online ms/ajs degree

This course provides new graduate students in the college with an introduction to strategies for success within the university's adult learning model. Topics include program standards and objectives; graduate-level oral and written communication; locating, evaluating, and citing scholarly resources; and purposes and use of portfolios.

This foundational course introduces the philosophies and relationships between policing, the court systems, corrections, and private security. Students will learn about public safety organizations and private sector organizations.

This advanced course focuses on theories of criminology, crime causation, and victimization to include classical, biological, psychological, and sociological theories. Prevention strategies and victimogenesis considerations are addressed. Risk mitigation theories and application principles will also be surveyed as they relate to criminological theories.

This course provides an overview of the nature of criminal activity that is facilitated through, or that targets, information systems. The course also reviews security measures that are designed to protect the software, hardware, social media or other virtual platforms, and data associated with information systems.

This course explores the various elements of organizational administration, behavior, and management in criminal justice organizations and provides the student with an understanding of individual and group dynamics, problem solving concepts, and administrative processes associated with organizational behavior and structures that exist in the criminal justice system.

This course will examine the theoretical and philosophical basis of ethics and the standards of professional conduct and leadership applicable to justice and security agencies. Applicable case studies will be used, as well as contemporary situations in ethics.

This course examines the interrelationships between organizational risk assessment and consequence management within the context of justice and security organizations. Specifically, the course will examine organizational risk mitigation and management strategies, physical facility security, personal protection, and the role of critical incident management.

This course discusses the role of strategic planning in attainment of the long-term mission and vision of criminal justice and security organizations. Students learn to create a common framework for organizational decision-making and resource investment. Essential elements of strategic planning are addressed, including the development, deployment, and performance measurement processes required to ensure that strategic plans remain relevant and dynamic. The relationship between strategic, operational, and tactical planning is also clarified.

This course introduces fundamental concepts of using financial tools and analysis for effective managerial decision making in criminal justice and security. Topics include the role of the financial management in the criminal justice and security organization, concepts and principles underlying financial practices, and operational planning and budgeting.

This course examines the competing legal and social issues that influence the actions of public officials, security personnel, and private citizens with respect to the provision of law enforcement, safety, and security services for various elements of society. The potential conflicts between public policy and civil rights will be discussed.

This course provides the student with a fundamental understanding of forensic science, data, technology, behavioral profiling, and the application of scientific methodologies to the investigative process.

This course addresses the development and influence of public policy with respect to specific justice and security issues facing the American society. The potential conflicts between public policy and civil rights will be discussed.

This course prepares the student to identify operational goals and to develop or evaluate programs designed to mitigate issues of societal order. This course will provide an understanding of the application of key concepts, methods, and approaches in the field of program evaluation within the criminal justice and security profession.