CRIMINAL JUSTICE (ONLINE)

C. Wayne Johnston, PhD
Associate Professor of Criminology
Coordinator of the Criminal Justice On-line (CCJO) degree.
Dr. Johnston was a police officer and police investigator for 15 years. He received his Master degree in Justice Studies and his Doctorate degree in Public Administration from Arizona State University. His research interest include public/police policy, Justice Administration, and discretion in the Criminal Justice System. He has published several articles and helped develop the On-line Completion Degree for the University of Texas of the Permian Basin.

The degree is administered by the Department of Behavioral Science within the College of Arts and Sciences.

UTPB’s undergraduate Criminology program is participating in an online consortium with The University of Texas campuses at Arlington (UTA), Brownsville (UTB). On occasion, other UT Campuses offer courses through the consortium as well. Through the consortium, it is possible for a student to earn a B.S. in Criminal Justice, entirely online, from UTA, UTB, or UTPB. With the approval of their academic advisors, UTPB students other than CCJO majors may register for criminal justice online courses (See Course Listing below).

The online B.S. degree in criminal justice offered by UTPB consists of 66 hours of required coursework which are intended to provide the student with an in-depth exposure to the American criminal justice system. There are 20 courses (60 hours) that a student must complete and a list of electives from which a student must select two courses (six hours). The 44 hours of general education combined with the 66 hours of CCJO coursework equals 110 hours; ten hours short of the required 120 hrs to graduate. Students are then required to enroll and pass 10 hours outside those courses listed. This allows flexibility for the advisor, other courses more specifically designed to meet the needs of the student. Students wishing to pursue this degree should contact Dr. Johnston, the Coordinator of the program.

General Education Requirements
Students must complete the requirements shown in the General Education Requirements section on Pages 51-52 of this catalog.

Computer Use
All CCJO graduates will have demonstrated their computer proficiency by virtue of the fact that all courses in this program are delivered online.

Criminal Justice Online (CCJO) Minor Requirements
A minor in CCJO consists of 18 hours of CCJO coursework (to include CCJO 2310), of which 12 must be at the upper-level. Criminology majors may not minor in CCJO.

Sample Degree Plan

Course Listing

* Note: For each course to be delivered by UTPB, the semesters during which the course will be offered appear after the course description. For the current schedules for courses to be offered by the other participating universities, go to http://www.telecampus.utsystem.edu/programs/criminal/criminal.html and click on Degree Plan and Course Schedule.

CCJO 2310 Introduction to the Criminal Justice System (UTA) (3)
An overview of the entire criminal justice system; history and development, law enforcement, prosecution and defense, courts and trial processes, and corrections. This course must be completed within the first 12 hours of study.

CCJO 3312 Criminal Justice Administration (UTPB) (3)
Administrative problems and their solutions in correctional and law enforcement programs. S

CCJO 3320 Research Methods (UTA) (3)
This course introduces students to the research methodology used in criminal justice research. Emphasis is on the development of a general understanding of why and how research can be and is conducted in the field of criminology and criminal justice. Other dimensions of research are discussed including the nature of scientific thought, the link between research methods and criminological theory, and the various ethical issues concerning research in the field of criminology.

CCJO 3322 Legal Aspects of Evidence (UTB) (3)
Critically examines the legal controls on police officers, with special attention to current court decisions related to such issues as arrest, search and seizure, confessions, wiretapping and eavesdropping, right to counsel, and self-incrimination. Focuses on issues relating to elements of proof for major criminal offenses. Presents an understanding of the concepts of reasonable suspicion and probable cause which direct and control police responses to crime situations.

CCJO 3324 Genetics (UT-El Paso) (3)
The course will provide information in genetics at an introductory level while incorporating enough comprehensive information to meet the needs of more advanced students. Genetics is the first analytical biology course for most students, thus students will learn the theory behind the analytical techniques. Students will also learn modern molecular analysis techniques as applied to elucidating concepts of classical genetics, compare mechanisms of sex chromosome and auto some regulation in humans and other organisms, and compare DNA sequences for specific highly conserved genes that are present at different levels of evolution. The study of genetics mechanisms in DNA expression is important in the field of Forensic Science, as well as others. Prerequisite: General Biology or its equivalent.

CCJO 3326 Legal Aspects of Corrections (UTB) (3)
Legal problems and principles from conviction to release, including consideration of convictions, imprisonment, sentencing, conditional release, post conviction procedures, prisoners' rights, probationers' rights, and validity of conviction.

CCJO 3332 Juvenile Delinquency and Justice (UTPB) (3)
A study of the juvenile justice system, theories of causation, the distribution and frequency of delinquency, correctional treatment, and prevention programs in modern society. S

CCJO 3370 Ethnic and Gender Issues in Criminal Justice (UTA) (3)
An overview of ethnic and gender issues focusing on victims, offenders, and professionals in the criminal justice system.

