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Introduction to Criminal Justice
CJ101 | 3 Credits
In Introduction to Criminal Justice, you'll build a solid foundation in how the U.S. criminal justice system works. The course explores the structure of the court system, the creation of laws, the impact of legal precedent, and the workings of the juvenile justice system.
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About Introduction to Criminal Justice
What You’ll Learn
Introduction to Criminal Justice examines the past, present, and future of the U.S. criminal justice system. You’ll learn:
- Explain the three components of the United States criminal justice system.
- Contrast the due process and crime control model.
- Explain crime measurements and costs.
- Describe the history of law enforcement.
- Explain the roles of local, county, state, and federal law enforcement officers.
- Explain the structure of the American court system.
- Identify the criminal court steps from arrest, conviction, to appeal.
- Describe the history of the correctional system.
- Identify correctional institutions at the local, state, and federal level.
- Describe the future of criminal justice in America.
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Digital Textbooks
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Grade Improvement Opportunities
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Video Lessons
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Access on Desktop and Mobile
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WANT US TO CHECK?Course Details
Learn about different topics like how laws are created, the history and types of law enforcement, structure of the court system, and the changing philosophies of the U.S. correctional system. The role of legal precedent, the death penalty, prison life, and the juvenile justice system will also be covered in this online Criminal Justice course.
ACE-Recommended
ACE Code:
OOSL-0004
Flexible Schedule
24-day Average Course Completion
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Prerequisites
There are no prerequisites to take Introduction to Criminal Justice.
Course Text
The required eTextbook for this course is included with your course purchase at no additional cost.
- Bohm, Robert, and Keith Haley. Introduction to Criminal Justice. 10th ed., McGraw-Hill Education, 2021. ISBN: 9781260253870
Course Checkpoints
Checkpoint 1: Crime and Justice in the United States
- Textbook: Chapter 1, pages 1–15
- Checkpoint 1 Presentation: Chapter 1 pages 1–15
- Checkpoint 1 Extra Resource: Chapter 1 pages 1–15
- Textbook Chapter 1, pages 16–24
- Checkpoint 1 Presentation: Chapter 1 pages 16–24
- Checkpoint 1 Extra Resources: Chapter 1 pages 16–24
- Chapter 1 Practice Quiz
Checkpoint 2: History and Structure of American Law Enforcement
- Textbook Chapter 5, pages 139–168
- Checkpoint 2 Presentation: Chapter 5, pages 139–168
- Checkpoint 2 Extra Resources: Chapter 5, pages 139–168
- Textbook Chapter 5, pages 169–199
- Checkpoint 2 Presentation: Chapter 5, pages 169–199
- Checkpoint 2 Extra Resources: Chapter 5, pages 169–199
- Chapter 5 Practice Quiz
Checkpoint 3: Issues in Policing
- Textbook: Chapter 7
- Checkpoint 3 Presentation: Chapter 7
- Checkpoint 3 Extra Resources
- Chapter 7 Practice Quiz
Checkpoint 4: The Administration of Justice
- Textbook: Chapter 8, pages 300–327
- Checkpoint 4 Presentation: Chapter 8, pages 300–327
- Checkpoint 4 Extra Resources: Chapter 8, pages 300–327
- Textbook: Chapter 8, pages 328–353
- Checkpoint 4 Presentation: Chapter 8, pages 328–353
- Checkpoint 4 Extra Resources: Chapter 8, pages 328–353
- Chapter 8 Practice Quiz
Checkpoint 5: Institutional Corrections
- Textbook: Chapter 10, pages 386–413
- Checkpoint 5 Presentation: Chapter 10, pages 386–413
- Checkpoint 5 Extra Resources: Chapter 10, pages 386–413
- Textbook: Chapter 10, pages 414–449
- Checkpoint 5 Presentation: Chapter 10, pages 414–449
- Checkpoint 5 Extra Resources: Chapter 10, pages 414–449
- Chapter 10 Practice Quiz
Checkpoint 6: Future of the Criminal Justice System
- Textbook Chapter 14
- Checkpoint 6 Presentation: Chapter 14
- Checkpoint 6 Extra Resources
- Chapter 14 Practice Quiz
Assignments & Grading
Your score provides a percentage score and letter grade for each course. A passing percentage is 70% or higher.
Assignments for this course include:
- 6 Checkpoints
- 3 Capstones
- 2 Benchmarks
This course has an open-book Final Benchmark. No calculators are permitted.
What You’ll Need
- A reliable computer or laptop
- Stable internet connection
- Web browser
- Basic computer skills
- Any required course materials
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Professional development assistance
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Build Your Future in Criminal Justice
In Introduction to Criminal Justice, you will learn the basics of law enforcement, courts, corrections, and how these systems work together. Discover how these concepts can be applied to protecting your communities or shaping public policy. Even if you don’t plan to become a police officer or lawyer, you’ll get a strong start towards majors like criminology, sociology, political science, and law.
Why it matters:
- Employment in protective service occupations is projected to grow steadily through 2032, with thousands of new openings each year.
- Criminal justice careers offer above-average job stability and strong opportunities for advancement, especially in government agencies.
How this course sets you up for success:
Police Officer, Detective, Forensic Technician, Federal Agent, Court Clerk, Paralegal, Victim Advocate, Correctional Officer, Probation/Parole Officer, Criminal Investigator
How this course sets you up for success:
Introduction to Criminal Justice gives you a broad understanding of how the justice system works. You’ll explore the roles, challenges, and ethical responsibilities of professionals in this field — knowledge that’s valuable for any career path.
Course included in Semester & Annual Plans
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