New students are accepted into the online Criminal Justice program every 8 weeks. Each semester is divided into two eight-week terms. Students will take two classes each term for a total of four classes a semester.

**All coursework listed above is required to complete the degree. Spartanburg Methodist College accepts academic credits earned at other regionally accredited colleges and universities throughout the United States.

You may receive a maximum of 48 hours of transfer credit, including up to 8 hours of prior learning/training academy credit, to reach 64 credit hours based on evaluation of your transcripts by SMC.

Order of the courses may vary.

South Carolina Criminal Justice Academy Credits Accepted:

SMC accepts as credit toward graduation with the Associate in Criminal Justice degree the following courses:

• CRMJ 202, Criminal Evidence and Procedures
• CRMJ 203, Introduction to Criminal Law
• PHED 121, Physical Fitness and Wellness

Other accepted credits:

In addition, SMC may award credit for military service, for the Advanced Placement Program, for the International Baccalaureate Programme and through the College Level Examination Placement Program (CLEP).

Order of the courses may vary.

CRMJ-101: INTRODUCTION TO THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM. (3 Credit Hours)
A course not in law but about the law as a means of social control. Designed to bring a better understanding of how our criminal justice system works in the prevention, detection, prosecution, and punishment of crime, fair administration of justice, and restoration of offenders to the community. For the beginning student interested in a career in the criminal justice field.

CRMJ-110: POLICE ADMINISTRATION. (3 Credit Hours)
Study of the modern law enforcement agency, its functions, structure, and operational techniques. Attention is given to general and specialized units, principles of organization, staff, budget, and control.

CRMJ-112: INTRODUCTION TO CRIMINOLOGY. (3 Credit Hours)
Review of the extent of crime, types of crime, causes of crime, and the law enforcement officer’s role in control of crime. Special attention to controversial issues in criminology with full discussion of different views.

CRMJ-202: CRIMINAL EVIDENCE AND PROCEDURES. (3 Credit Hours)
Study of criminal evidence for police, types of evidence, criminal procedure in various courts, legal arrests and searches (constitutional requirements, etc.), court functions (indictments, grand and petit juries, etc.), and rights and duties of officers and citizens.

CRMJ-203: INTRODUCTION TO CRIMINAL LAW. (3 Credit Hours)
Study of the nature, types, and sources of criminal law. Classification and analysis of crime and criminal acts in general. Examination of selected specific criminal offenses.

CRMJ-210: JUVENILE RELATIONS. (3 Credit Hours)
Examination of various theories relating to causal factors of juvenile delinquency and a study of the evolving juvenile justice system, to include law enforcement, courts, corrections, and prevention.

CRMJ-212: INTRODUCTION TO CORRECTIONS. (3 Credit Hours)
A review of the history of development of jails and prison systems. Introduction to prison management, operations, and programs, current methods of classification, treatment, security. Career opportunities in penology also discussed.

CRMJ-220: INTRODUCTION TO FORENSIC SCIENCE. (3 Credit Hours)
An introductory course with emphasis on the terminology and techniques used in forensic science. Topics will include physical evidence, fingerprint evidence, trace evidence, toxicological evidence, arson and explosive evidence, drug evidence, ballistics and DNA testing.