This is an introductory course in the field of criminal justice. It introduces the student to the nature and extent of crime in America and provides a detailed description of the components of the American criminal justice system: police, courts and corrections. In the second portion of the course, the role of the crime victim and the principal functions of criminal justice agencies are considered.

This course examines the history and major functions of modern law enforcement agencies and personnel. Special attention to career opportunities and alternatives in the field of law enforcement.

This course introduces students to forensic science and is a primer to more advanced courses in the field of forensic science. The history of forensic science is explored, with particular emphasis on forensic investigations, as well as the developing and changing nature of the field. The role that forensic science plays within the American Criminal Justice System is a focus of study. The various technologies used are reviewed as are the limitations of forensic science. Prerequisite: None.

Contemporary correctional activities and the functions performed by correctional agencies and personnel. Includes an overview of the functions performed by correctional institutions and agencies for juveniles and adults.

History and philosophy of security, goals and measures of businesses, security firms, military services, and governmental agencies.

Review of substantive criminal law theory and specific elements common to index offenses will be presented. Course will offer a brief synopsis of the historical development of penal codes, as well as application of the Model Penal Code. Special emphasis will include a review of established defenses to criminal liability such as the insanity, self-defense and diminished mental capacity defenses.

Methods of gathering and reporting information essential to effective criminal justice operations are reviewed, discussed, and practiced. Emphasis is on developing effective interviewing skills and accurate reporting of information gathered by criminal justice practitioners.

This course provides the student an overview of the history, functions, design and operation of the American jail.

Gathering information; principles and procedures used for crime scene protection and search; collection and preservation of evidence; interviewing and interrogation of complainants, witnesses, suspects, and victims; and scientific applications to a variety of investigations conducted in criminal justice setting.

Provides a basic introduction to the traffic regulation function in modern society with particular emphasis on the impact on technology, judicial decisions, Federal mandates and societal expectations on the enforcement of traffic laws and the investigation of related violations.

Comprehensive police officer survival seminar designed for basic and in-service police training. Includes examination of the laws regarding use of force, civil and criminal liability, mental conditioning, post shooting trauma, the dynamics of lethal force and other special topics, including biomedical hazards, dealing with gangs and plainclothes and off-duty officer survival. Strenuous physical activity expected. Advise instructors of any medical condition that would prevent involvement in the training.

Provides a comprehensive study of police patrol procedures, beginning with a historical overview of local policing and moves into current patrol practices. Includes presentations of old training films, as available, to allow students to critique early methods with techniques learned. Includes legal issues and their impact on police methods.

Criminal Justice majors may pursue an independent research project approved by faculty in consultation with the Department Chair. Independent Study may not be used in place of any courses required of the criminal justice major. Independent Study courses must meet equivalencies to Federal definition of a credit hour. Prerequisites: 6 hours of CJ course work.

Topics will vary from semester to semester and will be announced in advance. May be taken for more than one semester for variable credit. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.

This course is designed to explore the relationship between culture and the criminal justice system. Emphasis is given to understanding the historical, theoretical, and structural perspectives of racial/ethnic and minority groups in society.

The course is intended to survey modern America’s attitudes about our criminal justice system through analysis of several motion pictures dealing with various facets of the system.

Analysis of police functions and problems commonly encountered in the performance of those functions. Problem-solving methods and techniques are reviewed, discussed, and practiced. Prerequisite: CJ 110 or consent of instructor.

Societal reaction to drug abuse in terms of legal sanctions, treatment alternatives, and the criminal justice response (law enforcement, the courts, corrections). How substance abuse and criminal behavior are interrelated.

This course provides an overview of the American Juvenile Justice System, including theories and measurements of juvenile offending; the roles and relationships of law enforcement, courts, probation and parole, diversion programs, service agencies, and correctional institutions. Prerequisites: CJ 100.

Treatment strategies employed in adult and juvenile corrections programs, focusing on classification, types of institutional programming, as well as community and aftercare facilities. Prerequisite: CJ 120 or consent of instructor.

This course will review the methods used by criminal justice agencies to identify and track serial killers, examine various aspects of this particular criminal profile and review the impact of such criminal activity on our society. Case studies of convicted serial killers will be used to demonstrate the various factors that influence the development of this abnormal criminal mind. Prerequisite: None.

This course is designed to explore best practices in corrections that are based on research. Emphasis is given to studying the findings from program evaluations to better understand EBP that have reduced recidivism and enhanced public safety. Prerequisites: CJ 120.

