A basic college psychology course introduces students to the principles of the psychological sciences. Careers in criminal justice may place you face-to-face with heinous criminals; having at least a basic understanding of how the mind works can help you in such situations. Some of the topics covered in this coursework include cognitive functions, memory, biological perspectives, personality and social behavior.
As with many degrees, before a student may delve into the degree core curriculum, he must first learn the basics. Criminal justice students do this by taking an introductory criminal justice course. Throughout this course students are taught the basics of law enforcement, juvenile justice systems and adult judicial systems. Topics may also cover the relationship between a community and the justice system, as well as correctional practices.
A basic course in corrections is typically required for a criminal justice degree, as it provides an overview of the U.S. correctional system and penal institutions. This basic-level course covers topics such as the history of corrections, philosophy of correctional institutions, and issues common in correctional practice. Other topics include parole tactics, alternative correctional methods and prison information.
Like many degree candidates, criminal justice majors must have a strong understanding of the written word. Courses included in composition prerequisites may include business writing, critical strategies in writing, and writing research reports. These courses are essential for this degree, and students typically take them within the first couple of semesters of a criminal justice degree program.