Walsh University's Criminal Justice program examines causes of crime, methods for crime prevention, and justice-system responses to criminal behavior. Criminal justice classes analyze police, courts, correctional systems, and related organizations, with a focus on the criminal legal process and contemporary issues affecting professionals working in the field. Our classes develop stronger ethical frameworks, critical-thinking skills, and communication skills, in accordance with the expectations of high-stakes, in-demand careers in the justice system.
This program includes select online courses taught in collaboration with other colleges across the country through our innovative partnership with Rize giving you access to a wide range of incredible instructors and more flexible scheduling options.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Outlook Handbook
View complete list of admission requirements.
Review the complete B.A. in Criminal Justice Program Curriculum Outline.
Please contact Hannah Nagy, Admissions Recruiter for Online Programs, at 330.490.7418 or hnagy@walsh.edu, for more information.
*Factoring in work experience, transfer credits, and aid. Every student's situation is different. For a customized estimate, please contact the Office of Admissions. Students must maintain a minimum 2.3 GPA in the major, to remain in good academic standing.
Introduction to basic concepts and major orientations in sociology and systematic study of group behavior and human social relationships. Major topics include the nature, content, and change of culture; the socialization process and the development of self; the nature and change of social institutions; and an analysis of major social processes.
Serves as an orientation to professionalism, ethical standards in writing and research in Sociology with special emphasis on APA writing and citation style, and scientific writing standards in Sociology. In addition to these standards and expectations, students learn about possible careers in Sociology. Course will be offered each year during fall semester for sophomore-level Sociology majors.
Prerequisite: SOC 101
Field Observation: Field observation introducing criminal justice majors to applied professions. Includes on-site observations, interviews with professionals in applied practice, and classroom activities.
Pre-requisites: SOC 101 and SOC 200.
Surey of research design, data-gathering techniques, and statistical procedures in social and behavioral sciences and evaluation programs. Designed to acquaint student with all phases of research; conceptualization, measurement, research format, sampling, data collection, analysis, and interpretation. Final grade must be C or better for Sociology and Criminal Justice majors. Offered fall and spring terms.
This course presents fundamental statistical concepts and tools for understanding and analyzing data from studies in the social and behavioral sciences. Topics include: measures of central tendency, variability, probability and statistical inference, correlation, hypothesis testing, t-tests, Chi square, and ANOVA. Students will utilize a computer program (e.g., SPSS, Excel) for the statistical analyses.Final grade must be C or better for Psychology majors. Offered fall and spring terms.
Prerequisite: MATH 104.
The focus of this course is the evolution of policing form reactive to proactive policing strategies in contemporary society. Students will examine the history, process and organization of policing. Special topic areas include Community Oriented Policing, Problem Based/Intelligence Led Policing, Restorative Policing, as well as current issues facing police today (e.g., terrorism, budget declines, immigration, surveillance and other forms of technology). Students will critically evaluate the role of the police in a constantly changing society using policing theory and relevant research on policing practices. Offered every fall semester.
Focuses on juvenile crime and reactions to such behavior by the juvenile justice system. Issues covered include, but are not limited to, diversion, status offenders, legal rights of juveniles, justice system management and theory, and the preventions and treatment of juvenile delinquency. Offered every spring semester.
Study of the administration of criminal justice in the United States with focus on the realities of the criminal justice system (police, prosecution, courts, corrections) and the criminal justice process dealing with the disposition of cases of persons charged with crimes. Current criminal justice practices and constitutional limitations are highlighted. Offered every fall semester. Criminal Justice majors only.
Survey of the sociological, social-psychological, and psychological aspects of crime and criminal behavior through exploration of criminological theories. Major topics include structural, process, and conflict theories within criminology, causes of crime, types of criminality, and victim/offender characteristics. Offered every fall term. Criminal Justice majors only.
Prerequisite: SOC 101.
Historical and contemporary review of the practices and purposes of punishment. Overview of approaches to sentencing and institutional correctional systems at the local, state, and federal levels using organizational, criminological, and sociological perspectives. Examination of ethics and contemporary issues such as prison overcrowding, the death penalty, for-profit prisons, rehabilitation programs, women and juveniles in correctional settings, and community-based corrections. 3 credits.
Systematic study of major classic and contemporary sociological theorists. Among areas emphasized are the variety and conflict of orientations toward society and the image of mankind, empirical support for explanations, and recent revisions of theoretical schemes. Restricted to Sociology majors, and Junior or Senior Status. Offered every spring term.
