Careers in Criminal Justice: Finding Your Specialty

Course Description:

Have you ever thought about a career as a police officer, an FBI or DEA agent, or any occupation that seeks to pursue justice for all? Careers in criminal justice can be found at local, county, state, and federal levels, and even in the private sector. Explore some of the various occupations in this field, while simultaneously learning how they interact with each other and other first responders. Discover various interviewing techniques to uncover the truth. Understand the importance of making ethical decisions, and how you need to keep your sense of right and wrong in check to be successful in this field.

Course Details:

Course Title (District): Careers in Criminal Justice: Finding Your Specialty
Course Title (NCES SCED) : Contemporary U.S. Issues
Course Provider : Michigan Virtual
Content Provided By : eDynamic Learning
Online Instructor Provided By : Michigan Virtual
Standards Addressed : National Curriculum Standards for Social Studies (NCSS, 2010)
Alignment Document : https://docs.google.com/document/d/1V6iuXvxQ1aRg2VVF7PEgbFWz3Q_eYB55bZUAP7_vzs8/edit?usp=sharing
Academic Terms : Semester, Trimester, Accelerated, Open Entry / Fixed End
NCES SCED Code : 04106
Subject Area : Social Sciences and History
Course Identifier : Contemporary U.S. Issues
Course Level : High School (Secondary)
Available Credit : 0.5
Sequence : 1 of 1

How To Enroll:

Enrollment Website : https://slp.michiganvirtual.org/
Email : [email protected]
Phone : (888) 889-2840

Students and Parents: It is important to work closely with your local school counselor or registrar to follow the school's enrollment procedures. By clicking the "Start Registration Request" button below, you will be able to notify the school of your interest in registering for the online course. However, it is the responsibility of the district or school to review the registration request and approve or deny the request. Please make a note to follow up with your school after submitting a registration request.

Start Registration Request

Additional Course Information:

Additional Cost Description:

None

Upon completion of this course, students will be able to...

  • Recall the history of private security in both ancient and modern societies and compare and contrast public security agents to private security workers.
  • Understand the different roles and responsibilities of the US Border Security and its divisions and the purpose of the United States Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA).
  • Describe the role of emergency medical services in public safety and Examine the roles and responsibilities of first responders
  • Explain the history of INTERPOL and goal of that agency and discuss the different job roles that exist within INTERPOL how it collaborates with law enforcement agencies to stop international crime
  • Describe interview techniques used by law enforcement, determine how establishing rapport can benefit police officers in their jobs, and explain how police officers effectively communicate with suspects and inmates.
  • Identify elements of wrongful conviction and resources for victims of wrongful conviction.
  • Discuss both perspectives of common ethical quandaries in the criminal justice field such as the death penalty or solitary confinement and understand the codes of ethics for the criminal justice system and specifically law enforcement officers..
  • Describe different equipment and protocols used by law enforcement officers to communicate with each other and the public and identify communication and jurisdictional problems that may arise as multiple agencies work together
  • Identify sources of information for employment and training opportunities and career options in the field of criminal justice, conduct a job search and identify the training, experience, and other qualifications required for different positions, and complete a job application, resume, and cover letter.

