Criminal Justice
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Whether you major in Criminal Justice (CRJS), or simply take some of our many available Criminal Justice (CRJS ) courses, you will benefit from the unique mission of MBU's Criminal Justice program and its dedicated Christian faculty. Earning a degree in Criminal Justice at MBU may be an important first step in preparing you for one of a number of solid careers such as:
- Police Officer
- Lawyer
- Accident Investigator
- Secret Service Agent
- Bailiff
- Border Patrol Agent
- Corrections Officer
- Court Reporter
- Criminologist
- Customs Agent
- Detective
- Evidence Technician
- Federal Bureau of Investigation Agent
- Homeland Security Agent
- Judge
- Park Ranger
- Prison Warden
- Probation Officer
- Security Specialist
- Sheriff
- Wildlife Game Warden
Mission Statement: In accordance with the mission statement of Missouri Baptist University and the academic program, Criminal Justice is an area of study which seeks to provide Christ-centered quality higher education to traditional and adult students. The major provides an opportunity to prepare for careers in the various areas of the justice system at the entry level, and to prepare others for advancement within any agency.
Need More Information?
For more information on the Criminal Justice major at Missouri Baptist University, contact the program's coordinator, James Kellogg, at kellojb@mobap.edu. To learn about faculty in the division of Social and Behavioral Sciences click here. The below information on related courses is intended as a guide only. For full, up-to-date information always consult the university's most recent catalog.
Major
The student must complete the following requirements (42 hours):
TRACK I: For students who have not attended a POST certified Police Academy.
CRJS 133 Introduction to Administration of Justice
CRJS 213 Policing Institutions
CRJS 223 Correctional Institutions
MATH 243 Probability and Statistics
CRJS 313 Criminology
CRJS 343 Criminal Courts, Probation, and Parole
PSSC 373 Research Methods in Social and Behavioral Sciences
CRJS 433 Evidence
CRJS 433 Organization and Administration
CRJS 473 Internship
CRPO 453 Constitutional Law
Electives: 9 upper division hours from Criminal Justice courses
TRACK II: For students who have graduated from a POST certified Police Academy and are certified as police officers, credit toward the major may be accepted in transfer as follows: *
TRACK II "A": For students who have graduated and attained between the minimum required 600 hours up to 800 hours of training from a POST certified Police Academy and are certified as police officers, credit toward the major may be accepted as follows:
Receive Credit For 12 Core Hours:
CRJS 133 Intro to Criminal Justice
CRJS 213 Policing Institutions
CRJS 473 Internship
And The Following Upper Division Elective:
CRJS 423 Criminal Law & Procedure
Receive General Education 4 Hours Credit:
Physical Training
Total Credit Received equals 16 hours.
TRACK II “A” Core Curriculum 600 to 800 Hours of Academy Training *
CRJS 223 Correctional Institutions
CRJS 313 Criminology
CRJS 343 Criminal Courts, Probation and Parole
CRJS 433 Evidence
CRPO 453 Constitutional Law
CRJS 463 Organization and Administration
MATH 243 Probability and Statistics
PSSC 373 Research Methods
Electives: 6 Upper Division Hours from Criminal Justice
TRACK II “B”: For students who have graduated and attained 900 Plus Hours of training from a POST certified Police Academy and are certified as police officers, credit toward the major may be accepted as follows:
Receive Credit For 21 Core Hours:
CRJS 133 Intro to Criminal Justice
CRJS 213 Policing Institutions
CRJS 433 Evidence
CRJS 473 Internship
And The Following 3 Upper Division Electives:
CRJS 333 Juvenile Delinquency
CRJS 413 Criminal Justice Seminar - Interpersonal Violence
CRJS 423 Criminal Law & Procedure
Receive General Education 4 Hours Credit:
Physical Training
Total Credit Received equals 25 hours.
TRACK II “B” Core Curriculum 900 plus Hours of Academy Training *
CRJS 223 Correctional Institutions
CRJS 313 Criminology
CRJS 343 Criminal Courts, Probation and Parole
CRPO 453 Constitutional Law
CRJS 463 Organization and Administration
MATH 243 Probability and Statistics
PSSC 373 Research Methods
* Documented training and/or credit for prior learning may also be considered to determine the award of advanced credit hours. The awards will be granted only after a student has completed 6 hours of coursework at Missouri Baptist University, 3 of which must be within Criminal Justice. Review the “Advanced Standing Process” noted in the current catalog to petition for prior learning credit.