Applied criminology will examine various criminological theories including delinquent subculture, differential association, and conflict theories, and their application by criminal justice professionals. In addition, the student will understand and practice the application of criminological theory in dealing with an individual offender.

Historical development and contemporary structure of state and federal trial courts and courts of appellate review will be presented. Constitutional and statutory authority for courts, court procedure, and defendant rights in the judicial process will be reviewed to include due process, public and speedy trial, jury composition, self-incrimination, punishment and state and federal post-conviction relief and/or appellate review. Other statutory and administrative/regulatory laws will be reviewed pertaining to the Code of Professional Responsibility as it applies to respective judicial officers. Close analysis is offered of the respective roles, duties performed, and career paths for judicial officers such as judges, prosecutors and defense counsel.

This course is designed to explore the law of corrections by providing an in-depth examination of the court system with particular focus on prisoners' post-conviction rights,. Topics covered include the various sources of correctional law, prisoners' statutory and constitutional rights, potential liability for corrections employees, and other controversial legal issues in corrections. Prerequisites: CJ 120.

This course concerns sex offenders, sexual offending behavior and the policy responses of this type of crime. The course will cover “typical” sex offender characteristics, at least as much as the behavior can be typified. It will investigate the nature and procedure of sexual offending behavior. Policy targeted toward preventing or curbing behavior will also be explored. Prerequisite: None.

Situational crime prevention, environmental design, physical security measures, defensible space, opportunity theories, crime displacement, rational choice theory, and crime prevention studies. Prerequisite: CJ 130 or consent of instructor.

An overview of capital punishment in America with specific application to Kansas. The course covers different philosophical and religious positions on the death penalty; pro and con arguments related to retribution, deterrence, and incapacitation; the relative costs of the death penalty vs. permanent incarceration; innocent people on death row, discrimination, and arbitrariness in the application of the death penalty; and the role of judges, prosecutors, defense attorneys, juries, and witnesses in death penalty cases. Prerequisite: CJ 100 or consent of instructor.

An in-depth examination of homicide investigation and the tools required to bring the case to a successful completion. Prerequisite: CJ 110 or CJ 115, or consent of instructor.

Civil and criminal liability of security officers and employers, security laws of arrest/search/seizure, security regulations, security licensing and training, OSHA standards and legal requirements, and case studies. Prerequisite: CJ 130 or consent of instructor.

Firearms decision making provides students with the opportunity to examine the legal aspects of police use of force incidents. During the course students will learn about firearms and the proper safety, usage and storage of weapons. Each student will be provided the opportunity to use the Firearms Training System (FATS) and the simmunitions weapons system and experience split second decision making in a use of force incident. Finally, student will study the basic preparation for dealing with critical incidents and the aftermath of a shooting incident. An additional fee is associated with this course. Prerequisite: CJ 100 or consent of instructor.

An overview of the theories and facts on female criminality, employment practices and on-the-job problems that affect female criminal justice workers, and factors relative to female victims of crime.

Criminal Justice majors may pursue an independent research project approved by faculty in consultation with the Department Chair. Independent Study may not be used in place of any courses required of the criminal justice major. Independent Study courses must meet equivalencies to Federal definition of a credit hour. Prerequisites: 6 hours of CJ course work or consent.

An advanced undergraduate course that focuses on contemporary human trafficking and slavery. Types of trafficking and slavery to be covered include sex trafficking, bonded labor, forced labor, child soldiers, chattel slavery, and domestic servant slavery. The contributing roles of the state, organized crime, the media, culture, and corruption will be examined. Debates about defining trafficking and the connection between sex trafficking and prostitution will be reviewed. Course materials may include testimonies and autobiographies by survivors, research reports, theoretical essays, policy statements, expert testimonies, podcasts and videos. Prerequisite: Junior Standing or permission of the course instructor.

This course will provide an introduction and general overview of homeland security in the United States. The course will focus on helping students understand the key elements of homeland security strategies and operational policies. The role and purpose of homeland security strategy will be evaluated in regard to its implementation in a contemporary democratic society. Prerequisite: None.

Relevant literature and the scope of the problem, psychological and sociological considerations; and viable programs that effectively improve communications between the police and the public. Prerequisite: CJ 110 or consent of instructor.

