Criminal Justice Catalog
Introduction
Criminal justice is the study of criminal law, criminal procedure, and the enforcement of criminal law. It includes understanding the social context of criminal behavior and the way society upholds social control and sanctions those who violate the criminal law. The major is grounded in a liberal arts curriculum; it emphasizes not only how the criminal justice system has developed in its present form, but also how changes in the system affect other parts of society. The major prepares students for a broad spectrum of occupations, including law enforcement, corrections, and allied mental health. Finally, students who wish to pursue careers as lawyers can major in criminal justice and also take advantage of the college’s Pre-Law program.
Qualifications
Students must have a minimum grade of C in all required courses and maintain a 2.0 GPA in their major and a 2.0 overall average to graduate with a degree in Criminal Justice.
Advisement
All students should have an advisor in the major and should contact the department directly to have an advisor assigned if they do not already have one. Meetings with academic advisors are required prior to students receiving their PIN for course registration each semester. All majors should work closely with their advisor in discussing career expectations, choosing their major electives, developing their entire academic program and planning their co-curricular or supplemental academic experiences.
Students should consult with Dr. Kathleen M. Contrino, Director of Criminal Justice, for current advisement information.
Double Majors
Students who wish to expand their educational opportunities may decide to declare a double major. This decision may be based on career goals, planned graduate studies, and/or other student interests. Before a student declares a double major, it is important to meet with the appropriate academic departments for advisement. In order to declare a double major, the student must complete the Major/Minor Declaration form. This form will be submitted electronically and reviewed and approved by each department chairperson as well as the appropriate associate dean.
Per college policy, each additional major requires a minimum of 15 credits that do not apply to the student's first or subsequent major. Some double major combinations can be completed within the minimum 120 credit hour degree requirement, but in other cases additional course work may be required. Please note that students will receive only one degree unless the complete the dual degree requirement including at least 150 undergraduate credit hours, regardless of the number of majors they complete. Both (all) majors appear on a student’s transcript.
Many of the department’s majors combine criminal justice with a second major in another discipline, such as sociology, psychology, political science, history, modern languages or communication studies.
Minors in Other Disciplines
Minors provide students the opportunity to pursue additional interests but generally do not require as many courses as a major. Minors generally range from five to eight required courses. To receive a minor, the student must complete at least 9 credit hours of coursework distinct from their other credentials (i.e., majors, other minors). The complete list of minors is available on the Canisius website and in the catalog and provides links to each minor. Some majors and minors can be completed within the minimum 120 credit hour degree requirement, but in some cases additional coursework may be required. Students must complete the appropriate minor request form.
Curriculum
An Ignatian Foundation
All undergraduate students must complete either the Canisius Core Curriculum or the All-College Honors Curriculum. Many schools refer to their college-wide undergraduate requirements as "general education" requirements. We believe that the core curriculum and the honors curriculum are more than a series of required classes; they provide the basis for a Jesuit education both with content and with required knowledge and skills attributes that are central to our mission.
Free Electives
Students may graduate with a bachelor's degree with more but not less than 120 credit hours. Free electives are courses in addition to the Canisius Core Curriculum or All-College Honors Curriculum and major requirements sufficient to reach the minimum number of credits required for graduation. The number of credits required to complete a bachelor's degree may vary depending on the student's major(s) and minor(s).
Major Requirements
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MAT 131 | Statistics for Social Sciences | 3 |
| or PSY 201 | Basic Statistics for Behavioral Sciences | |
| SOC 110 | Introduction to Sociology | 3 |
| Select one of the following | 3 | |
SOC 375 | Ethnography and Culture | |
HSV 303 | Research Methods in the Social Sciences | |
| CRJ 227 | Criminal Justice I | 3 |
| CRJ 228 | Criminal Justice II | 3 |
| CRJ 250 | Criminal Law and Procedure | 3 |
| CRJ 325 | Restorative Justice and the Administration of Justice | 3 |
| CRJ 382 | Criminal Justice Ethics | 3 |
| CRJ 455 | Criminology | 3 |
| CRJ 461 | Criminal Justice Senior Exam | 0 |
| Criminal Justice Electives (select 3 from list below) 1 | 9 | |
| Total Credits | 36 | |
- 1
Students may choose to follow a specific concentration within the major. We currently offer the following optional concentrations: environmental regulation and justice track, law enforcement, law and justice, and corrections. Concentrations will appear on the student's transcript. The requirements for these concentrations are below.
