Skip top navigation Skip to main content

2016 - 2017 Academic Catalog

Homeland Security and Global Justice Concentration

The Homeland Security and Global Justice concentration examines the evolution of homeland security as a concept and the redirection of national policies and priorities, including any related issues and challenges with implementation. Homeland security is a continuously changing field with close connections to numerous academic disciplines and practitioner communities (i.e. law enforcement, emergency management, public safety, the military). Students draw on insights from these connections as well as useful insights from other areas, such as business, economics, and organizational studies to examine how homeland security strategy and policy is made. The concentration prepares graduates for work in professions such as those in protective services industries, corrections, policing, and international security or information security.

CJ730 - Terrorism & Homeland Security

This course provides a critical analysis of the Department of Homeland Security and the political and organizational factors involved in its structure and administration. Students will explore the evolution of homeland security as a concept and a redirection of national policies and priorities, including any related issues and challenges with implementation. Homeland security is a continuously changing field with close connections to numerous academic disciplines and practitioner communities (i.e. law enforcement, emergency management, public safety, the military). This course is designed to draw on insights from these connections as well as useful insights from other areas, such as business, economics and organizational studies, to examine how homeland security strategy and policy is made.

CJ731 - Transnational Crime

This course addresses the nature and scope of international and transnational crime and the emerging legal framework for its prevention and control. The course will emphasize international aspects of the work of different criminal justice agencies, such as formal and informal police cooperation and the use of mutual assistance and extradition agreements, on the international structures created for crime prevention, punishment and control. The course also explores current issues and controversies of transnational crime, international law, and/or human rights. Possible topics include terrorism, genocide, human trafficking, and immigration issues.

CJ732 - Cybercrime & Data Security

In this class, students analyze methods criminals use on the Internet to commit crimes. The course also covers various methods of computer security, their complexity and adequacy. Students study methods for creating backup information systems and developing means for recovering data in case it is destroyed or stolen. Potential threats to Internet systems and how they could affect the way individuals and companies use and rely on the systems are introduced.This course also examines the political, legal and policy aspects of the use of information technologies by governmental organizations

CJ701 - The Criminal Justice System & Process

This course provides a foundation and overview of the criminal justice system and process. The major components include crime, law, criminology, law enforcement, adjudication by the courts, corrections, juvenile justice, and current issues and policies.

CJ702 - Critical Legal Issues in Crim Justice

This course provides the student with current and critical information regarding legal issues in criminal justice with a focus on constitutional criminal procedure. The course explores new perspectives on historical issues and takes into account new appellate cases and events, including current debates over important legal controversies in the criminal justice arena.

CJ703 - Advanced Criminological Thought

This course consists of an in-depth analysis of various explanations of criminal behavior. Readings include selections from a broad range of disciplines like political science, sociology, and psychology as they relate to crime, social deviance, and causation. Ethical and legal foundations in defining social deviance and crime are also considered. This course is well suited for criminal justice practitioners, as students apply criminological theory to contemporary issues

CJ704 - Ethical Theory & Criminal Justice Policy

This course examines the ethical issues relevant to the administration of criminal justice. The origins of ethical standards, the effect of these standards on the administration of justice, and issues of ethical leadership will be addressed. Emphasis will be placed on the integration of ethics into criminal justice policy making and the establishment of defined values for the field.

CJ705 - Criminal Justice Leadership & Management

This course analyzes the structures, functions, and operations of criminal justice agencies including the police, the courts, and corrections (jail, probation, prison, and parole) within the context of the entire criminal justice system. The course will provide a comprehensive overview of criminal justice administration and management with an emphasis on organizational theories. These diverse theories of organizational behavior will be explored specifically as to how they relate to the administration of criminal justice agencies .Three credits.

CJ709 - Research Methods & Statistical Analysis

This course provides students with the necessary tools for evaluating, designing and implementing applied research in criminal justice. The association between theories and research methods used in the study of criminal justice is explored through a variety of relevant and related data sources. Topics covered include: the principles of research design; issues in measurement; modes of observation; and basic methods of both quantitative and qualitative analysis.

CJ798 - Research Project Capstone

This culminating experience helps students integrate their knowledge of criminological theory and justice policy with research and analytical skills, synthesizing this knowledge with practical skills. Under the supervision of a faculty mentor, students engage in a comprehensive research project enabling the student to demonstrate the mastery of the concepts, ideas, knowledge and insights implicit in the Criminal Justice curriculum.

CJ799 - Internship

This culminating experience helps students integrate their knowledge of criminological theory and justice policy with research and analytical skills, synthesizing this knowledge with practical skills. Students engage in an internship and complete 150 hours in organizations that are committed to providing interns a high quality educational experience. As a part of their internship, students engage in meaningful projects, including written reflection and analysis.