COLLEGE OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE
Criminal Justice Course Descriptions
500-599 — first year graduate courses open to master’s and/or doctoral students
600-699 — second year graduate courses open to master’s and/or doctoral students
700-799 — third year graduate courses open to doctoral students and approved master’s students
800-899 — fourth year graduate courses open to doctoral students only
CJ 516 Seminar in Forensic Science. (Prior to Fall 2008 this course was taught as CJ 562.) This is a graduate seminar series consisting of invited experts and guests from a wide range of forensic disciplines. This course also includes student-directed seminars covering research, topics of interest and current issues in forensic science. Credit 1.
CJ 524 Principles of Quality Assurance in Forensic Science. This course will introduce the concepts and procedures associated with quality assurance and ethical conduct in forensic science. Credit 2.
CJ 526 Law and Forensic Sciences. This course will provide an overview of the law-forensic science interface. This includes legal concepts of admissibility of evidence and proof, rules of evidence, structure and hierarchy of criminal courts, and expert testimony. The course also includes direct and cross examination of students in a moot court setting. Credit 2.
CJ 530 Critical Analysis of Justice Administration. An analysis of the criminal justice system in the United States; role of justice agencies as part of societal response to crime; the knowledge base of criminal justice; issues, problems, trends.
CJ 531 Techniques for Crime Scene Investigation. Course provides advanced study in the application of new techniques in crime scene investigation. The concept of physical evidence and quality assurance procedures in forensic analysis will be included.
CJ 532 Perspectives in Criminology. Survey of the field of criminology emphasizing perspectives regarding the making of law, breaking of law and societal reactions to the breaking of law.
CJ 533 Forensic Anthropology. This course equips students with the methodologies and applications of forensic anthropology. The laboratory portion of the course includes extensive hands-on training of the human skeletal system. Students will learn and apply the methods used in building a human biological profile, which includes the determination of sex, age, and race based on skeletal features. Students will briefly be introduced to identification of skeletal pathologies and trauma. Three-hour laboratory. Credit 3
CJ 534 Courts As Organizations. Critical evaluation of the dispensing of justice in America, using the systems theory approach, as well as current court policy.
CJ 535 Security and the Future. Course will focus on meeting the changing demands of security in a global environment. Discussion emphasizing the understanding of how to design, implement, and integrate the security function in an every-changing world and the impact of major economic, demographic, and technological trends on developing strategies for security innovation and growth.
CJ 536 Legal Aspects and Private Security. Focus will be on how the law impacts security in many diverse ways. Discussion will emphasize the concept of criminal intent; early criminal law and the emergence of law enforcement and private security; the legal difference between public policing and private security; and an overview of legal terms and issues with which the security manager must address.
CJ 538 Security and Management. Focus is on managing the security organization and its human resources; discussion and on results-oriented security management, the basic foundations of security, the importance of technology, and specialized security applications will be addressed.
CJ 539 Global Terrorism. Course will focus on philosophies, tactics, and targets of terrorist groups; discussion of emerging terrorism trends and the roles of the private sector and U.S. Government in responding to and preventing terrorism. Students will also gain insight on how terrorism influences U.S. Foreign Policy.
CJ 560 Forensic Analysis of Pattern Evidence. Course will introduce the concepts, theories and principles used in forensic analysis of material and pattern evidence. Recent developments in the techniques applied in forensic or material and pattern evidence will be discussed.
CJ 562 Seminar in Forensic Science. (Effective Fall 2008 this course will be taught as CJ 516.) This is a graduate seminar series consisting of invited experts and guests from a wide range of forensic disciplines. This course also includes student-directed seminars covering research, topics of interest and current issues in forensic science. Credit 1.
CJ 563 The Juvenile Offender. Theoretical perspectives regarding the creation of childhood as a social construct and the etiology of juvenile offending. Particular attention is paid to the role of family, peers and school.
C J 564 Seminar in Crime Victim Services Management. This course is concerned with the principles and methods used in strategic management of social-oriented, non-profit victim service organizations. Its primary foci will be the evaluation of internal and external environmental factors unique to these non-profits as well as effective integration of traditional functional areas of for-profit businesses. Credit 3.
