Criminal Justice Program

About

The Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice will provide students with knowledge of the nature and causes of crime, criminal justice processes, security, and law enforcement. Students will be introduced to social scientific methods and technologies and theoretical models needed for analysis and critique of the criminal justice system.

The Certificate in Forensic Science – Crime Scene Investigation program concentrates on crime scene investigation as distinguished from forensic science laboratory analysis. The crime scene investigator is oriented to field operations and the collection of evidence for laboratory evaluation. The professional practice of crime scene investigation requires an understanding of professional ethics, competency in safety protocols and laboratory procedures, knowledge of criminal law and the legal process, effective written and verbal communication skills and competency in the collection and preservation of evidence.

The Certificate in Forensic Science – Crime Scene Investigation program is structured as a specialization within the Criminal Justice program in the Department of Criminal Justice. The Certificate in Forensic Science – Crime Scene Investigation program adheres to the directives and recommendations of the National Academy of Sciences and the National Institute of Justice. The certificate can be earned as a specialization with the Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice or it can be earned separately without the completion of the requirements for the Bachelor of Science degree.

Major & Minor Requirements

Completion of a minimum of 120 semester hours of University courses is required. Included in the 120 hours are 36 hours of criminal justice courses.  Criminal Justice majors are required to successfully complete an internship requirement in their senior year. A minimum grade of “C” must be attained in the major and required CRJS courses.

Students desiring to minor in criminal justice must complete 18 semester hours in criminal justice, including Introduction to Criminal Justice (CRJS 100), Policing: Administration and Process (CRJS 210), Courts and the Judicial Process (CRJS 220), Corrections (CRJS 230), and two criminal justice electives (6 hours). A student must have completed a minimum of 24 hours of academic credits before declaring a minor, must have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.0, and may not have more than two minors.

Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice with Certificate in Forensic Science – Crime Scene Investigation requires the completion of a minimum of 120 semester hours of university courses including 34 hours of criminal justice courses and 24 hours in Forensic Science (CSI) curriculum. Criminal Justice majors are required to successfully complete internship requirements their senior year. A minimum grade of “C” must be attained in the major and required core courses. Students cannot minor in the certificate program.

Certificate in Forensic Science – Crime Scene Investigation 

Completion of a minimum of 24 semester hours of courses in the Forensic Science (CSI) curriculum. A minimum grade of “C” must be attained in the major and required core courses.

Dr. Carla D. Coates
Department Chair / Associate Professor
Email: cdcoates@ncat.edu

Mx. Esteban M. Couture
Administrative Support
Email: emcouture@ncat.edu
Phone: (336) 285-2046