MS in Criminal Justice Course Offerings

This course allows students to develop a comprehensive knowledge of the different theories of criminal behavior. In addition to becoming versed in the different criminological theories, students focus on the efficacy of the different theories and their usefulness in crime reduction strategies.

Police work has become increasingly scientific and the preservation of the crime scene often determines the validity of the evidence gathered. The obtaining of fingerprints, blood samples, DNA, and other forensic evidence is essential for the successful prosecution of suspects. This course emphasizes the importance of the evidence preservation and the developments in forensic science that have revolutionized the approach to crime scene investigations.

In this course, students formulate hypotheses and research designs in order to develop mastery of empirical analysis. The course includes dissecting data sets and developing surveys to conduct empirical research. A research paper demonstrating an understanding of quantitative and qualitative research skills is required.

In this course, students critically examine landmark cases and their impact on the criminal justice system. Special attention is given to the constitutional protection of civil liberties and the urgency of maintaining the social order.

In this course, students examine different approaches to dealing with the twin plagues of alcoholism and drug addiction. The effects of the war on drugs, its impact on families and communities, and the subsequent impact on the correctional system are analyzed.

This course examines patterns of juvenile delinquency and assesses how changes in the family structure impact on sub-cultural deviance and juvenile delinquency. Public policy measures to rehabilitate juvenile delinquents are critically examined.

The course examines race, class, and ethnicity in the criminal justice system. Students read and critically analyze literature on the particular forms of policing in multicultural and urban communities. Emphasis is placed on inner-city communities, sentencing disparities, and the disproportionate representation of minorities in the U.S. penal system.

This course provides students with the basic tools used in quantitative analysis in the field of criminal justice along with an introduction to the statistical issues involved in the design and logic of research. Students learn to use various non-parametric tests of significance and are introduced to the fundamentals of correlation and regression.

This course allows students to observe learned theory in a practical setting. Police agencies, para-professional positions in probation, correctional counseling, custodial and non-custodial correctional facilities, detention centers, and similar agencies are most appropriate. Students employed in Criminal Justice will develop a specialized internship with their existing agencies. Classes meet on a regular basis to assess student progress and share individual experiences.

This course allows students to observe learned theory in a practical setting. Police agencies, para-professional positions in probation, correctional counseling, custodial and non-custodial correctional facilities, detention centers, and similar agencies are most appropriate. Students employed in Criminal Justice will develop a specialized internship with their existing agencies. Classes meet on a regular basis to assess student progress and share individual experiences.

This course allows students to observe learned theory in a practical setting. Police agencies, para-professional positions in probation, correctional counseling, custodial and non-custodial correctional facilities, detention centers, and similar agencies are most appropriate. Students employed in Criminal Justice will develop a specialized internship with their existing agencies. Classes meet on a regular basis to assess student progress and share individual experiences.

This course explores psychological theory and research findings to further students’ understanding of criminal behavior with a particular focus on the developmental, cognitive-behavioral aspects of the offender. Students analyze the psychological, social, economic, political, and ecological factors that impact criminal behavior.

This course explores the roots and guile of organized crime. Students learn how globalization has facilitated the emergence of transnational organized crime syndicates engaged in the flow of drugs, the transfer of funds, the illegal arms trade, and human trafficking. Measures to break up these crime syndicates are assessed.

In this course, students are provided a greater understanding of the United States criminal justice system by examining the structure and function of other criminal justice systems around the world. The course explores how culture and economics, among other factors, can impact the level of crime and incarceration.

This course examines the legal and social history of the death penalty, how it is applied in different parts of the world, and the influence of race, class, and religion. Students examine controversial cases, as well as how capital punishment is used to prop up political regimes. The course also examines the widespread use of capital punishment in particular countries and its abolishment in other regions of the world.