Criminal Justice Electives
Students must take three Criminal Justice electives. Students may use any additional Criminal Justice (CRJ) course or any of the following courses as electives for the criminal justice major and minor:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| PSC 103 | The American Constitution | 3 |
| PSC 320 | American Constitutional Law I | 3 |
| PSC 321 | American Constitutional Law II | 3 |
| PSC 345 | Transnational Crime After 9/11 | 3 |
| or PSC 344 | Transnational Crime After 9/11 | |
| PSC 420 | The Constitution, The War on Terror and Civil Liberties | 3 |
| PSY 303 | Abnormal Psychology | 3 |
| PSY 360 | Psychology and Law | 3 |
| SOC 111 | Contemporary Social Problems | 3 |
| SOC 315 | Geographical Information Systems (GIS) for the Social Sciences | 3 |
| SOC 340 | Sociology of the City | 3 |
| SOC 355 | Deviant Behavior | 3 |
Optional Criminal Justice Concentrations
Environmental Justice and Regulation
Students who double major in Environmental Studies (EVST) and Criminal Justice (CRJ) should follow this concentration when selecting their electives.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Students select 5 of the following: | 15 | |
CLS 219 | Animals in the Ancient World | |
CRJ 358 | Green and White Collar Crime | |
EVST 250 | Narratives of Nature and Culture | |
EVST 235 | Environmental Policy | |
EVST 259 | Environmental History of the United States | |
EVST 498 | Internship | |
PHI 244 | Environmental Ethics | |
PHI 245 | Animal Ethics | |
PHI 264 | Justice & the Environment: The Problem of Climate Change | |
PSY 329 | Leadership and Motivation | |
RST 347 | Ecotheology | |
SOC 234 | Environment and Society | |
SOC 273 | Social Movements and Social Change | |
SOC 315 | Geographical Information Systems (GIS) for the Social Sciences | |
or ECO 310 | Introduction to Geographic Information Systems | |
SOC 324 | Visual Sociology | |
SOC 340 | Sociology of the City | |
| Total Credits | 15 | |
Law Enforcement
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select 5 of the following: | 15 | |
CRJ 330 | Current Issues in Forensic Psychology | |
CRJ 336 | Drug Treatment Courts | |
CRJ 337 | Violence and the Family | |
CRJ 345 | Gangs in American Society | |
CRJ 351 | Police and the Community | |
CRJ 354 | Juvenile Delinquency | |
CRJ 356 | Treatment of Offenders | |
CRJ 358 | Green and White Collar Crime | |
CRJ 365 | Criminalizing the Mentally Ill | |
CRJ 385 | Death Penalty: Law and Policy | |
CRJ 390 | Current Issues in Criminalistics | |
CRJ 498 | Criminal Justice Internship | |
PSC 345 | Transnational Crime After 9/11 | |
PSC 420 | The Constitution, The War on Terror and Civil Liberties | |
PSY 303 | Abnormal Psychology | |
SOC 111 | Contemporary Social Problems | |
SOC 355 | Deviant Behavior | |
| Total Credits | 15 | |
Law and justice
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select 5 of the following: | 15 | |
CRJ 275 | Criminal Courts | |
CRJ 280 | Legal Writing and Advocacy I | |
CRJ 285 | Legal Writing and Advocacy II | |
CRJ 336 | Drug Treatment Courts | |
CRJ 354 | Juvenile Delinquency | |
CRJ 358 | Green and White Collar Crime | |
CRJ 365 | Criminalizing the Mentally Ill | |
CRJ 385 | Death Penalty: Law and Policy | |
CRJ 386 | Comparative Criminal Justice Systems | |
CRJ 498 | Criminal Justice Internship | |
LEG 101 | Mock Trial | |
PHI 240 | Justice | |
PHI 261 | Philosophy of Law | |
PSC 103 | The American Constitution | |
PSC 320 | American Constitutional Law I | |
PSC 321 | American Constitutional Law II | |
PSC 420 | The Constitution, The War on Terror and Civil Liberties | |
PSY 360 | Psychology and Law | |
| Total Credits | 15 | |
Corrections: Including Probation, Social Work and Juvenile Court
