Criminal Justice Flex (BS)
Bachelor of Science Degree
The Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice provides dynamic and intensive instruction in all aspects of the criminal justice system. The program expands upon the students’ core knowledge and skills attained by education and/or professional experience in the field.
The professional studies B.S. program exposes students to more rigorous study of criminal justice topics like Case Studies in Criminal Forensics, Domestic & Family Law Issues, Integration of Criminal Law & Criminal Procedure, and Contemporary Issues in Corrections. Students will also focus on Digital Forensics or more traditional criminal justice topics throughout the program.
Students are exposed to various specialized disciplines in criminal justice such as domestic terrorism, ethics, corporate and private security, and administrative issues. Students will also study police operations, including, report writing, use of force issues, critical incident tactics, and advanced investigation techniques.
Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice students will utilize the skills and knowledge acquired in each quarter to participate in a challenging multi-session Criminal Justice Senior Capstone in their final quarter. The Criminal Justice Senior Capstone Project is a real-time investigative assignment beginning with a mock crime event and involves gathering information from victims and/or witnesses, processing the crime scene, and culminates with drafting a comprehensive report and evidence portfolio that will be presented to a panel of faculty and law enforcement professionals. Students utilize Folio to develop a digital portfolio that can be used when applying for employment and demonstrating skills acquired during the program.
Students will have the option to participate in a Criminal Justice Senior Internship/Co-op experience where they will work with criminal justice professionals in the community. During this Senior Internship/Co-op experience, students will have opportunities to apply classroom training to real life situations in various police departments, courts, correctional facilities, and investigative agencies.
The CJBX (Flex) program allows active criminal justice professionals an ability to take courses on their terms and at their own pace. Portfolio Review credit is awarded based on their time and experience at their agency. An articulation process review was completed during 2019 and the RI Municipal Police Academy curriculum was reviewed to allow for credit to be awarded as part of the CJBX program. Several trainings have been reviewed and approved for credit in the CJBX program. This allows students to complete their degree in an accelerated time period.
Graduates of this program will be qualified to seek employment or promotion in a number of challenging Criminal Justice professions, such as police officer, state trooper, correctional officer, court officer, criminal justice counselor, federal law enforcement officer, private security officer, crime scene investigator, corporate loss prevention, and insurance claims investigator. (Please note: a criminal record may affect a graduate’s ability to qualify for some law enforcement positions.)
| Term I | Quarter Credit Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| CJ 371 | Evidence and the Law | 4 |
| CJ 372 | Case Studies in Criminal Forensics | 4 |
| CJ 374 | Domestic and Family Law Issues | 3 |
| EN 322 | Argumentative Research Writing | 4 |
| Quarter Credit Hours | 15 | |
| Term II | ||
| CJ 380 | Criminal Justice and the Media | 4 |
| CJ 382 | Integration of Criminal Law and Criminal Procedure | 3 |
| CJ 384 | Contemporary Issues in Corrections | 3 |
| Elective | 300-400 Level Social Sciences Core | 4 |
| Elective | 300-400 level Math/Science Core | 4 |
| Quarter Credit Hours | 18 | |
| Term III | ||
| CJ 393 | Advanced Reporting Writing Skills | 4 |
| CJ 394 | Issues of Diversity in Criminal Justice | 3 |
| CJ 400 | Ethics and the Criminal Justice Professional | 3 |
| Elective | 300-400 Level Humanities | 4 |
| Quarter Credit Hours | 14 | |
| Term IV | ||
| CJ 402 | Use of Force and the Consequences | 4 |
| CJ 404 | Digital Forensics Investigations and Applications | 4 |
| CJ 410 | Advanced Techniques in Criminal Forensics | 4 |
| Elective | 300-400 level Math/Science Core | 4 |
| Quarter Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Term V | ||
| CJ 412 | Critical Incident Response and Tactics | 3 |
| CJ 414 | Corporate and Private Security | 3 |
| CJ 418 | Capstone Investigation and Preparation | 2 |
| CJ 419 | From the Street to the Courtroom | 4 |
| Elective | 300-400 Level Communications Core | 4 |
| Quarter Credit Hours | 16 | |
| Term VI | ||
| CJ 420 | Criminal Justice Administration Issues | 3 |
| CJ 421 | Women and Crime | 4 |
| CJ 424 | Senior Capstone | 3 |
| CJ 430 | Career Preparation for the Criminal Justice Professional | 2 |
| Elective | 300-400 Level Humanities, Social Sciences, or 200-Level Foreign Language Core | 4 |
| Choose one of the following: | 3-4 | |
| Senior Internship | ||
| Human Resource Management | ||
| Negotiation | ||
| Quarter Credit Hours | 19-20 | |
| Total Quarter Credit Hours | 98-99 | |
Technical Electives
| Course | Title | Quarter Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| CJ 450 | Practicum I | 8 |
| CJ 451 | Practicum II | 8 |
CJ 450 and CJ 451 may each be taken in lieu of any two technical courses as determined by the department chair.
