Criminal Justice Transfer
Criminal Justice Transfer is a program specifically designed for students applying to 4-year academic institutions offering bachelor’s degrees in Criminal Justice or a related field.
Criminal Justice is the study of the rule of law within a democratic society. The classroom learning experience focuses on law enforcement agencies like local and state police, as well as the FBI. Students also learn about the court system, including the role of the prosecutor and defense counsel. The correctional system plays a vital, yet sometimes ignored, role in society so students will study the culture of jails and prisons, the role of correction’s officers, along with treatment methods regarding offenders.
A strong general education core is combined with essential courses in Police Administration and Operations, Criminology, Forensics, Research and Statistics, and Law and Ethics.
Our Criminal Justice Transfer Program provides a solid foundation and a seamless transition to colleges and universities. We have a proven track record of success with our program transfers.
Upon completion of this program, students will be able to:
- Articulate their place in human culture and the global society from a multi-disciplinary perspective acquired through the study of the social sciences, humanities, history, natural sciences, mathematics, arts, and languages.
- Explain the functions and responsibilities of law enforcement and corrections at various levels in the criminal justice system
- Evaluate the causal factors of crime
- Discuss the nature of crimes and offenses based on major theories and current issues
- Critique perspectives on legal principles and challenges inherent in the criminal justice system
- Use appropriate tools of research and analysis to produce effective written communication.
Semester I
Short Title : English Composition I
Course Code : ENG-121
Department Description : English
Course Description :
Through a variety of writing projects requiring competence in clear, correct, and effective English, students use inferential and critical skills in the process of composing documented essays. Extensive reading materials serve as structural models and as the bases for discussion and for the writing of essays involving response, analysis, and synthesis.
Prerequisites :
A passing score on the College Placement Test; or a grade of "C" or better in ENG-010 and RDG-011 (RDG-011 can be a co-requisite; or a grade of "C" or better in ESL-097 and ESL-098.
Co requisites :
RDG-011 may be taken as a co-requisite if not previously completed with a grade of "C" or better.
- Credit : 3
- Lecture Hours : 3
Short Title : Introduction to Criminal Justice
Course Code : CJU-123
Department Description : History and Social Science
Course Description :
Examines both the substantive and procedural criminal law with a special focus on the administration of justice. Particular attention will be given to the role of the police, courts and correctional systems and how each separate entity must function with the framework of Constitutional law. Special emphasis will be on New Jersey statutory law, court rules and corrections policy.
- Credit : 3
Short Title : GE Math Elective
Course Code : MAT-EL1
Department Description : Mathematics
- Credit : 3
Short Title : Introduction to Psychology
Course Code : PSY-123
Department Description : History and Social Science
Course Description :
Provides a psychological basis for the understanding of human behavior. A survey of fundamentals that are necessary for subsequent psychology courses. Topics include but are not limited to: learning, motivation, cognition, personality, abnormal behavior, development and social psychology.
- Credit : 3
Short Title : Introduction to Sociology
Course Code : SOC-121
Department Description : History and Social Science
Course Description :
Sociology is the systematic study of social behavior and human groups. This course covers basic sociological theories and methods of social research, with special attention to the following topics: culture, values and norms, socialization, social structure, deviance, stratification, social institutions and differentiation by region, race, ethnicity, gender, age and class.
- Credit : 3
Semester 2
Short Title : English Composition II
Course Code : ENG-122
Department Description : English
Course Description : Through a variety of writing projects requiring competence in clear, correct, and effective English, students use inferential and critical skills in the process of composing argument synthesis essays. Students engage in formal written argumentation based on extensive reading and analysis of complex texts. Through the research process, students will locate, analyze, and synthesize scholarly sources to advance their own informed positions on relevant issues in the composition of a formal research paper.
Prerequisites :
A grade of “C” or better in ENG-121
- Credit : 3
- Lecture Hours : 3
Short Title : Introduction to Criminology
Course Code : SOC-140
Department Description : History and Social Science
Course Description : The nature and sources of criminal law, incidences and trends of criminology, relationship of culture and social systems to criminology, biological, psychological and sociological theories of criminology.
- Credit : 3
- Lecture Hours : 3
Short Title : GE Laboratory Science Elective
Course Code : Laboratory Science
Department Description : Laboratory Science
- Credit : 4
Short Title : Fundamentals of Public Speaking
Course Code : SPE-121
Department Description : Visual, Performing and Media Arts
Course Description : Introduction to the theory and practice of public address; the study of representative public addresses and the preparation and delivery of short speeches.
- Credit : 3
- Lecture Hours : 3
Short Title : United States State and Local Government
Course Code : POS-201
Department Description : History and Social Science
Course Description :
A comparative analysis of the state, county and municipal levels of government in the United States is offered. Particular attention is given to New Jersey government and politics, state party organizations, interest groups and electorate behavior, as well as the formal governmental structure.
