Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice

The Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice program can be completed over the course of 18 to 24 months. For a Norwich bachelor's degree, you must earn at least 120 semester credits, including transfer credits.

Our program curriculum comprises five areas of instruction:

• General education courses required for a bachelor’s degree at Norwich University.
• Foundational courses designed to address the specific learning needs of criminal justice professionals.
• Elective courses that enable students to shape their academic experience by selecting the degree elective courses that meet their unique learning and career goals.
• The field study course is where students put their knowledge into practice by analyzing a particular area of the world with regard to its criminal justice operations.
• Capstone project that explores in depth a focused set of legal and ethical issues in the criminal justice field.

General Education Courses

• Crime in Literature

  ENGL250 3 credit hours

  In this course, students read and discuss works of literature that explore the ethical, social, and philosophical implications of criminal behavior and society's response to it.

• Data Analysis and Writing

  COMM302 3 credit hours

  Professional literature regularly includes results that are based on statistical analysis. This course is designed to strengthen students’ analytical and communications skills as preparation for a career in law enforcement, intelligence, and security. The course will cover predictive analysis and modeling as well as analytical tools with which to deal with changing events. This course will also help to establish definitions for particular words and concepts and how they might be applied in various situations. Pre-requisite: SOCI209.

• Science, Technology & Procedures in Forensics Investigations

  SCIE202 3 credit hours

  This course will focus on the scientific principles behind the recognition, collection, preservation, analysis, and interpretation of physical evidence found at a crime scene. Designed for non-science majors, this course presents the science and technology used by modern forensic professionals and emphasizes practical forensic applications of scientific principles in the areas of chemistry, physics, biology, geology, and more. Each week the student will have an online lab activity or case study in which to apply the various principles of forensic science covered in the course. Pre-requisites: none.

• Environmental Science

  SCIE301 3 credit hours

  Most of the world’s crucial environmental issues and many regional conflicts are related to the degradation and/or overuse of the Earth’s basic resources, including air and climate, water, soils, and energy. This course will focus on the physical and chemical processes associated with the degradation of these resources, as well as an examination of potential solutions. This course will also address and incorporate two underlying themes to all environmental issues: sustainability and human population dynamics. Pre-requisites: none.

• Leadership

  MNGT315 3 credit hours

  In this course, you will learn key theoretical models of leadership and strategies for applying them in a range of situations, both military and non-military. You will identify key functions and skills of effective leaders, explore leadership styles through study of selected leaders, and evaluate the role of communication, negotiation, strategy, purpose, and ethics in leadership. You will evaluate your own leadership effectiveness and develop a leadership tool kit.

• Military Literature

  ENGL270 3 credit hours

  This course is a study of men and women in war and the military service: their ideals, experiences, and strategies as seen in foreign and American military literature of the 19^th and 20^th centuries. Prerequisite: EN102 or equivalency.

Foundational Courses

Students are required to complete the following courses.

• Foundations of Criminal Justice

  CRMJ201 3 credit hours

  This course provides a general survey of the principles, systems, and processes of criminal justice. Students will explore conceptions and definitions of crime, criminal law, due process, and the organization and operation of the three basic components of the criminal justice system – the police, the courts, and corrections – both individually and in relationship to one another. Pre-requisites: none.

• The Study of Crime

  CRMJ303 3 credit hours

  This course covers the various biological, psychological and sociological types of theory that have been offered to explain the incidence of crime in society. Various types of crime, including violent, property, corporate, political and victimless crimes, methods of studying crime, and characteristics of criminals are also examined.

• Law Enforcement Administration

  CRMJ305 3 credit hours

  This course applies management and financial principles to criminal justice organizations. Emphasis is placed on budgets, financial accounting principles, and assessing the effectiveness of the activities of criminal justice organizations. Students will also discuss constitutional requirements, court decisions, and legislation (such as EEOC requirements) as they impact management in criminal justice organizations. The purposes and formats of financial statements and basic accounting and financial terminology are introduced: depreciation of assets, capital budgeting, cash management, lease versus purchase, and inventory management. Pre-requisites: none.

• Procedural Due Process

  CRMJ306 3 credit hours

  This course examines the principle that the government must respect all of the legal rights that are owed to a person according to the law. Students will explore and examine procedural due process as it relates to the procedure of arresting and trying persons who have been accused of crimes. Students will also examine specific government actions that may deprive an individual of life, liberty, or property. Overall, the course will address the applications and administration of due process as well as potential abuse. Pre-requisites: none.

