Nov 25, 2024  
Undergraduate Catalog 2014-2015 
    
Undergraduate Catalog 2014-2015 [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Criminal Justice Administration and Human Services


 

Criminal Justice Administration

Chairperson

Barry Langford, J.D.

Full-Time Faculty

Joseph Carrier, Ph.D.
Barry Langford, J.D.
Michael Lyman, Ph.D.
Melinda McPherson, Ph.D.

Day Campus Course Rotation Schedule

  

Culminating Experience Course

CJAD 495 - Integrative Seminar 3 hours  

The Criminal Justice Administration Program is designed to permit the pursuit of different professional career goals while integrating the general study of criminal justice and law with other relevant disciplines. A degree in criminal justice administration prepares students for entry-level employment in the field, for promotion and leadership roles and for graduate study.

The program provides career enhancing opportunities through practicum and internship opportunities. It provides an excellent academic foundation for students planning to go on to graduate studies or law school.

Two baccalaureate degrees are offered in Criminal Justice Administration: the Bachelor of Arts and the Bachelor of Science.

Students considering either a BS or BA degree should consider their own experience in the criminal justice area. For students currently working in the criminal justice field the BA is recommended. For those desiring to enter the field, the BS degree is recommended; the BS degree offers practicum and internship experiences that add to the student’s understanding of the criminal justice career area.

Forensic Science

Chairperson

Barry Langford, J.D.

Coordinator

Melinda McPherson, Ph.D.

Full-Time Faculty

Christopher Babayco, Ph.D.
Joseph Carrier, Ph.D.
Kenneth Felts, II, Ph.D.
Alan James, Ph.D.
Barry Langford, J.D.
Natasha Latushkina, Ph.D.
Michael Lyman, Ph.D.
Melinda McPherson, Ph.D.
Nathan Means, Ph.D.
Rie Sasaki, Ph.D.
Ann Schlemper, Ph.D.
Frank Somer, Ph.D.
Kent Strodtman, Ph.D.
Suzanne Tourville, Ph.D.
Peggy Wright, Ph.D.

Day Campus Course Rotation Schedule

  

  

Culminating Experience Course

FRSC 475 - Senior Seminar in Forensic Science 3 hours  

The major in Forensic Science is designed to provide training for students seeking to work in the forensic science laboratories or who are planning to pursue careers in the field of forensic science. The major draws from the biological sciences, physics and chemistry as well as from the fields of criminal justice and the law.

The degree is generated from a cross-disciplinary perspective, blending faculty expertise from both the criminal justice and science program areas. A principal focus of the program is to prepare students for entry-level positions and for advancement in various occupations and professions in the criminal justice and science areas. The faculty encourages wide and varied preparation in both the liberal arts and sciences to provide students with an appreciation of the scientific and social environment of crime and criminal justice.

As students prepare for a career in forensic sciences, they should be reasonably informed on which area to focus. For example, if one wishes to work in a forensic laboratory, positions may be categorized as Forensic Scientist, Forensic Technician, Forensic Examiner, or Criminalist, but various areas will require specific coursework. Examples are as follows:

PHYSICAL EVIDENCE. Coursework should include at least two natural science classes, algebra, and trigonometry (coursework in calculus can be substituted for the algebra and trigonometry).

DNA ANALYST. Coursework should include 20 semester hours in biology (course credit in genetics, biochemistry, molecular biology, recombinant DNA technology or other subjects, such as statistics, which provide a basic understanding of the foundations of forensic DNA analysis, should be included in hours).

TRACE EVIDENCE. Coursework should include at least 20 hours of chemistry (organic and inorganic).

TOXICOLOGY. Coursework should include at least 20 hours of chemistry, including two semesters of general chemistry and two semesters of organic chemistry, and one semester of quantitative analysis, with a minimum acceptable grade of C.

LATENT PRINTS. Coursework should include at least two natural science classes, with a minimum acceptable grade of C.

QUESTIONED DOCUMENTS. The baccalaureate degree should be in one of the Natural Sciences or in Criminal Justice.

Students majoring in this degree should work closely with their academic advisor to ensure proper coursework is taken for the student’s preferred career option.

Human Services

Chairperson

Barry Langford, J.D.

Full-Time Faculty

Michael Perkins
Lia Willis, Ph.D.

Day Campus Course Rotation Schedule

  

  

Culminating Experience Course

HUMS 495 - Senior Seminar 3 hours  

The field of Human Services is one of the most rapidly growing sectors within the United States’ economy with many career options.

The National Organization for Human Services (NOHS) defines Human Services as the profession of: Meeting human needs through an interdisciplinary knowledge base, focusing on prevention as well as remediation of problems, and maintaining a commitment to improving the overall quality of life of service populations. The Human Services profession is one which promotes improved service delivery by addressing not only the quality of direct services, but also by seeking to improve accessibility, accountability and coordination among professionals and agencies in service delivery.

The goal of the Human Services program at Columbia College is to assist students in developing empirically-based knowledge and practice skills fundamental for responsible and effective application within the Human Services field. The program also helps prepare students for graduate studies in a variety of fields and emphasizes the need for life-long learning.

Two baccalaureate degrees are offered in Human Services: The Bachelor of Arts and the Bachelor of Science.

For students currently working in the field of human services, or who otherwise have considerable work experience, the BA is recommended. For those desiring to enter the field, or for those with minimal work experience, the BS degree is recommended since it offers the internship experience.

Programs

    MajorMinorCertificationPre-professional