Overview
Overview
Students graduating with an Associate's Degree of Science in Criminal Justice from Holyoke Community College should:
- Think critically about contemporary issues in criminal justice in an increasingly complex, technological, and diverse society.
- Communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
- Develop both quantitative and qualitative skills and abilities to critically analyze crime and criminal justice issues, for policy-making and problem-solving.
- Demonstrate an awareness of issues of diversity, including but not limited to race, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, age, social class, disability, and religious belief.
- Understand the interdisciplinary nature of the field and ethical issues in the American criminal justice system.
Availability:
- Degree
- Online
Courses
A.S. in Criminal Justice
Contact: Alejandro Sanchez, (413) 552-2841, asanchez@hcc.edu
Program Requirements
Total Credits: 26-27Course TitleNumberPre-requisitesCreditsENG 101Click arrow3This course is the first half of the college composition sequence and focuses on expository writing, critical thinking, and research, with emphases on the following: critical reading and interpretation of nonfiction texts; engaging with and analyzing texts; using summary, paraphrase, and quotation; finding, evaluating and documenting sources; and writing with purpose. Students will produce approximately 3000 words of formal written work, including a documented research paper of at least 1250 words. 4 class hours Prerequisite: Appropriate scores on English placement tests or C- or better in ENG 095 or C- or better in ENG 097 and ENG 098, or C- or better in ENG 096 or ENG 099.
ENG 102Prerequisite: ENG 101 with a grade of C- or better3This course is the second half of the first-year composition sequence and focuses on comprehending literary works, thinking critically, and writing analytically. The emphasis is on writing critically about fiction, poetry, and drama. Frequent short essays are assigned, amounting to a total of approximately 3000 words. Prerequisite: ENG 101 with a grade of C- or better
PSY 110Prerequisite: Eligibility for ENG 101.3Introduction to the study and principles of behavior. Topics include general principles of scientific investigation; physiological bases of behavior including sensation, perception, learning, emotion, and motivation; development; individual differences; attitudes; and group dynamics. Prerequisite: Eligibility for ENG 101.
SOC 110Prerequisite: ENG 101 eligible3A scientific examination of human social phenomena. Major topics include interaction, statuses and roles, groups, social institutions, culture, socialization, social control, conforming and deviant behavior, collective behavior, social inequality, demography, social change, urbanism, industrialism and globalization. Prerequisite: ENG 101 eligible
POL 1103An introduction to the structure, functions, and politics of the United States national (federal) government within its historical, constitutional, social, and theoretical context.
POL 1203An introduction to the structure, function, and politics of United States government at the state, county, and municipal levels, emphasizing their roles within the federal system.
SCI XX24Laboratory Science [D] Electives AST 110, AST 116, AST 140, BIO 100, BIO 103, BIO 104, BIO 106, BIO 109, BIO 110, BIO 111, BIO 112, BIO 115, BIO 116, BIO 117, BIO 118, BIO 120, BIO 130, BIO 215, BIO 217, BIO 218, BIO 222, BIO 223, BIO 229, BIO 230, BIO 243, CHM 101, CHM 102, CHM 113, CHM 114, CHM 121, CHM 124, CHM 221, CHM 222, CHM 224, EGR 110, EGR 111, ESC 111, ESC 120, ESC 130, ENV 120, ENV 124, ENV 137, ENV 138, ENV 140, ENV 230, ENV 253, FRS 101, FRS 201, HRT 212, PHS 101, PHS 102, PHS 111, PHS 112, PHS 201, PSC 140, PSY 142, SEM 110, SEM 111, SEM 112, SEM 116, SEM 130, SUS 103, SUS 104, SUS 105
SCI XX14Laboratory Science [D] Electives AST 110, AST 116, AST 140, BIO 100, BIO 103, BIO 104, BIO 106, BIO 109, BIO 110, BIO 111, BIO 112, BIO 115, BIO 116, BIO 117, BIO 118, BIO 120, BIO 130, BIO 215, BIO 217, BIO 218, BIO 222, BIO 223, BIO 229, BIO 230, BIO 243, CHM 101, CHM 102, CHM 113, CHM 114, CHM 121, CHM 124, CHM 221, CHM 222, CHM 224, EGR 110, EGR 111, ESC 111, ESC 120, ESC 130, ENV 120, ENV 124, ENV 137, ENV 138, ENV 140, ENV 230, ENV 253, FRS 101, FRS 201, HRT 212, PHS 101, PHS 102, PHS 111, PHS 112, PHS 201, PSC 140, PSY 142, SEM 110, SEM 111, SEM 112, SEM 116, SEM 130, SUS 103, SUS 104, SUS 105
Program Requirements
Total Credits: 24-25Course TitleNumberPre-requisitesCreditsCRJ 1003Historical and philosophical background and critical evaluation of the criminal justice system. A study of the United States Constitution and its impact on modern criminal justice. The relationship of crime to the police, prosecution, the courts, probation, parole, corrections, and the general functions of each. Exploration of the field of criminal justice and the professional career opportunities in it.
