Skip to content
  • Bucks for Students
    Enroll + Register
    • Academics
    • Admissions Information
    • Register for Courses
    • Placement Testing
    • Academic Advising
    • Majors + Certificates
    • College Catalog
    • Bucks Online
    • Honors at Bucks
    • Academic Schools
    • Student Forms

    Apply Now

    Planning + Payment
    • Financial Aid
    • Scholarships
    • Work Study Employment
    • Payment Options
    • Your Account
    • Tuition + Fees
    Transfer + Graduate
        • Transfer Information
        • Planning Your Transfer
        • Transfer by Institution
        • Transfer by Major
        • Graduation
        • Order a Transcript
        • Career Services
        • Digital Badges

    Life at Bucks
    • Student Affairs Office
    • First Year Experience
    • Student Life
    • Athletics
    • College Events
    • Fitness + Wellness
    • Art + Entertainment
    • Alumni
    • Parents + Families
    • Bucks+

    Basic Needs

    • Accessibility Resources
    • Campus Services
    • Canvas
    • Bucks Email
    • Change Password
    • Pay Tuition
    • Workday Student
    • MyBucks
     
  • Bucks for Community

    Classes + Activities

    Icon of a pencil and brush
    Personal Enrichment
    • Community+ Membership
    • Makerspace
    • Art + Photography
    • Culinary Classes
    • Empowering Minds: For 45+
    • English as a Second Language (ESL)
    • Health + Wellness
    • History
    • Special Interest & Personal Development
    • Home School
    • Languages
    • Music
    • Browse All Courses
    Icon of a sun
    Kids on Campus Programs
    • Kids Korner
    • Camps for Ages 5-6
    • Camps for Ages 7-9
    • Camps for Ages 10-12
    • Teen Experiences for Ages 13-17
    • Camp Information
    • Camp Scholarships
    • Preschool Summer Program
    • Register for Camp

    Events

    Arts + Culture
    • Art + Entertainment
    • Concerts
    • Foundation Events
    • Book Discussions
    • Wordsmiths

    Find Tickets

    Event Venues

    • Sculpture Walk
    • Zlock Performing Arts Center
      Zlock Performing Arts Center

    • The Gallery at Lower Bucks

    • Hicks Art Center Gallery
    • Bucks County Community College Fickes Gallery at Upper Bucks Campus
      Fickes Gallery at Upper Bucks
    Facilities
    • Facilities Rental

     
  • Bucks for Career
    Briefcase
    Career Development
    • Child Development Associate
    • Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
    • Educators (Act 48)
    • Esthetics
    • Floral Design
    • Human Resources
    • Nonprofit Management Series
    • Notary
    • Online Learning
    • All Career Programs
    Fire extinguisher
    Fire + Public Safety
    • Public Safety Training + Certificate
    • Fire Training Weekends
    • Industrial Safety Training (OSHA)
    • Virtual Public Safety Training
    • Other Training + Resources
    • Training Facilities
    • More
    Heart with line
    Healthcare
    • CPR + First Aid Training
    • Dental Assistant
    • Healthcare Pre-Apprenticeship
    • Nurse Aide
    • Nursing Review & Reentry
    • Pharmacy Technician
    • Practical Nursing
    • All Healthcare Programs
    Tools crossed
    Industrial + Manufacturing
    • Building & Construction Trades
    • Electrical Training
    • Industrial Maintenance Pre-Apprenticeship
    • HVAC Technician
    • Locomotive Engineer + Conductor
    • Metalwork Training
    • Welding Training
    Man fixing server
    Information Technology
    • Beginner Computer Classes
    • Computer Aided Design
    • Cyber Security and Networking
    • Desktop Support
    • Microsoft Office Applications
    • Software Training
    • Certification Testing
     
  • Library
  • Calendar + News
  • Apply
  • MyBucks
Bucks County Community College

Catalog

  Catalog  —  Course Descriptions  —  Social and Behavioral Science  —  Criminal Justice

Criminal Justice

Introduction to the Administration of Criminal Justice

CRIJ100

This course is an introductory survey of the evolution, principles, concepts, and practice of the theory and nature of the criminal justice system including police, courts, and corrections systems.

