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A.A. Criminal Justice

Increase your understanding of business and criminal justice administration principles, and succeed in today's ever-changing business and law enforcement environment.

The School of Education & Social Services' broad, liberal arts-based associate of arts program lays the foundation for critical and independent thinking, and further study in the field of criminal justice.

Criminal justice courses survey:

• The criminal justice system
• Criminal investigation
• Criminal procedure
• Crime scene investigation
• Criminal justice ethics
• Homeland security

One of the leading military colleges in the United States, Saint Leo University has been educating criminal justice professionals for more than three decades. In the Catholic spirit, we base our criminal justice model on a steadfast moral consciousness that recognizes the dignity, value, and gifts of all people.

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Degree Requirements

Associates Degree Core (33 credits)

• COM 140 Business Computer Skills 3

  Required for all business majors. Students will use commercial software packages in the microcomputer laboratory to gain an advanced understanding of business functions of computers and to develop personal competency in practical applications of microcomputers for business. Provides business students with the specific knowledge and capabilities in various computer skills necessary to be effective in both business classes and the business world. Course fee may apply.

• ENG 121 Academic Writing I 3

  The techniques of effective writing, logical thinking and intelligent reading, with special emphasis on expository writing.

  Prerequisites: Passing grade in ENG 002 or satisfactory score on the English Placement Test

• ENG 122 Academic Writing II 3

  A continuation of ENG 121. Expository writing based on analytical study of literary genres.

  Prerequisites: ENG 121

• FAS 101 The Integrated Arts 3

  This is an interdisciplinary course that introduces students to visual, written, and musical works of art designed to increase the student's understanding and aesthetic pleasure as well as to develop acquaintance with techniques and terminology in the arts. Regular classroom lectures/discussions may be complemented by live or virtual performances and exhibits as appropriate to the course format to enhance the student's experience of the arts.

• MAT 131 College Mathematics 3

  Topics include number theory, numeration systems, geometry, counting methods, probability, and statistics.

  Prerequisites: Mathematics Placement

• PHI 101 The Quest for Wisdom 3

  The course examines human beings as present to themselves, as having a narrative self-understanding, and as being on a quest for meaning and orientation in life. Some of the topics are: the mystery of existence; thinking and prejudice; the good, conscience, and the power of choice; the state and the dignity of the person; the problem of materialism and scientism; and the place of imagination in articulating life's meaning.

• Core Religion Options : (3 Credits)3

  • REL 123 Foundations of Christian Faith

    This course involves an introduction to the field of theology as an academic discipline with a body of writing, methods, and interpretations. It is concerned with how to successfully study theology, including basic library research methodology and critical thinking. Students will build a basic understanding of the whole of theology through an introduction of its parts: Old Testament and New Testament Literature, Who Is Jesus?, What Is the Church?, Grace and the Sacraments, Christian Morality, Social Justice, Judaism and the Church, the Islamic Religion and the Church, and Catholic Theology in a Global Context.

    Prerequisites: PHI 101

  • REL 124 Introduction to the Old Testament

    A basic introduction to the literature and theology of the Jewish Scriptures.

    Prerequisites: PHI 101

  • REL 201 Introduction to the New Testament

    A basic introduction to the literature and theology of the New Testament, including exposure to critical methods such as form and redaction criticisms.

    Prerequisites: PHI 101

  • REL 223 Religions of the World I: Western Religions

    A study of Western religions, including religions of non-literate societies and ancient religions, Judaism, Christianity and Islam.

    Prerequisites: PHI 101

• SCI 101 Integrated Physical Science 3

  This course is designed to provide integrated knowledge and basic understanding of the major concepts, theoretical perspectives, historical trends, and empirical findings of the physical sciences, including physics, chemistry, astronomy, geology, oceanography, atmospheric sciences, and earth sciences. Major integrated themes include the nature and history of the universe, the solar system, and the Earth; the four forces; the ultimate structure and development of matter; types and nature of chemical bonding; plate tectonics; the rock cycle; biogeochemical cycles; oceanic and atmospheric circulation; global climate change; the unified nature of the laws and forces of the universe; the scientific world view; the scientific method; and the major differences between the scientific way of knowing and other ways of knowing. Emphasis is placed on oral and written scientific literacy through effective interpretation and communication of written, quantitative, graphic, and tabular scientific information.

