Criminal Justice & Social Sciences Department

Welcome to the Department of Criminal Justice & Social Sciences!

The Department of Criminal Justice & Social Sciences is ready to help you prepare for variety of exciting careers. Law enforcement, corrections, juvenile justice and homeland security are quickly expanding fields. Psychology is one of the Redlands’ most popular degrees. This degree field offers you opportunities for personal growth while giving you options in interesting and challenging careers. If you love working with children, we also have programs to help you prepare for a job as a child care professional or teacher.

Regardless of your career path, our department offers programs of study that will prepare you for a successful future. Our courses set you on a path to a two-year degree, or they transfer to a four-year university.

Certificate and Degree Options

Courses

More Information

Todd Hobson, Department Head for Safety and Behavioral Sciences
405.422.6253
Email
Office: S-107-C, Ray Porter Academic Complex
Todd Hobson earned a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice and a Master of Education degree from the University of Central Oklahoma. He spent several years working in corrections in both the private prison system and the Federal Bureau of Prisons. He previously served as the assistant director of training and development at Oklahoma State University-Oklahoma City and as a senior program specialist at the University of Oklahoma. He joined Redlands in 2004.

Erin Karl, M.A., Professor of History
405.422.6295
Email
Office: S-107-D, Ray Porter Academic Complex
Erin Karl received a Bachelor of Arts in History from the University of Missouri at Kansas City in 2005. She earned her Master of Arts in History-Museum Studies with honors from the University of Central Oklahoma in 2008. Following graduation, she became the director of a local historic preservation organization where she served for four years. She began teaching history part time 2009, and in 2012, she chose to focus completely on teaching and began an adjunct teaching career that spanned five college campuses in the Oklahoma City metro area. Karl began teaching at Redlands in 2015, joining the faculty full time in 2020.

Cherry Rain, Professor of Political Science, Academic Team Coach, and Coordinator of Student Clubs and Organizations
405.422.1493
Email
Office: S-111-A, Ray Porter Academic Complex
As a first-generation college student, Cherry Rain earned an Associate of Arts in pre-law at Rose State College and went on to earn her bachelor’s and master’s degree in Political Science at the University of Central Oklahoma. She has taught at several colleges in Oklahoma for many years, earning multiple awards in innovation and excellence. Cherry joined Redlands as adjunct faculty in 2005 and became part of Redlands full-time faculty in 2011. Rain has served as campaign strategist for an Oklahoma gubernatorial candidate and other local candidates. She is active in state politics and several nonprofit organizations. She is most passionate, however, about teaching beginning college students the principles and requirements of maintaining a democracy and inspiring many students in becoming active in the democratic process.

Jeffrey Sheldon, Professor of Political Science/E-Sports Coach
405.422.7054
Email
Office: LRC-02
Jeffrey Sheldon earned a Bachelor’s of Arts in Political Science from the University of Oklahoma in 2006 and a Master’s of Arts in Political Science / International Relations from the University of Central Oklahoma in 2008. After graduation Sheldon worked in oil field services for a number of year before moving into academics. In 2015, Sheldon started adjunct teaching at Oklahoma City Community College, and then at Redlands Community College in 2016, with Rose State College finally in 2020. In 2021, Sheldon began to coach the newly created Esports club and competitive team and transitioned to full time in the Summer 2022.

Outcomes by Program

The criminal justice program provides students with an understanding of the nature of crime and the personnel, institutions and process that prevent or respond to crime. Students learn both the theory and practice of the criminal justice system. The curriculum covers crime and criminal behavior, law enforcement, courts, and corrections. It provides a solid foundation for further study or entry into a variety of criminal justice professions. Students must obtain an overall grade point average of 2.0 or higher for successful degree completion.

Intended Program Outcomes

Explain the structure of the American criminal justice system in terms of its major components (i.e., police, courts, and corrections) and the functions they serve.
Measured by effectively communicating thru reading and writing assignments as well as exams.
Communicate in writing to express solutions in criminal justice topics.

Measured by completing writing assignments that demonstrate effective critical thinking to identifying and defining problems and then formulating conclusions based upon reading assignments.

Apply critical thinking skills to analyze and solve a variety of complex problems in the criminal justice environment. Assess the philosophy, theories, policies, practices, processes, and reforms of the criminal justice system

Measured thru completion of writing assignments and exams as well as a series of class discussions.

Use technology to develop specialized technical knowledge and skills relevant to the field of criminal justice. (computer & writing skills)

Measured by demonstrating basic technology skills for class success, i.e. computer, research, on-line discussions.

Review the major historical and contemporary issues facing the criminal justice system including events, information, programs, policies, and concepts that affect the operation of criminal justice agencies as well as issues of society ethnic and gender diversity.

Measured by reading and writing assignments as well as exams.

The child development & family studies program(s) provide students with an understanding of children’s growth and development, developmentally appropriate environments, family and community relationships, and professional practices that promote the learning of young children. Students learn meaningful curriculum and practices that will help them to demonstrate knowledgeable informed decisions when working with children. The curriculum covers health and safety, knowledge of state and federal guidelines, positive guidance strategies, meaningful learning experiences, developing meaningful relationships with families and community, evaluation and observation of children, how to address individual children to grow physically, emotionally, and cognitively according to their own individual needs. The child development program provides a background for further study or entry into a variety of child development professions. Students must obtain an overall grade point average of 2.0 or higher for successful degree completion.

Intended Program Outcomes

Explain the multiple influences and positive ways that affect children’s ability to grow and learn in various environments that are supportive, challenging, respectful, and healthy.
Measured by effectively communicating thru reading and writing assignments, observations, and exams.
Communicate in writing to express solutions in child development topics.

Measured by completing assigned writing assignments that demonstrate effective critical thinking to identifying and defining problems and then formulating conclusions based upon assigned reading assignments.

Apply critical thinking skills to observe and evaluation children’s development.

Measured thru completion of performance-based assessments and observations.

Develop specialized technical knowledge and skills relevant to the field of child development. (computer & writing skills)

Measured by demonstrating basic technology skills for class success, i.e. computer, research, on-line discussions.

Assess the philosophy, theories, policies, practices, processes, and environments of the child development field.

Measured by exams, observations and writing assignments.

Review and explore the historical, philosophical and social foundations that influence children’s growth and development as a professional by using appropriate professional literature, organizations, resources and experiences in order to improve the practice of teaching young children.

Measured by exams, observations, and writing assignments.

Demonstrate familiarity with key concepts, theoretical perspectives and historical trends in psychology.
Understand and apply psychological principles to personal, social, and organizational issues.
Communicate effectively in both oral and written formats.

We work with universities around the state to ensure that you can transition smoothly from completing an associate degree at Redlands to earning a bachelor's degree at a four-year institution. To find out more about transfer of credit policies and articulation agreements, visit the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education's website.

Learn more about your degree options in these programs after completing your education at Redlands:

Criminal Justice
Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice - Cameron University
Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice - University of Oklahoma
Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice - Southern Nazarene University