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select 5 of the following: | 15 | |
CRJ 300 | Special Topics in Criminal Justice | |
CRJ 336 | Drug Treatment Courts | |
CRJ 337 | Violence and the Family | |
CRJ 345 | Gangs in American Society | |
CRJ 354 | Juvenile Delinquency | |
CRJ 356 | Treatment of Offenders | |
CRJ 365 | Criminalizing the Mentally Ill | |
CRJ 498 | Criminal Justice Internship | |
HSV 100 | Introduction to Human Services | |
HSV 212 | Social and Cultural Diversity | |
HSV 301 | Social Policies | |
HSV 360 | People Helping Skills | |
HSV 302 | Children, Schools, and the Community | |
or PSY 334 | Child, Family and Community Psychology | |
PHI 271 | Philosophy of Human Rights | |
PSC 215 | National Issues and Public Policy | |
PSY 453 | Theories of Counseling | |
SOC 111 | Contemporary Social Problems | |
| Total Credits | 15 | |
Criminal Justice and Psychology Double Major
Students double majoring criminal justice and psychology may satisfy the statistics and methods requirements with the following courses:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| PSY 201 | Basic Statistics for Behavioral Sciences | 3 |
| PSY 202 | Research Methods in Psychology | 3 |
Internships
Many internship opportunities upon approval are available to qualified juniors and seniors. As an urban center situated on the Niagara Frontier, Buffalo offers numerous internship experiences where students can explore careers and get valuable real life experience. A GPA of 3.0 of higher is required.
Foreign Language and Study Abroad
The department encourages criminal justice majors to study a foreign language of their choice and to participate in the college study abroad program.
Roadmap
Recommended Semester Schedule for Major Course Requirements
| Freshman | |
|---|---|
| Fall | Spring |
| SOC 110 | MAT 131 or PSY 201 |
| Sophomore | |
| Fall | Spring |
| CRJ 227 | CRJ 228 |
| CRJ Elective | CRJ 250 |
| Junior | |
| Fall | Spring |
| CRJ 382 | CRJ 325 |
| Select one of the following: | CRJ Elective |
SOC 375 | |
HSV 303 | |
| Senior | |
| Fall | Spring |
| CRJ Elective | CRJ 455 |
Learning Goals & Objectives
Student Learning Goal 1
Criminal Justice Majors will evaluate the administration of the criminal justice system within the context of ethics, global awareness, diversity and justice.
Students will:
- Objective A: Describe the organization and administration of the criminal justice system;
- Objective B: Identify issues in the criminal justice system as they relate to ethics, global awareness, diversity and justice.
Student Learning Goal 2
Criminal Justice majors will be able to demonstrate that they have the knowledge and skills necessary to become scholar-servant-leaders in the criminal justice community.
Students will:
- Objective A: Evaluate and critique systems and policies in the criminal justice system terms of justice;
- Objective B: Apply social science research and ethics to criminology and the administration of the criminal justice system.
Student Learning Goal 3
Criminal Justice majors will become information literate within the context of criminology and the administration of the criminal justice system.
Students will:
- Objective A: Evaluate appropriate information within the context of criminology and the administration of the criminal justice system;
- Objective B: Analyze how ethical principles and ethical codes of conduct apply to criminal justice professionals;
- Objective C: Synthesize criminology and information with the administration of criminal justice systems.
Minors
Department Minors
Related Interdisciplinary Minors
*Criminalistics course CRJ 390 recommended in addition to the minor requirements.
