Criminal Justice

About this Program

Purpose

The purpose of the Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice is to prepare students to enter or advance in jobs within the criminal justice system, including law enforcement, corrections, and the courts. Upon completion of the undergraduate program, some students may also consider graduate study in law or criminology (sociology). A certificate program in criminal justice is also available.

Program of Study
Criminal Justice for the 21st Century

The Criminal Justice program is dedicated to providing the theoretical, practical, and professional knowledge needed in today’s environment to be successful in the fields of law enforcement, corrections, courts, probation, parole, private security, and the related service careers. Emphasis is placed upon preparing students to enter the professional workplace, grow in their current position, or continue studies in graduate school. The curriculum is designed to provide students with expert instruction on the most current trends, policies, and practices in the field. The goal is to prepare students to become scholarly practitioners in their chosen profession. Further, the General Studies core courses, required of all Wilmington University undergraduates, provide a well-rounded academic foundation.

This is not a “one size fits all” major, but one that provides variety in the course selection to encourage each individual student to build a personal program for the future with the assistance of an academic advisor.

Students have “out of class” opportunities through membership in the Criminal Justice Association to experience site visits to a variety of criminal justice agencies and meet with practitioners in the field. Internships provide students with an insider’s view of the many facets of the criminal justice field under the guidance of a full-time faculty member. The major also offers a summer study abroad program that awards credit for the opportunity to study criminal justice systems of other countries. The program is offered statewide, with day and evening classes in New Castle, and evening classes in Dover and Georgetown, Delaware, and in New Jersey at the Burlington County College and Cumberland County College campuses.

Program Competencies

  1. Exercise critical thinking strategies, including reasoning, problem solving, analysis, and evaluation in criminal justice settings.
  2. Exhibit flexible thinking and goal-directed behaviors in criminal justice course projects.
  3. Demonstrate effective oral and written communication skills.
  4. Demonstrate skill in the use and the application of technology in criminal justice settings.
  5. Demonstrate an understanding of basic mathematics and statistics by applying criminal justice research findings to criminal justice practice.
  6. Incorporate theoretical perspectives into criminal justice practice.
  7. Demonstrate an awareness of ethical principles, codes, and standards within the criminal justice field and integrate ethical, legal, and economic accountability into professional criminal justice practice.
  8. Demonstrate a commitment to self-directedness, self-discipline, and lifelong learning through examinations of criminal justice career paths.
  9. Recognize the principles associated with a pluralistic society in a variety of criminal justice settings as they uniquely apply to practitioners, victims, and offenders and show respect for our multicultural world.
  10. Recognize an awareness of self in relationship to others in team efforts that demonstrate flexible thinking and goal-directed behavior in the resolution of criminal justice issues.

This information applies to students who enter this degree program during the 2008-2009 Academic Year. If you entered this degree program before the Fall 2008 semester, please refer to the academic catalog for the year you began your degree program.