Plan of Study – Private Investigation

Note: A Semester Hour (s.h.) is a unit of academic credit representing an hour of class (such as lecture class) or three hours of laboratory work each week for an academic semester. Most courses are two, three or four semester hours.

Private Investigation: Cert Comp

Private Investigation: Certificate of Completion

Certificate Courses (Minimum of 15 semester hours required.)

CJ 1020 Introduction to Criminal Justice (3 s.h.)

An overview of the criminal justice system in the United States. The history of law enforcement; the political, sociological, and philosophic background of police functions, the courts and corrections system; constitutional problems as they relate to the police function; and the use of recent technology in criminal justice is explored.

CJ 1240 Introduction to Private Investigation (3 s.h.)

An overview of the private investigation industry, including but not limited to employment opportunities, history/evolution, methods and management of private investigation, sources of information, investigative technology, and ethical and public policy considerations related to private investigations.

CJ 2350 American Judicial Process (CJ*/PSC) (3 s.h.)

Analysis of the American state and federal court systems; history, traditions, and philosophy underlying the American system of justice; legal systems and law; court structures and roles: judges, prosecutors, attorneys, litigants; and the adjudication process: arrest to arraignment, trials, juries, and sentencing.

CJ 4150 Criminal Investigation (CJ*/FOR) (3 s.h.)

Integration of principles and procedures of criminal investigation; conduct at a crime scene; search, collection, and preservation of evidence; interviewing; methods used in crime laboratories; and planning for effective courtroom participation. Prerequisite: CJ 1020.

CJ 4450 Interviewing and Investigative Report Writing (3 s.h.)

The art of interviewing and interrogation and the comprehensive skills necessary for the integration and documentation of information that is obtained from a wide variety of sources. Prerequisite: CJ 1020. At the completion of the course, students will be able to: 1. Complete a comprehensive police report. 2. Analyze the laws of criminal investigation. 3. Apply interview techniques in a given investigative context. 4. Apply criminal interrogation techniques in a given investigative context.