Minors are an important part of the undergraduate curriculum. If students declare a minor by sophomore year, they can usually complete it in a timely manner. Students should work with their advisor to determine if it is possible that the minor can be completed by graduation.
To receive a minor, a student must complete at least 9 credit hours of coursework distinct from their major(s) and from other minors, and students must complete more than 50% of the coursework required for the minor at Canisius. Please note that “ancillary/supporting” courses required for a major may still count as distinct courses as long as the remaining coursework still meets the 30 credit-hours required for a major. For more information about minor policies, please see the Declaring Majors and Minors page in the catalog.
Courses
CRJ 227 Criminal Justice I 3 Credits
Analyzes the critical concept of crime, including the difference between crimes of the powerless (blue-collar crimes) and crimes of the powerful (white-collar crimes). Explore major criminology theories and related policies to fight crime and criminal activities. Examine structure, functions, practice and policies of police.
Fulfills College Core: Field 5 (Social Sciences)
Offered: fall.
CRJ 228 Criminal Justice II 3 Credits
Analyze the structure of the US Court System along with its practice, including the trial process and sentencing. Evaluate the structure, functions, practice and policies of the US correction system with a focus on alternatives to incarceration. Examine the Juvenile Delinquency System with an emphasis on Juvenile Courts.
Offered: every spring.
CRJ 250 Criminal Law and Procedure 3 Credits
The substantive criminal law, including offenses against persons, property and public morality with emphasis on New York State Penal Law. Criminal responsibility and defenses. In addition key Supreme Court decisions on the criminal justice related constitutional amendments (4th, 5th, 6th and 8th amendments). Finally, Appeals and post-conviction relief will be discussed.
Prerequisite: CRJ 227.
Offered: every spring.
CRJ 275 Criminal Courts 3 Credits
This course will explore the legal, social and political institutions that affect the dynamics of the criminal process. Topics will include the adversarial process and the decision-making of different participants in the system. The course will also look at the interrelationships that affect and influence court decisions and justice. A thorough examination of this subject will lead to a better understanding of criminal courts and its function within the criminal justice system.
Prerequisite: CRJ 227 and CRJ 228.
Offered: occasionally.
CRJ 280 Legal Writing and Advocacy I 3 Credits
Explores the use of language in the administration of law, including ways to read and brief cases and to read statutes.
Fulfills College Core: Justice, Oral Communication
Offered: spring.
CRJ 285 Legal Writing and Advocacy II 3 Credits
Introduces undergraduates to the practical written and oral application of legal principles by giving them basic tasks a lawyer would perform. Students gain a basic knowledge of the legal system and legal culture, and they also learn to analyze fact situations to spot and present legal issues from different perspectives: the defense, the plaintiff/prosecutor, the judge, and law enforcement. Class discussion includes legal, political, social, and moral implications of facts and law necessary to understand fact- based legal scenarios and to complete the following written assignments expressing this understanding:
Fulfills College Core: Advanced Writing-Intensive
Offered: every fall.
CRJ 300 Special Topics in Criminal Justice 3 Credits
Critical examination of a selected topic in criminal justice. Subject matter determined by the instructor.
CRJ 325 Restorative Justice and the Administration of Justice 3 Credits
Explores the significance of social inequality, especially race/ethnicity, gender and social class, for crimes and criminal justice system. Restorative justice theory, practices and policies are examined as a tool to mitigate the harm of discriminatory practices in the administration of justice.
Prerequisite: CRJ 227 and CRJ 228.
Offered: every spring.
CRJ 330 Current Issues in Forensic Psychology 3 Credits
Application of the science of psychology to questions and issues relating to criminal law and the criminal justice system. Topics discussed include competency to stand trial, assessment of mental state for an insanity plea, and prediction of violence and assessment of risk.
Prerequisites: CRJ 227 and CRJ 228.
Offered: spring.
CRJ 336 Drug Treatment Courts 3 Credits
Examination of drug prohibition and the administration of diversional treatment courts and other treatment of drug offenders.