C J 565 Seminar in Crime Victim Services. The course is an ecological analysis of the impact of crime on primary and secondary victims and critical responses to that impact from the perspective of both the justice system and the private sector.
CJ 572 Community Based Corrections. Techniques and procedures utilized in the supervision of adult and juvenile probationers and parolees, and other residents of community-based corrections facilities. Preparation of social history, pre-hearing, and pre-sentence investigation reports. Emphasis on practical problems confronting the probation and parole and other community-based corrections officer.
CJ 592 Survey of Research Methods. The theory and application of social science research techniques and designs, with a focus on the interpretation and use of research findings. Students who have not completed an introductory course in research methods within the past five years must take CJ 478 as a prerequisite.
CJ 593 Legal Aspects of the Criminal Justice System. Aspects of law which are relevant to and essential for a better understanding of the criminal justice system and its related processes.
CJ 594 Legal Research. Methods and techniques of research in the legal system. Designed to prepare students to locate, interpret and disseminate relevant statutory and case law as well as scholarly legal works.
CJ 614 Forensic Science Capstone Course. The capstone experience allows students to formally apply their acquired knowledge and skills in forensic science. This course consists of an independent research project which culminates in a formal written report or manuscript. Additionally, students are required to present their findings orally in a public forum. Credit 1.
CJ 615 Criminal Justice Statistics Lab. One hour (one semester credit hour) computer lab which must be taken in conjunction with CJ 685 (Statistics for Criminal Justice Research).
CJ 622 Forensic Science Proseminar. (Prior to Fall 2008 this course was taught as CJ 675.)This course will be an introductory course and must be taken by all forensic science majors their first semester. Credit 2.
CJ 632 Resource Development in the Organizational Context. Critical issues and strategic questions regarding managing human resources in criminal justice agencies. Policy areas discussed are: (1) employee influence; (2) human resource flow; (3) reward systems; and (4) work systems. Human resource management as a coherent, proactive management model.
CJ 633 Seminar in Organization and Administration. The study of bureaucracy and complex organizations with strong emphasis on the concepts and practices of the organization and management of public agencies in the United States. Special consideration is given to the various philosophies, typologies, and models of administrative systems in criminal justice.
CJ 634 Research Methods and Quantitative Analysis in Criminal Justice. Methods and techniques of research and research design; conducting and assessing research in the criminal justice agency management environment; translation of research findings to policy; informational resources readily available to the agency manager. Designed to prepare students to gather decision-relevant information.
CJ 635 Seminar in Leadership and Management. Problems and alternative solutions in criminal justice management. The case study method and current readings provide an admixture of practical and educational experiences intended to foster and disseminate new ideas for management strategies, especially as this is impacted by leadership styles, human resources, and the environment.
CJ 636 Computer/Technology Applications for Criminal Justice. Techniques of data processing with emphasis upon utilization and application to criminal justice information management. Prerequisite: CJ 634.
CJ 637 Directed Management and Development Projects. This course is designed to provide the student with an opportunity to demonstrate under faculty supervision the ability to engage in a problem solving management project as a demonstration of skill in administration techniques.
CJ 639 Police in Society. An examination of the evolution of police in modern society with a special emphasis given to the role of the police play in contemporary society. Current research examining the function of the police will be examined.
CJ 660 Seminar in Deviant Behavior. Analysis of behavior which violates expectations that are shared and recognized as legitimate. Special attention is focused on societal reactions to such behavior.
CJ 661 Social Policy. Evaluation of the legal, social, economic, philosophic, and controversial issues of governmental programs, administered by federal, state, local units of government, and the client systems served.
CJ 662 Foundations of Substance Abuse Counseling. An introduction to counseling persons involved in substance abuse; basic concepts in treatment and rehabilitation; professional practices; assessment and treatment planning; treatment modalities; laboratory work and field study. (Course being deleted effective fall 2006)
CJ 663 Leadership Psychology in Criminal Justice Management. This course examines the important psychological processes that are involved in dealing with others. The manner in which an individual’s thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are influenced by others, especially in a criminal justice leadership environment, is the focal point.