3 credits
Prerequisite: Reading Placement Test score Level 3 or READ110 (C or better) or COMP108 (C or better) or
Corequisite: Reading Placement Test score Level 2 and enrollment in a paired section of READ110

Introduction to the Administration of Criminal Justice (paired section)

CRIJ100P

This course is an introductory survey of the evolution, principles, concepts, and practice of the theory and nature of the criminal justice system including police, courts, and corrections systems.

3 credits
Prerequisite: COMP108 (C or better) or
Corequisite: Reading Placement Test score Level 2 and enrollment in a paired section of READ110

Introduction to Criminal Law

CRIJ110

This course introduces students to the study of substantive criminal law. The major topics of study include the purposes of criminal law, the elements of criminal law, defenses to crimes, criminal sanctions, constitutional limits on criminal law and the entrepreneurial mindset as applied to an issue in criminal law.

3 credits
Prerequisite: CRIJ100 or
Corequisite: CRIJ100

Outlaw Gangs and Organized Crime

CRIJ115

This course introduces students to the most current legal strategies and law enforcement tools for detecting and interdicting outlaw gangs and organized crime. The major areas of focus include a study of the origins of outlaw gangs and organized crime, and the impact of these outlaw organizations on American society.

3 credits
Prerequisite: CRIJ100 or
Corequisite: CRIJ100

Crimes in U.S. Business

CRIJ116

This course introduces students to the history of white-collar crime and present-day white collar crime. The major topics of study include criminal infractions in small and large business corporations and the methods of investigation utilized by criminal justice agencies.

3 credits
Prerequisite: CRIJ100 or
Corequisite: CRIJ100

Criminal Evidence

CRIJ120

This course introduces students to the laws of evidence at the operational level of law enforcement officers and other criminal justice professionals. The major topics of study include the federal rules of evidence, arrest, force, search, and seizure.

3 credits
Prerequisite: CRIJ100 or
Corequisite: CRIJ100

Criminal Investigation/Forensics

CRIJ130

This course introduces students to the fundamentals of criminal investigations, rules of evidence, sources of information, observations, descriptions, and identifications. The major areas of focus include collection techniques, preservation techniques, technological aids in investigating, and the processing of physical evidence, records, reports, and statements by police investigators.

3 credits
Prerequisite: CRIJ100 or
Corequisite: CRIJ100

Criminal Procedure

CRIJ140

This course introduces students to the general principles of procedural law. The major topics of study include arrest, initial appearance, hearings, grand jury proceedings, arraignment, bail, procedures, motions to suppress evidence, trial, appellate steps, warrants, and the various roles of individuals working within the criminal justice system.

3 credits
Prerequisite: CRIJ100 or
Corequisite: CRIJ100

Introduction to Juvenile Justice

CRIJ160

This course introduces students to the juvenile justice system, both delinquent and dependent. The major topics include theories of juvenile delinquency and dependency, juvenile offender laws, and the relationship among juveniles, family, probation, and schools.

3 credits
Prerequisite: CRIJ100 or
Corequisite: CRIJ100

Terrorism

CRIJ210

This course introduces students to the history and foundations of terrorism, terrorism as a universal phenomenon, weapons of mass destruction, counterterrorism, and the future of terrorism. The major topics of study include modern day national and international events and their connections to terrorism.

3 credits
Prerequisite: CRIJ100 or
Corequisite: CRIJ100

Psychology for Law Enforcement Officers

CRIJ220

This course introduces students to the fundamental principles of psychology as applied to modern practices in managing crowds, criminals, delinquents, and the public. The major topics of study include an examination of psychological principles as applied to criminals and the effects of trauma on the criminal justice professional.

3 credits
Prerequisite: CRIJ100 or
Corequisite: CRIJ100

Police Organization and Administration

CRIJ250

This course introduces students to past and present police administration practices. The areas of focus include the operational procedures of both large and small departments and the administrative problems and principles associated with governmental and business administrations.

3 credits
Prerequisite: CRIJ100 or
Corequisite: CRIJ100

Probation and Parole

CRIJ260

This course introduces students to the history and fundamental theories of probation and parole. The major topics of study include county correctional systems policies and practices and federal and state correctional systems policies and practices.