The course examines trends in civil society and in the law enforcement community vis-à-vis the use of deadly force in American society. Students research and analyze the variations in state laws related to such issues as gun ownership, carrying concealed weapons, and "stand your ground." The course is enriched by provocative case studies.

This course explores crisis management and disaster preparedness in the post-9/11 world. The brittle nature of the social order is evident when students examine the impact of Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans, the terrorist attack on the World Trade Center, and the riots in Crown Heights, Brooklyn and in Los Angeles. Emphasis is placed on the notion that supervisory law enforcement personnel are perennially faced with natural and unnatural disasters and they must be prepared to address such incidents.

This two-part course is a study of terrorist organizations and the use of intelligence and counter-terrorism strategies to contain and eliminate these threats. Students examine the fundamental tenets of terrorist organizations, such as the wanton destruction of people and property. They also examine measures adopted by the government on all levels to enhance national security.

This course examines the proliferation of community violence in an age of globalization. Students examine the rising phenomenon of inter-community violence, intra-community violence, and violence against the state. Violence can be caused by religious, ethnic, or racial rivalries. Measures by the state to reassert its legitimacy and reduce violence are examined within the context of localization.

In this course, students gain theoretical and practical knowledge of cognitive, socio-emotional, and physical development from infancy through adolescence. Students learn about family styles of parenting and discipline, the impact of trauma on juvenile's development and behavior, and the best practices in forensic interviewing. The also examine various roles that human services personnel play in juvenile and adult criminal justice system.

This course examines the persistence of poverty in America and the impact of rising unemployment on inner-city communities. The course includes an analysis of neighborhoods where there is a concentration of poverty and the disintegration of once viable institutions. Special attention is given to recommended policy reforms and the literature on community efficacy.

This course deals with improving the lives of those served by the criminal justice and human services systems. Professionals and practitioners are called upon daily to assist clients in a wide range of situations and, in a caring way, alleviate crisis and distress. This course provides an understanding of the range of issues affecting clients, the challenges practitioners face in addressing clients' needs, and how practitioners can work with other professionals to improve their clients' lives.

This course analyzes the various criminological theories used to explain why the crime rate drop in New York City is steeper than any other major city in America. Students examine the many factors that contributed to the great crime decline of 1990–2000, with special emphasis on what has occurred in New York City.

Intelligence is vital to national security and U.S. foreign policy. This course covers both domestic and foreign intelligence gathering, analysis, and dissemination techniques, including both human and technical sources. It also explores the structure of the U.S. intelligence community, looking at particular agencies, the interactions of these agencies with national security policymakers, key issues about their inner workings, their specific jurisdiction, and the challenges that the intelligence community faces. It additionally examines the legal mechanisms that governments use to control and oversee intelligence agencies. Furthermore, this course considers key intelligence missions such as counter proliferation, counterinsurgency, and counterterrorism.

This capstone course provides students with the opportunity to synthesize theories about issues related to the criminal justice system. The competencies of students in critical thinking, analytical writing, and effective oral communication are tested throughout the semester.

Graduate students have the option of completing either four elective courses or two elective courses and the Master's thesis for 6 credits. Students are encouraged to make a decision before they complete 24 credits regarding whether or not they intend to pursue the thesis option. In order to be eligible for the thesis option, students must have maintained a minimum GPA of 3.5 at the completion of 24 credits in the program. Students are assigned to a thesis advisor who works with students in developing the hypothesis, research design, and the bibliography. The thesis topic chosen is related in some aspect to the material covered in the core courses.

Graduate students have the option of completing either four elective courses or two elective courses and the Master's thesis for 6 credits. Students are encouraged to make a decision before they complete 24 credits regarding whether or not they intend to pursue the thesis option. In order to be eligible for the thesis option, students must have maintained a minimum GPA of 3.5 at the completion of 24 credits in the program. Students are assigned to a thesis advisor who works with students in developing the hypothesis, research design, and the bibliography. The thesis topic chosen is related in some aspect to the material covered in the core courses.