• History of the U.S. Constitution

  HIST210 3 credit hours

  A study of the political, economic, and social contexts of the creation of the Constitution and the significant amendments to it. Emphasis is on the role of the judicial branch in constitutional matters; the effects of social change in the 19th, 20th, and 21st centuries; and the impact of technology on contemporary constitutional issues.

• Cultural Issues and the Criminal Justice System

  SOCI220 3 credit hours

  This course explores the issues of race and ethnicity as they relate to crime and our criminal justice system in a culturally diverse society. Students will examine the broader social context of race and ethnicity in our American society, with a special focus on the changing ethnicity of communities and related changes in social and institutional public policy. Students will also learn how cultural diversity impacts the roles of the police, our court system, and correctional facilities; how it influences the death penalty; and how it affects juvenile and minority youth justice. Other discussion topics include cross-cultural communication, the implementation of cultural awareness training, multicultural representation in law enforcement, and criminal justice interaction. Pre-requisites: none.

• Methods of Social Science Research

  SOCI209 3 credit hours

  This course examines the methodological foundations of the social sciences; the logic and technique of empirical inquiry; the nature of social facts; the operationalization of concepts and the construction of hypotheses; research designs including questionnaires, interviews, experiments, observation, and evaluation; the organization and analysis of data; graph and table construction and interpretation; the common problems of empirical and social research; and research ethics. Pre-requisites: none.

• Criminal Justice Ethics

  PHLS324 3 credit hours

  This course provides a short introduction to general ethics, with applications to practices and problems in the criminal justice field. It uses the case study method to focus on immediate decisions that involve common, ethical dilemmas faced by criminal justice professionals in the police, courts, and corrections. It also studies a selection of more general issues involving the criminal justice system that are of common public concern, as well as the deeper question of why certain forms of behavior should or should not be criminalized.

• Intercultural Communication

  COMM312 3 credit hours

  This course prepares students to communicate effectively in both written and verbal forms within the context of a multi-cultural society. Topics explored include best practices in investigative reporting, written reports and memos, and interpersonal verbal communication within criminal justice settings, including interactions with victims, suspects, incarcerated persons, government officials, community leaders, staff, and civilians. Pre-requisites: none.

• Elementary Statistics

  MA232 3 credit hours

  This course covers the study of frequency distributions, averages and standard deviations, normal curve, probability, decision-making, sampling techniques, testing hypotheses, chi-square, students-t and F-distributions, correlation, and linear regression. Prerequisite: A college level mathematics course or equivalent as determined by departmental placement testing.

Degree Electives

For students taking the general criminal justice program track, they will complete 18 credits from the degree electives listed in this section.

For students enrolled in Intelligence and Security Management, see the corresponding section below for courses specific to this concentration.

• Homeland Security and Intelligence

  INSC311 3 credit hours

  This course explores the background and evolution of homeland security in the post- 9/11 era. Students learn about the public and private infrastructure and functioning of homeland security operations, technology used to explore threats and enhance safety, innovative solutions to threats, risk prevention and management, and critical incident management of terrorism threats, natural disasters, and other threats to homeland security. Pre-requisites: none.

• Global Security and Intelligence

  INSC313 3 credit hours

  This course examines a range of contemporary international issues – from questions of realism versus idealism in foreign affairs to changes in the nation-state, the rise and influence of member states in the Pacific Rim, and overall global security objectives. It will explore the uses of strategic intelligence by world leaders in shaping policy and the effects of strategic intelligence on world events. Students will be required to closely follow international developments and learn how to discuss them objectively and analytically. Areas of emphasis include science, technology, and globalization as the environment in which concepts of international security evolve and change over time. Pre-requisites: none.

• Intelligence Management

  INSC320 3 credit hours

  In this course, students have the opportunity to learn and apply relevant management theories as they relate to the field of intelligence and security. Students will learn to engage in basic intelligence-related research and to interpret data and literature. They will be given insight into collaborating with public and governmental agencies to share intelligence that is critical to improving public safety and security. They will also gain enhanced understanding of legal and ethical principles that guide the intelligence community, as well as an understanding of how to manage the intelligence process using technological advances and human resources to prevent crime and improve national security. Pre-requisites: none.

• National Security Policy

  POLS302 3 credit hours

  This course introduces students to the issues and institutions of national security policy. Successful students will have an appreciation of strategic thought and strategy formulation, the ability to assess national security issues and threats, and an understanding of the political and military institutions involved in the making and execution of national security policy. Pre-requisites: none.

