Course Descriptions
CRJ5010 Seminar in Criminal Justice Policy
4 semester hours
This course provides an overview of justice in America, the system’s reaction to
crime, proactive strategic planning possibilities and an overview of the solutions
to the problems facing the criminal justice system. Included will be examination
of the policies and practices of formal criminal justice institutions (police, courts,
corrections), as well as efforts undertaken by the private sector.
No prerequisites.
CRJ5030 Design and Analysis of Criminal Justice Research
4 semester hours
This course is directed toward advanced criminal justice research methodology
and program evaluation. Focus is on social scientific inquiry applied to criminal
justice related problems. Course content will address how theory provides a foundation
for specific methodological strategies that attempt to demonstrate validity
and reliability through proper research design, data collection, sampling, survey
development and statistical analysis.
No prerequisites.
CRJ5050 Seminar in Criminological Theory
4 semester hours
Examines classical theories and theories that are influencing contemporary criminal
justice policies and research. Emphasis is placed on the fundamental arguments
put forth by the various theories, the historical context from which these
theories emerged, theory evaluation, applicability within criminal justice agencies,
and policy implications that have or can be derived regarding how justice is
practiced.
Prerequisites: CRJ5010, CRJ5030.
CRJ5070 Criminal Justice Administration
4 semester hours
Focuses on leadership, management and strategic planning within criminal justice-
related organizations. Organizational and administration theories will be
examined and applied to the practice of criminal and juvenile justice to explain
the patterned disparity between goals and practices. Additionally, contemporary
approaches to understanding justice organizations and the findings from studies
will be examined.
Prerequisites: CRJ5010, CRJ5030.
CR5090 Ethics and Diversity in Criminal Justice
4 semester hours
Analyzes ethical considerations within decision-making facing the criminal justice
practitioner, with special focus on historical and contemporary perspectives
on how race, ethnicity, gender and other historically disadvantaged groups interact
with the criminal justice system, along with the challenges of addressing justice
in multicultural communities.
Prerequisites: CRJ5010, CRJ5030.
Elective Courses
CRJ5200 Environmental Criminology
3 semester hours
Explores the relationship between crime perception and the role of physical/
social environments related to the decision processes involved in criminal events.
Prerequisites: CRJ5010, CRJ5030.
CRJ5250 Problem-Solving: Planning, Analysis and Assessment
3 semester hours
Design focuses on developing and enhancing critical-thinking skills related to
communication, institutional change and creative solutions related to proactive
initiatives.
Prerequisites: CRJ5010, CRJ5030.
CRJ5350 Community Justice
3 semester hours
Offers alternatives for addressing the impact of societal crime and drug problems
through evidence-based initiatives directed toward neighborhood-level analysis.
Prerequisites: CRJ5010, CRJ5030.
CRJ5400 Crime Analysis: Informational Driven Leadership
3 semester hours
Focuses on the necessary skills to translate data into information and knowledge
in preparation to make decisions related to problem-solving, prioritization of initiatives
and resource deployment. Emphasis is on analyzing data through various
emerging technologies and effective communication of the results, toward
improving organizational goal attainment.
Prerequisites: CRJ5010, CRJ5030.
CRJ 6100 Administrative Law
3 semester hours
Provides a thorough study of contemporary legal issues faced by criminal justice
organizations while emphasizing due process issues and judicial review of administrative
decision-making.
Prerequisites: CRJ5010, CRJ5030.
CRJ6110 Contemporary Legal Issues in Criminal Justice
3 semester hours
Analyzes recent constitutional holdings and trends in criminal law, evidence and
procedure that significantly impact the criminal justice system.
Prerequisites: CRJ5010, CRJ5030.
CRJ6150 Juvenile Intervention Strategies
3 semester hours
Assesses policies and decision-making within the juvenile justice system while confronting
the challenges related to juvenile offenders.
Prerequisites: CRJ5010, CRJ5030.
CRJ6200 White-Collar Crime
3 semester hours
This course will examine the impact and prevalence of employment, organizational,
economic and political crimes, along with investigative strategies for
addressing the commission of such crimes.
Prerequisites: CRJ5010, CRJ5030.
CRJ 6250 Management for Non-Profit
3 semester hours
Explores managing the performance and effectiveness of non-profit organizations
related to criminal justice and social service agencies.
Prerequisites: CRJ5010, CRJ5030.
CRJ6300 Proactive Police Administration 3 semester hours
Analyzes contemporary challenges within police administration along with program
planning, implementation and assessment.