CRJ 1033Introduction to the modern correctional services of local, state, and federal institutions; the present philosophy, theory, and practice of the correctional process as it applies to convicted law violators of all age groups.
CRJ 1053A survey of the administrative, managerial, and functional aspects of contract and proprietary security services. The development, history, education, training, and legal aspects of security are included. Emphasis will be placed on facility and site surveys, risk analysis, internal and external protection, intrusion and access control design, alarm monitoring, computer information protection, and safety and disaster contingency planning.
CRJ 117Prerequisite: SOC 110or PSY 1103Origin and development of crime, the relationship between law and crime, theories of social and psychological factors in criminal and delinquent behavior, current programs for treatment and prevention. Prerequisite: SOC 110or PSY 110
CRJ 112Prerequisite: CRJ 1003This course studies the history and development of criminal law as a form of social control, the evolution of criminal law from civil law, and the relationship between common and statutory criminal law. The criminal process from investigation through indictment, arrest, arraignment, trial, and sentencing will be reviewed. Through analytic case studies, emphasis will be given to substantive aspects of criminal law and current constitutional constraints established by the United States Supreme Court on law enforcement procedures occurring during arrests, searches and seizures, interrogations, electronic surveillances, and other investigative practices. Prerequisite: CRJ 100
CRJ 207Prerequisite: CRJ 1003The study of line operations in law enforcement agencies with emphasis on patrol, traffic, investigation, juvenile, vice, and crime prevention, including reports, communications, and operational field procedures such as tactical units, techniques for handling civil disturbances and demonstrations, labor relations, community relations, and surveillance. The interrelationship of these operations and their role in carrying out the overall functions and responsibilities of law enforcement are emphasized. Prerequisite: CRJ 100
CRJ 210Prerequisites: SOC 110 or PSY 1103A critical examination of issues of diversity, ethics, and human relations as they affect the work of criminal justice practitioners. Emphasis is placed on improving skills as observers, listeners, and communicators through exercises involving resolution of individual and group conflict in a variety of settings. Prerequisites: SOC 110 or PSY 110
CSI 111Prerequisite: Eligibility for ENG 101.4Understand the fundamentals of computer nomenclature, particularly with respect to personal computer hardware and software and the World Wide Web; make use of the Web as a repository of the latest information and an integrated learning tool; develop an in-depth understanding of why computers are essential to the business world and society in general; focus on the computer as a valuable productivity tool, recognizing its position as the backbone of the computer industry and as a stand-alone and networked device; learn strategies for purchasing, installing, and maintaining a personal computer system; and learn to plan a career as a knowledge-worker in the information age. This course will enable students in any major to become computer literate. Students may not receive credit for both CSI 111 and BUS 115 or for both CSI 111 and CSI 101. Prerequisite: Eligibility for ENG 101.
BUS 1153An introductory, hands-on course designed to provide an overview of microcomputer hardware and software currently available and to provide hands-on exposure to internet, e-mail, operating system, word processing spreadsheets, database and graphics applications. Students will not receive credit for CSI 111 and BUS 115. Keyboarding skills preferred, but not required.
