Distance Education Options

Distance Education in the Department of Criminal Justice

Established in 1972 with a Bachelor of Science Degree offered since 1975, and a Master of Science Degree with 10 full-time faculty members, North Carolina Central University has offered an on line Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice for the past seven years starting with the North Carolina Highway Patrol and expanding to the Community College graduates throughout North Carolina. The program has graduated four members of the State Highway Patrol, numerous community college graduates.

In order to facilitate transition to a four year degree program, all lower level criminal justice courses from an accredited community college are accepted as transfer hours toward the bachelor of science degree.  Criminal justice courses at a four year institution that are comparable to our courses are accepted as transfer hours toward the bachelor of science degree.  Selected general study courses are also considered for transfer.  Students must have earned a grade of “C” or better in courses to be considered for transfer.

Students transferring from a community college may select concentrations in Law Enforcement and Corrections.  Progress is being made for the concentrations in Homeland Security and Juvenile Justice.  The courses being offered on line are (16) sixteen week course sessions per academic semester.  Community college transfer students with approximately 64 college semester hours who have completed lower division criminal justice courses are accepted for admission and need to complete a General Studies Program, as well as, selected criminal justice courses

North Carolina Central University is military friendly and participates with Duke University in a ROTC Program.  Students with prior military experience are awarded up to the junior year ROTC credit for military service and ROTC credit for military service and additional selected courses as verified by the Department of Defense for military schools completed.  A copy of the DD Form 214 and additional equivalent course completed in the various military schools can be submitted to receive credit hours.

Students may apply and obtain further information at www.nccu.edu/criminaljustice.  

If a student has not completed a degree from a community college, it is not required, but recommended that students obtain various general college study courses and lower level criminal justice courses at a community college in order to facilitate a seamless transfer.  It is advisable for students to complete English Composition Courses, College Algebra and Trigonometry and a higher level mathematic course, a language sequence preferably Spanish, at the community college level.  

It is highly recommended that students complete the lower level division of courses at the Community College, to include: 

• Introduction to Criminal Justice (CRJU 2250)
• Introduction to Law Enforcement CRJU 2350)
• Introduction to Correction (CRJU 2450)
• Juvenile Justice (CRJU 2650)
• Criminal Investigation and Forensic Science Application (CRJU 2500)
• Community Correction (CRJU 2510)
• Ethics and Diversity in Criminal Justice (CRJU 3060)

Why Distance Education in the Department of Criminal Justice at NCCU?

The Department of Criminal Justice at North Carolina Central University has customized the programs to achieve your career and personal goals.  You will receive a level of personal attention and individualized support not found in many traditional programs. On-Line Distance Education is:

• Cost Effective
• Convenient and Flexible
• Seasoned and Supportive Faculty
• Networking Opportunity with Fellow Students
• Alumni Network
• Internship Opportunities
• Cooperative Opportunities
• Financial Aid Available
• Personal Attention
• Individualized Support
• Office Hours of Faculty
• Opportunities to Visit Campus
• Information of Lecture Series
• Information on Campus Activities

NCCU Distance Education Offerings
(All courses are offered within a two year academic timeframe)

CRJU 3000.  Criminal Justice Theory (3)
An analysis of major criminological theories, theory construction, testing, and application. Theoretical perspectives for both perpetrators and victims of crime will be discussed. A critical analysis of their policy implications will be discussed.

CRJU 3070.  Correctional Theory and Practice  (3)
Prerequisite: CRJU 2450. This course will study theoretical applications and how they relate to practice in various institutional and community correctional settings.  The course will also explore the role of theory in the organizational management of corrections.

CRJU 4000.  Criminal Justice Practicum  (3)
Prerequisite: Minimum of seventy-five earned credit hours.  Submission of application is required in semester prior to enrollment. This course will provide students with an 80 hour field experience to integrate theoretical criminal justice perspectives with the “real world” of employment. In addition, classroom instruction will further develop soft and hard employment skills in preparation for their career development.

CRJU 4060.  Statistical Methods in Criminal Justice  (3)
Prerequisite: MATH 1110. A statistics course that develops an understanding of statistical methods and procedures with an emphasis on criminal justice research and data analysis. A variety of statistical techniques will be discussed as well as their application in social science research.

CRJU 4061.  Statistical Methods in Criminal Justice Laboratory  (1)
Must take with corresponding CRJU 4060 section. Computer laboratory designed to enhance classroom instruction through interpreting, comprehending and use of data from an applied perspective.

CRJU 4110.  Research Methods in Criminal Justice (3)
Prerequisites: CRJU 3000, 4060, 4061. This course serves to develop the student’s research skills with an emphasis in analytical thought processes, research design and problem solving. This course will focus on the integration of research methods, data processing and data analysis.

CRJU 4111.  Research Methods in Criminal Justice Laboratory  (1)
Must take with corresponding CRJU 4110 section. Laboratory experience in SPSS, research design, concepts, operationalization and measurement.  Collecting, inputting, and interpreting data sets.

CRJU 4150.  Police Management Theory   (3)
Prerequisite: CRJU 2350. An advanced course focusing upon management theories, current management systems, supervision and supervisory principles as applied to police administration. This course examines leadership skills, planning and implementation, decision making and creative problem-solving for the police administrator.

CRJU 4160.  Correctional Counseling  (3)
Prerequisite: CRJU 2450: An overview and survey of counseling and rehabilitation approaches which are relevant to contemporary corrections.  Techniques will be examined in the use of treatment, counseling, and rehabilitative practices.

CRJU 4250.  Criminal Law for Criminal Justice Personnel   (3)
Prerequisite: CRJU 2350
A course designed to provide a basic concept of criminal law and to provide legal ground work for those who seek to enter the criminal justice system. The structure, definitions and interpretations of the most frequently used criminal statutes and the purpose of criminal sanctions will be analyzed.

CRJU 4510.  Criminal Law, Procedure and Court Processes     (3)
The course will provide the student with an understanding of criminal law, procedure, and the court processes. The elements of offenses as well as defenses, constitutional and others, and processes from detention, arrest, pre-trial, trial and post-trial will be analyzed.

CRJU 4600.  Senior Seminar  (3)
Criminal Justice seniors with permission of the instructor.  This is the capstone course for criminal justice majors that require students to demonstrate, through reflection and critical analysis, their ability to integrate subject matter in the department’s core areas of study. This student-centered course will require students to integrate their knowledge and skills to analyze a contemporary issue in criminal justice and provide a corrective course of action, which incorporates a nexus between theory and practice and related policy.