Prerequisites: CRJ5010, CRJ5030.
CRJ6350 Terrorism and Counterterrorism
3 semester hours
Examines various interpretations of terrorist crimes along with the history, patterns,
motives, operations and structure of terrorist threat groups. This course
will also address various methods of monitoring and detecting chemical, biological
and radiological hazards. Related topics include target identification, target
protection techniques, and information assimilation and analysis.
Prerequisites: CRJ5010, CRJ5030.
CRJ6400 Crisis Planning and Emergency Preparedness
3 semester hours
Examines emergency planning and response for various risks, threats and hazards.
Strategies for coordination and integration of services from various entities
charged with public safety; authorities from federal, state and local agencies; and
the role of the private sector will be explored.
Prerequisites: CRJ5010, CRJ5030.
CRJ6450 Security Administration
3 semester hours
Addresses the management of security operations related to various organizations
that focus on risk management, asset protection and loss prevention.
Prerequisites: CRJ5010, CRJ5030.
CRJ6500 Advancing Forensic Science
3 semester hours
Explores the evolving utilization of forensics in crime scene investigation related
to drugs, alcohol, ballistics, chemistry, microscopic evidence, DNA evidence and
serology. Course topics vary pending the expertise of the instructor. Examples
include forensic anthropology, forensic psychology, forensic nursing, forensic
technician and forensic criminalistics.
Prerequisites: CRJ5010, CRJ5030.
CRJ6600 Seminar in Correctional Policy
3 semester hours
An examination of theories of social control, correctional practices and reforms in
punishment, as well as the implications for the criminal justice system and society.
Prerequisites: CRJ5010, CRJ5030.
CRJ 6700 Advanced Criminal Justice Issues (Special Topics) 3 semester hours
Subjects will vary semester to semester and will include an intensive study and
critical evaluation of the given topic.
Prerequisites: CRJ5010, CRJ5030.
CRJ6800 Independent Study (requires faculty sponsorship)
1 to 4 semester hours
Directed independent study, including in-depth research, reading and writing in
the field of criminal justice. Students work with an individual faculty member on
a more intense research project.
Prerequisites: CRJ5010, CRJ5030, consent of instructor.
Comprehensive Exam / Policy Paper / Thesis
Comprehensive Exam (requires faculty sponsorship)
The comprehensive exam option requires the completion of 38 credits of coursework.
The comprehensive exam comprises a synthesis and application of knowledge
acquired during the course of study leading to the master’s degree. The
exam will include questions from the core as well as the student’s concentration
area or electives focus. Students may take these exams during the semester they
are completing the 35 hours of required coursework, but not in the semester the
student is taking one of the core courses except with faculty approval. The comprehensive
exam will be administered once each semester, in the first week of
November and April. There are no comprehensive exams administered during
the summer. A student’s comprehensive exam committee will consist of three fulltime
faculty. Grading by each faculty member will be based upon the following
scale: high pass, pass or fail. Earning a “fail” score by a minimum of two faculty
yields a “fail” for the comprehensive exam, and such student can retake the exam
the following semester. (See M.S. in Criminal Justice Handbook for additional and
complete information regarding the comprehensive exam process.)
Prerequisites: CRJ5010, CRJ5030.
CRJ6900 Policy Paper (requires faculty sponsorship)
3 semester hours
The policy paper option requires the completion of 38 credits; 35 of these credits
are comprised of coursework and 3 credits are earned for the completion of
the policy paper. The student will prepare a single paper that satisfies the requirements
described within the M.S. in Criminal Justice Handbook. The faculty committee
which approves this paper shall consist of two faculty members, one of
which will serve as faculty sponsor and will supervise the preparation of the policy
paper. The policy paper typically will involve a high-quality literature review
and critique that is focused on a subject that the student is particularly interested
in investigating.
Prerequisites: CRJ5010, CRJ5030
CRJ6950 Thesis (requires faculty sponsorship)
3 semester hours
CRJ 6951 Thesis (requires faculty sponsorship)
3 semester hours
The thesis option requires the successful completion of 38 hours: 32 semester
hours of coursework and 6 hours of thesis credits. A major professor (thesis chair)
and supervisory committee will assist the student in completing the thesis. A thesis
is a report of original research, less ambitious than dissertation research, and
can be based upon original data collection, or on secondary analysis of an existing
dataset.
Prerequisites: CRJ5010, CRJ5030.