Program Electives (Select four) - Three Humanities (C) required for Transfer Compact Requirements or Mass Transfer Block
Total Credits: 12Course TitleNumberPre-requisitesCreditsHUM XX33Humanities [C] Electives ART 101, ART 110, ART 121, ART 122, ART 123, ART 124, ART 131, ART 132, ART 140, ART 141, ART 142, ART 145, ART 147, ART 150, ART 151, ART 222, ART 231, ART 232, ART 235, ART 241, ART 242, ART 250, ART 253, ART 254, ART 255, ART 261, ART 262, ASL 201, ASL 202, ASL 291, ASL 292, COM 107, COM 116, COM 121, COM 122, COM 123, COM 131, COM 141, COM 150, COM 212, EMS 105, EMS 110, EMS 111, EMS 112, EMS 115, EMS 118, EMS 121, EMS 124, EMS 150, EMS 201, EMS 202, EMS 204, EMS 215, EMS 218, EMS 220, EMS 225, EMS 235, EMS 266, DFS 101, DFS 103, DFS 104, DFS 106, DFS 205, ENG 103, ENG 201, ENG 202, ENG 203, ENG 211, ENG 212, ENG 214, ENG 215, ENG 216, ENG 217, ENG 218, ENG 223, ENG 224, ENG 226, ENG 227, ENG 230, ENG 231, ENG 232, ENG 235, ENG 237, ENG 245, ENG 250, FRH 201, FRH 202, FRH 205, FRH 206, FRH 207, GER 205, HIS 101, HIS 102, HIS 103, HIS 104, HIS 105, HIS 107, HIS 109, HIS 111, HIS 112, HIS 121, HIS 130, HIS 150, HIS 220, HIS 250, HIS 260, HON 206, HUM 206, MUS 100, MUS 105, MUS 106, MUS 107, MUS 110, MUS 140, MUS 150, MUS 250, MUS 259, MUS 260, PHI 100, PHI 101, PHI 103, PHI 110, PHI 120, PHI 130, PHI 140, PHI 230, SPA 201, SPA 202, SPA 203, SPA 204, SPA 205, SPA 206, SPA 210, SPA 211, SPA 212, SPA 214, THE 110, THE 124, THE 125, THE 212, THE 213, THE 219, THE 227, THE 235, THE 237
HUM XX23Humanities [C] Electives ART 101, ART 110, ART 121, ART 122, ART 123, ART 124, ART 131, ART 132, ART 140, ART 141, ART 142, ART 145, ART 147, ART 150, ART 151, ART 222, ART 231, ART 232, ART 235, ART 241, ART 242, ART 250, ART 253, ART 254, ART 255, ART 261, ART 262, ASL 201, ASL 202, ASL 291, ASL 292, COM 107, COM 116, COM 121, COM 122, COM 123, COM 131, COM 141, COM 150, COM 212, EMS 105, EMS 110, EMS 111, EMS 112, EMS 115, EMS 118, EMS 121, EMS 124, EMS 150, EMS 201, EMS 202, EMS 204, EMS 215, EMS 218, EMS 220, EMS 225, EMS 235, EMS 266, DFS 101, DFS 103, DFS 104, DFS 106, DFS 205, ENG 103, ENG 201, ENG 202, ENG 203, ENG 211, ENG 212, ENG 214, ENG 215, ENG 216, ENG 217, ENG 218, ENG 223, ENG 224, ENG 226, ENG 227, ENG 230, ENG 231, ENG 232, ENG 235, ENG 237, ENG 245, ENG 250, FRH 201, FRH 202, FRH 205, FRH 206, FRH 207, GER 205, HIS 101, HIS 102, HIS 103, HIS 104, HIS 105, HIS 107, HIS 109, HIS 111, HIS 112, HIS 121, HIS 130, HIS 150, HIS 220, HIS 250, HIS 260, HON 206, HUM 206, MUS 100, MUS 105, MUS 106, MUS 107, MUS 110, MUS 140, MUS 150, MUS 250, MUS 259, MUS 260, PHI 100, PHI 101, PHI 103, PHI 110, PHI 120, PHI 130, PHI 140, PHI 230, SPA 201, SPA 202, SPA 203, SPA 204, SPA 205, SPA 206, SPA 210, SPA 211, SPA 212, SPA 214, THE 110, THE 124, THE 125, THE 212, THE 213, THE 219, THE 227, THE 235, THE 237
HUM XX13Humanities [C] Electives ART 101, ART 110, ART 121, ART 122, ART 123, ART 124, ART 131, ART 132, ART 140, ART 141, ART 142, ART 145, ART 147, ART 150, ART 151, ART 222, ART 231, ART 232, ART 235, ART 241, ART 242, ART 250, ART 253, ART 254, ART 255, ART 261, ART 262, ASL 201, ASL 202, ASL 291, ASL 292, COM 116, COM 121, COM 131, COM 150, EMS 111, EMS 112, EMS 118, EMS 124, EMS 218, EMS 225, DFS 101, DFS 103, DFS 104, DFS 106, DFS 205, ENG 103, ENG 201, ENG 202, ENG 203, ENG 211, ENG 212, ENG 214, ENG 215, ENG 216, ENG 217, ENG 218, ENG 223, ENG 224, ENG 226, ENG 227, ENG 230, ENG 231, ENG 232, ENG 235, ENG 237, ENG 245, ENG 250, FRH 201, FRH 202, FRH 205, FRH 206, FRH 207, GER 205, HIS 101, HIS 102, HIS 103, HIS 104, HIS 105, HIS 107, HIS 109, HIS 111, HIS 112, HIS 121, HIS 130, HIS 150, HIS 220, HIS 250, HIS 260, HON 206, HUM 206, MUS 100, MUS 105, MUS 106, MUS 107, MUS 110, MUS 140, MUS 150, MUS 208, MUS 209, MUS 250, MUS 259, MUS 260, PHI 100, PHI 101, PHI 103, PHI 110, PHI 120, PHI 130, PHI 140, PHI 230, SPA 201, SPA 202, SPA 203, SPA 204, SPA 205, SPA 206, SPA 210, SPA 211, SPA 212, SPA 214, THE 110, THE 124, THE 125, THE 212, THE 213, THE 219, THE 227, THE 235, THE 237
CRJ 102Prerequisites: CRJ 100 and CRJ 1123Examination of the rules of evidence, with emphasis on the best evidence rule, the hearsay rule, the exception to the rule, corpus delicti, opinion, evidence, circumstantial evidence, privileged communications, admissions and confessions, witnesses, courtroom procedure, and testifying in court. Prerequisites: CRJ 100 and CRJ 112
CRJ 110Prerequisite: SOC 110 or PSY 1103Provides an understanding of child abuse and neglect as it involves the criminal justice system and public welfare. Develops skills needed for intervention and follow-up of complaints and in collaborating with other human service systems charged with the responsibility for dealing with child abuse and neglect cases. Prerequisite: SOC 110 or PSY 110