3 credits
Prerequisite: CRIJ100 or
Corequisite: CRIJ100

Introduction to Correctional Administration

CRIJ275

This course introduces students to correctional administration. The major topics include theories of criminal behavior, justifications for punishment, correctional philosophy, the correctional processes, correctional treatment methodology, early American prisons, today's prisons, prisons of the future, and the role of probation in the criminal justice system.

3 credits
Prerequisite: CRIJ100 or
Corequisite: CRIJ100

Criminal Justice Internship

CRIJ280

This course introduces students to field work directly related to the student's academic preparation and career objectives. The major areas of focus include partaking in actual field work, observing real-life situations of the working professional and their clients, and comparing academic theory to field work observations.

3 credits
Prerequisite: CRIJ100 (C or better) and permission of the Department
Corequisite: None

Constitutional Law for the Law Enforcement Officer

CRIJ285

This course introduces students to constitutional law and the guarantees of personal liberties in the federal constitution. The major topics include the jurisdiction of the U.S. Supreme Court and the lower courts, case law, fundamental rights, such as trials by jury, the right to counsel, privilege, and self-incrimination.

3 credits
Prerequisite: None
Corequisite: None

Criminology

SOCI150

The sociological relationships involved in the causes and prevention of crime and juvenile delinquency and in the treatment of criminal offenders.

3 credits
Prerequisite: None
Corequisite: None

  • Criminal Justice
  • Economics
  • Education
  • Geography
  • History
  • Historic Preservation
  • Holocaust and Genocide Studies
  • Humanities
  • Philosophy
  • Political Science
  • Psychology
  • Social Work
  • Sociology

Social & Behavioral Sciences

215-968-8270 sb@bucks.edu Grupp 301

Social & Behavioral Sciences

215-968-8270 sb@bucks.edu Grupp 301
circle logo
Newtown | 215-968-8000
275 Swamp Road, Newtown, PA 18940
Bristol | 267-685-4800
1304 Veterans Highway Bristol, PA 19007
Perkasie | 215-258-7700
One Hillendale Rd, Perkasie, PA 18944
Bucks Online | 215-968-8052
Learn from anywhere



  • Follow Us on Instagram
  • Like Us on Facebook
  • Follow Us on Tiktok
  • Watch Us on YouTube

© Bucks County Community College.
All rights reserved.

Find Campus Services

  • Accessibility - TAO
  • Admissions
  • Advising
  • Basic Needs
  • Bookstore
  • Career + Job Resources
  • Catalog
  • Collegiate Recovery Program
  • Counseling
  • Dining
  • Early Learning Center
  • ESL Programs
  • Financial Aid
  • Fitness and Wellness
  • IT Help Desk
  • KEYS Program
  • Library
  • Media Lab
  • Perkins
  • Prior Learning Assessment
  • Registrar
  • Security + Safety
  • Success Advocates
  • Testing 
  • Transfer + Planning
  • Tutoring
  • Veteran Resources

Faculty + Staff Resources

  • MyBucks
  • Office 365
  • Canvas
  • Faculty Center
  • Faculty Online Resources
  • Professional Development

Get Involved

  • Arts + Entertainment
  • Athletics
  • Bucks+
  • Calendar + News
  • Event Tickets
  • Lectures + Conferences
  • Student Life

Read Notices + Policies

  • Academic Policies
  • Student Policies
  • Human Resources Policies
  • Information Technology
  • Administration
  • Advancement
  • Consumer Information
  • Disclaimers
  • Holiday Statement
  • Notice of Non-Discrimination
  • Web Accessibility

Advancement + Alumni

  • Give
  • Alumni
  • Board of Directors
  • Scholarships
  • Special Events

Explore Campus

  • Bucks Online
  • Newtown Campus
  • Lower Bucks Campus
  • Upper Bucks Campus
  • Parking
  • Facilities Rental
  • Weddings in Tyler Gardens
  • Purchasing
  • Sustainability
  • Emergency Closing Information

Find Jobs

  • Student + Work-Study Employment
  • Faculty + Staff Employment

Discover Bucks

  • Accreditations
  • Mission + Vision
  • Board of Trustees
  • Office of the President
  • Government Relations
  • Strategic Plan
  • History

Contact Us

  • Ways to Contact Us
  • Department + Office Directory
  • Faculty + Staff Directory
  • Social Media
  • Report an Issue
  • Order a Transcript
  • Emergency Text Alerts
  • System Status