CRJ5010 Seminar in Criminal Justice Policy
4 semester hours
This course provides an overview of justice in America, the system’s reaction to
crime, proactive strategic planning possibilities and an overview of the solutions
to the problems facing the criminal justice system. Included will be examination
of the policies and practices of formal criminal justice institutions (police, courts,
corrections), as well as efforts undertaken by the private sector.
No prerequisites.
CRJ5030 Design and Analysis of Criminal Justice Research
4 semester hours
This course is directed toward advanced criminal justice research methodology
and program evaluation. Focus is on social scientific inquiry applied to criminal
justice related problems. Course content will address how theory provides a foundation
for specific methodological strategies that attempt to demonstrate validity
and reliability through proper research design, data collection, sampling, survey
development and statistical analysis.
No prerequisites.
CRJ5050 Seminar in Criminological Theory
4 semester hours
Examines classical theories and theories that are influencing contemporary criminal
justice policies and research. Emphasis is placed on the fundamental arguments
put forth by the various theories, the historical context from which these
theories emerged, theory evaluation, applicability within criminal justice agencies,
and policy implications that have or can be derived regarding how justice is
practiced.
Prerequisites: CRJ5010, CRJ5030.
CRJ5070 Criminal Justice Administration
4 semester hours
Focuses on leadership, management and strategic planning within criminal justice-
related organizations. Organizational and administration theories will be
examined and applied to the practice of criminal and juvenile justice to explain
the patterned disparity between goals and practices. Additionally, contemporary
approaches to understanding justice organizations and the findings from studies
will be examined.
Prerequisites: CRJ5010, CRJ5030.
CR5090 Ethics and Diversity in Criminal Justice
4 semester hours
Analyzes ethical considerations within decision-making facing the criminal justice
practitioner, with special focus on historical and contemporary perspectives
on how race, ethnicity, gender and other historically disadvantaged groups interact
with the criminal justice system, along with the challenges of addressing justice
in multicultural communities.
Prerequisites: CRJ5010, CRJ5030.
Elective Courses
CRJ5200 Environmental Criminology
3 semester hours
Explores the relationship between crime perception and the role of physical/
social environments related to the decision processes involved in criminal events.
Prerequisites: CRJ5010, CRJ5030.
CRJ5250 Problem-Solving: Planning, Analysis and Assessment
3 semester hours
Design focuses on developing and enhancing critical-thinking skills related to
communication, institutional change and creative solutions related to proactive
initiatives.
Prerequisites: CRJ5010, CRJ5030.
CRJ5350 Community Justice
3 semester hours
Offers alternatives for addressing the impact of societal crime and drug problems
through evidence-based initiatives directed toward neighborhood-level analysis.
Prerequisites: CRJ5010, CRJ5030.
CRJ5400 Crime Analysis: Informational Driven Leadership
3 semester hours
Focuses on the necessary skills to translate data into information and knowledge
in preparation to make decisions related to problem-solving, prioritization of initiatives
and resource deployment. Emphasis is on analyzing data through various
emerging technologies and effective communication of the results, toward
improving organizational goal attainment.
Prerequisites: CRJ5010, CRJ5030.
CRJ 6100 Administrative Law
3 semester hours
Provides a thorough study of contemporary legal issues faced by criminal justice
organizations while emphasizing due process issues and judicial review of administrative
decision-making.
Prerequisites: CRJ5010, CRJ5030.
CRJ6110 Contemporary Legal Issues in Criminal Justice
3 semester hours
Analyzes recent constitutional holdings and trends in criminal law, evidence and
procedure that significantly impact the criminal justice system.
Prerequisites: CRJ5010, CRJ5030.
CRJ6150 Juvenile Intervention Strategies
3 semester hours
Assesses policies and decision-making within the juvenile justice system while confronting
the challenges related to juvenile offenders.
Prerequisites: CRJ5010, CRJ5030.
CRJ6200 White-Collar Crime
3 semester hours
This course will examine the impact and prevalence of employment, organizational,
economic and political crimes, along with investigative strategies for
addressing the commission of such crimes.
Prerequisites: CRJ5010, CRJ5030.
CRJ 6250 Management for Non-Profit
3 semester hours
Explores managing the performance and effectiveness of non-profit organizations
related to criminal justice and social service agencies.
Prerequisites: CRJ5010, CRJ5030.
CRJ6300 Proactive Police Administration 3 semester hours
Analyzes contemporary challenges within police administration along with program
planning, implementation and assessment.
Prerequisites: CRJ5010, CRJ5030.
