University of Hawaii at Hilo Catalog 2013–2014

Administration of Justice

Home » Undergraduate Education » College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) » Administration of Justice

Program Chair:
Sarah K. Marusek, Ph.D. (marusek@hawaii.edu)

Social Sciences Division Office: 
University Classroom Building 357, (808) 974-7356

Web: hilo.hawaii.edu/academics/adminjustice/

The Administration of Justice major is a multidisciplinary program designed to prepare students for entry into professions associated with the administration of justice, including, but not limited to, law enforcement, courts, corrections, probation, and parole. It is also designed to qualify those already in these professions for promotion to supervisory positions. Baccalaureate degrees are frequently required for entrance into federal agencies and are strongly recommended for promotion in state and local agencies.

This program is not designed to duplicate police academy or equivalent training but rather to supplement such training at the baccalaureate level by preparing students for mid-level and higher positions in agencies associated with the administration of justice. As such, the program is multidisciplinary, with core courses designed to provide a practical and a theoretical background to the field and electives that may be tailored to a student’s specific interests and career goals.

Administration of Justice covers all aspects of the process from crime detection through criminal appeals, using case law, statutes, public administration, philosophy, psychology, and other academic fields as the basis of study. It not only covers the process, but the agencies involved in the process as well, including law enforcement, prosecution, defense, courts, and corrections.

Students may double-major, fulfilling major requirements for fields such as Psychology, Sociology, or Political Science, as well as those for Administration of Justice.

Those students entering the program with an A.A. degree from a community college accredited by a U.S. regional accreditation agency will not be required to take General Education courses and will be given elective credit for selected courses in Administration of Justice that are transferred.

Goals for Student Learning in the Major

All graduates who have majored in Administration of Justice should:

  1. Be able to brief appellate court cases
  2. Be familiar with leading U.S. Supreme Court cases on criminal procedure.
  3. Be proficient in writing.
  4. Have a basic understanding of professional ethics.
  5. Understand the leading theories of crime causation.
  6. Understand basic principles of public administration.
  7. Be able to develop a research design.
  8. Be familiar with all phases of the criminal process.
  9. Understand where the criminal justice process fits in the American system of government.
  10. Understand the relationship between law enforcement, prosecution, defense, the judicial system, and the corrections system.

Internships

Internships in county, state, and federal agencies may be available to majors in Administration of Justice. Students earn course credit for their internship experience while learning and participating in their intended career field.

Curricula