Program Overview

Criminal Justice (CJ)

Course Fees

Some courses may carry fees beyond the standard tuition costs to cover additional support or materials. Program-, subject- and course-specific fee information can be found on the Office of the Bursar website.

Course List

• CJ 200. Introduction to Criminal Justice - SB3 Units
  • Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer
  • Description: Overview of crime and the response of the United States justice system, focusing on law enforcement, courts, and corrections. Explores the impact of crime on communities and examines how the justice system responds to these issues in contemporary society.
• CJ 201. Introduction to Law Enforcement - SB3 Units
  • Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer
  • Description: Introduction to the development of law enforcement in the United States, including its history, models, organizations, and current challenges.
• CJ 202. Introduction to Corrections - SB3 Units
  • Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer
  • Description: Introductory examination of the history, practices, and challenges in corrections, focusing on institutional and community corrections systems in the United States.
• CJ 203. Introduction to Law and the Legal System3 Units
  • Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring
  • Prerequisite(s): No pre-requisites
  • Description: This course will provide you with an overview of the major principles and functions of our legal system.
• CJ 299. Criminal Justice Occupational Courses and Learning1-24 Units
  • Grading Basis: Pass/Fail
  • Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer
  • Description: The student does not register for this course. It is a receptacle course to award PLA credit upon completion of our PLA course CJ 304.
• CJ 300. Career Development and Cultural Intelligence - SB, D13 Units
  • Term Typically Offered: Occasionally Offered
  • Prerequisite(s): CJ 200
  • Description: Examines career development in criminal justice by fostering awareness of cultural diversity, also known as cultural intelligence.
• CJ 301. Introduction to Digital Forensics and Media Analysis3 Units
  • Term Typically Offered: Occasionally Offered
  • Prerequisite(s): CJ 160, CJ 161, and CJ 162; or consent of instructor
  • Description: Introduction to the collection, preservation, and presentation of computer-based evidence for criminal law enforcement and civil litigation.
• CJ 304. Criminal Justice Prior Learning Assessment (PLA)1-2 Units
  • Grading Basis: Pass/Fail
  • Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer
  • Prerequisite(s): 12 credit hours at the University of Louisville and documentation of training record
  • Description: Equip students with skills to document and assess prior learning from occupational training.
• CJ 305. Theories of Crime and Behavior3 Units
  • Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer
  • Description: Explores theories and research on criminality from biological, psychological, and sociological perspectives.
• CJ 306. Criminal Procedure3 Units
  • Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer
  • Description: Examines constitutional aspects of criminal procedure, focusing on investigation, detention, prosecution, and adjudication.
• CJ 325. Criminal Justice Research Methods3 Units
  • Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer
  • Prerequisite(s): CJ 200 or consent of instructor
  • Description: Introduction to social research methods in criminal justice, emphasizing both quantitative and qualitative approaches.
• CJ 326. Quantitative Analysis in Criminal Justice - QR3 Units
  • Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer
  • Prerequisite(s): The Kentucky Council on Post-Secondary Education (PCE) sets an ACT score of 19 or above as an academic readiness indicator for the area of Mathematics (Quantitative Reasoning)
  • Description: Introduction to statistics and analysis of criminal justice data, emphasizing measurement, descriptive, and inferential statistical methods in criminal justice research.
• CJ 335. Court Administration3 Units
  • Term Typically Offered: Occasionally Offered
  • Description: Studies court organization, administration, and management through the lens of a court administrator.
• CJ 352. Sex Crimes3 Units
  • Term Typically Offered: Occasionally Offered
  • Description: Interdisciplinary exploration of sex offenses and crimes related to sexual conduct.
• CJ 354. Crime and the Media3 Units
  • Term Typically Offered: Occasionally Offered
  • Description: Examines how crime is represented in mass media and how these portrayals influence public perceptions of crime and the justice system.
• CJ 355. Forensic Science and Investigative Techniques3 Units
  • Term Typically Offered: Occasionally Offered
  • Description: Survey of techniques and procedures in scientific crime investigation.
• CJ 356. Harm Reduction and Public Safety3 Units
  • Term Typically Offered: Occasionally Offered
  • Description: Explores criminological and environmental theories and methods for crime prevention and reduction.
• CJ 358. Private Security Management3 Units
  • Term Typically Offered: Occasionally Offered
  • Prerequisite(s): CJ 200 or consent of instructor
  • Description: Study of management functions within a private security agency.
• CJ 360. Juvenile Justice3 Units
  • Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer
  • Prerequisite(s): CJ 200 or consent of instructor
  • Description: Explores the theories and philosophies influencing the evolution of the juvenile justice system in the United States.
• CJ 365. Community Corrections3 Units
  • Term Typically Offered: Occasionally Offered
  • Prerequisite(s): CJ 200 and CJ 202
  • Description: Explores the development of community-based correctional programs beyond traditional institutions.
• CJ 366. Introduction to Cyber Investigations3 Units