POST Certified Law Enforcement Academy training less than 600 hours will be reviewed on a case- by- case basis.
Course Descriptions
Course Descriptions
CRJS 133 INTRODUCTION TO ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE
This is a survey of the American justice system with particular emphasis on the interrelationship of the courts, correctional institutions, juvenile delinquency operations, law enforcement, probation/parole, and academic components and their importance in our society.
Three Hours, Fall
CRJS 213 POLICING INSTITUTIONS
The philosophy, structures, roles, and functions of police in American society are examined. The historical development of the police, role of the police in the criminal justice systems, functions and effectiveness of the police, the relationship of the police to the communities they serve, and other contemporary aspects of police activities are evaluated.
Three Hours, Spring
CRJS 223 CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTIONS
This study of prisons and other correctional institutions examines the history, development, philosophy, practices, and the organization of penal systems, and reviews the impact of confining adult offenders in prisons, jails, and detention centers.
Three Hours, Fall
CRJS 233 CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION
A survey of methods of crime detection including the fundamentals of identification and preservation of evidence, search and recording techniques, sources of information, interviews, and interrogation. Prerequisite(s): ADOJ 133 or consent of instructor.
Three Hours, Fall, Even Years
CRJS 313 CRIMINOLOGY
An analysis of the major sociological theories of criminal behaviors and social control, which are applied in explanation of crime and the legal sanctions which result from society’s response to crime.
Three Hours, Spring
CRJS 333 JUVENILE DELINQUENCY AND THE JUSTICE SYSTEM
An analysis of the extent and nature of juvenile delinquency to include the personal and social factors related to the development of delinquent habits within American society. An evaluation of the juvenile codes and their implications for services within the juvenile justice systems. A review of the decision-making process of the police, court, probation and correction officials.
Three Hours, Fall, Odd
CRJS 343 CRIMINAL COURTS, PROBATION AND PAROLE
An examination of jurisdiction, policies, and procedures of courts in the administration of criminal justice. An analysis of the development, administration and organization of probation, parole, pardon, and other types of community based alternatives to incarceration. Problems of supervision of clients, maintaining relations with the public and other criminal justice agencies, and evaluating the effectiveness of the program.
Three Hours, Fall
CRJS 413 ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE SEMINAR
A seminar course that focuses on an in-depth analysis of one or more issues related to the field of administration of justice. May be repeated for credit on different topics.
Three Hours, On Demand
CRJS 423 CRIMINAL LAW AND PROCEDURE
An examination of the substance of criminal law and the operational procedures mandated by law in arrest, search, and seizure. The nature of evidence, proof, and admissibility are studied.
Three Hours, Spring, Even Years
CRJS 433 EVIDENCE
This course is to familiarize students with concepts of evidence and criminal procedure that require more extensive analysis than is addressed in ADOJ 423 Criminal Law and Procedure. It examines such concepts as: Privileged Communications; The Exclusionary Rule; The Hearsay Rule and its exceptions; and Burden of Proof and Presumptions. There is no prerequisite, but completion of ADOJ 423 is strongly recommended.
Three hours, Spring
CRJS 443 READINGS IN ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE
A supervised reading and/or independent research project on various aspects of the administration of justice. May be taken once for credit.
Three Hours, On Demand
CRJS 463 ORGANIZATION AND ADMINISTRATION
A study of the basic principles of organization, supervision, and techniques of administration within law enforcement and related areas.
Three Hours, Spring
CRJS 473 INTERNSHIP IN ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE
This course will provide a supervised experience in a variety of criminal justice settings under faculty supervision, exposing students to real world experience. Thirty hours of work required per credit hour earned. Prerequisite(s): Sophomore standing or better. Variable credit; may be taken twice in two different field settings, not to exceed a total of six hours.
Three hours, Fall and Spring
CRPO 303 FOUNDATIONS OF LAW
This course is designed to familiarize students with legal ideas and legal reasoning. It provides comparative, historical, and Biblical perspectives on law that will help explain legal diversity and legal change. It offers opportunities to explore some of the persistent issues in law and legal theory, such as the sources of law, the responsibilities of the legal profession, and the relative merits of the adversary system.
Three Hours, Spring, Even Years
CRPO 453 CONSTITUTIONAL LAW
A study of leading constitutional principles of the United States, providing an overview of the constitution with emphasis on the amendments dealing with the rights of the accused and provisions for due process.
Three Hours, Fall
