Criminal Justice (CJSA)

CJSA 1308  Criminalistics I  3 Credits   (3 Lec, 0 Lab)  

This course is an introduction to the field of criminalistics. Topics include the application of scientific and technical methods in the investigation of crime including location, identification, and handling of evidence for scientific analysis.
Course Type: Technical

CJSA 1312  Crime in America  3 Credits   (3 Lec, 0 Lab)  

This course covers the study of crime problems in historical perspective, social and public policy factors affecting crime, impact and crime trends, social characteristics of specific crimes, and crime prevention. (Note: Credit will not be given for both CJSA 1312 and CRIJ 1307.)
Course Type: Technical

CJSA 1313  Court Systems and Practices  3 Credits   (3 Lec, 0 Lab)  

This course examines the judiciary in the criminal justice system; structure of the American court system; prosecution; right to counsel; pre-trial release; grand juries; adjudication process; types and rules of evidence, sentencing. (Note: Credit will not be given for both CJSA 1313 and CRIJ 1306.)
Course Type: Technical

CJSA 1317  Juvenile Justice System  3 Credits   (3 Lec, 0 Lab)  

This course is a study of the juvenile justice process. Topics include specialized juvenile law, role of the juvenile law, role of the juvenile courts, role of police agencies, role of correctional agencies, and theories concerning delinquency. (Note: Credit will not be given for both CJSA 1317 and CRIJ 1313.)
Course Type: Technical

CJSA 1322  Introduction to Criminal Justice  3 Credits   (3 Lec, 0 Lab)  

This course provides the history and philosophy of criminal justice and ethical considerations; crime defined; its nature and impact; overview of criminal justice system; law enforcement; court systems; prosecution and defense; trail process; and corrections. (Note: Credit will not be given for both CRIJ 1301 and CJSA 1322.)
Course Type: Technical

CJSA 1327  Fundamentals of Criminal Law  3 Credits   (3 Lec, 0 Lab)  

This course is the study of the nature of criminal law; philosophical and historical development; major definitions and concepts; classification of crime; elements of crimes and penalties using Texas statutes as illustrations; and criminal responsibility. Credit will not be given for both CRIJ 1310 and CJSA 1327.
Course Type: Technical

CJSA 1342  Criminal Investigation  3 Credits   (3 Lec, 0 Lab)  

This course is a study of investigative theory; collection and preservation of evidence; sources of information; interview and interrogation; the use of forensic sciences; and case and trial preparation. (Note: credit will not be given for both CJSA 1342 and CRIJ 2314.)
Course Type: Technical

CJSA 1348  Ethics in Criminal Justice  3 Credits   (3 Lec, 0 Lab)  

This course is a study of ethical philosophies and issues pertaining to the various professions in the criminal justice system. Includes ethical issues emanating from constitutional conflict with public protection and individual rights, civil liberties, and correctional policies.
Course Type: Technical

CJSA 1351  Use of Force  3 Credits   (2 Lec, 2 Lab)  

This course is a study of the use of force including introduction to and statutory authority for the use of force, force options, deadly force, and related legal issues. Fulfills the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Use of Force Intermediate Certificate requirement.
Course Type: Technical

CJSA 1359  Police Systems and Practices  3 Credits   (3 Lec, 0 Lab)  

This course explores the profession of police officer. Topics include organization of law enforcement systems, the police role, police discretion, ethics, police-community interaction, and current and future issues. (Note: credit will not be given for both CJSA 1359 and CRIJ 2328.)
Course Type: Technical

CJSA 1374  Crime Prevention  3 Credits   (3 Lec, 0 Lab)  

This course is a study of the prevention of crime through cooperative ventures between law enforcement agencies and the communities they serve. Emphasis is on the prevention of crimes against property both in businesses and in the home. It includes history of crime prevention, physical security measures, special problems in loss control, and security survey procedures.
Prerequisite(s): Reading level 4
Course Type: Technical

CJSA 2300  Legal Aspects of Law Enforcement  3 Credits   (3 Lec, 0 Lab)  

This is an exploration of police authority. Topics include responsibilities and constitutional restraints, law of arrest, search and seizure, and police liability. (Note: credit will not be given for both CJSA 2300 and CRIJ 2323.)
Course Type: Technical

CJSA 2302  Police Management, Supervision, and Related Topics  3 Credits   (3 Lec, 0 Lab)  

This course covers techniques and theories regarding dealing with people, their performance and problems. Topics include basic supervision, leadership, time management, first-line supervision, and management by objectives.
Prerequisite(s): Reading level 4
Course Type: Technical

CJSA 2323  Criminalistics II  3 Credits   (2 Lec, 2 Lab)  

This course focuses on the theory and practice of crime scene investigation. Topics include report writing, blood and other body fluids, document examination, etchings, casts and molds, glass fractures, use of microscope, and firearms identification.
Course Type: Technical

CJSA 2364  Practicum (or Field Experience) - Criminal Justice/Safety Studies  3 Credits   (0 Lec, 21 Lab)  

This course offers practical, general workplace training supported by an individualized learning plan developed by the employer, College, and student. The plan relates the workplace training and experiences to the student’s general and technical course of study, and it includes a written agreement between the educational institution and a business or industry. Monitored and supervised by the instructor and a workplace employee, the student achieves objectives that are developed and documented by the College, and that are directly related to specific occupational outcomes. This may be a paid or unpaid experience. (Note: the student must receive approval to enroll from instructor at least 60 days prior to start of course).
Prerequisite(s): 15 credit hours of criminal justice courses (9 of these credit hours must be earned at San Jacinto College), and an accumulative GPA of at least 2.0 is required
Course Type: Technical