Police Science Courses

This course examines the day-to-day operation of criminal justice in our society. Emphasis is on the inter-relationships of the components of law enforcement, the courts, corrections, and the juvenile justice system.

Lecture Hours: 48

This course examines the operational aspects of policing to include patrol theories and methods, crime response, operational skills and factors that influence police operations.

Lecture Hours: 48

This course provides in depth examination of the State of Iowa traffic laws, and how traffic code enforcement enhances public safety.

Lecture Hours: 32

An examination of ethical issues in the criminal justice system with an emphasis on reasoning and decision making for professional competence.

Lecture Hours: 48

This course surveys the basic principles, concepts, and research findings of social life from small groups to societies. The course examines a range of sociological explanations for the various forms of social behaviors and establishes a basis for reflection and further study in the field.

Lecture Hours: 48

This course introduces students to the sociological perspective and related critical thinking skills as a way of examining the cause and effect nature of contemporary social problems. Within this examination, emphasized are (a) the interdependence of social problems, (b) how social inequality is an inherent characteristic of all social problems, and (c) the relationship between definitions of social problems and social policies.

Lecture Hours: 48

Introduction to the sociological study of group relations in the United States. Basic concepts such as culture, groups, inequality, prejudice and discrimination will be explored. Focus will be on class, race, and gender, however other statuses (such as sexual orientation, religion, age, and abilities) will also be discussed. Students will gain a better understanding of the relationship between individuals and society, as well as the experiences of minority groups.

Lecture Hours: 48

Rules of evidence are essential to criminal justice system operations. This course will examine historical developments concerning evidence, types of evidence, witnesses, and the procedures used to regulate evidence.

Enrollment limited to Police Science students.

Lecture Hours: 48

Prerequisite(s): A minimum grade of C in CRJ100.

This course will review the historical development of constitutional law, the philosophy of law, and the current impact on law enforcement officials. The judicial process will be examined to better understand the societal and political influences that impact current day constitutional decisions. A review of the current constitutional protections afforded to an individual. The course will also provide an examination of the elements of common offenses and the procedural safeguards in the criminal process.

Lecture Hours: 48

This course covers the fundamentals of traffic investigation to include officer response, scene management, measurements, and report preparation.

Lecture Hours: 48

Prerequisite(s): A minimum grade of C in CRJ100.

This course examines the juvenile justice system from a practitioner perspective. It provides operational knowledge of how law enforcement, the courts, and correctional facilities navigate the juvenile offender.

Lecture Hours: 48

Prerequisite(s): A minimum grade of C in CRJ100.

This is a one semester, liberal arts mathematics course that satisfies the minimum general education requirement for math. The course is designed to impart math skills which are helpful in everyday life as well as to expose students to areas of mathematics they may not have seen before. Topics include problem-solving skills, set theory, algebra, consumer mathematics, probability, and statistics. Other topics may be included.

Lecture Hours: 48

Prerequisite(s): A minimum grade of D- in MAT063 or equivalent COMPASS score.

This course is a study of descriptive statistics including graphical representation, central tendency, correlation and regression, intuitive treatment of probability and inferential statistics including hypothesis testing.

Lecture Hours: 48

Prerequisite(s): MAT063

This course is designed to present basic facts of arithmetic including whole numbers, fractions, decimals, powers, roots, English and metric measurement, ratio-proportion, percents, introduction to algebra, and introduction to geometry. Instruction includes use of scientific hand-held calculators and emphasis placed on critical thinking, problem solving skills.

Lecture Hours: 48

This course provides instruction on self defense and control techniques necessary for law enforcement. Emphasis is placed on physical fitness, officer safety, criminal and civil liability.

Lecture Hours: 16 Lab Hours: 32

Prerequisite(s): Must be in program major. A minimum grade of C in CRJ100.

Pre/Co-requisite(s): A minimum grade of C in CRJ237 and CRJ320.

This course explores theories of factors that influence criminal behavior, and analyzes criminal behavior in relationship to other social problems.

Lecture Hours: 48

This course covers the fundamentals of using a firearm with emphasis on safe practices, responsible firearm care, and proficient use of firearms to law enforcement standards.

Meet with an advisor to register for course.

Lecture Hours: 0 Lab Hours: 32

Prerequisite(s): A minimum grade of C in CRJ100.

This course expands skills developed in Basic Firearms, and will build skills and development proficiency with pistol, shotgun and patrol rifle.

Meet with an advisor to register for course.

Lecture Hours: 0 Lab Hours: 32

Prerequisite(s): A minimum grade of C in CRJ100.

Pre/Co-requisite(s): A minimum grade of C in CRJ252.

This course involves the study of techniques and procedures used to investigate various crimes and crime scenes. The student will gain fundamental skills in photography, evidence preservation, collection, and processing; and scene measurement and documentation.

Lecture Hours: 32 Lab Hours: 32

Prerequisite(s): A minimum grade of C in CRJ100.

This course prepares public safety personnel for the physical demands of public safety entrance testing and work demands.

Lecture Hours: 16 Lab Hours: 32

This course provides the student with the necessary skills and knowledge to identify and treat life-threatening emergencies, wounds and fractures, medical and environmental emergencies and patient access and handling. This course utilizes a combination of classroom lecture and skills practice.

Lecture Hours: 16 Lab Hours: 32

Composition I emphasizes fluency, thesis-driven organization, the use of supporting details, and research techniques. Writing is approached as a recursive process that includes prewriting strategies, drafting, revising, and editing. The course helps students shape writing to serve readers' needs and define a sense of purpose in their writing. It also gives students strategies for reading college-level material.

Lecture Hours: 48

Prerequisite(s): Appropriate COMPASS scores or equivalent.

This course examines the techniques and procedures used to investigate crimes.

Lecture Hours: 48

Prerequisite(s): A minimum grade of C in CRJ100.

Report writing and courtroom testimony skills are essential to detail officer activity and enable effective case prosecution. Report writing chronologically details officer investigative activity, and documents elements of a crime. Effective courtroom testimony is vital to the prosecution and resolution of civil and criminal cases.

Lecture Hours: 48

Prerequisite(s): A minimum grade of C in ENG105 and CRJ100.

This course uses a criminal justice perspective to examine the methods and techniques of crisis intervention, causative factors, typologies of those involved, and psycho-social factors of crisis situations. A certificate in Mental Health First Aid is included.

Lecture Hours: 48

Prerequisite(s): A minimum grade of C in CRJ100 and CRJ237.

This course challenges student skills and decision making within scenario based learning activities.

Lecture Hours: 16 Lab Hours: 32

Prerequisite(s): A minimum grade of C in CRJ151, CRJ254, and EMS114.

Internship requires 128 hours of supervised volunteer work with a law enforcement agency. Course eligibility requires Advisor consent based on the ability of the student to successfully complete a criminal background check, and be accepted by an agency. Agency placement is dependent on agency assessment of student fitness to meet hiring requirements. Internship is offered during the 16 week Fall & Spring semesters, and during the 8 week Summer term.

Instructor consent required to enroll.

Lecture Hours: 0 Co-op Hours: 128

Prerequisite(s): Must be in program major. A minimum grade of C in CRJ100.

This course presents elements of the oral communications process with emphasis on developing interpersonal, small group, and public speaking skills. Students will be involved in activities that provide opportunity for the understanding and improvement of their oral communication skills.

Lecture Hours: 48