Legend
C = Number of lecture hours per week
L = Number of laboratory hours per week
T = Total Quarter Credit Hours where each lecture hour per week is one credit, every 2-4 laboratory hours are one credit depending on the expected amount of pre- or post-lab work.
All bachelor’s degree students are required to take 28 credits of liberal arts and math/science courses as selected from the liberal arts core. See the course descriptions section of this catalog for a list of the core area courses.
Subject to change.
Program Mission:
The mission of the Criminal Justice Bachelor Program is to provide instruction to current and future criminal justice professionals by emphasizing the role of critical thinking and decision making as they examine relevant topics and theories. Through a combination of theory and participation in practical skills exercises, as well as an optional internship/Co-op experience, the Bachelor program provides instruction related to society’s efforts to uphold social control, deter crime, and deal with offenders using criminal and civil penalties, as well as rehabilitation programs. Students will enhance and sharpen the analytical and investigative skills learned in the field and/or at the Associate level, by reviewing, evaluating, and applying proper techniques in more complex crime scenes and scenarios. These learned skills will prepare students for a Capstone case where they will encounter a challenging mock crime scene event in several segments designed to showcase the practical, oral, and written communication skills they have acquired.
Program Goals:
- Provide an environment that will instill a sense of pride, skill, professionalism and a higher level of critical thinking and communication that students can transition to a criminal justice organization.
- Allow students to acquire the necessary practical skills that are required to effectively seek employment in a public or private criminal justice agency through the use of contemporary equipment and methods utilized by professionals in the field.
- Expose students to discussions involving topics such as ethics, diversity, and administrative challenges in an effort to broaden their understanding of the future of their profession and help prepare them for advancement in their chosen field of employment.
Program Outcomes:
Graduates will be able to:
- Assess the relevancy and use of various advanced forensic investigation processes and their impact on criminal and civil cases.
- Assess and employ analytical and report writing skills through use of software used in the profession.
- Expand individual insights by studying points of view that differ from their own and that may differ from the view most dominant in their culture and recognize that there is relevance in the viewpoints of other cultures and peoples.
- Design a project based in the field of corrections that examines criminal justice philosophies and community issues in order to have effective implementation.
- Analyze and apply legal decisions, particularly those pertaining to the United States Constitution, that are applicable to current trends in criminal justice.
- Research and critique operational policies relevant to the criminal justice profession identifying areas in need of revision and make recommendations for improvement.
- Challenge the student to investigate and assess a demanding mock crime scene in several segments and make real time decisions that may impact on the outcome of their investigation, and complete a comprehensive report and presentation to a panel of criminal justice professionals.
Questions & Answers
1. For whom is this program designed?
The New England Tech Criminal Justice bachelor’s degree program is specially designed to meet the needs of working professionals in the fields of law enforcement, security, corrections, and other public safety services. Candidates with no professional experience or prior education in the field may want to consider the university’s associate or bachelor’s degree programs in Criminal Justice.
2. Can I enroll if I’m not working in the field?
Candidates with an associate degree in criminal justice, related college credits, or relevant professional experience who would like to work towards their bachelor’s degree while seeking work in the field may be considered for this program. Otherwise, for someone outside the field looking to start on a path to a career in criminal justice, the New England Tech Criminal Justice AS and BS programs may be a better fit. Your Admissions Officer can help you find the right fit for your personal situation.
3. What will my course schedule be like?
You will have the opportunity to choose courses that are online, blended (partly online, but with some class meetings), or on-campus. You can mix them up any way you like, to create a schedule that works for you and fits into your personal and professional life. Should you elect to take any fully on-campus courses, most day classes meet one day per week, beginning in the early morning (7:45 am), late morning (usually 11:25 am), or mid-afternoon. Most evening classes will meet at 5:45 pm on one night per week. Your class starting time will be confirmed on registration day.
