Course Descriptions

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  CJSA 2288.  Internship I.                                                    2:1:6

Provides the pre-service law enforcement student with on-site experience at various levels such as federal, state, and local agencies.  Provides field observation and actual work experience in a law-enforcement agency.  This is a required course for all students seeking an Associate in Applied Science Degree in Criminal Justice.  In-service students currently employed as full-time commissioned peace officers can satisfy degree requirements for the internship courses under the provisions related to work/life experience. Prerequisites:  Completion of nine hours in academic criminal justice courses and instructor approval. [Offered Summer I semester.]

  CJSA 2289.  Internship II.                                                   2:1:6

Continuation of CJSA 2288.  Prerequisites:   Instructor approval and successful completion of CJSA 2288. [Offered summer II semester.]

  CRIJ 1301.  Introduction to Criminal Justice.                      3:3:0  

History and philosophy of criminal justice and ethical considerations; definition of crime; nature and impact of crime; overview of the criminal-justice system; law enforcement; the court system including prosecution and defense and the trial process; and corrections. Prerequisites: THEA reading and writing requirements met.

  CRIJ 1306.  The Courts and Criminal Procedure.                3:3:0

The judiciary in the criminal-justice system, the structure of the American court system, prosecution, the right to counsel, pretrial release, grand juries, the adjudication process, types and rules of evidence, and sentencing. Prerequisites: THEA reading and writing requirements met.

  CRIJ 1307.  Crime in America. (Core  080)                  3:3:0

Historical perspective on American crime, social and public-policy factors affecting crime, social impact of crime and crime trends, social characteristics of specific crimes, and prevention of crime. Prerequisites: THEA reading and writing requirements met. 

  CRIJ 1310.  Fundamentals of Criminal Law.                        3:3:0

The nature of criminal law including philosophical and historical development, major definitions and concepts, classification of crime, elements of crimes and penalties using Texas statutes as illustrations, and criminal responsibility.  Prerequisites: THEA reading and writing requirements met.

  CRIJ 2301.  Community Resources in Corrections.               3:3:0

Introduction to the role of the community in corrections.  Topics include community programs for adults and juveniles, administration of community programs, legal issues, and trends in community treatment. Prerequisites: THEA reading and writing requirements met.

  CRIJ 2313.  Correctional Systems and Practices.                 3:3:0

Corrections in the criminal-justice system, organization of cor­rectional systems, correctional role, institutional operations, alter­native to institutionalization, treatment and rehabilitation, current and future issues. Prerequisites:  THEA reading and writing requirements met.

  CRIJ 2314.  Criminal Investigation.                                      3:3:0

Investigative theory, collection and preservation of evidence, sources of information, interview and interrogation, uses of forensic sciences, case and trial preparation. THEA reading and writing requirements met.

  CRIJ 2323.  Legal Aspects of Law Enforcement.                  3:3:0

Police authority including responsibilities, constitutional restraints, laws of arrest, search and seizure, police liabilities. Prerequisites:  CRIJ 1306 and 1310 recommended. THEA reading and writing requirements met.

  CRIJ 2328.  Police Systems and Practices.                          3:3:0

The police profession including organization of law-enforcement systems, police discretion and ethics, police-community interaction, current and future issues.  Prerequisites:  THEA reading and writing requirements met.