  • Description: Explores tools for network monitoring, traffic collection, and digital investigations.
• CJ 370. Law Enforcement Administration3 Units
  • Term Typically Offered: Occasionally Offered
  • Prerequisite(s): CJ 201 or consent of instructor
  • Description: Examines police organization and administration, covering the history of law enforcement structures.
• CJ 375. Social and Restorative Justice3 Units
  • Term Typically Offered: Occasionally Offered
  • Description: Links social justice and criminology while considering the causes of harm.
• CJ 390. Criminal Court Procedures3 Units
  • Prerequisite(s): CJ 306 or consent of instructor
  • Description: Examines criminal due process and legal procedures from apprehension to sentencing.
• CJ 395. Criminal Law and Evidence3 Units
  • Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer
  • Description: Examines criminal liability and the processes of criminalization, investigation, and prosecution.
• CJ 399. Criminal Justice Advanced Occupational Courses and Learning1-18 Units
  • Grading Basis: Pass/Fail
  • Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer
  • Description: The student does not register for this course. It is a receptacle course to award PLA credit upon completion of our PLA course CJ 304.
• CJ 400. Legal Issues in Corrections3 Units
  • Term Typically Offered: Occasionally Offered
  • Prerequisite(s): CJ 200, CJ 202, and CJ 306; or consent of instructor
  • Description: Overview of legal issues related to the constitutional rights of individuals serving their sentences in the community and correctional facilities.
• CJ 403. Institutional Corrections3 Units
  • Term Typically Offered: Occasionally Offered
  • Prerequisite(s): CJ 200 and CJ 202; or consent of instructor
  • Description: Examines the design, management, and operation of jails and prisons in the United States.
• CJ 405. Crimes Against Older Adults3 Units
  • Description: Examines federal and state laws designed to protect older adults, focusing on legal protections and the criminal justice system's response.
• CJ 406. Crime Victims and Victimization3 Units
  • Term Typically Offered: Occasionally Offered
  • Description: Overview of crime victimization and the criminal justice system response to victims and survivors.
• CJ 415. Drugs and Crime3 Units
  • Term Typically Offered: Occasionally Offered
  • Prerequisite(s): CJ 200 and CJ 202
  • Description: Explores the history, causes, and extent of substance use disorders, focusing on their connection to harmful or unlawful behavior.
• CJ 420. Computer Applications in Criminal Justice3 Units
  • Term Typically Offered: Occasionally Offered
  • Prerequisite(s): CJ 200 or consent of instructor
  • Description: Applied introduction to computer applications in criminal justice and criminology.
• CJ 421. Organized Crime3 Units
  • Term Typically Offered: Occasionally Offered
  • Prerequisite(s): CJ 200 and CJ 305; or consent of instructor
  • Description: Interdisciplinary exploration of key issues related to organized crime.
• CJ 425. Behavioral Analysis of Violent Crime3 Units
  • Term Typically Offered: Occasionally Offered
  • Prerequisite(s): Junior standing or consent of instructor
  • Description: Examines the assessment of fatal violence, covering topics such as organized and disorganized behavioral patterns.
• CJ 426. Violence in the United States3 Units
  • Term Typically Offered: Occasionally Offered
  • Prerequisite(s): CJ 200 and Junior standing; or consent of instructor
  • Description: Explores various forms of interpersonal violence, including intimate partner violence, child abuse, and assault.
• CJ 430. Environmental Crime3 Units
  • Term Typically Offered: Occasionally Offered
  • Description: Explores theoretical and practical legal issues in environmental criminal justice.
• CJ 435. Comparative Criminal Justice - WR3 Units
  • Term Typically Offered: Occasionally Offered
  • Description: Overview of international criminal justice systems and the key issues that arise within them across different countries.
• CJ 440. Human Trafficking3 Units
  • Term Typically Offered: Occasionally Offered
  • Description: Examines the trafficking of human beings in its historical, legal, economic, political, and social contexts.
• CJ 445. Computer and Electronic Crime3 Units
  • Term Typically Offered: Occasionally Offered
  • Description: Examines legal policy and technical issues related to computer and electronic crime.
• CJ 450. Internship3-6 Units
  • Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring
  • Prerequisite(s): Permission of chair or internship coordinator
  • Description: Offers hands-on learning opportunities that highlight the application of theoretical knowledge in real-world contexts within criminal justice and related fields.
• CJ 460. Correctional Rehabilitation3 Units
  • Term Typically Offered: Occasionally Offered
  • Prerequisite(s): CJ 200 and CJ 202; or consent of instructor
  • Description: Examines techniques and methods used by the correctional system to influence and change client behavior.
• CJ 471. Police Administration3 Units
  • Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring
  • Prerequisite(s): Consent of department chair
  • Description: A discussion of police administration, organization, and functions.
• CJ 473. Law and Police Administration3 Units
  • Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring
  • Prerequisite(s): Consent of department chair
  • Description: Provides a detailed analysis of legal issues in police administration and management.
• CJ 474. Police Supervision3 Units
  • Description: Examines the role of police supervisors in managing and leading law enforcement agencies.
• CJ 477. Police Organizational Behavior3 Units
  • Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring
  • Prerequisite(s): Consent of department chair