NSQ National Standards for Quality Online Courses

Rating Comments
E2. The online course design facilitates readability.* Fully Met
E3. The online course provides accessible course materials and activities to meet the needs of diverse learners.* Fully Met
E4. Course multimedia facilitate ease of use.* Fully Met
E5. Vendor accessibility statements are provided for all technologies required in the course.* Fully Met
E1. Online course navigation is logical, consistent, and efficient from the learner’s point of view.* Fully Met
Rating Comments
A1. A course overview and syllabus are included in the online course Fully Met All Michigan Virtual course offerings contain a link to the course syllabus within the quick access menu located on the class homepage. The syllabus describes, among other things, a course description, prerequisite learning requirements, course objectives or outcomes, an outline of learning topics, resources included, scoring systems and grading policies, estimated time commitments, assessment requirements, technology requirements, additional material costs, technical and digital literacy skill requirements, contact expectations and academic support information.
A2. Minimum computer skills and digital literacy skills expected of the learner are clearly stated.* Fully Met All Michigan Virtual course offerings contain a link to the course syllabus within the quick access menu located on the class homepage. The syllabus describes, among other things, a course description, prerequisite learning requirements, course objectives or outcomes, an outline of learning topics, resources included, scoring systems and grading policies, estimated time commitments, assessment requirements, technology requirements, additional material costs, technical and digital literacy skill requirements, contact expectations and academic support information.
A3. The instructor’s biographical information and information on how to communicate with the instructor are provided to learners and other stakeholders. Fully Met All Michigan Virtual course offerings contain a quick access widget on class homepages displaying the instructor's name, photograph, contact information, office hours, and personalized messages. Additionally, instructors post a welcome letter for students in their Getting Started module describing further biographical and professional information.
A4. Learner expectations and policies are clearly stated and readily accessible within the introductory material of the course. Fully Met Michigan Virtual Student Orientation to Online Learning lesson content, linked in the Getting Started module common to all course offerings, describes in detail expectations and responsibilities for learners as well as for their instructors. Additionally, the course quick links located on the class homepage includes a link to Michigan Virtual policies, including policies for academic integrity, acceptable use, accommodations and web accessibility guidelines, anti-bullying, terms and conditions for dropping a course, student privacy, and purchasing terms and conditions.
A5. Minimum technology requirements for the course are clearly stated, and information on how to obtain the technologies is provided.* Fully Met All Michigan Virtual course offerings contain a link to the course syllabus within the quick access menu located on the class homepage. The syllabus describes, among other things, a course description, prerequisite learning requirements, course objectives or outcomes, an outline of learning topics, resources included, scoring systems and grading policies, estimated time commitments, assessment requirements, technology requirements, additional material costs, technical and digital literacy skill requirements, contact expectations and academic support information. It is the responsibility of schools or parents/guardians enrolling their students to provide them with the necessary hardware and internet access. However, if the course requires additional software downloads, then this information is provided to students within the technology requirements description and/or in additional guidance located in the Getting Started module of the course.
A6. Grading policies and practices are clearly defined in accordance with course content learning expectations. Fully Met All Michigan Virtual course offerings contain a link to the course syllabus within the quick access menu located on the class homepage. The syllabus describes, among other things, a course description, prerequisite learning requirements, course objectives or outcomes, an outline of learning topics, resources included, scoring systems and grading policies, estimated time commitments, assessment requirements, technology requirements, additional material costs, technical and digital literacy skill requirements, contact expectations and academic support information.
