Springfield

There are many non-CRM courses at Missouri State in which criminal justice students may be interested. Missouri State offers hundreds of courses in over 50 different departments. In order to accumulate the 125 hours needed to graduate, however, most students will only take about forty courses. It might be to your benefit to know which courses you may take to best position yourself for a successful future either in graduate school or in your career.

As you know, all students at MSU must complete (or transfer in) the General Education Requirement (GER). We suggest you visit with your CRM advisor to learn about general education courses which may be better than other at preparing you for a career - not only in criminal justice, but for practically ANY career.

In addition to your CRM Major or CRM Minor, you might consider taking courses in your other Major/s or Minor/s that may enhance your future career. And with the left-over credit hours available beyond the courses required in the GER and your CRM Major or CRM Minor, you may think about taking courses that will further enhance your attractiveness to potential employers. If you are not certain which courses these may be, let's get together and talk about this or arrange to meet with one of the other CRM faculty.

Although you may not have thought about this before, you may have several different jobs, sometimes within one career field (like criminal justice) and sometimes in several different career fields. This is a normal occurrence. Since this may happen to you, you need to have career skills, not just skills to do a specific job (unless, of course, you want to be an accountant, brain surgeon or lawyer, etc.). I'd like to share a little story with that speaks to this concern.

This Could Happen to You!

One of our brightest and most popular students graduated with a Major in communications and a Minor in criminal justice. For as long as she could remember, she had always wanted to be a cop. Towards this end, she took an internship in a police department prior to graduation.

She was an excellent intern and, when it came time to apply for full time employment, she was the first one in line. She passed all of her tests with flying colors and was finally welcomed into the department as a full time officer. She finished her academy training and entered the field training portion of her training (spending full shifts for several months riding with and learning from more experience officers - Field Training Officers). Finally, she was done with her training and ready to go on patrol alone for the first time!

She got into her patrol car, spent three hours cruising and, lo and behold, received a call which found her chasing a suspect on foot. She tripped over a cement barrier (it could have happened to anyone and does happen daily somewhere in the U.S.) and fell. The wall and the fall did so much damage to her knee that she had to be relieved of her duties - permanently. She lost her career the first day out on her own.

This would be a particularly sad story were it not for the fact that she had an academic Major in another field (Communications) within which she could hope to build a new career. She may even find a way to use her communications skills to build a career within a police department as something other than being a cop (public relations specialist, trainer, etc.). I am just suggesting that you think about developing career skills while you're here at Missouri State, not just the skills needed to do a specific kind of job.

When we think of career skills we think of the list of qualities many employers seek in their new hires - things like written and oral communication skills, computer skills, organizational skills. We have lots of courses at Missouri State which will help students develop these skills. Maybe you would benefit from taking some of them.

If you have elective hours available after your GER and your CRM Major or CRM Minor, we have some suggestions to offer concerning which courses you could take to fulfill them. The following list of courses should not be interpreted as meaning that they are the only other courses offered by Missouri State which may be relevant to your chosen career. There are others and, when you and your CRM advisor next meet, you can talk about them.

ENG 321 - Writing II: Beginning Technical Writing. 3 (3-0), F, S.
We can not emphasize enough the importance of good writing skills. If you lack any confidence in your writing ability, take this course. When you are asked to write about something, why not choose criminal justice topics? English (visit the Department).

PSY 303 - Stress and Tension Control. 3 (3-0), D
Working in the field of criminal justice, you and your clientele are likely to experience considerable stress. Stress can be both chronic (on-going and day after day) and acute (almost debilitating in its effect). Take this course and learn more about how to identify stress, use it to your advantage and limit its impact on your body and mind. Psychology (visit the Department).

PSY 304 - Abnormal Psychology. 3 (3-0), F, S
While wedon't think offenders are, simply by the nature of their acts, psychologically abnormal, this may be a useful course for understanding those who are. Psychology (visit the Department).

PSY 320 - Psychology and the Law. 3 (3-0), F, S.
This course will introduce you to the psychology of juries and other topics where psychology intersects with the law. Psychology (visit the Department).

PSY 331 - Psychology of Childhood. 3 (3-0), F,S.
If you intend to work with children, you may find this course very useful. A good companion course is SOC 351 - The Sociology of Childhood. Psychology (visit the Department).