CRJ 200Prerequisites: CRJ 100, CRJ 103, and CRJ 1053This course is designed to make students aware and knowledgeable of current and future issues influencing the criminal justice system. A research based course, Contemporary Issues in Criminal Justice uses global perspective to analyze crucial contemporary issues. Topics such as ethics, diversity, civil liability and terrorism will be researched and studied. This course will emphasize a comprehensive understanding of current issues confronting the police, courts and corrections in America. Prerequisites: CRJ 100, CRJ 103, and CRJ 105
CRJ 205Prerequisites: CRJ 100 and CRJ 1123The Criminal Investigation and Crime Analysis course studies the fundamentals of investigative principles including theories of case investigation, proper crime scene management, collection and preservation of evidence, and the capabilities and limitations of forensic laboratories in analyzing evidentiary items such as serology, trace evidence and drug chemistry. Interview and interrogation strategies, use of informants, and surveillance techniques will also be studied. The emphasis of the course content is to familiarize students with proper investigative methods in relation to specific criminal offenses. Prerequisites: CRJ 100 and CRJ 112
CRJ 208Prerequisites: SOC 110 or PSY 1103Emphasis in this course is on the theories and causation of delinquency as well as treatment and prevention programs available. Students will examine public and private agencies, juvenile justice as a system, and a variety of case studies. Prerequisites: SOC 110 or PSY 110
CRJ 211Prerequisites: CRJ 100 and SOC 110 or PSY 1103Covers the roles of probation and parole officers, including pre-sentence investigation; condition of probation and parole; parole boards; the administrative relationship of probation to community and criminal justice system agencies; and effectiveness, supervision, rehabilitation, recidivism, and aftercare. Prerequisites: CRJ 100 and SOC 110 or PSY 110
CRJ 217Prerequisites: SOC 110 or PSY 1103An examination of the factors which shape the experiences of women as victims, offenders, and criminal justice practitioners. This course will focus on the pathways to crime among female offenders, the nature of victimization among women, and the challenges that women professionals face. Finally, we will focus on the social construction of gender within the justice system and on the intersection of gender, race, class, and crime. Prerequisites: SOC 110 or PSY 110
SEC 261Prerequisite: CRJ 105 or SEC 1053This course will teach students how to secure any network, large or small. The student will learn the realities that network administrators actually face on the front lines, where they are constantly under attack, and don?t always get the support they need from their organization. The course will address many facets of network security, including defining security models, access control, Web/DNS (domain network service)/email security, remote access and VPNs (virtual private networks), wireless LAN/WAN (local area networks and wide area networks), security, day-to-day monitoring and logging, attack response, and more. The student will learn how to systematically identify today?s most widespread security mistakes and vulnerabilities, offering realistic and up-to-date solutions. The student will then integrate these techniques in an end-to-end case study, showing how to redesign an insecure enterprise network for maximum security, one step at a time. Prerequisite: CRJ 105 or SEC 105
SOC 208Prerequisite: PSY 110 or SOC 1103This courses introduces concepts relevant to the diagnosis and treatment of substance abuse, including the disease concept; the effect of alcohol and other drugs on the body; medical complications; the effect of substance abuse problems on the family and others; and special issues related to populations such as adolescents, individuals at risk for suicide, women, the elderly, and individuals with a dual diagnosis. Same as HSV 208. Prerequisite: PSY 110 or SOC 110
HSV 208Prerequisite: PSY 110 or SOC 1103This courses introduces concepts relevant to the diagnosis and treatment of substance abuse, including the disease concept; the effect of alcohol and other drugs on the body; medical complications; the effect of substance abuse problems on the family and others; and special issues related to populations such as adolescents, individuals at risk for suicide, women, the elderly, and individuals with a dual diagnosis. Same as SOC 208. Prerequisite: PSY 110 or SOC 110
PHI 1203Focuses on how to make better philosophical arguments about moral matters and thus how to make more informed decisions in a morally complex world. Discusses some central moral theories (such as natural law, utilitarianism, Kantian moral theory, virtue ethics, and feminist moral theories) which have informed Western philosophy's views on ethical decision-making. May address different philosophical arguments on issues such as abortion, animal rights, and the death penalty.