A7. The online course provides a clear description or link to the technical support offered and how to obtain it.* Fully Met All Michigan Virtual course offerings contain a link to the course syllabus within the quick access menu located on the class homepage. The syllabus describes, among other things, a course description, prerequisite learning requirements, course objectives or outcomes, an outline of learning topics, resources included, scoring systems and grading policies, estimated time commitments, assessment requirements, technology requirements, additional material costs, technical and digital literacy skill requirements, contact expectations and academic support information. Additionally, the course quick links menu located on the class homepage includes a link to Getting Help, detailing who to contact for various common needs, a link to the online Knowledge Base articles maintained by Michigan Virtual, and contact information for the Michigan Virtual Customer Care Center.
A8. Learners are offered an orientation prior to the start of the online course. Fully Met All Michigan Virtual students complete the Student Orientation to Online Learning module, containing introductory lessons and four assessments, prior to beginning their other coursework. Additionally, all courses include as their first activity an introductory discussion board as an opportunity to engage with the instructor and other classmates.
Rating Comments
B1. The online course objectives or competencies are measurable and clearly state what the learner will be able to demonstrate as a result of successfully completing the course.* Partially Met There are a few learning objectives that are not measurable in terms of common forms of assessment. Examples: Understand the codes of ethics for the criminal justice system, Examine the roles and responsibilities of first responders.
B2. The online course expectations are consistent with course-level objectives or competencies, are representative of the structure of the course, and are clearly stated. Fully Met
B3. The online course content is aligned with accepted state and/or other accepted content standards, where applicable.* Partially Met There are a few learning objectives that are not measurable in terms of common forms of assessment. Examples: Understand the codes of ethics for the criminal justice system, Examine the roles and responsibilities of first responders.
B4. Digital literacy and communication skills are incorporated and taught as an integral part of the curriculum.* Fully Met Included in syllabus.
B5. Supplemental learning resources and related instructional materials are available to support and enrich learning and are aligned to the specific content being delivered.* Fully Met Included in syllabus.
B6. The online course content and supporting materials reflect a culturally diverse perspective that is free of bias.* Fully Met
B7. The online course materials (e.g., textbooks, primary source documents, OER) that support course content standards are accurate and current. Not Met Does not include any instructional videos and is very limited use of additional outside resources / materials
B8. The online course is free of adult content and avoids unnecessary advertisements.* Fully Met
B9. Copyright and licensing status for any third-party content is appropriately cited and easily found. Fully Met Sources are included.
B10. Documentation and other support materials are available to support effective online course facilitation.* Fully Met Included in syllabus.
Rating Comments
C1. The online course design includes activities that guide learners toward promoting ownership of their learning and self-monitoring. Fully Met Students are able to engage and interact with the content and assessements.
C2. The online course’s content and learning activities promote the achievement of the stated learning objectives or competencies. Fully Met
C3. The online course is organized by units and lessons that fall into a logical sequence. Fully Met
C4. The online course content is appropriate to the reading level of the intended learners.* Fully Met
C5. The online course design includes introductory assignments or activities to engage learners within the first week of the course. Fully Met All Michigan Virtual students complete the Student Orientation to Online Learning module, containing introductory lessons and four assessments, prior to beginning their other coursework. Additionally, all courses include as their first activity an introductory discussion board as an opportunity to engage with the instructor and other classmates.
C6. The online course provides learners with multiple learning paths as appropriate, based on learner needs, that engage learners in a variety of ways. Fully Met Students are able to engage and interact with the content and assessements.
C7. The online course provides regular opportunities for learner-learner interaction. Fully Met Course includes discussion boards.
