Course Descriptions

This course addresses crime and criminal justice policy, with emphasis on the examination of specific criminal justice policies, the forces that impact criminal justice policies, and the impact of criminal justice practices. The development, implementation, and analysis of public policy in the field of criminal justice are explored.

The purpose of this class is to provide students with a conceptual and theoretical overview of criminal justice organizations and administration. The course emphasizes the importance of viewing the criminal justice system as both a fragmented and monolithic system which has some similar and some conflicting goals. Moreover, it focuses on organizational structure, communication, development, innovation, leadership, and conflict.

The purpose of this class is to get students acquainted with the process of social research. The study of research methods is about understanding the art and the science of designing and executing research. It is about blending logic, common sense, creativity, and the scientific method to learn about contemporary issues related to crime, policy, and society.

Building on CRIM 603 Research Methods this course focuses upon performing data analyses using computer software programs. Widely used statistical procedures within the social sciences will be studied with an emphasis on descriptive and inferential statistical methods and theory.

This course is a survey of historical and contemporary theoretical explanations for crime and deviance.   The major focus of the course will be the evaluation of criminological theory in general and the use of such theories in criminal justice policies.

As the final course for the MA, students will draw from the knowledge they have gained to write and present a professional quality academic paper.

During the functioning of the criminal justice system a variety of ethical issues arise. This course focuses on theories of ethics and morality and applying them within the field of criminal justice.

This course is an examination of the development of criminal and procedural law as a system of social control. More specifically, the course will evaluate the procedures employed by the criminal justice system and how they are related to the administration of criminal justice and the law. 

This course involves the study of important issues in the field of corrections with an emphasis on tackling real world problems.  This course is repeatable with different topics.

*Repeatable with different topic, no limit. 

This course involves the study of important issues in the field of policing with an emphasis on tackling real world problems.  This course is repeatable with different topics.

*Repeatable with different topic, no limit. 

This course explores an issue within criminal justice that is not focused on in other courses.  It emphasizes critical thinking and discussion. The special topic will change based upon current events and the expertise of the faculty. This course is repeatable with different topics.

*Repeatable with different topic, no limit. 

This course critically examines various issues pertaining to the processing and sentencing of accused offenders within various court environments.  Using legal cases and empirical research, this course explores the societal and political influences on criminal courts.  The topic of the course will change based upon current events and the expertise of the faculty. 

*Repeatable with different topic, no limit. 

This course is the first of a two-semester sequence for completing a thesis for the Master of Arts in Criminal Justice (MACJ) program. In this semester, the student will identify a topic, conduct in-depth research to identify and assess sources appropriate for the research topic, and create a thesis proposal and outline as the culminating project.  

This course is the second of a two-semester sequence for completing a thesis for the Master of Arts in Criminal Justice (MACJ) program. In this semester, the student will draft an initial, multi-chapter thesis, revise it, and submit it to a committee of graduate faculty for review. Upon acceptance by the thesis director and the committee, the student will defend the thesis before final editing and submission to the Graduate Director.

This internship must result in some project, report, or materials related to the work done during the internship.

**Maximum of 6 Credit Hours total.