4. How do online courses work?
Online courses at New England Tech are crafted by a faculty-led team of criminal justice, learning, and technology experts to be interesting, relevant and engaging, and to have real impact on students in their lives and on their careers. They are not self-paced courses – you will have coursework to do every week and it is important to keep up. But you will be learning as part of a connected community that provides support, challenges your thinking, and reminds you that you are not alone. Instructors are present in the course, and work with students to help them be successful. See Online Learning at NEIT for more information about online courses in Criminal Justice.
5. I’m not so sure about online courses. Do I need to be a techie to take one?
You will need basic familiarity with your computer, for example: emailing, using the Web, and downloading and attaching documents. No special equipment is required – just a modern Windows or Mac computer, an office suite such as Microsoft Office, and a broadband internet connection. New England Tech online courses are designed to help acclimate you to the technology and build your skills and your confidence as you go. We provide 24x7 support via phone, email or chat to help you with computer or online system issues. Tablet computers can be useful for doing course readings, watching course videos, and catching up on course discussions. But a tablet will not be sufficient for doing all your course work – be sure you have regular access to a laptop or desktop computer.
6. What are the hardware and software requirements for the program?
| Type | Recommended Minimum |
|---|---|
| Operating System | Windows 10 or Macintosh OS X (10.14) |
| Processor | 2+ GHz |
| Memory | 4GB |
| Plug-ins | Adobe PDF Reader, Flash Adobe PDF Reader, Flash and others as required by specific courses |
| Players | QuickTime, Java Player, Java |
| Browser | Chrome, IE, Safari, Edge, Firefox (all latest versions) |
| Display | 1024x768 |
| Software | Office 365 (2016) |
| Internet Connection | FiOS/DSL/CABLE DSL/CABLE |
| Email Account | New England Tech student email account |
| Sound Card | Required |
Other (some programs):
• A webcam (the one built into your laptop or iPad should be fine)
• A microphone (built into the computer or headset is handy)
• A digital camera (the one on a smart phone is fine)
Online students must be capable of installing and maintaining their own computer’s hardware and software. New England Tech does not assist students with the setup of their computers. Information about obtaining the software (if any) will be made available to you at the start of each course. Note: Tablets and smartphones can be convenient for reading course materials and email but will not be sufficient for doing all of your course work.
7. What is a blended course?
Blended (also called hybrid) courses combine the convenience of online course delivery with occasional in-class meetings, usually 2 to 5 meetings during a ten-week course. The in-class sessions are often necessary for hands-on work, lab experiences, debriefings, and other activities that require a face-to-face setting. Blended courses also offer valuable opportunities for building community, networking, and getting face time with your instructors.
8. Where do classes meet?
For those courses that are not fully online, class meetings could take place at any of NEIT’s campuses in Warwick or East Greenwich. Most Criminal Justice course meetings will be held at the New England Tech Criminal Justice center on our Warwick campus on Access Road (the one you can see from I-95, where the wind turbine is located). In addition, certain classes may require visits to Rhode Island courts and/or correctional facilities.
9. What transfer credits will New England Tech accept?
NEIT can award credit for professional experience. Every case is different, and you will have to speak with an Admissions Officer or the Department Chair about your specific situation. Credits can be granted for Police Academy and BCI school, ACE/DANTES credits, CPR, CLEP, college transfer credit, and work experience. Transfer credit for appropriate courses taken at an accredited institution will be considered upon receipt of an official transcript for any program, biology, science, and mathematics courses in which the student has earned a "C" or above within the past three years and for English or humanities courses in which the student has earned a "C" or above within the last ten years. An official transcript from the other institution must be received before the end of the first week of the quarter for transfer credit to be granted for courses to be taken during that quarter. Get in touch with our admissions office at 800-7367744 to find out more, or email us at cjinfo@neit.edu.
10. How do I pay for my Criminal Justice Professional Studies Program courses?
You will only pay for the courses you sign up for in any given academic term. Many employers have tuition benefits for public safety professionals. If your employer allows direct billing for your education benefits, please meet with the Student Accounts Department for assistance. See Tuition and Financial Aid for more information.
