2026-2027 Catalog | Page 351

Gwynedd Mercy University 2026-2027 University Catalog
CRJ-430
Internship Policy & Planning
This course is an introduction to the purpoase of the practicum experience. Students will gain an understanding of the professional workplace, the application of theory to practice, and the value of an internship in the field of Criminal Justice. This course is a pre- or co-requisite with CRJ435 Criminal Justice Internship.
CRJ-435
Criminal Justice Internship
Criminal justice majors who have attained class standing as a junior may choose to obtain directed experience in selected criminal justice or security facilities, programs or agencies under faculty supervision and upon the recommendation of the instructor. The internship is a field placement designed to enable the student to acquire the skills, experience and knowledge necessary for the further preparation and choice of a career, while also providing a serve to the larger community. May be repeated for credit up to a total of six semester hours
maximum. Students must complete 40 documented hours of work for each credit earned.
3.00
CRJ-437
Special Topics
Investigation of selected topics related to criminal justice identified by faculty as useful to the student ' s
developing knowledge and competence in the field.
3.00
CRJ-461
Crisis Mgt / Handling Arrested Persons
As part of the ACT 120 curriculum this course prepares police officers for the management of aggressive, dangerous or violent individuals, while focusing on the police officers ' peacekeeping abilities. This course deals with intervention in dispute situations, and the management of disorderly, mentally ill, or psychologically
distraught persons. In addition, students learn techniques for handling persons in custody.
3.00
CRJ-462
Human Relations / Families in Crisis
As part of the ACT 120 curriculum this course addresses issues such as human behavior, interpersonal communication, cultural diversity, stereotypes, and ethnic intimidation. Mandated reporting requirements for bias crimes, the underlying offenses of ethnic intimidation, and information on hate groups that are known to operate in Pennsylvania are included. In addition, some of the major theoretical frameworks for studying families in crisis and in major life style transitions are examined. The course also provides training on an effective law
enforcement response to domestic violence calls.
3.00
CRJ-463
Motor Vehicle Collision Investigation
As part of the ACT 120 curriculum this course is designed to introduce the basic investigative practices related to traffic collisions as well as to explain the initial actions to be taken at an accident scene including traffic direction and control. This course addresses the basic elements of the first responding police officer ' s role and the safe practices related to being the first responder to a hazardous materials incident. The importance of written communication skills in the information- gathering process, preliminary investigation, field note taking, documentation of the crime scene or arrests, and articulation regarding the use of force and official police report
writing are emphasized.
3.00
CRJ-464
Motor Vehicle Law Enforcement
As part of the ACT 120 curriculum this course introduces the basic laws that constitute the Pennsylvania Vehicle Code and their relationship to the work of the police officer. Topics include the legal issues related to occupant
safety, in general, and Pennsylvania statutes, in particular.
3.00
CRJ-465
Patrol Procedures and Operations
As part of the ACT 120 curriculum the course introduces the student to the tasks and duties that police officers
must accomplish on a day-to-day basis. The emphasis of this course is on techniques and procedures of patrolling
and policing in the community. This course also addresses terrorism and homeland security issues.
3.00
CRJ-490
Honors Thesis in Criminal Justice
A criminal justice major may choose to prepare an honors thesis in criminal justice under the supervision of a criminal justice faculty member upon the approval of the program coordinator. The thesis may examine any theoretical, empirical or policy issue of the student ' s choice within criminal justice and would represent an integration and culmination of studies completed during the student ' s studies. May be repeated for additional
credit up to a total of six semester hours.
3.00
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