C8. The online course design provides opportunities for learner-instructor interaction, including opportunities for regular feedback about learner progress.* Fully Met Course includes discussion boards.
C9. Online course instructional materials and resources present content in an effective, engaging, and appropriate manner.* Fully Met Conent and assessements are aligned.
Rating Comments
D1. Learner assessments are linked to stated course, unit, or lesson-level objectives or competencies. Fully Met Conent, standards and assessements are aligned.
D2. Valid course assessments measure learner progress toward mastery of content. Fully Met Includes, discussions, multiple choice tests and other writing assignments/projects
D3. Assessment practices provide routine and varied opportunities for self-monitoring and reflection of learning.* Fully Met Teachers provide students with feedback to help them demenstate mastory of the content.
D4. Assessment materials provide the learner with the flexibility to demonstrate mastery in a variety of ways.* Fully Met Conent, standards and assessements are aligned.
D5. Rubrics that clearly define expectations for varied levels of proficiency are created and shared with learners.* Fully Met Rubrics are included in the course.
Rating Comments
F1. Educational tools ensure learner privacy and maintain confidentiality of learner information in accordance with local, state, and national laws for learner data. Fully Met Student data within Michigan Virtual's learning management system are password-protected and require single sign-on from a secure student information system in full compliance with FERPA requirements.
F2. The online course tools support the learning objectives or competencies.* Fully Met
F3. The online course provides options for the instructor to adapt learning activities to accommodate learners’ needs and preferences.* Partially Met Instructor role permissions within Michigan Virtual's learning management system permit instructors to add supplemental content and external resources both within lessons and announcements. Additionally, the learning management system permits online accommodations including text-to-speech tools, extended testing time, provision of multiple attempts, and scoring exemptions for extenuating circumstances. Course content is desgined, however, to meet state and national content standards alignment and provide a guaranteed and viable curriculum to all enrolled learners, and therefore there are restrictions on instructor permissions to modify the scope and sequence of course assessments.
F4. The course allows instructors to control the release of content.* Partially Met Michigan Virtual provides for flexible pacing and asynchronous delivery of its online course offerings. In order to maximize these opportunities for personalized learner preferences and flexibility concerning frequency or timing of individual learner availability or participation in courses during academic terms, with few exceptions, all course content is made available at all times throughout the term, and generally only midterm or final exams are password protected. Conditional release of content is intentionally avoided or used sparingly within Michigan Virtual course design and instructional delivery models.
F5. The course provides the necessary technical functionality to score and record assessments and calculate earned course points or grades.* Fully Met Michigan Virtual ensures that the gradebook items are pre-populated in its course offerings, and the association of grade items with individual assessments, and the inclusion of grade categories, progress check calculations, and total point scoring established prior to the enrollment of learners.
Rating Comments
G1. The online course uses multiple methods and sources of input for assessing course effectiveness. Fully Met Michigan Virtual regularly examines enrollment trends, student performance data, student completion rates, student responses to end-of-course surveys, and technical support requests to continuously examine the quality and effectiveness of individual course offerings.
G2. The online course is reviewed to ensure that the course is current. Fully Met All Michigan Virtual course offerings offered by third party content providers undergo formal evaluation and review for their degree of alignment to course design and content standards, including the currency of content where appropriate.
G3. The online course is updated on a continuous improvement cycle for effectiveness based on the findings from ongoing reviews. Fully Met Michigan Virtual maintains a continuous cycle of monitoring course functionality through multiple support ticketing systems for internal and external users, annual reviews of performance and perception data, as well as a 3 to 5 year cycle of updating, replacing, or retiring course versions in an effort to maintain currency.