CJ 664 Seminar in Substance Abuse Counseling. The focus of this course will be on substantive issues related to substance abuse treatment. Primarily there will be an exploration of individual counseling strategies and techniques. (Course being deleted effective fall 2006)
CJ 665 Community Theory and the Administration of Justice. This course examines the nature of criminal justice organizations as components of the political, social and economic inter-organizational networks that comprise communities. Topics such as the intersection of criminal justice, mental health, juvenile justice and educational systems are examined. The impact of criminal victimization and attributes of communities that foster crime are examined in detail. The processes that motivate and implement change in community based organizations are also addressed.
CJ 668 Seminar on Drugs, Society and Policy Issues. This course will focus on issues and problems surrounding the problem of illicit drugs in society. Particular emphasis will be placed on policy related issues.
CJ 670 Internship in Criminal Justice. A minimum of three months in an approved criminal justice setting. Designed to provide the graduate student with an opportunity to synthesize theory and practice. Prerequisite: consent of the Assistant Dean for Graduate Programs, College of Criminal Justice. Credit to be arranged.
CJ 671 Forensic Science Internship. This is a ten week full-time internship in an approved forensic science laboratory. This opportunity allows graduate students to apply their theoretical knowledge and practical skills and abilities in a forensic science setting. Credit 3.
CJ 672 Seminar in Criminology and Corrections. Theory and problems in Criminology and Corrections. One or more term papers evidencing qualities of scholarship will be required.
CJ 675 Forensic Science Proseminar. (Effective Fall 2008 this course will be taught as CJ 622.) This course will be an introductory course and must be taken by all forensic science majors their first semester.
CJ 676 Seminar in Teaching. This class prepares graduate criminal justice students for a career in academia. Course provides preparation in the classroom and participation in their own professional development. Mock student teaching exercises for critique are utilized.
CJ 685 Statistics for Criminal Justice Research. Review of descriptive and graphical techniques; probability and sampling theory; the normal curve and statistical inference; Central Limit Theorem; Chi-square, T and F distributions; analysis of variance and linear regression.
CJ 687 The Ethics of Criminal Justice. Ethics and moral philosophy in criminal justice including the role of natural law, constitutional law, code of ethics and philosophical principles. Strong emphasis will be put on examining the role of justice in a free society and the practical implications of justice to practitioners of police, courts and corrections.
*CJ 688 Emergent Issues in Criminal Justice Leadership. This serves as a capstone course for the Master of Science in Criminal Justice Leadership program, providing an opportunity for the integration of information offered in the program and its relationship to emergent issues. Addresses the effect of emergent perspectives in organization theory on public administration in general, and more specifically upon criminal justice management and leadership. Examines the impact of emergent technology upon criminal justice operations. Studies the integration of organization theory, principles of public administration, and community expectations of criminal justice leaders.
CJ 692 Program Evaluation for Criminal Justice Management. Principles and techniques of program evaluation including models and case studies.
CJ 693 Special Readings in Criminal Justice. Designed to give the graduate student academic flexibility. May be repeated for credit. Prerequisites: consent of the Assistant Dean for Graduate Programs of the College and of the instructor directing the readings.
CJ 694 Special Topics in Criminal Justice. This course is needed to offer master’s level students the option of registering for a multi-topic course. The student can take the course under various special topics being offered.
CJ 696 Legal Aspects of Criminal Justice Management. An overview of the legal issues commonly facing managers in criminal justice agencies. Particular emphasis is placed on public employment law including the hiring, promoting, disciplining and discharging of employees, fair employment practices, and agency and administrator civil liability. Both state and federal statutory and case law are examined.
CJ 698 Thesis Practicum. Overview of research strategies; principles of research writing; and procedures for initiating, executing and completing a Thesis. Preparation and approval of a Prospectus. (Preliminary planning for the Thesis should begin during the first semester of graduate work; the student should enroll in CJ 698 after he/she has completed 12 semester hours of graduate work.)
CJ 699 Thesis. The completion and defense of the Thesis. (The student must be registered in 699 the semester in which he/she receives his/her master’s degree.)