CRJ6350 Terrorism and Counterterrorism
3 semester hours
Examines various interpretations of terrorist crimes along with the history, patterns,
motives, operations and structure of terrorist threat groups. This course
will also address various methods of monitoring and detecting chemical, biological
and radiological hazards. Related topics include target identification, target
protection techniques, and information assimilation and analysis.
Prerequisites: CRJ5010, CRJ5030.
CRJ6400 Crisis Planning and Emergency Preparedness
3 semester hours
Examines emergency planning and response for various risks, threats and hazards.
Strategies for coordination and integration of services from various entities
charged with public safety; authorities from federal, state and local agencies; and
the role of the private sector will be explored.
Prerequisites: CRJ5010, CRJ5030.
CRJ6450 Security Administration
3 semester hours
Addresses the management of security operations related to various organizations
that focus on risk management, asset protection and loss prevention.
Prerequisites: CRJ5010, CRJ5030.
CRJ6500 Advancing Forensic Science
3 semester hours
Explores the evolving utilization of forensics in crime scene investigation related
to drugs, alcohol, ballistics, chemistry, microscopic evidence, DNA evidence and
serology. Course topics vary pending the expertise of the instructor. Examples
include forensic anthropology, forensic psychology, forensic nursing, forensic
technician and forensic criminalistics.
Prerequisites: CRJ5010, CRJ5030.
CRJ6600 Seminar in Correctional Policy
3 semester hours
An examination of theories of social control, correctional practices and reforms in
punishment, as well as the implications for the criminal justice system and society.
Prerequisites: CRJ5010, CRJ5030.
CRJ 6700 Advanced Criminal Justice Issues (Special Topics) 3 semester hours
Subjects will vary semester to semester and will include an intensive study and
critical evaluation of the given topic.
Prerequisites: CRJ5010, CRJ5030.
CRJ6800 Independent Study (requires faculty sponsorship)
1 to 4 semester hours
Directed independent study, including in-depth research, reading and writing in
the field of criminal justice. Students work with an individual faculty member on
a more intense research project.
Prerequisites: CRJ5010, CRJ5030, consent of instructor.
Comprehensive Exam / Policy Paper / Thesis
Comprehensive Exam (requires faculty sponsorship)
The comprehensive exam option requires the completion of 38 credits of coursework.
The comprehensive exam comprises a synthesis and application of knowledge
acquired during the course of study leading to the master’s degree. The
exam will include questions from the core as well as the student’s concentration
area or electives focus. Students may take these exams during the semester they
are completing the 35 hours of required coursework, but not in the semester the
student is taking one of the core courses except with faculty approval. The comprehensive
exam will be administered once each semester, in the first week of
November and April. There are no comprehensive exams administered during
the summer. A student’s comprehensive exam committee will consist of three fulltime
faculty. Grading by each faculty member will be based upon the following
scale: high pass, pass or fail. Earning a “fail” score by a minimum of two faculty
yields a “fail” for the comprehensive exam, and such student can retake the exam
the following semester. (See M.S. in Criminal Justice Handbook for additional and
complete information regarding the comprehensive exam process.)
Prerequisites: CRJ5010, CRJ5030.
CRJ6900 Policy Paper (requires faculty sponsorship)
3 semester hours
The policy paper option requires the completion of 38 credits; 35 of these credits
are comprised of coursework and 3 credits are earned for the completion of
the policy paper. The student will prepare a single paper that satisfies the requirements
described within the M.S. in Criminal Justice Handbook. The faculty committee
which approves this paper shall consist of two faculty members, one of
which will serve as faculty sponsor and will supervise the preparation of the policy
paper. The policy paper typically will involve a high-quality literature review
and critique that is focused on a subject that the student is particularly interested
in investigating.
Prerequisites: CRJ5010, CRJ5030
CRJ6950 Thesis (requires faculty sponsorship)
3 semester hours
CRJ 6951 Thesis (requires faculty sponsorship)
3 semester hours
The thesis option requires the successful completion of 38 hours: 32 semester
hours of coursework and 6 hours of thesis credits. A major professor (thesis chair)
and supervisory committee will assist the student in completing the thesis. A thesis
is a report of original research, less ambitious than dissertation research, and
can be based upon original data collection, or on secondary analysis of an existing
dataset.
Prerequisites: CRJ5010, CRJ5030.
Open House and Visit Days
Saturday, June 08, 2013
Wednesday, June 12, 2013
Thursday, June 20, 2013