• SCI 102 Integrated Life Science 3

  This course is designed to introduce non-science majors to the concepts and practical applications of the life sciences so that students will be informed citizens in an increasingly science and technology based society. Specific themes focused on will include cell structure and function, cell reproduction, DNA, genetic engineering, evolution, the origins of life, and the environment. Ethical and moral considerations will be discussed where appropriate. There will be several demonstrations and/or student experiments during the semester. This is the second of two integrated science courses required of all non-science majors. This course requires substantial writing and reading.

  Prerequisites: Recommended Prerequisites: SCI 101 strongly recommended

• SSC 101 The Human Behavior Perspective 3

  An interdisciplinary course designed to provide students with the opportunity to consider the many ways in which human beings function as individuals, as members of larger groups and demographic segments, and as members of a particular culture. This course explores the disciplines of sociology, psychology, and anthropology within the framework of the scientific method, social constructivism, ethics, and values. Value systems, including the core values of Saint Leo University, and the ways in which they affect social structure are also explored.

• SSC 102 The Global Perspective 3

  A survey of various global issues arising in the world since World War II. The course combines the disciplines of history, political science, and economics. Emphasis will be placed on the interaction of the superpowers during the Cold War, the post-colonial emergence of the Third World, the ascendancy of regional and international economic and political institutions, the ambiguous blessing of technological innovation, and the reshaping of contemporary Europe.

Criminal Justice Courses (24 credits)

• CRM 220 Survey of the Criminal Justice System 3

  An introductory overview of the American criminal justice system examines crime and victimization trends, crime prevention programs, law enforcement, prosecution, defense, adjudication, sentencing, corrections, and criminal justice policy making.

• CRM 222 Introduction to Homeland Defense 3

  This class is designed to help students understand the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). It provides a comprehensive overview of the department's history, mission, organization, and programs designed to reduce America's vulnerability to attack and quickly recover from disaster.

• CRM 225 Criminal Investigation 3

  This course covers the fundamental components of investigating criminal offenses for the purpose of apprehending suspects and preparing cases for adjudication. Special attention is paid to the scientific aspects of gathering and analyzing evidence, and the overall management of major cases is stressed. The course objective will be to provide the student with an in-depth examination of the science and art of criminal investigations. Class presentations and crime scene simulations will focus on the use of physical evidence, investigative techniques, due process considerations, and the role of the physical, biological and social sciences in case development.

• CRM 230 Introduction to Crime Scene Investigation 3

  This course covers the various methods associated with investigating a crime scene. Special emphasis is placed on sequential processing of the crime scene to avoid the loss and/or the contamination of evidence. Students successfully completing this course will be aware of the critical concerns of crime scene processing and the methods that are employed to eliminate those concerns, proper crime scene search patterns, and the appropriate methods to plot the location of evidence when it is discovered.

• CRM 321 Substantive Criminal Law 3

  This course covers the creation and application of substantive criminal law. Topics covered include the nature and origins of criminal law, substantive due process, elements of criminal liability, the doctrine of complicity, uncompleted crimes, defenses to criminal liability, and the elements of crimes against: persons, habitation, property, the public order and morals.

  Prerequisites: POL 123

• CRM 322 Law of Criminal Procedure 3

  This course concerns the laws governing procedural due process for criminal defendants. Case analyses and the interpretation of appellate court opinions are used to learn the fundamental relationships between the U.S. Constitution, courts and criminal procedure. Topics covered include remedies for state law-breaking, initial police-citizen contacts, seizures of persons, search and seizure of property, interrogations and confessions, identification procedures, decisions to charge and the first appearance, pretrial proceedings, conviction by trial and by guilty plea, and post-sentencing considerations.

  Prerequisites: POL 123

• CRM 350 Criminal Justice Ethics 3

  This course is designed to be a comprehensive overview of ethics in the field of criminal justice. This course will address ethical issues that may arise in the criminal justice profession. Through lecture, class discussion and exercises, the student will develop a better understanding of the moral and ethical dilemmas confronting criminal justice practitioners and how these dilemmas may be successfully resolved.

• POL 123 Introduction to Law and the Legal System 3

  This course is an introductory survey of the history, structures, and processes of the American legal system. It is designed to be taken as a first University-level course in law, and should precede more specialized courses such as criminal, business, or constitutional law. Covered are basic legal concepts such as due process; the structure of the U.S. court system; and the major subdivisions of law such as civil procedure, criminal procedure, or the law of torts. Understanding the role of law in society, the analysis of judicial reasoning, and the application of legal concepts to factual situations are stressed.

Electives (3 Credits)

Total Semester Credits 60