• Domestic Terrorism

  POLS316 3 credit hours

  This course traces the history, emergence, and growth of domestic terrorist and extremist groups within the United States. Students will assess various groups' intentions, capabilities, and activities within contexts of and ramifications on political, national security, and legal paradigms. Topics include current and active domestic groups and their organizational structure, philosophies, and networks.

• International Terrorism

  POLS318 3 credit hours

  This course addresses the effects of a variety of forms of sub-state violence on world affairs. Topics include sources of terrorism, its major characteristics, the problems it poses for global peace and stability, responses to terrorism by countries and international organizations, and the problem of balancing public safety and personal freedom in dealing with terrorism.

• Drugs and Gangs

  SOCI322 3 credit hours

  This course analyzes transnational crime and corruption issues within global politics. Focus is given to potential national and international responses to transnational threats. Students also examine the increasing relevance of criminality and governmental corruption and how it becomes a major aspect of national security policy. Pre-requisites: none.

• Emergency & Disaster Relief Operations

  SSDA310 6 credit hours

  This course examines how emergency managers respond to national, state, or local disasters. Students gain a broad understanding of the functions, challenges, key concepts, and organizing principles of U.S. emergency management. Emphasis is placed on how emergency management is structured and organized by examining the National Response Framework (NRF), the National Incident Management System (NIMS), and the Incident Command System (ICS), as well as other standards that govern emergency management in the United States. You will apply your learning to develop an emergency plan capable of addressing identified threats. This course requires broad knowledge, in-depth understanding, analysis, synthesis, and creativity in regard to the topics addressed. Prerequisites: none.

• Information Operations

  SSDA320 6 credit hours

  This course introduces the overall concept of Information Warfare (IW) and Information Operations (IO), particularly with regard to the U.S. federal government and the Department of Defense. Pre-requisites: none.

• Insurgency and Conflict

  SSDA315 6 credit hours

  In this course students compare and contrast selected insurgencies and counter-insurgencies from across the globe. Students acquire both broad knowledge and in-depth understanding of the practice of insurgency in various regions and nations.

• Cyber Law and Cybercrime

  CJ341 3 credit hours

  This course includes extensive discussion of the legal constraints, both civil and criminal, that underlie acceptable behavior using computers and networks today. Special emphasis is placed upon the legal issues that affect information security, private and public use of digital forensics, and how information operations are performed.

• Public Safety in a Diverse Society

  SOCI325 3 credit hours

  Students learn about law enforcement issues in a society with increasing physical, cultural and economic diversity. Topics include women and minorities in policing, conflict resolution, cross cultural communication, building community relationship and partnerships, and controversial issues such as racial profiling. Pre-requisites: none.

• Introduction to Cultural Competence

  SOCI335 3 credit hours

  This course presents key concepts in the study of cultures and explores how culture and cultural contexts and language influence values, expectations, behavior, communication styles, and conflict resolution.

• Investigative Interviewing

  CRMJ340 3 credit hours

  This course offers a multidimensional and integrated perspective in the operational, legal, and ethical frameworks for investigative interviewing tradecraft of relevance to future and current investigative interviewing practitioners and managers serving in law enforcement, the military, or the intelligence community. Topics covered include history of interrogation, policy and legislature and advances in the field. Pre Requisite: CRMJ 201 or permission of Program Manager

• Cold Case Investigations

  CRMJ307 3 credit hours

  During this course students will study how cold criminal cases, most typically homicide cases, are investigated. This will include analyzing the reasons why investigations become classified as cold cases and the factors involved in re-assigning or re-opening cold cases.  Students will also study the problems, practices and methods in investigating cold cases.  Advances in forensic evidence and science will be studied as they apply to criminal investigations and the ability to solve cases formally considered unsolvable.  As part of this process, actual criminal cases will be analyzed and discussed.  Students will have the opportunity to research cold cases and develop investigative approaches to solving such cases.

• Security Coordination and Collaboration

  INSC315 3 credit hours

  This course focuses on the significance of sharing and coordinating information across all levels of government to support homeland security partners in preventing, protecting against, and responding to crime and terrorism. It explores the role of fusion centers and how these centers serve the specific needs of their jurisdictions while supporting the broader homeland and national security enterprise. Fusion centers overlay national intelligence with local, state, and regional information, enhancing understanding of the threat environment across all levels of government.  They augment the federal government’s analytic capability and enhance situational awareness in order to protect the nation. Pre-requisites: none.