- Credit : 3
OR
Short Title : United States National Government
Course Code : POS-220
Department Description : History and Social Science
Course Description :
The organization, powers and procedures of the United States national government are presented along with such topics as the role of political parties, electorate behavior and interest groups as a continuing process of United States politics.
- Credit : 3
Semester 3
Short Title : History Elective
Course Code : HIS-EL2
Department Description : History and Social Science
- Credit : 3
Select one of the following History sequences:
HIS-121 and HIS-122 OR HIS-131 and HIS-132 OR HIS-221 and HIS-222
Short Title : Introduction to Correction Administration
Course Code : COR-201
Department Description : History and Social Science
Course Description :
Examines the vast spectrum of systems, processes and people involved in the correctional field. Emphasizes the legal impact of the correctional process as well as correctional management theories and applications. Particular attention will be given to the massive changes of modern correctional facilities and emerging prison issues such as overcrowding, drugs and the AIDS problem.
Prerequisites :
Co requisites :
CJU 123
- Credit : 3
Short Title : GE - Language Elective
Course Code : LAN-EL1
Department Description : ESL/Languages and Culture
- Credit : 3
Choose two modern language courses in sequence from either: CHN, FRE, GER, HIN, ITA or SPA. For students who completed at least two years of high school study in one modern language, their level of language will be determined by a placement test (excluding SPA-242).
Short Title : GE Mathematics or Science Elective
Course Code : GE MathSci
Department Description : General Education
- Credit : 3
Choose one 3-credit Mathematics or Science course designated in the course descriptions as General Education MST (GE MST). Students may elect to take a 4-credit GE Mathematics or Science Elective in consultation with an academic advisor.
Short Title : Constitutional Law
Course Code : POS-231
Department Description : History and Social Science
Course Description :
Examines the principal methods by which United States Supreme Court Justices give meaning to Constitutional provisions in the context of individual cases. Particular attention paid to the fundamental importance of a full and coherent understanding of the principles, precedents and problems of America’s democratic system.
Prerequisites :
- Credit : 3
Semester 4
Short Title : History Elective
Course Code : HIS-EL2
Department Description : History and Social Science
- Credit : 3
Select one of the following History sequences:
HIS-121 and HIS-122 OR HIS-131 and HIS-132 OR HIS-221 and HIS-222
Short Title : Ethics
Course Code : PHI-123
Department Description : History and Social Science
Course Description :
A study of the basic theories, methods, and problems of ethics and morality. Students will apply ethical principles and problem solving models to examples taken from everyday life.
- Credit : 3
Short Title : Law Enforcement and the Community
Course Code : POL-204
Department Description : History and Social Science
Course Description :
The relationship between professional police officers and the community they serve with emphasis on ethical standards, human relations, civil rights and community service. The attitudes and actions of the police and the public that lead to both positive and negative relationships between them.
Prerequisites :
Co requisites :
CJU 123
- Credit : 3
Short Title : GE Technology Elective
Course Code : GE-MST
Department Description : General Education
- Credit : 3
Short Title : GE - Language Elective
Course Code : LAN-EL1
Department Description : ESL/Languages and Culture
- Credit : 3
Choose two modern language courses in sequence from either: CHN, FRE, GER, HIN, ITA or SPA. For students who completed at least two years of high school study in one modern language, their level of language will be determined by a placement test (excluding SPA-242).
Program Outcomes
Graduates of the Program will be able to:
- Articulate their place in human culture and the global society from a multi-disciplinary perspective acquired through the study of the social sciences, humanities, history, natural sciences, mathematics, arts, and languages.
- Explain the functions and responsibilities of law enforcement and corrections at various levels in the criminal justice system.
- Evaluate the causal factors of crime.
- Discuss the nature of crimes and offenses based on major theories and current issues.
- Critique perspectives on legal principles and challenges inherent in the criminal justice system.
- Use appropriate tools of research and analysis to produce effective written communication.
Frequently Asked Questions
What will students learn if they study Criminal Justice?
Students examine both the substantive and procedural aspects of criminal law. Particular attention will be given to the functions of the courts and special emphasis will be placed on major U.S. Supreme Court decisions. Students who choose the Correction Administration degree option or certificate will learn about relevant trends with regard to correctional institutions, as well as sentencing, judicial treatment and correctional management philosophies. With the Police Science degree option, students will learn police procedures, constitutional law and community policing.
Are there any requirements that must be satisfied taking courses in the major?
Can students transfer to a four-year college or university?
The Statewide Transfer Agreement for New Jersey ensures that students who earn an A.A. or A.S. degree at a community college will have those credits fully transferable to a New Jersey public four-year institution, will have completed half of the credits required for a basic four-year degree and will have completed all of the lower division general education requirements. In addition, articulation agreements with private institutions may provide similar transfer provisions. Students should discuss the transfer process with an advisor.
How long will it take to complete this degree?
Once students complete developmental coursework (if needed), the degree can be completed in two years of full-time study. They can shorten the amount of time by taking courses in the summer and winter sessions.