CCJO 4300 Forensic DNA Analysis (UT- El Paso) (3)
DNA analysis has its roots in classical genetics and molecular biology and has become an essential part of our everyday lives. From identifying missing persons to solving crimes, the ability to identify specific genes has afforded us with great power. When used in a court of law, the specificity of the evidence is remarkable, yet, how can judges and juries hope to understand the complexities of the techniques and the information revealed? The Federal Justice Department, the FBI, the National Research Council, the Departments of Public Safety in all states train their private employees in these techniques and analytical methods. They require their employees to take courses at universities in order to attain in-depth understanding and continuing education.

Major points in this course include:

1. use of DNA analysis in law and medicine; TWGDAM guidelines;
2. scientific analytical techniques used to identify specific genes and mutations in individuals;
3. validity of DNA data for use in law or medicine; and
4. statistical interpretation of DNA typing results.

CCJO 4316 Theories of Criminal Behavior (UTPB) (3)
Principal theories of criminality and the application of these theories to research and corrections. F

CCJO 4330 American Judicial Systems (UTA) (3)
Federal, state, and local judicial systems, with special emphasis on state trial courts having criminal jurisdiction. Court structure and function, court management, and judicial behavior.

CCJO 4336 Comparative Justice Systems (UTA) (3)
An overview of criminal justice systems in other countries. Includes an intensive study and analysis of materials on their law enforcement, judicial, and corrections components; review of comparative studies on a variety of criminal justice topics.

CCJO 4338 Senior Seminar in Criminal Justice (UTB) (3)
Provides a capstone course for criminal justice students nearing the completion of the baccalaureate degree (over 100 SCH). This course is designed to explore current criminal justice policy issues and integrate material learned in the criminal justice curriculum, transcending the parochial view of the crime phenomenon from an agency perspective (police, courts, juvenile justice, and corrections). This course allows the student to explore topical criminal justice policy issues as they effect each agency, from the micro to the macro perspectives and to assess the intended and unintended consequences of criminal justice policies throughout the system and society. This course will be taken near the end of the student’s course of study.

CCJO 4350 Institutional Corrections (UTA) (3)
Examination and evaluation practices, issues and trends in institutional corrections. Emphasis is on administration, organization, and effectiveness of incarceration.

CCJO 4352 Criminal Careers and Behavior Systems (UTA) (3)
Study and analysis of criminal syndicates, corporate crime, criminal corporations, organized crime, and transnational criminal operations.

CCJO 4354 Ethics in Criminal Justice (UTPB) (3)
An examination of major ethical issues confronted by persons who work in the criminal justice system. Important appellate court decisions pertaining to those issues will also be reviewed. F

CCJO 4356 Probation and Parole (UTPB) (3)
History, philosophy and development of adult and juvenile probation and parole in the United States. F

CCJO 4358 Principles of Law Enforcement Supervision (UTB) (3)
Examines the principles involved in law enforcement supervision; principles of leadership; psychology involved in handling grievances and in building morale; duties and responsibilities of command level personnel; law enforcement budgeting procedures, supervisory problems and responsibilities relating to discipline; and internal affairs investigations.

CCJO 4360 Correctional Casework and Counseling (UTB) (3)
Examines the role and techniques of casework in corrections with emphasis on integrating casework and counseling responsibilities and procedures. The course includes examining of therapy techniques and process in various correctional settings and studying of service delivery programs tailored to the specific needs of correctional clients.

CCJO 4362 Seminar of Issues in Law Enforcement (UTB) (3)
Analyzes and discusses contemporary issues in policing with particular attention to current developments, service delivery, and the changing police role; integration established scientific knowledge with practical police experience in various areas of policing.

CCJO 4364 Police and the Community (UTPB) (3)
This course introduces students to the broad field of police-community relations, focusing on law enforcement and community response. Also emphasized are the origin, implementation, and evaluation of community policing. S

CCJO 4366 Gangs (UTB) (3)
Gives advanced undergraduate students the academic flexibility and opportunity to study contemporary issues in crime and criminal justice.

CCJO 4372 Drugs and Behavior (UTPB) (3)
This course explores the origins, categories and treatments of mental, emotional and behavioral disorders ranging from relatively mild stress and anxiety disorders to the more severe schizophrenias and organic mental disorders. S, F

CCJO 4395 Toxicology (UT-El Paso) (3)
BIOL 4395 Toxicology
Toxicology is the study of the harmful interactions between foreign and biological systems. Exposures occur from contaminants in our food, in our environment, and in our homes. Toxicology also covers interactions with medications and has significant genetic development concerns. The basic rules of Toxicology are directly applicable in Forensic Science. Prerequisites: General Biology or its equivalent.