401 Victimology (3)
An examination of the multifaceted problem of criminal victimization. Focuses on defining victimization, the incidents of victimization, social characteristics of victims, treatment of victims in the criminal justice system, and efforts designed to alleviate the consequences of victimization. Prerequisite: Criminal Justice 110 or completion of social science general education requirement or approval of instructor.
402 Organized Crime (3)
The effect of organized crime on the community, the government, legal systems, and the individual; and methods of combating organized crime. Prerequisite: Criminal Justice 110 or completion of social science general education requirement or approval of instructor.
404 Police Administration and Management Issues (3)
An in-depth analysis of critical issues in police leadership, management, and operations with an emphasis on labor-management relations, discrimination, civil liability, risk management, and police review systems. Prerequisites: Criminal Justice 110 and 310.
406 Juvenile Law (3)
Statutory and case analysis of judicial decisions, substantive juvenile law and procedures significant to practices of various agencies in juvenile justice. Spring semester. Prerequisites: Criminal Justice 110 and 170 or other law related course, or approval of instructor.
410 Theories of Criminal and Delinquent Behavior (3)
An analysis of theory and research on epidemiology and etiology of crime. Fall semester. Prerequisites: Criminal Justice 110 and 170. For Criminal Justice majors, credit not allowed in both Criminal Justice 410 and Sociology 321.
412 Correctional Administration and Legal Rights of Inmates (3)
The study of modern correctional organizations and administrative strategies. Special emphasis is placed on current legal issues involving both staff and client/offenders. Prerequisites: Criminal Justice 110 and 312.
414 Terrorism (3)
A survey of modern domestic and international terrorism. Examines the structure and dynamics of terrorist groups, types of terrorist violence, and justification of violence. Looks at criminal justice and nonprofit, human services policies and responses to this particular type of disaster. Prerequisites: Criminal Justice 110 or Human Services 202 or completion of social science general education requirement or approval of instructor. May also be registered as Human Services 414. Credit not allowed in both Criminal Justice 414 and Human Services 414.
415 White Collar and Corporate Crime (3)
Examination of the relative harm done to society as a result of white collar and corporate crime. Review of causes, legislation, regulatory agencies and possible forms of intervention. Prerequisite: Criminal Justice 110 or completion of social science general education requirement or approval of instructor.
425 Gender, Crime and Criminal Justice (3)
This course is intended to provide an overview of women’s involvement in the criminal justice system as offenders, victims and professionals. Considerable attention will be given to women as victims of crime, the social system and the criminal justice process. On demand. Prerequisite: Criminal Justice 110 or completion of social science general education requirement or approval of instructor. May be registered as Women's Studies 425. Credit not allowed in both Criminal Justice 425 and Women’s Studies 425.
430 Philosophical and Ethical Issues in Criminal Justice (3)
An investigation into the implications for criminal justice theory and practice of selected philosophical positions and perspectives. On demand. Prerequisite: Criminal Justice 110 or completion of social science general education requirement or approval of instructor.
434 Gangs and the Criminal Justice System (3)
This course will provide an overview into the characteristics and mentality of gang members. Students will learn how to recognize gangsterism, and understand the gangster's mentality and influence in America today. Prerequisite: Criminal Justice 110 or completion of social science general education requirement or approval of instructor.
460 Dispute Resolution (3)
Alternatives to the courts for conflict resolution, including negotiation, mediation and arbitration. Discussion of legal issues, advantages and limitations of the alternatives. Laboratory exercises in applying these methods. On demand. Prerequisite: Completion of general education behavioral and social science requirements.
470, 471 Internship in Criminal or Juvenile Justice (3,6)
Supervised internship in a criminal justice agency. Admission to 470 or 471 requires written application filed with the internship coordinator no later than three months prior to the semester in which the student plans to enroll in Criminal Justice 470 or 471; personal interview with the internship coordinator; and a 2.00 grade point average, both overall and in criminal justice. Every semester. Prerequisite: criminal justice major, junior standing, and approval of instructor. Courses may be taken concurrently or consecutively. Graded satisfactory/no credit.
480 Virtual Explorations in Community Problem Solving (3)
Uses simulation to explore various approaches to problem solving and community collaboration. Focuses on skill areas of system thinking, conflict a management, decision making and leadership. Important features are the interdisciplinary focus and multiple perspectives brought by students and faculty, and the use of the web to support learning objectives. Prerequisite: junior or senior standing in the major.
485 Criminal Justice Senior Seminar (3)
Capstone course. Students will plan, design, and carry out a research project on a criminal or juvenile justice topic. Final projects will be grounded in relevant literature and will emphasize the integration of knowledge acquired in previous courses. Final papers which report the results for the study will be presented in a formal research seminar. For Criminal Justice majors only. Prerequisites: Criminal Justice 110, 211, 311, and senior standing.
495r Departmental Honors (1-3 hours per term, 4 hours for the two terms)
Every semester. See Departmental Honors.
497r Research (1-4)
Every semester.
498r Individual Studies (1-4)
Every semester.
499r Group Studies (1-4)
On demand.
Legal Assistant Studies
Assistant Professor Karen McGuffee, Coordinator
The Legal Assistant Studies Program is a specialized program of study preparing students for employment in law-related occupations in one of the fastest growing professions in the country. The legal assistant is trained work under the general supervision of an attorney, and handles tasks consistent with the legal assistant’s professional stature. In the performance of these duties, the legal assistant, often as a part of a legal team, works to provide increased efficiency in the delivery of legal services to the client. In carrying out these activities, legal assistants are employed in a variety of settings including: law firms, government, courts, corporations, non-profit organizations, banks, financial institutions, educational institutions, insurance companies, hospitals, and other health care facilities.
The program also welcomes students who hold a two-year degree or who have had some legal and/or college courses. Students in the program must complete the University General Education requirements or transfer the equivalent and 51 hours of Legal Assistant Studies course work and electives to total a minimum of 120 hours.