11. How long is each academic term?
Courses at New England Tech are 10 weeks long, with four terms (quarters) offered per year, starting in January, April, July, and October. There is also an optional, intensive five-week Intersession that starts in June, during which a selection of liberal arts courses are offered.
12. How many courses do I have to take each quarter?
You can take one, two or more courses in any quarter. It is entirely up to your own needs and schedule. Note that if your employer offers tuition benefits, there may be a limit on how much they will reimburse. If you are planning to apply for federal financial aid, please confirm the minimum credit load required to qualify for federal financial aid with the Financial Aid Office.
13. What makes New England Tech’s Criminal Justice program different from others?
• Ten-week long courses keep you focused and are easier to digest
• Our faculty members are practitioners in the field: leading experts from many state and federal agencies, as well as the private sector
• Our curriculum is designed to provide a balance of practical knowledge you can apply to your work right away, as well as building a long-term base of leading skills that will fuel your career advancement
• Exceptional facilities and simulation labs for forensics, procedure, testimony, and more
• 24x7 technical support by email, chat or phone helps you work on your schedule
14. Will I have to take liberal arts courses, too?
New England Tech Criminal Justice program is a Bachelor of Science degree. Like any college degree, it includes a wide range of enrichment subjects beyond just career and technical training. This program will require at least seven courses from the areas of Communications, Math, Science, Humanities, Social Science or Arts/Foreign Language.
15. What is the Criminal Justice Senior Capstone Project?
The Criminal Justice portfolio, Senior Capstone, requires that students participate in a challenging series of events that will mirror a life-like criminal investigation. It contains materials and evidence collected throughout the program that demonstrate a student’s academic progression and acquisition of various criminal justice skills. The Project will be used as a means for evaluation of proficiency and ability and will demonstrate a comprehensive picture of each level of skill and knowledge students have attained during the program. The Senior Capstone is an individual learning experience.
16. Is NEIT accredited?
NEIT is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education. Accreditation by NECHE is recognized by the federal government and entitles NEIT to participate in federal financial aid programs. Some academic departments have specialized professional accreditations in addition to accreditation by NECHE. For more information on accreditation, see NEIT's catalog.
17. Can I transfer the credits that I earn at NEIT to another college?
The transferability of a course is always up to the institution to which the student is transferring. Students interested in the transferability of their credits should contact the Office of Teaching and Learning for further information.
18. What kind of employment assistance does NEIT offer?
The Career Services Office assists NEIT students and graduates in all aspects of the job search, including resume writing, interviewing skills, and developing a job search strategy. Upon completion of their program, graduates may submit a resume to the Career Services Office to be circulated to employers for employment opportunities in their fields. Employers regularly contact us about our graduates. In addition, our Career Services Office contacts employers to develop job leads. A strong relationship with employers exists as a result of our training students to meet the needs of industry for over fifty years. No school can, and NEIT does not, guarantee to its graduates employment or a specific starting salary.
19. Where will job opportunities exist?
Graduates have obtained employment in the local area. However, one of the most exciting aspects of this program is the ability to look nationally for employment opportunities.
20. Is there any open lab time?
Open lab time will be available to students with permission of a CJ instructor or the CJ Department Chair. Students may arrange with an instructor to utilize the lab in order to complete an assignment or as specific needs arise. However, all lab work is limited to what is being taught at the particular time.
21. What are the typical requirements for Criminal Justice and related fields of employment?
Many Criminal Justice occupations, particularly law enforcement positions, require civil service or other form of aptitude testing. Other requirements often include an active driver’s license, U.S. citizenship, the ability to successfully pass drug screening, polygraph testing and psychological examinations; firearms proficiency testing and the ability to obtain security clearance, if necessary. Additionally, pre-employment medical testing and physical fitness/agility testing are necessary components of any law enforcement position. (Please note: a criminal record may affect a graduate’s ability to qualify for some Law Enforcement positions.)
For examples of the regional standards that police officers must meet, go to:
Rhode Island Municipal Police Training Academy Physical Fitness Assessment (RI);
Commonwealth of Massachusetts Municipal Police Training Committee Recruit Academy (ROC) Entry-Level Fitness Standards (MA);
Connecticut State Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection Physical Fitness Assessment (CT);
for correctional officer standards, go to:
State of Rhode Island Department of Corrections Physical Ability Test Demonstration Video (RI);
Massachusetts Department of Correction, Recruit Training Program Physical Fitness Preparation Guide (MA);
Correction Officer Physical Abilities Test (COPAT) (CT);
for federal standards go to www.usajobs.com.
