Course Descriptions

This course is a comprehensive examination of prevalent theoretical perspectives in criminology and criminal justice with an emphasis on contemporary innovations in theoretical perspectives, policy implications, and scholarly research.

This course is an in-depth examination of critical issues within criminal justice. The class also requires students to explore the key ideologies and ethical foundations of the justice system.

This course is an in-depth examination of critical issues within criminal justice. The course requires students to explore the key ideologies and ethical foundations of the justice system with an emphasis on critically evaluating the effectiveness of criminal justice policies and the impact of these policies on citizens in society.

This course is a comprehensive examination of the scientific research process including research ethics, research design, and various research techniques with a focus on quantitative research methods including survey research, regression analysis, and use of quantitative research software. This course requires students to complete a research proposal that includes a comprehensive literature review and a research design that can be used for the student's thesis project.

This course prepares students for leadership roles within a criminal justice agency (police, courts, corrections) or similar organization. Topics include organizational management, personnel issues, and leadership ethics.

Since September 11, 2001 public safety professionals have seen a qualitative shift in the scope of their work that places a great emphasis on addressing threats posed by terrorism and natural disasters. This course examines the changing face of public safety in the United States with an emphasis on the legal, ethical, and policy-related issues associated with the focus on "homeland security" and the "war on terror."

This course explores international crime and international policy related to criminal activity that extends beyond the boundaries of the United States. Topics include international crime trends, international law, and comparative analysis of criminal justice policy.

This course is an examination of victimization, including the role of victims in the criminal event, challenges faced by crime victims in relation to social institutions, and criminal justice policies related to helping crime victims. Focus is placed on policy alternatives related to aiding crime victims including restorative justice.

This course is an examination of juvenile crime, the juvenile justice system, and theories of juvenile offending including life-course perspectives, developmental theories, and childhood intervention programs.

This course is a critical examination of community corrections policy and offender reentry programs. Special focus is given to examining factors related to offender recidivism and alternative public policy options that may improve successful offender reentry.

This course provides an in-depth examination of crime with a focus on the role of race, gender, and social class and critical evaluation of criminal justice policy. Special emphasis is placed on critical theories of race, gender, and social class.

This course examines the challenges faced by criminal justice agencies in rural areas insluding personnel issues, resource management, crime trends in rural areas, and other special concerns related to the administration of justice in a rural community. Special attention is given to Appalachia.

This course is a comprehensive examination of the scientific research process including research ethics and research design with a focus on qualitative research methods including content analysis, narrative criminology, archival research, and use of qualitative research software. This course requires the student to complete a qualitative research project that demonstrates the ability to use qualitative methods.

The purpose of this course is to present a broad overview of cybercrime and cybercriminal issues, including a basic understanding of computer technology, the history of computer crime, types of computer crime, legal aspects of cybercrime, defenses against cybercrime, investigatory techniques, and possible future areas of concern.

Criminalization of person with serial mental illness is a subject of enormous complexity in terms of understanding how it came about, the problems that these mentally ill persons face in our jails and prisons and how to confront these problems, how to reverse criminalization and how to treat these persons in the community, either after release or, if possible, before they have been criminalized. This course is a comprehensive summary of these issues so that students’ understanding is deepened and the knowledge of what needs to be done is clarified.

This seminar is used to provide students and faculty the opportunity to devote in-depth study toward a particular topic of interest that is not available through other coursework. The individual faculty member conducting the seminar will determine the course content.

The independent study is an opportunity for the student to conduct in-depth study on a topic of particular interest for the student and/or to provide the opportunity to work closely with a faculty member on a research project. Students must have successfully completed provisional admission requirements and obtain instructor approval.

*Students are limited to 6 credit hours of Independent Study credit towards elective requirements.

An internship is a program that allows students to gain practical work experience with a department-approved nonprofit, governmental, or public-serving organization. Students participating in an internship fulfill their writing requirement by describing the structure, activities, and importance of the organization. Students also document their own activity as a member of the organization with an emphasis on the relationship between supervisor and intern. Finally, students provide an analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of the organization in serving their communities.

* The internship is a minimum of 60 hours per credit hour.

* This course is designed specifically for master level students who want the opportunity to expose themselves to a career that matches their academic and personal interests. This course allows students the option of engaging in field or practical experience prior to graduation that increases their marketing value for job placement.