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School of Arts & Sciences

Criminal Justice - Law Enforcement and Corrections

Students who plan to major in Criminal Justice are strongly encouraged to have completed all of their general education requirements prior to the start of their Junior year. The Criminal Justice Program is sequenced on an annual rotation, and the core subjects should be taken prior to elective and other upper division coursework. A major in Criminal Justice requires 45 hours of coursework in the field. A minor in Criminal Justice requires 24 hours of coursework in the field.

There are 3 degree options within the Criminal Justice program. The Law Enforcement track is designed for those students who plan to pursue a career in policing, highway patrol service and other state and federal agencies that are charged with enforcing laws. The Corrections track is designed for those students who plan to pursue a career in community based or institutional corrections, either at the local, state or federal levels.

Contact:

Kirk Rogers
Instructor of Criminal Justice
Department of Social Sciences
Jesse Dunn 302C
Northwestern-Alva
(580) 327-8516
kwrogers@nwosu.edu

Internships

The Social Sciences Department offers internships to students who are majoring in Criminal Justice, Sociology or Political Science. The Internship program is designed to introduce junior or senior level students to the policies and procedures that are used in the various governmental agencies or the non-profit community. Both public and private sector agencies are appropriate locations for internships.

Students are expected to identify an agency that could provide them with prospective positions post graduation. The internship program is only available for students who have completed at least 12 hours of upper division coursework in their major area of study. The internship should be viewed as the stepping stone to post graduation employment.

Departmental Alumni who performed internships have gone onto excellent careers in government agencies and the private, non-profit sector. Students who believe that graduate school or law school are in their future, are also urged to pursue an internship in order to solidify their goals post graduate work completion. 

Internship Application Form

Internship Syllabus

Student Learning Outcomes

Criminal Justice Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs) along with Curriculum Maps for each program.

Criminal Justice/Criminal Justice graduates should be able to do the following:
SLO #1 Content Area Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

  • Outline various structures and processes within the American Justice System.
  • Identify and discuss the rules, laws, procedures, and policies which are the basis of the American Justice System.
  • Identify and describe various criminological theories and theoretical applications.
  • Identify and describe major types of crime in the United States.
  • Identify the basic terms, concepts, and techniques used in criminal justice research.

SLO #2 Critical Thinking Skills

  • Compare and contrast major theoretical explanations for criminal behavior.
  • Evaluate and critically assess criminal justice research.
  • Compare and contrast major sources of crime data.
  • Assess the strengths and weaknesses of the criminal justice system.
  • Analyze the various U.S. Supreme Court decisions that impact personal freedoms and the criminal justice system.
  • Critique the advantages and disadvantages of criminal justice normative standards of practice.

SLO #3 Communication Skills

  • Create written papers based on relevant criminal justice theory and published research.
  • Discuss contemporary and historical issues related to crime and justice issues.
  • Demonstrate competency in using APA documentation style.
  • Effectively communicate criminal justice research to inform public policy.

SLO #4 Ethics and Leadership Abilities

  • Analyze and evaluate ethical issues which face Criminal Justice professionals.
  • Analyze and evaluate ethical issues which confront the American Justice System.
  • Demonstrate professional leadership in group contexts.

Assessment Plan for Criminal Justice

SLOS METHODOLOGIES MEASURE OF SUCCESS
SLO #1 - Student will demonstrate content area knowledge, skills, and abilities CJ 4603 Final Exam 75% of students will score at or above 75% of total possible points (100).
SLO #2 - Student will demonstrate critical thinking skills. CJ 4603 Final Exam 75% of students will score at or above 75% of total possible points (100).
SLO #3 - Student will demonstrate quality communication skills in both written and verbal form. CJ 4603 Final Exam 75% of students will score at or above 75% of total possible points (100).
SLO #4 - Student will demonstrate ethical decision-making and professional leadership CJ 4603 Final Exam 75% of students will score at or above 75% of total possible points (100).
     
     
     
     

 

Careers for Degree

Criminal Justice/Law Enforcement and Corrections Careers include:

Police Officer, Highway Patrol Officer, FBI, Secret Service, DEA, Border Patrol, Game Ranger, Park Ranger, Private Security, ATF, OSBI, Narcotics Investigator, Forensic Scientist, Criminal Profiler, Juvenile Affairs Case Worker, Correctional Officer, Corrections Administration, Correctional Case Manager, Gang Liason Officer, Criminologist, Policy Researcher and Analyst, Probation and Parole Officer... and many more.

Corrections Professional Micro-Credential

Are you interested in increasing your knowledge base
and professional potential in the corrections field? 

Corrections Professional Micro-Credential 

This nine-hour online program provides a solid grounding in knowledge and skills essential for entry-level correctional officers. Coursework offers an introduction to the corrections field, an exploration of underlying social issues and problems associated with criminal behavior, and foundational knowledge related to the corrections system and environment. Courses are taught by faculty in the highly respected criminal justice program at Northwestern Oklahoma State University.

The Curriculum 

The program is designed to be completed in 2-3 semesters, with summer courses available.

CJUS 2113 Intro to Corrections   

SOC 2123 Social Problems & Issues


CJUS 1223 Criminal Law  
OR  
CJUS 3333 Organization of Criminal Justice Systems  
OR 
CJUS 4403 Probation, Parole and Community Treatment

Scholarships 

A limited number of scholarships, funded through the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education Workforce Micro-credentials and Rapid Re-employment Initiative grant program, are available to eligible students.

Getting Started 

  1. Complete and save to your computer the interest form found at www.nwosu.edu//uploads//academics/social-sciences/corrections-professional-micro-credential-app.pdf . You will attach this form under “Please provide any additional documentation” on your application below.
  2. Complete the Northwestern application for admission at https://www.nwosu.edu/apply-online. You will be prompted to create an account as a first step.
  3. On the application form, select “No Degree Plans” under “Immediate Educational Goal at Northwestern.”
  4. You will be contacted by a Northwestern representative to complete the enrollment process. 

Information 

If you are interested in learning more, contact Dr. James Bell, Vice President for Academic Affairs (jlbell@nwosu.edu, (580) 327-8406).  

 

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Phone: (580) 327-1700

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