22. Am I required to obtain a criminal background check as part of the admission process?
No. However, certain technical courses include visits to secure facilities and students will be subject to a criminal background check in order to enter these locations. Secure facilities reserve the right to restrict entrance to those persons that do not satisfy their security protocols and regulations. (Please note: a criminal record may affect a graduate’s ability to qualify for some Law Enforcement positions.)
Technical Standards
These technical standards set forth by the Criminal Justice Department, establish the essential qualifications considered necessary for the students admitted to the program. The student must possess the following skills and abilities or be able to demonstrate that they can complete the requirements of the program with or without reasonable accommodation, using some other combination of skills and abilities.
Cognitive Ability
• Good reasoning and critical thinking skills.
• Ability to process, synthesize, organize and learn new material.
• Ability to learn, remember and recall detailed information and to integrate it for problem solving.
• Ability to organize or reorganize information presented in curriculum materials and problems.
• Ability to use abstractions in specific concrete situations.
• Ability to separate complex information into its component parts.
• Ability to perform tasks by observing demonstrations.
• Ability to role play.
• Ability to perform tasks following written and verbal instructions.
• Ability to perform multiple, complex tasks efficiently and competently.
• Ability to problem solve independently and in groups.
Communications Skills
• Ability to work and communicate effectively with faculty, students and staff, as well as law enforcement, correctional and court professionals.
• Ability to communicate effectively in a classroom, crime scene, laboratory or courtroom setting on a one-to-one basis as well as before a group.
• Ability to read English sufficiently to understand and comprehend college level text books, written protocols, laboratory results, as well as information necessary for documentation, evaluation and instruction.
• Ability to demonstrate and use the knowledge acquired in the classroom and in the forensics laboratory to appropriately identify pertinent information and transmit the information effectively, efficiently and promptly as appropriate even when there are time constraints.
• Ability to express thoughts clearly, both in writing and speech.
• Ability to write English sufficiently to document and record information, as well as to complete course assignments.
• Ability to orally report data, observations and information.
Adaptive Ability
• Ability to follow instructions and complete tasks under stressful and demanding conditions.
• Ability to work in an environment which may change rapidly in unpredictable ways, without warning.
• Ability to think clearly and act quickly and appropriately in an emergency situation.
• Ability to maintain emotional stability and the maturity necessary to interact with other members of the faculty, students and professionals in a responsible manner.
• Ability to perform tasks and make appropriate decisions under stressful and demanding conditions.
• Ability to adapt to new and changing situations with an open mind and flexibility.
• Ability to adjust to a variety of individuals and their distinct needs.
• Ability to maintain a professional attitude during all work performance.
• Ability to identify one’s strengths and weaknesses and to request assistance when necessary.
• Ability and willingness to view potentially graphic and disturbing materials in a professional manner.
Physical Ability
• Ability to stand and walk for 1-2 hours at a time with no breaks.
• Ability to sit for 1-2 hours at a time with no breaks.
• Ability to bend, stretch, stoop or lie on the ground to collect evidence, view the mock crime scene, or perform testing or necessary tasks.
• Sufficient strength to perform CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) on both adults and children.
• Sufficient upper body strength great enough to carry 20 pounds.
• Sufficient strength and agility to lift, move or utilize large and small pieces of equipment.
• Ability to wear and tolerate masks and gloves and other protective equipment including lead aprons.
• Ability to work in an environment where there are latex/latex based products.
• Ability to perform learned skills, independently, with accuracy and completeness within reasonable time frames in accordance with accepted protocol.
Manual Ability
• Sufficient manual dexterity and mobility to move equipment independently.
• Sufficient motor function and sensory abilities to participate effectively in the classroom and laboratory setting.
• Sufficient manual dexterity and motor coordination to coordinate hands, eyes and fingers in the operation of equipment/instruments.
• Sufficient fine motor control to manipulate small equipment and instruments.
• Ability to grasp, lift and carry various items of equipment.
Sensory Ability
Visual
• Visual ability, with or without correction, to enable the student to differentiate between instruments/equipment.
Auditory
• Acute enough to hear and understand words spoken by staff, students and other staff in an environment with background noise. *Individuals with auditory processing disorder may not have the visual cues needed to assist in processing the spoken word.