Criminal Justice
Criminal Justice Program
What is Criminal Justice?
Criminal justice is an interdisciplinary study. The field combines law, sociology, public administration, behavioral science, natural sciences and psychology, while the field of criminal justice includes four distinct but overlapping disciplines: 1) law; 2) administration; 3) criminology; and, 4) investigation and forensics. Criminal law focuses on citizen rights, constitutional law and criminal procedures in enforcement, prosecution, defense, and court procedures and decision-making. The administration of justice encompasses the study of the policies, philosophies and practices of all the major systems of social control—the police, the courts (juvenile and adult) and corrections. Criminology explores the biological, psychological and sociological nature and causes of crime, victimology and delinquency using quantitative and qualitative methods for criminal justice research and analysis. Investigation focuses on the collection of evidence and actual investigation procedures.
Criminal Justice Program at KCC
The Criminal Justice Degree Program at KCC is designed to prepare students with a strong foundation in the Behavioral Sciences that introduces them to the goals and processes of the entire criminal justice system.
Our students are exposed to a liberal arts education that draws from the cultural diversity and global perspectives represented in our student body, and exhibited in contemporary American society.
Criminal Justice Majors are provided with real-world issues that may be complex and controversial and address local, state, national, and global concerns, while they are taught to develop their critical thinking and problem solving skills.
Programmatic Outcomes
Students will:
1) Describe from a historical and systemic perspective criminal justice institutions and how they relate to each other.
2) Understand the mechanisms, dynamics and situational context of crime and criminal behavior, and methods of prevention and treatment.
3) Apply the theories related to the policy and practice of the criminal justice systems.
4) Analyze the operations and administration of criminal justice institutions in the context of public discourse.
5) Demonstrate critical thinking skills through verbal presentation, by articulating Standard English and by developing a coherent written argument, consistent with and building upon the goals of general education.
6)Demonstrate the ability to access, conduct, interpret and apply criminal justice research.
For more information about programmatic outcomes and curriculum alignment please see the Programmatic Outcome Alignments