This course will build on principles learned in CJ 230 Principles of Investigation. Students will examine more in-depth issues related to the investigation of crime scenes. The course will review the constitutional protections offered by the Fourth Amendment and consider the role they play in maintaining the integrity of the crime scene, search, and any evidence seized. Students will also experience hands on application of these principles, through use of mock crime scenes, simulated investigations, and mock interviews and interrogations, as well as discuss the various parties they may encounter at crime scenes. Prerequisites: CJ 110 and CJ 230

This course will provide an understanding of the history and scope of firearms and toolmark examination as well as introducing students to basic methods of firearms and tool mark identification and examination. An emphasis will be placed on the use of this type of evidence as a means of facilitating effective crime scene investigations. The theory of firearms and tool mark evidence identification will be discussed as students are able to develop a better understanding of the scientific method and how it is applied to criminal investigations. Prerequisite: CJ 115 or consent of instructor.

This is the first of two courses in Bloodstain Pattern Analysis (BPA). Each course will cover different aspects of BPA. In combination, the two courses will meet all the requirements of the International Association of Bloodstain Pattern Analysis (IABPA) Basic BPA Course. BPA is an investigative tool utilized by forensic scientists, crime scene technicians and investigators to identify bloodstain patterns at a crime scene, which may assist in reconstructing events. This course will introduce students to bloodstain pattern identification and analysis. Attention will be focused on how bloodstain analysis can be used to help facilitate criminal investigations. Prerequisite: CJ 115 or consent of instructor.

This is the second part of two courses in Bloodstain Pattern Analysis (BPA). Each course will cover different aspects of BPA. In combination, the two courses will meet all the requirements of the International Association of Bloodstain Pattern Analysis (IABPA) Basic BPA Course. BPA is an investigative tool utilized by forensic scientists, crime scene technicians and investigators to identify bloodstain patterns at a crime scene, which may assist in reconstructing events. Prerequisite: CJ 368.

Examines the principles of fire investigation, burn patterns, arson, fraud, industrial and commercial fire prevention, hazard recognition, fire control and suppression methods. Prerequisite: CJ 115 or consent of instructor.

This course introduces students to both basic and more advanced techniques in forensic photography to include overall, midrange, and close up photography composition as well as low light photography and comparison quality photography. Prerequisite: CJ 115

This is an introductory course on the surface of the skin referred to as friction ridge skin. This course examines the role of fingerprints in forensic investigations as well as focuses on fingerprint classification, orientation, and collection of known fingerprint impressions. Prerequisites: None

This intermediate course will introduce students to different chemical and physical development processes that are utilized in the latent fingerprint laboratory. Students will gain a better understanding of the factors that affect latent print deposition, along with the proper processes utilized to search for, document, and preserve latent fingerprints on different surfaces. Prerequisite: CJ 372

This course enhances students sketching and mapping skillsets by introducing them to scanning equipment that allows for complete 360-degree documentation of a crime scene. Students will learn more about proper measuring and sketching methods, along with how to operate the scanning equipment and using the associated software to enhance and utilize the scan data. Prerequisite: CJ 115

This course introduces students to the diverse ways in which the forensic psychologist participates in the legal system. Particular attention is given to the role of the forensic psychologist in criminal proceedings as it relates to the state of mind of the offender. The course also introduces students to basic theories of criminal profiling and ethical considerations in the use of profiling. Prerequisite: CJ 110 or CJ 115, or consent of instructor.

An exploration of the incidence and threats of terrorism and an investigation of the security and law enforcement measures needed to combat it. Topics such as assassination, kidnapping, hijacking, extortion, sabotage, bomb threats/searches, hostage negotiations, victims’ survival, and medical/tactical reaction teams will be discussed as they relate to executive protection and terrorism.

This course provides an overview of the technologies used by security professionals and criminalists working in public safety. Emphasis is given to methods of assessing public and private security threat and managing security protection in government and industrial agencies, and digital, cyber and protective services. Prerequisites: CJ 130.

This is an introductory course on footwear and tire track impressions. This course examines the role of track impressions in forensic investigations with a specific focus on outsole and tire tread characteristics. Students will demonstrate, through hands-on practicals, how to properly search for, document, and collect all types of tread evidence. Prerequisites: None

This course introduces students to the capabilities and functions of digital enhancement through the use of Adobe Photoshop as well as proper collection, tracking, and storage of digital images. Prerequisites: None

This course will give students a better understanding of ballistics and the amount of information that is available when handling a shooting incident. Students will learn proper documentation practices for shooting incidents as well as learn tools and resources that are needed for reconstructive purposes. Prerequisites: None

Topics will vary from semester to semester and will be announced in advance. May be taken for more than one semester for variable credit. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.