PSY 339 - Introduction to Clinical Psychology. 3 (3-0), F,S.
This course will help prepare you for a career in counseling. If you do intend to be a counselor we strongly recommend that you check out the Social Work major in the MSU School of Social Work. That major will provide you with a professional degree upon graduation (a MSW degree rather than a B.A. or B.S.), courses which will develop your insight and counseling/helping skills, a required internship and on-the-job/internship counseling experience. There's no more appropriate degree on this campus if counseling is your goal. Psychology (visit the Department).

PSY 350 - Psychology of Adulthood. 3 (3-0), F, S.
If you intend to work with adults, in any capacity, you may find this course useful. It should also provide you with better self-understanding. Psychology (visit the Department).

PSY 355 - The Psychology of Women. 3 (3-0), D.
If your work will lead you to working primarily with women, take this course. The insights it offers may help you in helping others and in understanding yourself and your relationships with others. Psychology (visit the Department).

PSY 356 - The Psychology of Men. 3 (3-0), D.
If your work will lead you to working primarily with men, take this course. The insights it offers may help you in helping others and in understanding yourself and your relationships with others. Psychology (visit the Department).

PSY 441 - Psychology of Adolescence. 3 (3-0), F,S.
If your work will lead you to working primarily with teenagers, take this course. Whether in law enforcement, probation and parole or counseling, the content of this course will prove useful. Psychology (visit the Department).

PHI 206 - Elements of Symbolic Logic. 3 (3-0), S.
If you intend to go to law school, take this course. We typically refer students who want to study law to Dr. Kevin Pybas in the Political Science Department. He has experience as an attorney, possesses a Ph.D. in Political Science, and provides excellent advice on this subject. Philosophy (visit the Department).

PHI 340 - Philosophy of Law. 3 (3-0), D.
Whether you take this course or not should be based upon what you find out about the relevance of the course to your personal goals. Talk with the instructor of the course and/or to Dr. Alice Bartee and follow her advice. Philosophy (visit the department).

PLS 419 - The Judicial Process. 3 (3-0), S.
If you want to eventually work in or with the courts, learning about the judicial process may be a valuable asset. Political Science (visit the Department).

PLS 451 - Criminal Law and Its Enforcement. 3 (3-0), F, S.
In 1987 the Department of Sociology and Anthropology introduced the then new Criminal Justice Studies Minor (now called the Crime and Society Minor). At that time, we asked the Department of Political Science to develop a course on law enforcement for our students. PLS 451 was their response and, as you will see if you take the course, it does an excellent job of providing its students with insights into criminal law as well as its enforcement by police. Political Science (visit the Department).

SWK 310 - Children’s Rights. 3 (3-0), D.
As with so many courses in the School of Social Work , students in their courses learn how to help others. In SWK 310 students learn about the rights children have in the United States, how those rights were won and what they mean. If you intend to work with or for children, this course will be valued asset in your repertoire of knowledge upon graduation. Social Work (visit the Department).

SWK 320 - Services for Women. 3 (3-0), F.
If you intend to work with or for women, this course will expose you to the variety of services available to women. The focus of the course is both local and national and pertains to women in need of a variety of services, not just as victims of crime. Social Work (visit the Department).

SWK 330 - Substance Abuse Intervention. 3 (3-0), F, S.
This course is, by many students' accounts, among the most valuable courses which may be taken for students working in the criminal justice system. Given the extent of the substance abuse problem in our society, the content of the course is particularly useful. Knowing the terminology alone may make oral interviews for employment a more positive experience. And if you intend to be a substance abuse counselor, this course is a must. Social Work (visit the Department).

SWK 370 - Child Welfare Services. 3 (3-0), S.
As in SWK 320 (Services for Women), SWK 370 surveys services available for children. If you intend to work with children, this course will pay many benefits to you in the future. Social Work (visit the Department).

SOC 290 - Sociology of Gender Roles. 3 (3-0), D.
American society, as all others, can not be completely understood without an appreciation for differences in gender roles. For the student of juvenile and criminal justice, such a distinction, and an understanding of it, is useful for gaining insights into the behavior of male and female cohorts and clients and how each views himself or herself. A good companion course is CRM 410 - Crime, Justice and Gender. Sociology (visit the Department).

SOC 310 - Social Deviance. 3 (3-0), F,S.
There is behavior, and it can be non-deviant or deviant. Of the deviant behavior, there is non-criminal deviance and criminal deviance. While Crime and Society Minors focus upon criminal deviance, there is much to be learned about the broader phenomenon of deviance, both criminal and non-criminal. This is a powerful course as it provides a better understanding of why and how we come to define certain behaviors as deviant and how these definitions change over time and from one culture to the next. Sociology (visit the Department).

