Criminal Justice

Criminal Justice examines the structure, functions, and decision-making processes of agencies that deal with crime and criminal offenders.

As an independent academic discipline, criminal justice is comparatively new. Interest in criminal justice education was spurred by the "war on crime" during the 1960's and the resulting massive federal funding to upgrade criminal justice agencies, technology, programming and education of criminal justice personnel.

Faculty in this program provide expertise in law enforcement, investigations, corrections, criminal law, research and theory. The Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice allows the student flexibility to choose courses which best reflect their individual interests and career aspirations.

Criminal Justice examines the structure, functions, and decision-making processes of agencies that deal with crime and criminal offenders. The program provides students with a solid foundation in theory and research. Furthermore, majors receive hands-on experience with our state-of-the-art firearms simulation lab, and in our crime scene investigation, fingerprinting, and mock trial courses. Advanced students have the opportunity to present their research at state and national conferences and to participate in scholarship, research paper and crime scene competitions. A variety of internships are also available for those who qualify.

Students can also choose to minor in criminal justice at Fairmont State or chose the program as part of their Pre-Law studies.

Career Opportunities

Students with a B.S. degree in criminal justice qualify for employment in city, county, state, and federal criminal justice agencies, and in the rapidly-growing private industrial security field. A number of graduates continue their education in graduate programs in criminal justice, criminology or law. The program also offers a Master of Science in Criminal Justice degree.

The following are jobs our Criminal Justice majors seek upon graduation:

Detective
DEA Agent
Juvenile Probation Officer
Correctional Counselor

Mission Statement

The Criminal Justice Program acknowledges its relationship to the College of Liberal Arts and the Department of Social Science and the interdisciplinary nature of its discipline and seeks through its curriculum to provide students with a broad foundation of knowledge grounded in the social and behavioral sciences. The program further seeks to provide majors with an understanding of the functions, roles and critical issues associated with law enforcement, corrections and the courts.

Contact Info

Charles Shields, J.D.

Chair, Department of Social Science

108 Hardway Hall

304-367-4114

Charles.Shields@fairmontstate.edu

Model Schedule

Criminal Justice Program

Program Goals

The Criminal Justice Program at Fairmont State University strives to meet the needs of our students and the community by preparing all majors for immediate entry into criminal justice positions or related fields, as well as graduate programs.
The Criminal Justice Program at Fairmont State University supports student engagement in extracurricular activities such as membership and activity in Alpha Phi Sigma.
The Criminal Justice Program at Fairmont State University strives to foster timely graduation by all of our majors.
The Criminal Justice Program strives to recruit highly qualified students to begin in each start term (fall and spring).
Work toward applying for ACJS Certification. Currently there are only a handful of Universities in the entire country that have certification.

Outcomes

Summarize the history, function, practices, and philosophical/ theoretical viewpoints of law enforcement and correctional agencies in the United States. (Meets the ACJS Certification Standards for Administration of Justice, Police, Corrections)
Explain the basic concept of constitutional law relating to criminal procedure. (Meets the ACJS Certification Standards for Law and Adjudication)
Explain the source and origin of criminal law with a focus on the scope, purpose, and definition of criminal law, as well as the structure, function and operation of criminal courts and the adjudication process. (Meets the ACJS Certification Standards for Law and Adjudication)
Identify ethical issues related to criminal justice issues/ work and apply ethical philosophies toward the identification of solutions. (Meets the ACJS Certification Standards for Ethics)
Explain the major components of criminological theories and their impact on criminal justice policy. (Meets the ACJS Certification Standards for Criminological Theory)
Demonstrate the ability, through written and oral communication, to integrate knowledge acquired from core courses to analyze contemporary issues in criminal justice and related disciplines. (Meets the ACJS Certification Standards for Critical Thinking, Writing, and Oral Expression, Administration of Justice, Police, and Corrections)
Apply quantitative and qualitative research methodologies to the study of criminal justice and/or criminology. (Meets the ACJS Certification Standards for Research and Analytic Methods)