An overview of the functions, interrelations and problems of metropolitan law enforcement, judicial and correctional agencies is provided through lectures, assignments and agency visitations. Usually conducted in the Kansas City metropolitan area over a five-day period. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.

This course allows students to learn and demonstrate knowledge of research methodology within the criminal justice system and become acquainted with the range and scope of quantitative and qualitative tools available to the criminal justice researcher. Prerequisite: 12 hours Criminal Justice or consent of instructor.

An advanced exploration of the field of ethics as specifically applied to the criminal justice field. Theoretical ethics will be examined alongside a pragmatic and applied focus on the application of these ethical principles in a contemporary criminal justice professional environment. Prerequisite: None.

Advanced analysis of the constitutional statutory foundations of modern criminal procedure will be emphasized, with particular focus on the 4th, 5th, and 6th Amendments. The law of search and seizure, interrogations and confessions, warrants, indictment/information, pretrial suppression and exclusionary rule applications will be presented. Rules pertaining to obtaining, qualifying and admitting evidence will be discussed, to include direct and cross examination, application of the hearsay rule, recognized privileged communications, and common evidentiary objections will be offered in the criminal prosecution/defense perspective.

Examines the role of forensic science in the investigation and solution of crime. Each type of physical evidence normally encountered in criminal investigation is studied with regard to collection and packaging techniques which maximize evidentiary value, the current types of scientific analyses available, and the significance and limitations of the scientific results. The history of forensic science is also briefly examined. Prerequisite: CJ 115 or consent of instructor.

This skills application course is designed to complement CJ 415 Forensic Investigations in Criminal Justice. Emphasis is given to the application of forensic investigation techniques and practices related to the preservation of evidence and the processing of crime scenes, including: processing latent prints, gathering trace evidence, documenting firearms and toolmarks evidence, and the collection of illicit drugs. Preparations for court testimony and presentation of evidence in court proceedings are covered. This course must be taken the same semester as CJ 415. Prerequisite: CJ 115 or consent of instructor.

Crime scene investigation internships are created for CSI students to put their classroom-learned skills to real-life applications. Moreover, having an on-the-job training under a crime scene investigation unit will expose you to different specializations of your career choice such as photography skills at crime scenes; this way, you can choose which aspect of a CSI job to concentrate on. This internship requires summative reflection, serving as a culminating experience for Bachelor's degree students. Prerequisites: CJ 115, CJ 415, and Consent of Instructor.

Probation and parole, including the administration, procedures, and techniques used in the treatment and supervision of offenders. Also, the history and trends of probation and parole, and professional training in these fields. Prerequisite: CJ 120 or consent of instructor.

Occupational crime, fraud, theft, computer crimes, environmental crimes, business and governmental crimes, and prevention measures. Prerequisite: CJ 110 or consent of instructor.

An accurate death investigation is a critical piece of information in any homicide case. Students will learn more in depth information about the importance of proper death investigation in a homicide as well as different manners of death. This course will cover different aspects of a death investigation from the crime scene to the autopsy. Prerequisites: None. Corequisites: CJ 436

Applied Death Investigation provides a more practical application of materials and information learned in Death Investigations (CJ 435). Students will be given the resources to critically think through different situations encountered at a death investigation. Prerequisites: CJ 415, CJ 416, and permission of the course instructor. Corequisites: CJ 435

For those interested in police administration. Students are required to participate in field & classroom experiences designed to expose & prepare them for an administrative role in the criminal justice system. Students demonstrate through exams, assigned papers, reports, & classroom participation their knowledge of administration principles & practices. Prerequisite: CJ 110 or consent of instructor.

The role in establishing alcohol and other drug policy and the development of regulation for the implementation of federal policy. Officials from federal, state, and local agencies describe agency functions and effects at addressing the drug problem. The course will also examine the impact of federal drug policy at the local level. Prerequisite: CJ 110 or consent of instructor.

This course provides an overview of the basic functions of criminal justice agency management and administration, including activities such as planning, forecasting, budgeting, organizing, training, evaluating and directing personnel. The special requirements for the administration of criminal justice agencies and facilities such as building public support, communicating results, informing policy decisions, maintaining transparency, and interacting with other criminal justice agencies are explored. Case studies from a variety of criminal justice settings including law enforcement, corrections, and courts are analyzed to enhance understanding of management and administrative complexities. Prerequisite: None.

Criminal Justice planning, including analysis of crime data and systems interrelations, forecasting, problem identification, establishing goals and objectives, and developing plans for implementation and evaluation.

