AU Grad Accepted into Master's Program

Brandon Ehlinger, a Criminal Justice graduate (Dec 2017), has been admitted to the graduate program in sociology, at Bowling Green. 

Common Pleas Judges Visit AU Campus

Judges Vercillo and Forsthoefel, of the Common Pleas Court, took time to come speak to Ashland University Students interested in the legal field. The Judges discussed the types of cases they see, the different divisions of the common pleas court, the differences between trial and appellate court systems and the importance of being informed when electing judges.

Judge Vercillo discussed his role as the Juvenile and Probate Court Judge, including the different types of cases that occur in each court. Probate Court cases typically involve estates, guardianships, trust cases, name changes, marriage licenses, and things of that nature. Juvenile Court involves cases with anyone under the age of 18. These cases can involve anything from neglect and abuse cases, to juvenile offender and criminal cases.

Judge Forsthoefel, on the other hand, oversees the General Division and Domestic relations dockets. The General Division involves civil cases (malpractice, property disputes, real estate titles, workers compensation, etc.) as well as well as the felony cases. The Domestic Relations Docket involves all disputes between married families (divorce, child support, custody, civil protection orders, etc.).

Both Judges Vercillo and Forsthoefel agreed that being a judge is a very demanding job, but it is ultimately very rewarding. Special thanks to both Judges for taking the time to come speak.

Recently Published Research by Dr. Allyson Drinkard

Dr. Allyson Drinkard, assistant professor of Criminal Justice/Sociology, has published an article in the Journal of Criminal Justice Education. 

This research explores the benefits of service-learning among a group of Midwestern college students.  Students enrolled in a section of a Juvenile Delinquency course served as volunteers at a juvenile detention facility and were studied using a pre-test/post-test survey design. This pilot project also included a comparison group of students in a section of the course which did not involve service-learning. 

The study compared service-learning to non-service-learning students in terms of attitudes regarding juvenile delinquency, punishment, and attributions of criminal behavior. We also examined any possible effects of service-learning on student academic skills, career goals and comfort level with delinquents. Overall, we found that the service-learning project was a valuable educational tool having a positive impact on a number of student outcomes. We discuss the implications of these findings for service-learning research and practice.

Ashland University's Marc Hedrick quoted in WalletHub Article

Criminal Justice Professional Instructor and Field Experience Coordinator Marc Hedrick was quoted in a WalletHub article about the most sinful states in America.

The article by Hedrick addresses a number of questions, including "What makes some states more sinful than others?"; "Should sport betting be legalized across the U.S. by the federal government?"; 'What are the most efficient measures that federal and state authorities can utilize to curb the obesity epidemic and is something like the 'soda tax' a valid approach?"; and "How can federal authorities combat human trafficking and is legalizing prostitution a good idea?"

You can see the article at -

https://wallethub.com/edu/most-sinful-states/46852/#marc-hedrick

Online Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice

Online Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice

Core Requirements:

CJ 130 INTRODUCTION TO CRIMINAL JUSTICE (3)

Prerequisite: None

An overview of the philosophical, historical, and operational aspects of the justice system in the United States.

CJ 227 INTRODUCTION TO CORRECTIONS (3)

Prerequisite: None

This course is an overview of the process and institutions involved in the supervision, treatment, control, and incarceration of those individuals who have been adjudicated and sentenced by the court. Corrections in the United States encompass a variety of public and private institutions including: probation and parole systems, jails, prisons, half-way houses and post-release supervision.

CJ 242 CRIMINOLOGY (3)

Prerequisite: None

An introduction to the history of crime, the sociology of criminal law, the operation of the criminal justice system, including roles of police, prosecutors, defense attorneys and judges. Also considered are offender types; conventional, white collar and organized crime; theories of causation, victimology, prison, probation, and parole, and trends and issues in criminology. CJ/SOC credit.