• Area/Geographic Field Study

  SOCI406 6 credit hours

  Students will study the geography of a region of interest and how geography relates to implementation of a project or to the cause of or resolution to a problem in the region. Students will examine natural resources and resource challenges, paying particular attention to mineral, oil, water, and other highly valued assets in the region. The study will address future geographical or resource challenges of the region and include recommendations for infrastructure changes that would help maximize effective use of resources. The course culminates in a substantive research paper or academic project that reflects broad knowledge, in-depth understanding, analysis, synthesis, and creativity in regard to the topics addressed.

• Economic Studies

  ECON401 6 credit hours

  Students will complete a field study project to analyze and evaluate the economic indicators and infrastructure of a country or region of interest, exploring its local, regional, and global challenges and opportunities. The study will include recommendations for strengthening the region’s economic institutions and infrastructure. The course culminates in a substantive research paper or academic project that reflects broad knowledge, in-depth understanding, analysis, synthesis, and creativity in regard to the topics addressed. Prerequisites: ECON 310 Socio-Economics Studies or permission of program manager.

Intelligence and Security Management

For the concentration in Intelligence and Security Management, students take the following courses.

• Homeland Security and Intelligence

  INSC311 3 credit hours

  This course explores the background and evolution of homeland security in the post- 9/11 era. Students learn about the public and private infrastructure and functioning of homeland security operations, technology used to explore threats and enhance safety, innovative solutions to threats, risk prevention and management, and critical incident management of terrorism threats, natural disasters, and other threats to homeland security. Pre-requisites: none.

• National Security Policy

  POLS302 3 credit hours

  This course introduces students to the issues and institutions of national security policy. Successful students will have an appreciation of strategic thought and strategy formulation, the ability to assess national security issues and threats, and an understanding of the political and military institutions involved in the making and execution of national security policy. Pre-requisites: none.

• Intelligence Management

  INSC320 3 credit hours

  In this course, students have the opportunity to learn and apply relevant management theories as they relate to the field of intelligence and security. Students will learn to engage in basic intelligence-related research and to interpret data and literature. They will be given insight into collaborating with public and governmental agencies to share intelligence that is critical to improving public safety and security. They will also gain enhanced understanding of legal and ethical principles that guide the intelligence community, as well as an understanding of how to manage the intelligence process using technological advances and human resources to prevent crime and improve national security. Pre-requisites: none.

• Global Security and Intelligence

  INSC313 3 credit hours

  This course examines a range of contemporary international issues – from questions of realism versus idealism in foreign affairs to changes in the nation-state, the rise and influence of member states in the Pacific Rim, and overall global security objectives. It will explore the uses of strategic intelligence by world leaders in shaping policy and the effects of strategic intelligence on world events. Students will be required to closely follow international developments and learn how to discuss them objectively and analytically. Areas of emphasis include science, technology, and globalization as the environment in which concepts of international security evolve and change over time. Pre-requisites: none.

• Information Operations

  SSDA320 6 credit hours

  This course introduces the overall concept of Information Warfare (IW) and Information Operations (IO), particularly with regard to the U.S. federal government and the Department of Defense. Pre-requisites: none.

Field Study and Capstone

• Culture and Anthropology

  SOCI401 6 credit hours

  Students will complete a study of a country or region in relation to a key aspect of its culture. Within this broad framework, students explore an issue related to an aspect of cultural conflict or cross-cultural communication by addressing the region’s cultural competence, which is defined as the ability to navigate complex cultural environments in pursuit of mutually satisfactory outcomes. The course culminates in a substantive research paper or academic project that reflects broad knowledge, in-depth understanding, analysis, synthesis, and creativity in regard to the topics addressed. Prerequisites: SOCI 335 Introduction to Cultural Competence, or permission of the program manager.

• Capstone

  CRMJ400 6 credit hours

  Students will analyze and synthesize program learning with a focus on legal and ethical issues in the criminal justice field. This course is tailored to one of the minors available to students in the program. Pre-requisites: completion of all criminal justice coursework or permission of the program manager.

Norwich University, in compliance with Title IV of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendment of 1972, and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, age, sex, or physical handicap in any of its policies, practices, or procedures.

Get to know graduates from the Criminal Justice program.

One of the key things to me for having a Norwich education is the name that comes with it; there’s pride and tradition that comes with having a Norwich University diploma. It’s finishing what I started here many years ago and I wanted something I can be proud to hang in my office.

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Julie Scribner
Class of 2015

Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice

I have always dreamed about graduating from Norwich University. Going to college was always on my bucket list and this was my motivation.

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Kelley Lawrence
Class of 2016

Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice

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