Review Conducted By: Michigan Virtual
Date of Review: 08/23/2022

Unit 1: The Role of Private Security

Unit 2: Other Roles in Criminal Justice

Unit 3: Working with Medical Emergency and Fire Departments

Unit 4: Global Perspective: Collaborating with INTERPOL

Unit 5: Spotlight on Interrogation

Unit 6: Evaluating Ethics in Criminal Justice Systems

Unit 7: Communication in Criminal Justice

Unit 8: Finding Employment in Criminal Justice

Term Type Enrollment Opens Enrollment Ends Random Draw Date Enrollment Drop Date Course Starts Course Ends # of Seats Course Fee Potential Additional Costs
Semester 03/29/2024 03/14/2025 07/01/2024 01/17/2025 01/03/2025 05/23/2025 100 $350
Semester 03/29/2024 03/14/2025 07/01/2024 01/24/2025 01/10/2025 05/30/2025 100 $350
Semester 03/29/2024 03/14/2025 07/01/2024 01/31/2025 01/17/2025 06/06/2025 100 $350
Semester 03/29/2024 03/14/2025 07/01/2024 02/07/2025 01/24/2025 06/13/2025 100 $350
Semester 03/29/2024 03/14/2025 07/01/2024 02/14/2025 01/31/2025 06/20/2025 100 $350
Semester 03/29/2024 03/14/2025 07/01/2024 02/21/2025 02/07/2025 06/20/2025 100 $350
Semester 03/29/2024 03/14/2025 07/01/2024 02/28/2025 02/14/2025 06/20/2025 100 $350
Semester 03/29/2024 03/14/2025 07/01/2024 03/07/2025 02/21/2025 06/20/2025 100 $350
Semester 03/29/2024 03/14/2025 07/01/2024 03/14/2025 02/28/2025 06/20/2025 100 $350
Semester 03/29/2024 03/14/2025 07/01/2024 03/21/2025 03/07/2025 06/20/2025 100 $350
Drop Policy Completion Policy Term Type Enrollment Opens Enrollment Ends
Students have 14 days from the enrollment start date to drop the course and receive a full refund. No refunds are given after 14 days. Drop dates are calculated and what is posted is the last possible drop date for enrollments created within the enrollment window. Students may access their course from their enrollment start date to their enrollment end date. A completion is a 60% final score or higher. Semester 03/29/2024 03/14/2025
Students have 14 days from the enrollment start date to drop the course and receive a full refund. No refunds are given after 14 days. Drop dates are calculated and what is posted is the last possible drop date for enrollments created within the enrollment window. Students may access their course from their enrollment start date to their enrollment end date. A completion is a 60% final score or higher. Semester 03/29/2024 03/14/2025
Students have 14 days from the enrollment start date to drop the course and receive a full refund. No refunds are given after 14 days. Drop dates are calculated and what is posted is the last possible drop date for enrollments created within the enrollment window. Students may access their course from their enrollment start date to their enrollment end date. A completion is a 60% final score or higher. Semester 03/29/2024 03/14/2025
Students have 14 days from the enrollment start date to drop the course and receive a full refund. No refunds are given after 14 days. Drop dates are calculated and what is posted is the last possible drop date for enrollments created within the enrollment window. Students may access their course from their enrollment start date to their enrollment end date. A completion is a 60% final score or higher. Semester 03/29/2024 03/14/2025
Students have 14 days from the enrollment start date to drop the course and receive a full refund. No refunds are given after 14 days. Drop dates are calculated and what is posted is the last possible drop date for enrollments created within the enrollment window. Students may access their course from their enrollment start date to their enrollment end date. A completion is a 60% final score or higher. Semester 03/29/2024 03/14/2025
Students have 14 days from the enrollment start date to drop the course and receive a full refund. No refunds are given after 14 days. Drop dates are calculated and what is posted is the last possible drop date for enrollments created within the enrollment window. Students may access their course from their enrollment start date to their enrollment end date. A completion is a 60% final score or higher. Semester 03/29/2024 03/14/2025
Students have 14 days from the enrollment start date to drop the course and receive a full refund. No refunds are given after 14 days. Drop dates are calculated and what is posted is the last possible drop date for enrollments created within the enrollment window. Students may access their course from their enrollment start date to their enrollment end date. A completion is a 60% final score or higher. Semester 03/29/2024 03/14/2025
Students have 14 days from the enrollment start date to drop the course and receive a full refund. No refunds are given after 14 days. Drop dates are calculated and what is posted is the last possible drop date for enrollments created within the enrollment window. Students may access their course from their enrollment start date to their enrollment end date. A completion is a 60% final score or higher. Semester 03/29/2024 03/14/2025
Students have 14 days from the enrollment start date to drop the course and receive a full refund. No refunds are given after 14 days. Drop dates are calculated and what is posted is the last possible drop date for enrollments created within the enrollment window. Students may access their course from their enrollment start date to their enrollment end date. A completion is a 60% final score or higher. Semester 03/29/2024 03/14/2025
Students have 14 days from the enrollment start date to drop the course and receive a full refund. No refunds are given after 14 days. Drop dates are calculated and what is posted is the last possible drop date for enrollments created within the enrollment window. Students may access their course from their enrollment start date to their enrollment end date. A completion is a 60% final score or higher. Semester 03/29/2024 03/14/2025
Students can use email or the private message system within the Student Learning Portal to access highly qualified teachers when they need instructor assistance. Students will also receive feedback on their work inside the learning management system. The Instructor Info area of their course may describe additional communication options.
School Year Enrollment Count Pass Count Completion Rate Notes
23-24 77 77 100.0%
22-23 40 37 92.5%

Students will require a computer device with headphones, a microphone, webcam, up-to-date Chrome Web Browser, and access to YouTube.

Please review the Michigan Virtual Technology Requirements: https://michiganvirtual.org/about/support/knowledge-base/technical-requirements/