SOC 316 - Urban Sociology. 3 (3-0), F.
Although there is crime in rural America, and it is increasing, most crimes are understood as a metropolitan or urban issue. Take this course and you may better understand the forces operating in the urban environment which may foster or hinder juvenile delinquency and crime. Sociology (visit the Department).

SOC 336 - Race and Ethnic Group Relations. 3 (3-0), F, S.
There may be no more important issue to understand in our culture than race and ethnic group relations . . . particularly in our society. And the link between race/ethnicity and crime is among the most important, interesting and challenging. This course should expand the students' understanding of "race" and "ethnicity" and, by extension, their relevance in understanding delinquency and crime. A good companion course is CRM 415 - Class, Crime, Race and Justice. Sociology (visit the Department).

SOC 351 - Sociology of Childhood. 3 (3-0), F, S.
If you intend to work with or on behalf of children, this course will provide a basic understanding of the context in which childhood is played out - both in the family and in the society-at-large. No child’s experience is as an island - we are all a part of and product of our culture. The focus of this course provides just such a perspective. Sociology (visit the Department).

SOC 380 - Sociology of Law. 3 (3-0), F.
When did laws originate? Where do laws come from? What kinds of laws are there? Find the answers to these and many other relevant questions in this course. If you are interested in a career in law, this course will likely be an asset in your preparation for the court. Sociology (visit the Department).

SOC 414 - The Family. 3 (3-0), F, S.
For most sociologists, the family is the premier social institution in any society. It is through the family that the newborn member of society is socialized. For students interested in delinquency (and a delinquents eventual move to criminality), this course may provide the basis for better understanding the role the family plays in the development of the individual. Matters for historic and contemporary are discussed and, if you wish, projections into the future may be made. At any rate, if you believe the family (and its deterioration) plays a role in developing children and adults who offend, this course will fit well in your thought processes. Sociology (visit the Department).

SOC 420 - Social Inequality. 3 (3-0), S.
Few American's believe that we are a nation of "equals," although some may wish that we were. In fact, most recognize that in American society, as in practically all others, there are forces at work which divide us - the rich from the poor. Criminologists typically consider social inequality as a force which generates much delinquency and crime in our society. And others see social inequality as playing a role in who police and the courts define as criminal. If you would like to learn more about this important topic, take this course. A good companion course is CRM 415 - Class, Crime, Race and Justice. Sociology (visit the Department).

Consider taking non-CRM courses which will help you develop quality work skills - not just skills needed for a particular job. By "quality work skills" we are referring to:

		The ability to communicate effectively using the spoken word in one-on-one situations (COM 105) as well as in public speaking (COM 115). This includes clearly articulating each word, speaking in complete sentences, using expression to make a point, moderating one's voice and all the other things that make for an effective speaker.
		Having excellent listening skills. Taking time to listen to what another person is saying instead of simply preparing to say whatever it is that you intend to say next. This includes learning to respond directly to what another person has said.
		Being able to communicate well using the written word (ENG 321). This includes being able to describe something clearly so that anyone reading what you have written will understand the event, feeling or situation you are attempting to describe. Most careers require this skill. Careers in the field of criminal justice stress the need for these skills. In fact, applying for many jobs (including those in criminal justice) will likely require you to write on your application. Consider this the first glimpse a potential employer has into your ability to write well, think clearly and express yourself. In addition, you may be required to successfully complete a written exam before the employer will seriously consider your application.
		Computer skills are becoming increasingly important for career success. How are your computer skills? Can you word process on a computer? How about developing and using spreadsheets and graphics? Are you experienced at using the Internet in search of text and data? Can you manipulate data on the Internet? All of these skills are needed now and may effect your employability and eventually result in promotions into increasingly responsible positions.
		Work experience. Whether through volunteer work or an internship, you should be able to walk into an interview for a job with knowledge of what it takes to do that job well. And this kind of knowledge is only available after having experience in it. If you're a CRM Major, please contact the CRM internship supervisor as soon as possible. It's important to firm up plans for your required internship well in advance of the semester in which you will take it. CRM Minors do not have a required internship, although they may enroll in one and use the hours and the resulting grade toward graduation as an elective course. If you're a CRM Minor, weencourage you to think about doing that if you want a career in criminal justice.

There is more that could be said about how to use the variety of non-CRM courses offered by Missouri State in terms of your career. You can talk about that when you visit with your CRM advisor, if you wish. By the way, if you haven’t already read about what it takes to succeed at Missouri State, please click here.