Explore Possible Careers With A Criminal Justice Degree Introductory Class

Introduction to Criminal Justice discusses the historical, philosophical and sociological progression of the three institutions - police, courts and corrections - that make-up the criminal justice system in America. By defining and analyzing these three components, students in a criminal justice program will discover which arena would best suit their interests and aspirations.

The first part of the justice system that offenders will encounter is law enforcement. They are the link that begins the chain and it is often considered the most essential division of the system. Students will learn about the history and structure of law enforcement in America. They will also learn about the various functions, operational styles and roles of the policing system.

Police are charged with enforcing the law and maintaining the peace. Students will discover the many contexts that require the services of the police force. On an analytical note, students will understand the philosophical and the psychological elements that are involved with working effectively in this field.

The judicial system is the next arena an offender will encounter after being dealt with by the police force. Professionals working in this capacity will find jobs as lawyers (defense attorney and prosecutor), judges, and so forth. In the United States, our system is adversarial, meaning a case is argued by two parties on opposing sides, in order to establish a person's (or company's) guilt or innocence.

Of course, students will be informed of how this system began and the principles that drive its use. Students will also learn the logistics of sentencing, appeals and the various penalties that can be involved with sentencing. There are a lot of criticisms involved in the trial process, such as discrimination and coercion; these and many more will be addressed in an introductory criminal justice course.

Corrections is the phase in which sentencing is enacted and this course will seek to summarize the development of the corrections systems. Offenders will face their punishment for the crimes they have committed and prisons are the most common institution within the corrections department.

Corrections also faces a lot of criticisms regarding how effective these institutions are and what improvements can be made in order to improve productivity. Students will learn about the trends regarding incarceration rates and the varying incarceration facilities. Students will get an inside look at prison life and the rights that are given to inmates. Students will also take a look at other forms of corrections, such as probation and parole, which are less severe forms of control and reformation.

An introductory criminal justice course will give students a great deal of information on how to navigate the justice system. If you are interested in careers with a criminal justice degree, this course could give you the insight on whether to pursue this degree program. If you know this is the field for you, spend some time learning which scholarships can help you achieve your goal.