CJ 730 Seminar in Organization Theory. An examination of organizational thought with application to criminal justice. Analysis of the developmental state of organizational theory, including historical derivations and the implications of various theoretical bases for organizational functioning.
CJ 733 Proseminar in Criminal Justice Issues. The course is designed to give doctoral students a current, thorough, and comprehensive review of the criminal justice system — focusing on how the system functions in theory and practice, current future needs and trends. Students are required to submit extensive critiques and to participate in panel discussions.
CJ 734 Seminar in American Policing. The course includes the philosophy and role of American policing, politics of policing, managing police organizations, police community relations, police operational and administrative practices, police research, police executive development, emergent issues and problems in policing.
CJ 736 Seminar in American Corrections. In-depth examination of the various issues and problems in corrections as they relate to administration and management. A variety of problems is explored, including the philosophical justification for prisons, personnel management, sentencing and its implications, community-based corrections, rehabilitation, judicial intervention, and correctional reform.
CJ 737 Criminological Theory. Overview of the major paradigms focusing on the causes of crime and deviant behavior with special attention given to the social, political and intellectual milieu within which each perspective arose. The course will include a discussion of criminological theories from a philosophy of science perspective focusing upon such issues as theory construction, theoretical integration and the formal evaluation of theory.
CJ 738 Seminar in American Courts. Role and structure of prosecution, public defense, and the courts in the United States jurisprudence with emphasis upon criminal law, and problems in the administration of justice.
CJ 739 Distribution and Correlates of Crime. Survey of research on the scope and nature of criminal activity and factors correlated with criminal behavior. Attention specifically on four general categories: race/ethnicity, gender, age and class. Examines the issues of etiology, victimology, differential police enforcement, sentencing and correctional practices.
CJ 742 Advanced Statistics I. Introduction to multivariate statistical techniques including multiple regression, logistic regression, discriminate analysis, multivariate analysis of variance, canonical correlation, factor analysis, cluster analysis and multidimensional scaling. Four (4) credit hours. (Prerequisite: CJ 685 or equivalent in past years).
CJ 760 Advanced Seminar in Criminological Theory. Extensive studies in areas of classical and/or current criminological theory. A basic knowledge of criminology is assumed. Emphasis is on analytical, critical evaluation, and the advancement of theory.
CJ 770 Specialized Readings. Directed readings designed to give the student flexibility in developing an area of specialization. Prerequisites: Enrollment requires prior permission of the appropriate Dean and the supervising faculty which is given only when necessary to meet specific needs of the student and the College. A student can take only two CJ 770 courses.
CJ 771 Special Topics in Criminal Justice. This course is needed to offer doctoral level students the option of registering for a multi-topic course. The student can take the course under various special topics being offered.
CJ 773 Research Practicum. Supervised training including special applications in information acquisition, storage, retrieval, analysis, and display in criminal justice.
CJ 780 Seminar on the Legal Aspects of the Criminal Justice System. Advanced seminar concerned with aspects of law which are relevant to and essential for a better understanding of the criminal justice system and its related processes.
CJ 787 Research Design. Advanced study of scientific inquiry with an emphasis on the practical aspects of research design and implementation. Topics include the philosophy of science; the relationship of sampling theory to statistical theory; studies in causation; non-experimental research; data systems and modern data processing techniques. Prerequisites: CJ 592 and consent of instructor.
CJ 789 Advanced Statistics II. Survey of reliability analysis, loglinear, and logit loglinear analysis, nonlinear, weighted and two stage least-squares regression, probit analysis, survival analysis and Cox regression. (Prerequisite: CJ 742).
CJ 793 Computer Based Data Analysis. The course is intended to develop proficiency in data analysis using computerized statistical programs such as SPSS. Statistical theory and research design issues are combined with hands-on computer experience. The course emphasizes data management, multivariate statistics and diagnostics.
CJ 794 Focused Topics in Research. Survey methods and techniques for achieving interpretable results in social research. Includes experimental, quasi-experimental and unobtrusive measures. Prerequisite: CJ 488 or equivalent.
* Subject to action by the Board of Regents, the Texas State University System and the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.