Do you have an interest in criminal justice? Want to work in law enforcement or the criminal legal system? If this sounds like you, Florida National University (FNU) offers two degree programs that will prepare you for a career in criminal justice. In addition, both the Bachelor’s and Associate’s degrees offer courses in criminology. So, what is the difference between criminology and criminal justice?
Criminology vs Criminal Justice
While criminology studies the theoretical motivation behind criminal behavior, criminal justice deals with the practical aspects of the criminal proceedings bringing forth justice. Together both criminology and criminal justice study why people commit crimes, and how they are punished or rehabilitated. At FNU, both subjects are equally important in the bachelor and associate degrees in Criminal Justice.
What is Criminology?
Criminology studies the impacts of criminal behavioral and social causes on how they relate to crime. It reviews the dynamics behind preventing criminal acts. The criminologist works to understand what a criminal is thinking and how best to stop them from committing more crimes.
They also review current crime prevention methods, such as neighborhood community policing.
What Do You Learn During a Criminology Course?
The criminology course at FNU introduces you to the basic concepts of what is a crime, identifies the law, and implements the prevention of crime. It reviews the theories associated with criminal behavior. The course introduces students to the criminal justice system process.
What is a Crime?
A crime is a deliberate act that causes harm, damage, or loss of property. It is prohibited, unlawful, and punished by criminal law. For a person to be proven guilty, the elements of a crime must be satisfied. These elements include the action or behavior, the person’s psychological state, and the relationship between the criminal action and the impact caused.
Different types of crime include:
Crimes Against People – Crimes against a person include the following:
• Kidnapping – The unlawful taking of a person without their consent and holding captive.
• Robbery – Unlawfully taking property by force or threat of force.
• Manslaughter – The unlawful killing of a person without premeditation.
• Child Abuse – Inflicting physical or emotional harm on a minor under the age of 18.
• Murder – The premeditated killing of another person.
Crimes Against Property – Property crimes include the following types of crimes:
• Burglary – Unlawful entry into a structure to commit a felony or theft.
• Auto Theft – The criminal act of unlawfully stealing or attempting to steal an automobile.
• Vandalism – The damaging or destruction of personal or private property.
• Shoplifting – Taking property from an establishment without paying or intentionally.
• Grand Theft – The unlawful taking of property valued at $750 without the use of violence.
• Arson – Deliberately setting fire to property with intentions to harm or cause harm.
Statutory Crimes – Statutory crimes that usually fall under this category include:
• Disorderly Intoxication – Intoxication in a public place with disturbance and danger.
• Traffic Violations – Non-criminal infractions in which a driver disobeys traffic laws.
• Reckless Driving – Willful disregard for the safety of others or their property.
• Selling Alcohol to Minors – The unlawful selling of alcohol to a minor under age 21.
• Hit-and-Run – A driver leaves the scene of an accident causing injury, damage, or death.
White Collar Crime – White collar crime based on people’s financial security includes:
• Corporate Fraud – When a company engages in illegal, dishonest, or unethical activity.
• Healthcare Fraud – Deceiving the healthcare system to receive unlawful benefits.
• Forgery – Utter of a document, signature, or banknote, without the consent of the owner.
• Investment Fraud – Tricking someone into investing money using fake information.
• Money Laundering – The disguising of financial assets gained from illegal activity.
• Tax Evasion – Illegally avoiding the payment of tax liability.
Cyber Crime – Using of a digital device to carry out illegal activities. This category includes:
• Fraud – The act of deception to gain an advantage at the expense of another person.
• Identity Theft – Unlawful use of another person’s financial information for gain.
• Perjury – Knowingly making a false statement under oath or to a law enforcement officer.
• Human Trafficking – Transporting, and harboring, another person for the purpose of exploitation by the use of force or coercion with the intention to exploit for profit.
• Intellectual Property Theft – Knowingly destroying data, programs, or supporting documentation residing within the computer network system without authorization.
• Privacy Violations – The disclosure, collection, or handling of personal identification information without authorization or in a way that violates the law.
What is Social Processing Theory?
Social process theory reviews how potential criminals think and their influences on society. This theory has three branches of thought, and they include:
Social Learning Theory: Believes that people learn how to commit crimes. They learn criminal behavior, similar to how they learn traditional behavior. Offenders see the value of crime.
Social Control Theory: Believes in the failure of society to control criminal tendencies. People’s relationships, norms, and commitments with society prevent them from committing crimes.
Labeling Theory: Believes negative labels produce criminal careers. Consistently calling a set of individuals by negative labels can reinforce their disconnect from societal norms of wrongdoing.
Social Dynamics & Parental Relationships
Social dynamics can influence an individual to be prone to committing a crime. Parents, caregivers, or other role models may participate in criminal behavior, making it acceptable for youth to commit crimes.
Societal Dynamics & Peer Influence
Societal dynamics can include a person’s education or peer influence to commit crimes. For example, group dynamics can play a role in drug and alcohol consumption. Viewing a friend or acquaintance participate in drinking or taking drugs may increase the access and likelihood of a youth’s decisions.
Which Criminal Justice Degree Program Are You Interested In?
At Florida National University, you have two options for a degree in Criminal Justice. These options include:
Criminal Justice, Associate of Arts
This Criminal Justice AA Program has been designed for those students seeking an education in the field of Law and Law Enforcement, among other careers of great demand. It will offer students a broad background in the Criminal Justice System and includes courses in communication, humanities, behavioral science, mathematics, natural science, and computers. *Note: Employment with certain law enforcement agencies may require separate certification in basic police training (academy).
Criminal Justice, Bachelor of Science
The purpose of the Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice (CJBS) Degree Program is to expand students’ critical and analytical thinking skills, advance students’ ability to communicate complex data, both verbally and written, and prepare students for higher-level positions within the criminal justice sector or gain admission to graduate-level programs.
Let Florida National University answer any questions if you are interested in criminal justice. Contact us today to learn more about our Criminal Justice Degree programs.