CJ 270 ROLE OF POLICE IN MODERN SOCIETY (3)

Prerequisite: CJ 130

Study of the role behavior and life of the line officer within the police subculture and within society. Topics examined are the influence of coercive power, role behavior, subcultural influences, and personal issues relating to loyalty, stress, health, critical incidents, family, and faith.

CJ 362 CRIMINAL LAW (3)

Prerequisite: CJ 130

Analysis and evaluation of the growth of legal relationships between the individual and government with special attention to problems of law enforcement-law adjudication and the impact of their decisions on the citizen and the criminal justice system

CJ 450 ETHICS IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE (3)

Prerequisite: CJ 130, CJ 362, and Jr. or Sr. Status

This course will analyze ethical behavior and provide criminal justice practitioners with decision-making skills to enhance the practitioner duty performance and the public interest. The focus will be on making moral, rational, and responsible decisions which will lead to ethical professional behavior.  Must be taken at AU.

Electives (Need 18 credit hours)

CJ 200 CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION (3)

Prerequisite: CJ 130

Provides the student with an opportunity to study the technical, theoretical and legal aspects of criminal investigation.

CJ 235 COURTS AND JUSTICE (3)

Prerequisite: CJ 130

Affords the student a concentrated study of the functions, operations and decision-making process of the American court system.

 CJ 240 CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION II (3)

Prerequisite: CJ 130, CJ 200

A continuation of CJ 200. The course will focus on investigative theory and technique for major felonies including murder offenses, sexual assault, and theft related to crimes, recognizing that each crime category involves different processes to properly investigate that incident. The legal concept of forensic science and the differing roles of the coroner, forensic scientists, technicians, crime scene investigator, and the crime lab in investigations will also be discussed.

 CJ 244 JUVENILE DELINQUENCY (3)

Prerequisite: None

A course planned to aid the student in the examination of juvenile delinquency as a social problem from the perspectives of control prevention and rehabilitation. Delinquency will be viewed as to definition, genesis and extent. The social institutions of families and schools will be discussed in detail. The juvenile courts, probation, parole, correction institutions and child placement programs are to be examined with respect to their effectiveness, philosophy and goals. CJ/SOC credit.
CJ 275/SOC 275 GANGS AND CULTS (3)

Prerequisite: None

Examines the historical and contemporary issue of gangs and cults in United States and focuses on gang and cult recruitment, subculture, beliefs, activities, signs, and symbols.  CJ/SOC credit.

 CJ 307 VICTIMOLOGY (3)

Prerequisite: None

Victimology is the study of the role of the victim in criminology and the criminal justice system. Areas to be investigated include the relationship between victims and their criminal offenders, societies' responses to the victims, the victim's role in the criminal justice process and programs directed at assisting victims of crime. CJ/SOC credit.

CJ 331 TOPICS IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE (3)

Prerequisite: None

A seminar open to criminal justice majors/minors which will provide an opportunity to explore, in-depth, topics pertinent to or impacting on the field of criminal justice. This may include critical observations or historical, contemporary or future issues. Repeatable to a maximum of 9 hours.

 CJ 332 TERRORISM & HOMELAND SECURITY (3)

Prerequisite: None

This course will look at what terrorism is and what a terrorist group is. This course will also examine theories explaining terrorist behavior and how economics, race, religion and other factors influence terrorism and motivate terrorist groups. The course will also look at the responses to terrorism, and particularly how it is being fought through the concept of Homeland Security.

CJ 360 READINGS IN CRIME AND JUSTICE (3)

Prerequisite: None

This course surveys major literary works that deal with crime and punishment and examines these works in terms of motivation, social milieu, culture and legal systems that affect our understanding of justice and the laws that attempt to achieve that justice.

CJ 365 CORRECTIONAL ADMINISTRATION (3)

Prerequisite: CJ 130, 227

This course provides the student with the context of corrections history and with the goals and philosophies of the correctional system.  The student will examine correctional administration and management using contemporary theory, research, and best practices.  The student will also examine issues such as offender classifications, rehabilitative and restorative initiatives, treatment programs, life-course and educational services, various institutional environments and levels, and the functions and management of correctional staff.