  • Description: Examines basic principles of human behavior with a focus on how they are applied to police work in organizational settings.
• CJ 485. Criminal Justice Senior Seminar - CUE, WR3 Units
  • Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer
  • Prerequisite(s): CJ 200, CJ 325, and CJ 326; Senior standing or consent of instructor
  • Description: Senior level seminar that explores and discusses the challenges and issues in the administration and management of criminal justice organizations.
• CJ 493. Police and the Community3 Units
  • Term Typically Offered: Occasionally Offered
  • Prerequisite(s): Senior standing or consent of instructor
  • Description: Examines the relationship between communities and law enforcement, covering the history of policing and police community relations.
• CJ 495. Directed Studies1-9 Units
  • Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer
  • Description: Directed readings or research centered on specialized interests in criminal justice issues and topics.
• CJ 496. Special Topics in Criminal Justice1-9 Units
  • Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer
  • Description: Covers specialized topics in criminal justice.
• CJ 499. Criminal Justice Honors Thesis - WR3 Units
  • Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring
  • Prerequisite(s): Senior standing and admission to department honors program
  • Description: Intensive examination of a topical area in criminal justice.
• CJ 500. Crime and Criminal Justice in Film3 Units
  • Prerequisite(s): Senior standing
  • Description: Examines media representations of the criminal justice system within a historical context and global perspective.
• CJ 505. International Terrorism3 Units
  • Term Typically Offered: Occasionally Offered
  • Description: Explores international terrorism and terrorist organizations, including their causes, operations, funding, and future threats.
• CJ 507. Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design3 Units
  • Description: Introduces Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED), emphasizing opportunity theories of crime and their application.
• CJ 509. Crime Analysis3 Units
  • Description: Covers introductory techniques of crime analysis and mapping, focusing on applying theoretical concepts to crime data.
• CJ 510. Managing Conflict, Change, and Justice3 Units
  • Term Typically Offered: Occasionally Offered
  • Description: Explores the interpersonal and social aspects of conflict and essential practices for conflict resolution.
• CJ 516. Seminar in Juvenile Justice Issues3 Units
  • Description: An interdisciplinary seminar examining conflicting perspectives within the juvenile justice system and related issues.
• CJ 517. Gangs in the United States3 Units
  • Description: Examines gangs, including their history, definitions, and the criminal justice system's response.
• CJ 519. Domestic and Family Violence3 Units
  • Description: Explores the dynamics of family violence, focusing on intimate partner violence, child maltreatment, and abuse of older adults.
• CJ 520. Capital Punishment - WR3 Units
  • Term Typically Offered: Occasionally Offered
  • Prerequisite(s): Senior standing or consent of instructor
  • Description: Explores issues related to the death penalty, including constitutional questions and public attitudes.
• CJ 521. Corporate and Financial Crime - WR3 Units
  • Term Typically Offered: Occasionally Offered
  • Prerequisite(s): CJ 200 and CJ 305, or consent of instructor
  • Description: Explores corporate and financial crime, focusing on key concepts, theoretical explanations, and the extent and nature of these offenses.
• CJ 522. Serial and Mass Murder3 Units
  • Term Typically Offered: Occasionally Offered
  • Prerequisite(s): Senior standing or consent of instructor
  • Description: Examines serial and mass murder in the United States, focusing on the relationship between these crimes and factors such as race, gender, and media portrayal.
• CJ 523. Race and Gender in Criminal Justice - WR3 Units
  • Term Typically Offered: Occasionally Offered
  • Prerequisite(s): Junior standing or consent of faculty
  • Description: Examines the dynamics of racial discrimination and disparity in the United States and their impact on the criminal justice system.
• CJ 530. Introduction to Homeland Security3 Units
  • Term Typically Offered: Occasionally Offered
  • Description: Outlines the philosophy, purpose, and rationale for a dedicated government agency focused on domestic security.
• CJ 576. Managing Organizational Performance3 Units
  • Prerequisite(s): Consent of department chair
  • Description: Examination of factors affecting the management of organizational performance.
• CJ 577. Trauma Informed Policing3 Units
  • Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring
  • Prerequisite(s): Restricted to students enrolled in the Southern Police Institute's Administrative Officers Course
  • Description: Trauma informed policing focuses on how law enforcement can improve police community interactions, service to the public, and internal operations.
• CJ 578. Criminal Justice Leadership - WR3 Units
  • Description: Through the use of lectures and case studies, participants will be provided with a cognitive understanding of leadership that emphasizes the study of leadership models and theories.
• CJ 580. International Service Learning: Criminal Justice Seminar3 Units
  • Prerequisite(s): Approval of program director
  • Description: Study of criminology and criminal justice with a cross-cultural perspective.
• CJ 596. Seminar in Criminal Justice3 Units
  • Term Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer
  • Description: Explores selected topics in Criminal Justice.
• CJ 597. Ethics in Criminal Justice - WR3 Units
  • Term Typically Offered: Occasionally Offered
  • Prerequisite(s): Senior standing or consent of instructor
  • Description: Studies ethics and ethical decision-making in the criminal justice system.