Offered: occasionally.
CRJ 337 Violence and the Family 3 Credits
How family dynamics can contain elements that give rise to violence, including 'battered women' and abused children.
Offered: fall & spring.
CRJ 345 Gangs in American Society 3 Credits
Examines the theoretical causes for the growth of gangs; including youth and criminal gangs. Topics include the social theories, measurement, and solutions.
CRJ 350 Policy Issues in the Administration of Criminal Justice 3 Credits
Critical examination of a selected policy related to criminal justice phenomenon. Subject matter determined by the instructor.
Prerequisite: None.
Offered: every spring.
CRJ 351 Police and the Community 3 Credits
Critical examination of the operation of all levels of law enforcement in America. Topics include the selection process, training, ethics, and police accountability.
CRJ 354 Juvenile Delinquency 3 Credits
Legal processes in juvenile delinquency as well as understanding and analysis of current practices and historic and contemporary issues. Suggested programs for rehabilitation and prevention of delinquency.
CRJ 356 Treatment of Offenders 3 Credits
Correction theory, offender typologies, and nature and diagnosis of offenders and future trends in dealing with criminal offenders.
CRJ 358 Green and White Collar Crime 3 Credits
Analyzes the definition, nature, extend and social cost of white and green collar crimes from both a legalistic and critical approach. Special attention is given on how perpetrators of white and green collar crimes avoid criminal prosecution and the role that the corporate structure has in avoiding the prosecution of these crimes.
Offered: occasionally.
CRJ 365 Criminalizing the Mentally Ill 3 Credits
This course examines the legal and policy issues regarding the practice of criminalization of persons with mental illness. Topics investigated include the history of criminalization of persons with mental illness, constitutional issues, law enforcement responses to persons with mental illness, mentally ill offenders in jails and prisons, civil commitment, mental health courts and community supervision strategies.
Offered: occasionally.
CRJ 382 Criminal Justice Ethics 3 Credits
The personal, social and criminal justice contexts for understanding justice, crime and ethics. Skills necessary to deal effectively with ethical issues in criminal justice systems. Problems and case studies for active exploration of social issues.
Prerequisite: CRJ 227 and CRJ 228.
Fulfills College Core: Ethics
Offered: fall.
CRJ 385 Death Penalty: Law and Policy 3 Credits
This course examines the major legal and policy issues relating to the practice of the death penalty in the United States. Topics investigated include the history of the death penalty in the United States, the constitutional limits on the types of crimes and criminals for which the death penalty is permitted, and contemporary controversies regarding the death penalty including potential innocence, special populations, methods of execution, race and gender biases.
Offered: occasionally.
CRJ 386 Comparative Criminal Justice Systems 3 Credits
Examines criminal justice systems across the globe including their historical significance and policy implications. Students will also analyze international and transnational crimes within the context of globalization. Students will understand diversity by analyzing similarities and differences across criminal justice systems within the broad categories of policing, legal institutions and correctional structures.
Prerequisite: CRJ 227.
Offered: every fall & spring.
CRJ 390 Current Issues in Criminalistics 3 Credits
Application of the science to the recognition, documentation, preservation, and analysis in the process of collecting physical evidence as it relates to crime, criminal law and criminal procedure. Topics discussed include evidence collection, analysis, criminal procedure and criminal justice, including civil rights.
Prerequisite: CRJ 227 and CRJ 228.
Offered: occasionally.
CRJ 455 Criminology 3 Credits
Classical and contemporary theories of criminal behavior and the role of theory in the criminal justice system. Explanations for why crime occurs, understanding of criminal behavior and its impact on society. Students will be produce a policy analysis research paper that will explore criminal justice policies, criminal theory and justice theories.
Prerequisite: CRJ 227 and CRJ 228.
Fulfills College Core: Advanced Writing-Intensive, Justice
Offered: every fall & spring.