CJ 366 CRIMINAL PROCEDURE (3)

Prerequisite: CJ 130, CJ 362

Examination of the area of law balances governmental power and individual rights. Issues that address balancing controlling crime with due process rights include search and seizure, detention and arrest, interrogation, trial rights and sentences.

CJ 403 FIELD EXPERIENCE/INSTRUCTION-CJ (1-12)

Prerequisite: Permission of instructor

Provides an opportunity for CJ majors to observe and experience the criminal justice system in action. The student selects from a variety of agencies or organizations willing to offer this opportunity and, with the help and guidance of the field coordinator, participates in an experience designed to bring academic preparation together with the reality of being professional criminal justice practitioners. Experience may be taken for up to a total of 12 hours.

 CJ 415 ADVANCED CRIMINOLOGY AND PROFILING (3)

Prerequisite: CJ/SOC 242

 Advanced Criminology and Profiling is a case study approach to applying theory to the practice of criminology. The case histories of some infamous and not-so-infamous criminals will be examined for the purpose of applying criminological theory. Students will determine the probable cause(s) of those individuals' criminality.  CJ/SOC credit.

CJ 465 RESTORATIVE JUSTICE (3)

Prerequisite: CJ 130, 227

In this course, the student will explore restorative justice as a new model within the criminal justice system.  The student will develop a critical mindfulness to the healing wants and needs of victims and communities impacted by criminal conduct as well as the role of the offender in meeting these wants and needs.  The course will examine various applications of the restorative justice model in criminal justice systems around the world.

Retired Secret Service Agent Speaks to Ashland University Students

Stephanie Yoha, a retired Special Agent with the United States Secret Service, spoke to students about non-traditional routes for Criminal Justice as well as what her job was like working for the Secret Service. Yoha discussed how, before being a Secret Service Agent, she was a probation officer. She talked about how students need to focus on gaining that outside experience if they wish to work at the federal level.
Yoha talked about how her work as a probation officer helped her immensely with her transition into the Secret Service, and how that experience is essential to even be considered during the hiring process.

Stephanie talked about the various aspects of the hiring process, and how extensive and time consuming it is, noting that, in order to pursue this field of work, one needs to have
patience. It took Stephanie 2 years to finish the application process, and then after getting hired, she began training for several months. While this process can be very tedious, she said the job was very rewarding.

Stephanie talked about the various opportunities presented to her through her work, such as being able to travel the world and being able to meet so many people, including some of the presidents. She also discussed some of the drawbacks to the job, such as not being able to be with family, or have a social life. However, she said she was very grateful for all the experiences she had during her years with the Secret Service, and that she has no regrets.

Stephanie impressed upon the students that one cannot expect anything without working for it. Students need to focus on gaining outside experiences (both volunteer work and professional), maintaining good reputations (especially on social media), and continuing to succeed academically. Rewards come with time. The Criminal Justice Department would like to thank Stephanie Yoha for coming to speak, and we hope that you will consider coming to speak again in the future.

Sgt. of Columbus Sexual Assault Unit visits AU

Sgt. Pelphrey, of the Sexual Assault Unit at the Columbus Police Department, spoke to students about the Special Victims Bureau Columbus PD has. He discussed the various different units that are a part of this bureau and what each of their roles are in investigations. The Sexual Assault unit was described in a more thorough manner. Sgt. Pelphrey discussed that the Columbus PD has two separate Sexual Assault Units, one for adult offenders, and one for juveniles. He also described the investigative process and the differences between the adult and juvenile investigative techniques. Sgt. Pelphrey concluded his presentation by discussing the various different employment and internship opportunities the Columbus PD offers, and discussed what qualities they are looking for when recruiting.

The Criminal Justice Department would like to give a special thanks to Sergeant, David Pelphrey for coming in to speak.