal Justice and Rutgers University. Transfer agreements
with John Jay College of Criminal Justice, New Jersey City University, and
Richard Stockton College of New Jersey help graduates transfer to those institutions
with little or no loss of credit and with full junior status. Students interested in
transferring should contact the Mercer program advisor early in their coursework.
Corrections option; Related Programs of Study
Degree Curriculum (suggested course sequence)
| Code |
Course (lecture/lab hours) |
Credits |
| First Semester |
| CRJ |
101 |
Introduction to the Criminal Justice System (3/0) |
3 |
| ENG |
101 |
English Composition I (3/0) |
3 |
| PSY |
101 |
Introductory Psychology (3/0) |
3 |
| HIS |
- |
History elective |
3 |
| SOC |
101 |
Introduction to Sociology (3/0) |
3 |
| |
|
OR |
3 |
| SOC |
102 |
Sociol Problems (3/0) |
|
| Second Semester |
| CRJ |
202 |
Criminal Law (3/0) |
3 |
| ENG |
102 |
English Composition II (3/0) |
3 |
| CRJ |
105 |
Criminology (3/0) |
3 |
| HIS |
101 |
History of Western Civilization to 1648 (3/0) |
|
| |
|
OR |
3 |
| HIS |
102 |
History of Western Civilization Since 1648 (3/0) |
|
| MAT |
- |
Mathematics elective
Select one from MAT 107, 108, and 135. |
3 |
| Third Semester |
| CRJ |
206 |
Police Administration (3/0) |
3 |
| CMN |
111 |
Speech: Human Communication (3/0) |
3 |
| HPE |
110 |
Concepts of Health and Fitness (1/2)
HPE 111 is an acceptable alternative. |
2 |
| POL |
- |
Political Science elective |
3 |
| - |
- |
Science elective with laboratory
Select one from BIO 101, 113;
CHE 101, 106;
PHY 101, 111, 112;
|
3 |
| - |
- |
Elective |
3 |
| Fourth Semester |
| CRJ |
102 |
Police in the Community (3/0) |
3 |
| IST |
101 |
Computer Concepts (2/2) |
3 |
| - |
- |
Criminal Justice elective
Select one from: CRJ
103, 104, 207, 211, 212. |
3 |
| - |
- |
Electives (Select two courses.) |
6 |
| Total |
62 |
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