CRJ 461 Criminal Justice Senior Exam 0 Credits
Students must take a senior exam before they graduate from the Criminal Justice Program with a Bachelors of Science. Students must have Senior Status and take the exam in their final semester before the last week of finals.
Offered: every spring.
CRJ 498 Criminal Justice Internship 3-15 Credits
Opportunity for selected students to participate in daily work of law enforcement agencies, courts, law firms, and social service agencies. Students must apply the semester before they take the internship.
Prerequisite: minimum GPA of 3.0, junior or senior status, & signature of major advisor.
Offered: fall & spring.
CRJ 499 Independent Study 3 Credits
Independent studies allow in-depth study of a specific topic and are most often reserved for seniors who cannot otherwise fulfill a graduation requirement. Independent studies require an application and approval by the associate dean.
Prerequisite: permission of the instructor, department chair, & associate dean.
Offered: fall & spring.
3+3 BS JD Program
Director: Robert Klump, Esq. at 716.888.2884
The 3+3 Accelerated BA/BS-JD program through the University at Buffalo School of Law is open to a variety of majors. By participating, you can:
- Complete your undergraduate education and law degree in less time (and for less cost) than the 7 years typically required
- Become fully eligible for scholarships and grants offered to qualified incoming students at the University at Buffalo School of Law
- Upon successful completion of the first-year curriculum at UB Law School, a student's credits for the year will be transferred to Canisius to complete his or her bachelor's degree which will then be conferred by Canisius.
Eligibility
This unique program is open to pre-law students who:
- Plan to major in Criminal Justice, Economics (BA), English, Environmental Studies, History, Philosophy, Psychology (BA), Political Science, Sociology, Strategic Communication.
- Take the LSAT or GRE no later than January of their junior year*
- Apply to the UB School of Law no later than February 1 of their junior year
- Complete all academic requirements toward their major by the end of their junior year
- Maintain a cumulative GPA at Canisius of 3.5 or higher
*The LSAT score must be at or above the median LSAT score for the UB School of Law’s previous year’s enrolled class or the GRE score must be at or above the 70th percentile for Verbal Reasoning and the 40th percentile for Quantitative Reasoning.
For more information, contact the Raichle Center director.
3+3 BS JD Roadmap
| Freshman | |
|---|---|
| Fall | Spring |
| ENG 111 | ENG 112 |
| RST 101 | PHI 101 |
| Attribute: Global Awareness | Field 7: Mathematical Sciences |
| SOC 110 | MAT 131 or PSY 201 |
| CRJ Elective | CRJ 227 |
| Sophomore | |
| Fall | Spring |
| Field 1: Religious Studies and Theology | Field 2: Philosophy |
| Attribute: Justice | Attribute: Ethics |
| Skills: Advanced Writing-Intensive | Attribute: Diversity |
| CRJ 228 | CRJ Elective |
| CRJ 250 | CRJ 325 |
| Junior | |
| Fall | Spring |
| Field 3: Literature and Arts | Field 4: History |
| Field 5: Social Sciences | Field 6: Natural Sciences |
| Skills: Oral Communication | CRJ Elective |
| CRJ 382 | CRJ 455 |
| SOC 375 or HSV 303 | Capstone |
| Senior | |
| Fall | Spring |
| 1st year JD courses taken at UB | 1st year JD courses taken at UB |
| LAW 509: Torts | LAW 507: Property |
| LAW 501: Civil Procedure | LAW 505: Criminal Law |
| LAW 503: Contracts | LAW 511: Constitutional Law |
| LAW 515: Legal Analysis, Writing and Research I | LAW 515: Legal Analysis, Writing and Research II |
| ATTRIBUTES - Can be fulfilled using a variety of courses including Field of Knowledge courses and electives with attribute designation | |
| Justice | |
| Ethics | |
| Diversity | |
| Global Awareness | |
| Advanced Writing Intensive - Must be at the 200-level or above | |
| Oral Communication Skills |
- *
Ethics is required of all students
Note: All students must complete a total of 60 hours of Arts and Science course. We strongly recommend that all students run a Griff Audit to check for this and any other additional requirements.