Law enforcement trainees pose in front of a police car

Criminal Justice Technology

Program Type: Associate In Applied Science

Program Level: UG

Division: Business, Computing, & Social Science

Program Duration: 23 months

Program Contact: Sharon Sheehy

Credit Requirement: 69

Time: Day

Program overview

Personnel in this vocation are employed by private, local, state, and federal agencies. According to the U. S. Department of Labor the annual income for criminal justice personnel is $38,640. The projected growth in job opportunities in criminal justice positions is in the 5% range for the next decade. Criminal Justice Technology prepares students for a broad variety of careers in policing, corrections, courts, private security, and homeland security. The duties include protecting lives and property, enhancing community relations, enforcing laws, patrolling and responding to calls, collecting facts through investigations, conducting surveillance, writing reports, and controlling convicted offenders in a correctional setting or in the community.

Courses Required

Semester 1

Introduction to Criminal Justice

Course Code: CRJ-101

This course includes an overview of the functions and responsibilities of agencies involved in the administration of justice to include police organizations, court systems, correctional systems, and juvenile justice agencies.


Criminal Law I

Course Code: CRJ-115

This course covers the development of criminal law in America. The basic elements of specific criminal offenses, criminal defenses, and various legal principles upon which criminal law is established are reviewed.


Constitutional Law

Course Code: CRJ-120

This course covers the analysis of the historical development of the U.S. Constitution and the relationship of rights contained therein to the State and the individual. The application of the Bill of Rights to federal and state systems is examined.


Correctional Systems

Course Code: CRJ-242

This course is an introduction to aspects of the correctional function in criminal justice, including organization, process, procedure, and clients incarcerated and on conditional release.


English Composition I

Course Code: ENG-101

This is a (College Transfer) course in which the following topics are presented: A study of composition in conjunction with appropriate literary selections, with frequent theme assignments to reinforce effective writing. A review of standard usage and the basic techniques of research are also presented.


Semester 2

Police Administration

Course Code: CRJ-130

This course is a study of the organization, administration and management of law enforcement agencies.


The Juvenile and the Law

Course Code: CRJ-210

This course is a study of the juvenile justice system. This process is examined from initial custody to disposition, both from a historical and modern perspective.


Ethics in Criminal Justice

Course Code: CRJ-222

This course is a study of the application of ethical theories to the criminal justice profession.


Special Problems in Criminal Justice

Course Code: CRJ-246

In this course issues are examined within the criminal justice community/profession which are of special concern to students and practitioners because of such elements as timeliness, local concern, legalistics, and or other dynamic factors of such issues.


English Composition II

Course Code: ENG-102

This is a (College Transfer) course in which the following topics are presented: Development of writing skills through logical organization, effective style, literary analysis and research. An introduction to literary genre is also included.


Semester 3

Police Community Relations

Course Code: CRJ-224

This course is a study of the importance of two- way communication between the criminal justice system and the community to foster a working relationship to control crime. A variety of topics are studied, including citizen involvement in crime prevention and police officer inter- personal relations.


Criminal Investigation I

Course Code: CRJ-230

This course is a study of the fundamentals of interviewing witnesses and interrogating suspects. Different methods of conducting crime scene searches and methods used in investigating various crimes are studied in the course.


Criminal Evidence

Course Code: CRJ-236

This course is a study of the established rules of evidence from arrest to release in the administration of criminal justice.


Semester 4

Microcomputer Applications

Course Code: CPT-170

This course introduces microcomputer applications software, including word processing, data bases, spreadsheets, graphs, and their integration. Note: May not be used for credit in any CPT degree or certificate program.


Probation, Pardon and Parole

Course Code: CRJ-244

This course is a study of the development, organization, operation, and results of systems of probation and parole as substitutes for incarceration. The philosophy and methods of treatment of offenders and the operational problems and activities of the probation/parole officer are studied in the course.


Contemporary Mathematics

Course Code: MAT-155

This course includes techniques and applications of the following topics: elementary number theory; algebra; geometry; measurement; graph sketching and interpretations; and descriptive statistics.


General Psychology

Course Code: PSY-201

This course includes the following topics and concepts in the science of behavior: scientific method, biological bases for behavior, perception, motivation, learning memory, development, personality, abnormal behavior, therapeutic techniques, and social psychology.


Public Speaking

Course Code: SPC-205

This course is an introduction to principles of public speaking with application of speaking skills. Successful completion of ENG 101 is recommended.


Semester 5

Criminology

Course Code: CRJ-125

This course is a study of the various theories of criminal causation and control, the identification of criminal typologies, and the reaction of society to crime and criminals.


Law Enforcement And Latino Community

Course Code: CRJ-247

This course is designed to assist criminal justice


Forensic Psychology

Course Code: PSY-207

This course is an introduction to psychological knowledge, concepts, and principles of forensic psychology. Topics include the application of research, procedures, and techniques to specific areas of law and the legal system as they relate to general psychological principles and methods.


Introduction to Sociology

Course Code: SOC-101

This course emplasizes the fundamental concepts and principles of sociology, including culture, socialization, interaction, social groups and stratification, effects of population growth, and technology in society and social institutions.


Entry Requirements

To see a list of entrance requirements for this program, please check the FDTC Course Catalog.

Download Catalog

Student Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

  • Identify and describe the major components of the criminal justice system and explain how criminal justice agencies function within the criminal justice field.
  • Differentiate the criminal justice professionals and summarize their roles in the criminal justice system.
  • Explain the roles of courtroom personnel and describe criminal procedures as defined by Constitutional and criminal law.
  • Summarize how criminal law and Constitutional due process affect and guide the criminal justice professional, defendant, convicted offender, and public.
  • Identify and explain the causes of criminal behavior and how criminal justice professionals utilize this knowledge to navigate the decision making process in criminal justice.