Supervised practical internship in a security setting. May be taken for 3 hours in two semesters or 6 hours in one semester. Placement requires agency approval. This internship requires summative reflection, serving as a culminating experience for Bachelor's degree students. Prerequisite: CJ 100, CJ 110, CJ 220, CJ 340, CJ 400, and CJ 450 (or consent of instructor).

Travel to law enforcement agencies, guest lectures and class discussion. Prerequisite: CJ 110 or consent of instructor.

Supervised observation & participation in the functions of a federal, state, or local criminal justice agency. Assignment supervision is received from experienced agency personnel and an orientation to agency operations is provided. Students may participate in specific law enforcement, corrections, forensic investigation, or security administration activities. Experience may be concentrated in one agency or divided among more than one agency. Placement and continuation in the internship require approval of the criminal justice agency where the student completes their internship experience. This internship requires summative reflection and serves as a culminating experience for criminal justice students. Prerequisites: Permission of the course instructor.

Supervised observation & participation in the functions of a federal, state, or local criminal justice agency. Assignment supervision is received from experienced agency personnel and an orientation to agency operations is provided. Students may participate in specific law enforcement, corrections, forensic investigation, and/or security administration activities. The criminal justice internship may be taken in one semester or over the course of two semesters. Experience may be concentrated in one agency or divided among more than one agency. Placement and continuation in the internship requires approval of the criminal justice agency where the student completes their internship experience. This internship requires summative reflection and serves as a culminating experience for criminal justice students. Prerequisite: Permission of the course instructor.

This course provides an opportunity for students to examine more in-depth an area or aspect of the criminal justice system, including problems or challenges for policy or practices. Students will select an area of interest and complete an original research project or a research paper under the supervision of a department faculty member with related experience. Prerequisites: Permission of the course instructor.

Impact course designed to provide the student with the opportunity to "experience" the correctional institution and draw a unique insight into corrections. Students visit correctional institutions, observe their operations, and interact with correction practitioners and confined offenders. Institutions have been chosen for visitation to provide the student with as broad a correctional experience as possible, beginning with juveniles through adults, including county, state, and federal institutions. Prerequisite: CJ 120 or consent of instructor.

This course will provide students with an opportunity to earn course credit for participation in educational travel opportunities. These opportunities will incorporate elements of both travel and education, providing students with an applied opportunity to learn as they explore different locations. Prerequisite: Permission of the course instructor.

This is a professional graduate seminar designed to engage the first-semester criminal justice graduate student in the analysis of the array of issues in the process of justice administration. Criminal Justice system operations are reviewed, and key issues impacting criminal justice theory and practice are explored. Prerequisite: Admitted to MCJ program or permission of MCJ Program Coordinator.

The student will be able to develop and implement basic research designs and interpret findings. Both qualitative and quantitative methods will be examined. Instruction and application will focus upon criminal justice issues and the impact of criminal justice research upon the profession. Prerequisite: Admission to MCJ program or permission of MCJ Program Coordinator.

Current significant issues in criminal procedure will be addressed. Emphasis will be placed upon significance of recent judicial decisions to both enforcement and corrections. Additionally, the relationship between the judiciary and the other segments of the criminal justice system will be examined. Methods for conducting legal research will be examined. Prerequisites: Admission to MCJ program or permission of MCJ Program Coordinator.

This course will address the application of organizational, administrative and management principles in law enforcement, courts, and corrections. The course will examine issues in organizational structure, administration, problem solving, planning, and budgeting. Prerequisite: Admitted to MCJ program or permission of MCJ Program Coordinator.

The course will evaluate issues of professionalism and ethical behavior within the criminal justice profession. Key issues examined will include professional behavior of the individual and the agency. Current topics, such as sexual harassment, accreditation, and maintenance of standards, and community relations will be significant topics of focus. Prerequisite: Admission to MCJ program or permission of MCJ Program Coordinator.

This course will study the policies that affect modern correctional agencies in the United States. Corrections will be examined from a historical prospective to provide a benchmark for the analysis of current and future trends. Prerequisite: Admitted to MCJ program or permission of MCJ Program Coordinator.

Policies and human issues affecting law enforcement agencies in the United States will be addressed. Law enforcement will be examined from a historical prospective with analysis of current activities and expected future trends. Prerequisite: Admitted to MCJ program or permission of MCJ Program Coordinator.

Theories of crime causation and criminal behavior are discussed and researched. Theories are traced from the 1700's through modern times. Prerequisite: Admitted MCJ program.

