Department of Criminal Justice

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Mission:

The mission of the new Criminal Justice Program is focused on providing educational opportunities at the bachelor level for a diverse student population of Maryland citizens and the global community. The program provides students with access and research opportunities related to law, forensic science, social justice, community advocacy, and more; it gives the community servant leaders, who are socially, politically, and globally conscious practitioners and problem solvers. We are committed to course offerings that enhance opportunities for the intellectual, personal, and professional development of the underserved segment of the population in the state.

Goals: 

The general departmental undergraduate goals are the following:

1. To offer an undergraduate experience in Criminal Justice that enables students to acquire skills that enhance their employability in related occupations;
2. To provide an undergraduate experience that enables students to fully prepare for graduate training;
3. To provide directions, support, and stimulation to majors; and
4. To provide relevant service courses/programs to the University community

Objectives:

The Criminal Justice Department’s objectives are as follows:

1. To prepare students to employ critical thinking, social Justice, and civic responsibility in their decision-making processes as they pursue their careers and encounter life situations.

2. To provide students with a comprehensive understanding of how criminal Justice relates to other social structures and institutions, and how those structures and institutions impact criminal Justice.

3. To provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the structure and operation of the criminal justice system.

4. To promote research and development activities which enhance the body of professional knowledge in the field of criminal Justice.

 5. To provide a rigorous course of study that will prepare students to work successfully with agencies (police, courts, corrections, and homeland security) that are designed to administer law, achieve Justice, reduce crime, and enhance domestic security

6. To assist students in career and future educational pursuits, with networking with the professionals in the criminal justice industry.

7. To promote a partnership among Bowie State University, local governments, federal.

Description of the Department

The Department of Criminal Justice empowers students as leaders, policy makers, program experts and scholars in criminal Justice. Key components of the department  includes, but not limited to; (1) the importance of criminal and civil law in pursuit of social Justice; (2) the role of forensic science in the system (3)the viability and expansion of community based correction programs; (4) the nature, extent, and causation of crime; (5) the philosophy of law and order in a capitalist society; (6) the vital role of the police, courts and corrections in the criminal justice system(7) the interdisciplinary study of society and (8) an understanding of the relationship among theory, methods and statistics.  The department seeks to examine the myriad of social issues and problems confronting the American Criminal Justice System from a critical perspective to prepare students to positively work in the system to impact crime and promote all avenues of Justice.

The Criminal Justice Department provides educational opportunities at the bachelor level for a diverse student population of Maryland citizens and the global community. We are committed to course offerings that enhance opportunities for intellectual, personal and professional development for students matriculating at the university. The department provides students with access and research opportunities related to law, social Justice, community advocacy, forensic science, computer forensic, and restorative justice.

CONCENTRATIONS: 

Forensic Science

Forensic science is the application of basic biological, chemical, and physical science principles and technological practices to the purposes of Justice in the study of criminal and civil issues. The concentration is based upon combining three criminal justice courses with three chemistry courses. This concentration is designed specifically to make the student a more thorough investigator at various crime scenes. Individuals who have knowledge may be employable as crime scene technicians.

Community-based corrections

Community-based correction concentration focuses on correctional procedures, practices, strategies, and personnel regarding probation, parole, juveniles, diversion, re-entry, drug and alcohol programs, and other innovative correctional approaches applied in a community setting. The concentration will present and discuss the philosophy and effectiveness of different types of community -based corrections while keeping in perspective the impact they have on each component of the criminal justice system.

Social Justice

The Social Justice Concentration allows students to develop a field of knowledge and expertise that will enable them to (1) critically examine the values, laws, practices, and policies that constitute social Justice in theory and practice; (2) understand the principles of effective social activism; (3) formulate and evaluate strategies that seek to address issues such as racism, violence, literacy, human rights, gender equity, poverty, hunger, and conservation of the environment

Restorative Justice

Restorative Justice offers a refreshingly different framework for thinking about wrongdoing. It moves beyond the confines of traditional justice systems to embrace social justice principles. Restorative Justice prepares students to become trainers and leaders in developing victim-offender reconciliation and other restorative practices. 

Computer Forensic

The Computer Forensics concentration prepares students majoring in criminal justice with advanced skills and in-depth knowledge for defending and developing secure software systems. Students will gain a critical understanding of the technological needs, threats, and weaknesses in cybersecurity. Courses in this concentration cover topics including network border security, intrusion detection systems, anomaly detection, virtual private networking, penetration testing, and network security architecture.  

Return to: College of Professional Studies