Criminal Justice

CJA-616. U.S. Constitution and Criminal Justice. 3.00 Credits.

This course will be a comprehensive analysis of the United States Constitution with an exploration into the historical foundation and overall context of the constitution. In addition, students will also examine the U. S. Constitution and the relation to its impact at the local, state and federal levels. This will require an in-depth review of the key United States Supreme Court decisions and their effect on American law enforcement agencies' policy making.

CJA-617. Intro to International CJ. 3.00 Credits.

The course will inform about global, comparative, and transnational crime. Mainly, human trafficking, drug trafficking, weapons trafficking, terrorism, and information technology crime are discussed. This course introduces the nature and causes of crime internationally and prevention and control mechanisms. Students will study the comparative criminal justice system as it applies to transnational and international crime and the impact of international criminal law and human rights in dealing with crimes against humanity. Finally, this course will discuss the privatization of global justice and the future of global crime. This course is intended to equip students with the knowledge and skills necessary for careers in which the globalization of crime plays an important role.

CJA-642. Cyber-Criminology. 3.00 Credits.

This course provides an overview of cybercrime. Students will understand cybercrime in-depth and how traditional criminological theories can be reimagined to explain it. This course utilizes case studies regarding cybersecurity issues at the state and federal levels. It takes on current and proposed cybercrime legal policy and enforcement procedures for combating the cybercrime epidemic. The course explores causation, victimization, ethics, and societal consequences of cybercrime.

CJA-645. Cyberterrorism. 3.00 Credits.

This course explores the intersection of terrorism and cyberspace, focusing on methods, motivations, and impacts of cyber-terrorist activities. Students will examine how terrorist groups use the Internet for recruitment, propaganda, communication, and cyberattacks. The course will also cover the threats posed by cyberterrorism to national security, critical infrastructure, and global stability.

CJA-647. Artificial Intelligence and Cj. 3.00 Credits.

This course examines the transformative role of artificial intelligence (AI) in the criminal justice system. Students will explore how AI technologies are used in law enforcement, corrections, courts, and policy development and the ethical and legal challenges of their use. The course covers predictive policing, AI-driven surveillance, facial recognition, risk assessment tools in sentencing, and AI applications in crime prevention and investigation.

CJA-650. Research Methods in Criminal Justice. 3.00 Credits.

This course will focus on the basic techniques and designs used in criminal justice research. An emphasis is placed on problem-statement writing, research design, data gathering, data analysis, and evaluation. Topics of sampling theory, surveys, observations, experiments, and the Institution Review Board will be discussed. The course will prepare the student to gather decision-relevant information and how to influence policy decisions.

CJA-652. Multicultural Law Enforcement. 3.00 Credits.

Examination of roles of race and ethnicity in crime and justice. Focus on the differing experiences of racial/ethnic groups as they come into contact with the various agencies of the criminal justice system, racial disparity and discrimination in the criminal justice system, and the impact of criminal justice policy and practice on racial/ethnic minorities. Discussion of contemporary issues in race, ethnicity, and justice such as racial profiling, the impact of felony voting laws on racial minorities, and the ways in which cultural stereotypes about race/ethnicity shape policies and practices at the different stages of the criminal justice process (police, courts, corrections). Students will critically evaluate crime policy to identify meaningful solutions to increase social justice.

CJA-658. Ethical Issues in Criminal Justice Admin. 3.00 Credits.

Exploration of ethical dilemmas faced by professionals in law enforcement, courts, and corrections. Examination of discretionary power in criminal justice agencies and different stages of the criminal justice process. Seminar discussion of/reflection on decision making and ethical scenarios in criminal justice contexts.

CJA-660. Theory and Practice of CJ Admin. 3.00 Credits.

The course traces the development of the Criminal Justice System. Emphasis is placed on the conceptual foundations of criminal justice theory and practice. The theoretical perspectives, events, leaders, court decisions, and organizations that have shaped criminal justice administration are examined.

CJA-662. The Judicial System. 3.00 Credits.

This course examines the structure and operation of the criminal court systems of the United States at the local, state, and federal levels. The students will be introduced to the pretrial and adjudication processes and the organizational roles and behaviors within the court system. This course is designed to provide experience in critical analysis of current and emerging justice policies and practices within this same judicial system. Students will be required to analyze the relationship of court operations and constitutional mandates related to issues of judicial independence, interdependence, and their overall accountability.

CJA-663. Community Policing and Problem Solving. 3.00 Credits.

The philosophy of community policing will be discussed and practical community examples provided for the student to use the SARA method for a thorough problem-solving analysis. A historical review of community policing is provided. Significant attention is given to the rationale and implications of various methods of social control. Pre-requisite: CJA560. Prerequisites: CJA-560.

CJA-665. Advanced Criminological Theory. 3.00 Credits.

Examination of classic and contemporary theoretical explanations of crime from multiple criminological perspectives including classical, biological, psychological, and sociological theories. Analysis of crime patterns and crime correlates and substantive focus on the application of such theories to criminal justice agencies, community, and society.

CJA-672. Terrorism. 3.00 Credits.

The pragmatic approach to the analysis of terrorism must be founded in the fundamental understanding of both the theories of terrorism and the practical aspects of implementing a coordinated response. The effect of globalization plays an important role today in the ability of any agency to prevent, protect, respond and mitigate a specific terror event. Through a comprehensive review of major theories, definitions, focused readings, and practical applications this course will provide the student with a thorough understanding of the nature and extent of terrorism today. The course will identify the major law enforcement, intelligence, and military agencies, and discuss their importance in providing global, national, and regional terror assessments.

CJA-674. Crim Justice Policy Formation & Analysis. 3.00 Credits.

This course will serve to bring the goals of fairness, justice and equality in a criminal justice system with regard to its effect on the organizational policy decision making process. The focus on the utilization of discretionary decision making by administrators throughout the entire criminal justice system will be critically analyzed. Students will be required to assess this discretionary decision making process and its impact on the daily functioning of the criminal justice system. Students will also examine how to identify and define discretionary decisions in the justice system, and how to establish methods for checking discretion.

CJA-680. Grant Proposal Writing. 3.00 Credits.

This elective graduate course prepares students to: 1) identify governmental agencies and private organizations funding research, technical assistance, training, and other programs or projects 2) write grant proposals 3) properly manage the grant after it is awarded 4) write interim and final reports to the funding agency and 5) use the success of the completed grant to obtain additional grants. This course is taught on line. Prerequisites: CJA-650.

CJA-688. Probat Parole & Community Corrections. 3.00 Credits.

This course is designed to analyze the current legal, managerial, and political factors which impact upon the probation and parole system. It will examine organizational innovations, caseload management techniques, and technological advances used to confront such problems.

CJA-690. Criminal Justice in the Field. 3.00 Credits.

This experiential course introduces students to the criminal justice system through interactive field experiences, professional guest speakers, and guided institutional visits. Students will visit various criminal justice facilities-such as correctional institutions, courts, forensic labs, and community organizations-to gain firsthand insight into their functions, operations, and challenges. Guest speakers from diverse areas within criminal justice will share professional experiences, discuss contemporary issues, and offer career insights, enriching students' perspectives on the field. Through reflective assignments and class discussions, students will connect these real-world experiences to theoretical concepts, preparing them for meaningful and informed careers in criminal justice.