UWP Distance Education MS in Criminal Justice

University of Wisconsin-Platteville

Master of Science in Criminal Justice

DEGREE REQUIREMENTS

The Master of Science in Criminal Justice Degree is earned upon successful completion of 30 credits: 15 credits of required courses and 15 credits of electives.

REQUIRED COURSES

CJ 7030 Criminal Justice Systems: An extensive analysis of the functions, processes and structures of the criminal justice system; interrelationships among the components of the system, with emphasis on law enforcement, courts, corrections and juvenile justice. More Information
3 credits

CJ 7130 Criminal Justice Research and Statistical Methods: An analysis of the various criminal justice research methods and statistical procedures, with emphasis on research design, questionnaire construction, the construction and use of surveys, uses of available data, methods of collecting and analyzing data, the testing of hypotheses, the drawing of inferences, and the writing of the research report.
3 credits

CJ 7730 Evaluation and Program Analysis in Criminal Justice: The course will focus on the key concepts, methods, and issues in the field of evaluation research. Students will be exposed to the theoretical, methodological, and utilization of evaluation approaches in order to design, implement, and assess the most effective programs. Specific focus will center on needs assessment, impact assessments, monitoring, application of various quantitative and qualitative techniques, and proposal writing. A review of basic research methods principles will also be provided.
3 credits

CJ 7230 Criminological Theory: An extensive examination of criminological theories and empirical research which support and challenge these explanations of criminal behavior; the central concepts and hypotheses of each theory, and the critical criteria for evaluating such theories in terms of empirical validity. More Information
3 credits

CJ 7330 Law as Social Control: An analysis of the needs, functions, utilization and effects of informal and formal social control mechanisms; theoretical perspectives on social control and law, and empirical examination of theories of law as a social control mechanism.
3 credits

CJ 7920 Seminar Paper Research: Based on individual interest and consultation with an advisor, the student will be required to write an advanced research paper on a specific topic; the independent empirical research should serve as a capstone to the student's educational experience, and as a bridge to the student's future in the criminal justice field. Special Registration Instructions
Prerequisite: CJ 7030, CJ 7130 or CJ 7730, CJ 7230, and CJ 7330.
3 credits
OR: CJ 7990 Thesis Research: Completion and defense of a carefully delineated scholarly work advancing an original point of view as a result of research. The topic chosen must reflect the student's area of emphasis, and must be approved by a thesis committee.
Prerequisite: CJ 7030, CJ 7130 or CJ 7730, CJ 7230, and CJ 7330.
3-6 credits; One of the major activites for the degree is the successful completion of the Seminar Research Paper, which serves as a capstone to your educational experience and a bridge to your future in the criminal justice field.

IN ADDITION to the core courses listed above, students are required to complete 15 credits of elective graduate courses in areas appropriate to their emphasis. With the help of an academic advisor, a student will develop an educational plan consistent with specific goals from one of the following emphasis areas.

A. Criminal Justice Theory

This emphasis is appropriate for those who wish to continue graduate education in a Ph.D. program, teach at a two-year college, or embark on a career in governmental research.

B. Criminal Justice Management

This emphasis is appropriate for those seeking promotion to supervisory or administrative positions in a variety of criminal justice settings.

C. Victim and Offender Services

This emphasis is appropriate for those interested in working with crime victims, juveniles, probation and parole clients, or providing services in institutional or community-based settings.

ELECTIVE COURSES

In addition to the required core courses listed above, you must complete 15 credits of elective graduate courses in areas appropriate to your emphasis. With the help of an academic advisor, you will develop an academic program plan consistent with specific goals from one of the three emphasis areas. Contact the program coordinator for information regarding transfer of elective credits not listed below.

  CE 7130  At Risk Youth
  CJ 6030  Criminal Law
  CJ 6330  Criminal Procedure and Evidence
  CJ 7120  Policing in a Democratic Society
  CJ 7430  Victimology
  CJ 7520  Civil Liabilities in Criminal Justice Agencies
  CJ 7530  Criminal Justice Administration
  CJ 7630  Contemporary Correctional Systems: 
              Institutional and Community-Based Corrections
  CJ 7830  Advanced Comparitive Criminal Justice
  CJ 7880  Criminal Justice Internship
  CJ 7980  Independent Study in Criminal Justice (1-4 credits)
POSC 5830  Civil Liberties
PSYC 7030  Psychology in the Criminal Justice System
PSYC 7330  Theories of Personality in the Criminal Justice System
PSYC 7430  Abnormal Psychology in a Dangerous World (formerly PSYC 6430)
PSYC 7980  Independent Study in Psychology (1-4 credits)
BSAD 5030  Human Resource Management
BSAD 5340  Management, Gender and Race
BSAD 5530  Organizational Behavior