PSY 240Prerequisites: PSY 1103An introduction to forensic psychology, the interface of psychology and law. The psychological underpinnings of the legal system, as well as the various roles and responsibilities of psychologists within the legal arena, are examined. Topics include insanity, competency, eyewitness identification, jury selection, capital punishment, violence and risk assessment, and child custody. Prerequisites: PSY 110
SOC 213Prerequisite: SOC 1103A sociological examination of urban phenomena around the world with special emphasis upon urban conditions in the United States. Particular attention is given to the urban revolution, the nature of the city, the history of urban developments, spatial and physical aspects of the urban environment, urban social structure, urban social institutions, and urban social problems. Prerequisite: SOC 110
SOC 214Prerequisite: SOC 1103A sociological examination of the nature, causes and consequences of, and potential solutions for, social problems. Attention will be focused on problems of deviant behavior, structural problems, problems of inequality, institutional problems, and global survival problems. Prerequisite: SOC 110
SOC 220Prerequisite: SOC 1103The relationships among different racial and ethnic groups and the dominant culture in the United States from a socio-historical perspective. Particular attention will be given to such concepts as dominant-minority group relations, racism, discrimination, ethnicity, immigration, assimilation, and pluralism. Some of the groups analyzed are African-Americans, Hispanic-Americans, Jewish-Americans, Asian-Americans, and Native Americans. Prerequisite: SOC 110
SSN 104Prerequisite: English 101 eligible3This course offers students an opportunity to study and engage in Community Service Learning structured around a specific topic or theme that may change each time the course is offered. Students will begin by exploring such important questions as, what is Community Service Learning? How does Community Service Learning work as a pedagogy? What defines a Community? How is it created? How is it sustained? What is power? What is democracy? What are effective strategies of engagement in the community? In addition, students will intensively study the specific topics selected (e.g. homeless) and then design and implement a community service learning project based on what they have learned. The semester will culminate with students reflecting upon the evolution of their work and reporting on that evolution in written and/or oral format. Prerequisite: English 101 eligible
SSN 280Click arrow3Expansion of classroom knowledge in social sciences through supervised field experience. Fifteen to twenty hours per week of work experience, plus weekly, 50-minute seminars to discuss field work. Prerequisites: Economics and Government: 2 courses in the field; Psychology and Sociology: 2 courses in the field or in the two fields; Criminal Justice: CRJ 100, CRJ 111, SOC 110, and PSY 110
NOTES:
Department of Higher Education guidelines authorized by Section 18L of Chapter 41 in the Massachusetts General Laws DO NOT allow academic credit to be granted for:
- LIfe experience or military, police or other training; or
- Academic credit for knowledge-based testing (CLEP, DANTES, etc) to exceed 6 credits; or
- Tech-Prep credit.
Students selecting this major are advised that employers in Criminal Justice and related fields conduct CORI and SORI checks pursuant to Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 6, Sections 172-178 and regulations promulgated to such statues.
This program qualifies for MassTransfer, which guarantees credit transfer to Massachusetts state colleges universities. MassTransfer also will grant students automatic acceptance to certain state colleges and universities by achieving the minimum grade point average and the HCC degree.
Depending on course selection 80% of this program can be completed online.
Holyoke Community College
303 Homestead Ave. Holyoke, MA 01040
(413) 538-7000