The course will develop students' capacity to develop and evaluate policies and procedures in all parts of the correctional administration arena. Judicial decisions which impact the legal status of the operation of correctional institutions and offender confinement will be examined. Prerequisite: Admitted to MCJ program or permission of MCJ Program Coordinator.

This course examines organized crime, white collar crimes, and gang activity in the United States. Focus will be on the historical development of these criminal patterns with an evaluation of current activities as well as proposed intervention theories. Prerequisite: Admitted to MCJ program or permission of MCJ Program Coordinator.

Current significant issues in enforcement administration will be addressed. Emphasis will be placed upon significance to federal, state, and local enforcement administrators, their agencies, and their communities. Prerequisite: Admitted to MCJ program or permission of MCJ Program Coordinator.

This course studies the criminal justice systems of four to six major countries. Each country's different philosophical and practical approaches to criminal justice will be evaluated and compared. Field study will be utilized when possible. Prerequisite: Admitted to MCJ program or permission of MCJ Program Coordinator.

The course will examine the traditional practices of probation and parole, as well as newer community methods. The major focus will be on the organization and integration of community-based programs into the modern criminal justice system. Prerequisite: Admitted to MCJ program or permission of MCJ Program Coordinator.

This course addresses delinquency prevention policies, investigation of juvenile crime, dispositions of offenders, and judicial waiver issues. The Seminar also examines the roles and interaction of juvenile agencies' operations and the administrative challenges to them as well as a review of the due process considerations mandated by courts. Prerequisite: Admitted to MCJ program or permission of MCJ Program Coordinator.

This course will examine principles and practical applications of operational and staff planning as applied to law enforcement agencies. Emphasis will be placed on the development and implementation of organizational goals and objectives, strategic, and tactical planning and operational needs assessment. Prerequisite: Admitted to MCJ program or permission of MCJ Program Coordinator.

This course studies correctional law as related to probation and parole, juvenile and adult institutions, local jails, legal liabilities, and legal research. Prerequisite: Admitted to MCJ program or permission of MCJ Program Coordinator.

In this course, students will examine the problems that face judicial administration and how those problems affect other elements of the criminal justice system. Prerequisite: Admitted to MCJ program or permission of MCJ Program Coordinator.

This course examines the role of staff development in the management of human resources in criminal justice, and effective staff development methods and techniques. Emphasis will be placed on training and human resources development in criminal justice, organizationally determined outcomes, training needs assessment, performance standards, and assessment. Prerequisite: Admitted to MCJ program or permission of MCJ Program Coordinator.

These courses offer an opportunity for students and faculty to explore topics of contemporary or historical interest that are not covered in regular course offerings. Prerequisite: Admitted to MCJ program or permission of MCJ Program Coordinator.

This course provides students with an opportunity to conduct an in-depth exploration of literature related to a particular criminal justice topic. Consent from the supervising professor is required. Directed readings courses must meet the Federal definition of a credit hour. Prerequisite: Admitted to MCJ program and Instructor consent or permission of MCJ Program Coordinator and instructor permission.

Statistical methods and computer applications are covered as they relate to survey research, agency evaluation, and content analysis. Qualitative methods are also taught and include field methods, historical research, and legal bibliography. Prerequisite: Admitted to MCJ Progrma and CJ 602 or permission of MCJ Program Coordinator.

A Capstone course is a graduate course that typically serves as a comprehensive assessment of the knowledge and skills of a graduate student in the major field of study. It is usually completed at the end of the degree program. This Capstone course is a self-directed, integrated, learning opportunity. It is designed to integrate and synthesize all coursework in the criminal justice graduate program and related areas so the student has a broad conceptual and practical understanding of the criminal justice career field. Prerequisite: Admitted to MCJ program, 24 hours of coursework completed (including all core coursework), and Instructor permission.

This course may be directed by any member of the criminal justice graduate faculty who accepts responsibility for supervising the thesis. The thesis topic must be pre-approved by the faculty advisor who serves as the student's graduate committee chair. The student normally conducts original empirical research which involves the collection and analysis of new data, or re-analyzing existing data to arrive at certain conclusions. The written Thesis report is submitted to the student's Thesis Committee for evaluation and approval. An oral defense of the Thesis is required for graduation. Prerequisite: Admitted to MCJ program, 24 hours of MCJ coursework (including all core coursework), and instructor permission.

This course is to allow students additional time to complete Capstone, Thesis or Practicum requirements. Prerequisite: Instructor permission.