CJ501: Criminological Theory

This course provides a critical analysis of multiple theoretical explanations of criminal offending and victimization. Readings include the original works of prominent authors from a broad range of disciplines related to crime, social deviance, and causation. Ethical and legal foundations in defining social deviance and crime are also considered. Specific focus is placed on applications of theory that explain criminal justice policies and programs, as well as address causes and correlations of criminal behavior in a variety of cultures throughout the world. This course is well suited for criminal justice practitioners, as you apply criminological theory to contemporary issues.

Quarter Credit Hours: 5 | Prerequisite: None

CJ503: Organizational Behavior

This course presents an in-depth analysis of the various dynamics facing public safety organizations in the context of professional practice, including, but not limited to, the theoretical concepts underlying organizational behavior, management and leadership of human resources, and design and structural processes. The scope includes fiscal accountability; personnel deployment; implementation of change; motivation and retention of personnel; the hiring, assignment, and promotion of personnel; organizational communication; professional development; and fundamental legal issues pertaining to agency operations.

Quarter Credit Hours: 5 | Prerequisite: None

CJ505: Critical Issues in Criminal Justice

This course presents critical issues impacting criminal justice stakeholders and practitioners. You will analyze contemporary issues related to diversity and inclusivity, training and education, ethics and morality in professional practice, community-based law enforcement, and corrections programs.

Quarter Credit Hours: 5 | Prerequisite: None

CJ508: Evidentiary Issues in Criminal Cases

This course involves the study of the Federal Rules of Evidence and similar state rules, as well as the requirements of the U.S. Constitution concerning the admission into evidence of testimonial and physical evidence at trial. You will examine such topics as the foundational requirements for the admission of real and demonstrative exhibits, the authentication of writings and business records, witness credibility, hearsay, privileges, expert testimony, victims' rights, and chain of custody. This course is particularly well suited for those criminal justice professionals whose jobs require them to testify in court on a regular basis.

Quarter Credit Hours: 5 | Prerequisite: None

CJ509: Comparative Criminal Justice Systems

This course covers comparative foreign criminal justice systems. You will examine the administration of the subsystems of criminal justice systems, including the impact on emergency management, and the influence of religion and culture on the development of legal traditions and legal systems. You will compare and contrast various criminal justice systems and consider trends facing criminal justice systems around the world.

Quarter Credit Hours: 5 | Prerequisite: None

CJ510: Specialized Criminal Statutes and Complex Investigations

This course involves the study of legislation and case law that affect the daily practice of criminal justice professionals in the context of investigative techniques and the prosecution of cases. You will examine such areas as white-collar crime; the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act; money laundering; health care fraud; wire, mail, and bank fraud; identity and access device fraud; securities fraud; insurance fraud; corporate criminal liability; tax enforcement; and public corruption. In addition, the USA PATRIOT Act, Title III wiretaps, and grand jury procedures are also discussed.

Quarter Credit Hours: 5 | Prerequisite: None

CJ511: Employment and Policy Law

This course involves the study of specialized topics in substantive and procedural criminal law with a special emphasis on employment law, and how these legal issues impact ethics and leadership in criminal justice organizations. This course is well suited for command-level personnel in response to a variety of potential agency and personal liability issues.

Quarter Credit Hours: 5 | Prerequisite: None

CJ513: Critical Issues in Terrorism

This course is designed to provide you with a critical analysis and understanding of issues related to terrorism. This includes historical analyses of the causes and effects of social, political, economic, and religious conflict as they pertain to terrorist groups from source countries; protective intelligence gathering and associated legal issues; threat assessment; emergency first-responder plans and policies; counterterrorism tactics and strategies; cyberterrorism and the role of technology; and concerns for the future.

Quarter Credit Hours: 5 | Prerequisite: None

CJ521: Critical Issues in Corrections

This course provides a critical analysis of issues facing the U.S. correctional system. You will address issues such as the philosophies and theories that guide practice, special populations, recidivism, and the administration and operations of correctional facilities. You will also examine contemporary trends and the rationales for different correctional approaches.

Quarter Credit Hours: 5 | Prerequisite: None

CJ523: Critical Issues in Juvenile Justice

This course is designed to explore the social context of delinquency, law, the history of the juvenile court, policing in juvenile justice, and court and corrections interventions with regard to children who have been victimized or who have become involved in the juvenile justice system. The course integrates scholarship and case law to investigate the many layers of the juvenile justice system, including how the juvenile court works and why it works the way it does. Upon completion, you will have a deeper understanding of the juvenile justice system.

Quarter Credit Hours: 5 | Prerequisite: None

CJ524: Community-Based Corrections

This course is designed to identify community-based corrections programs and to explore the issues relevant to the field of community-based corrections. The materials presented will draw upon scholarly and practical research to identify the programs commonly used, what "works," policy issues, services provided, costs, and who receives probation and parole. Boot camps, electronic monitoring, house arrest, day treatment, fines, community service, drug courts, and other alternatives will be discussed. You will have the opportunity to debate and better understand the many challenges facing probation, parole, and community-based corrections.

Quarter Credit Hours: 5 | Prerequisite: None

CJ525: Applied Research in Public Safety

This course will provide you with a foundational knowledge of applied research in the field of public safety. You will develop the skills needed to design and conduct ethical research to solve practical problems faced by practitioners and policymakers in organizational and community settings. To accomplish these objectives, you will examine the purpose of the applied research process, the principles of research design, problems addressed through applied research, research literature, research ethics, sampling procedures, and techniques for conducting appropriate data collection and analysis.

Quarter Credit Hours: 5 | Prerequisite: Must be taken in the second to the last term just before the Capstone Course

CJ527: Socially Responsible Leadership in Public Safety

This course presents an in-depth evaluation of various dynamics facing public safety agencies in the environment of socially responsible leadership. Topics will include diversity, inclusivity, and equity in public safety leadership; social responsibility between public safety agencies and stakeholders; strategies for policy development; as well as community partnerships and accountability mechanisms. This course will furnish you with opportunities to examine what it means to be a socially responsible leader.

Quarter Credit Hours: 5 | Prerequisite: None

CJ598: Master's Capstone in Criminal Justice

In this course, you will experience the art and science of applied research while developing the tools of reflective inquiry and collaborative practice. You will engage in analysis of current issues and challenges to explore and practice applied research methods as a logical extension of professional practice. Integral to this process is the examination of both informal and systematic ways to ask and answer questions. Within the course, you will propose your own applied research project.

Quarter Credit Hours: 5 | Prerequisite: CJ525