Graduate Course Descriptions

Focuses on the foundations of criminological theory, with an emphasis on classical readings. Familiarizes students with key research questions and assumptions of theoretical approaches, their core propositions and challenges for measurement/testing, as well as policy implications.

This course examines the ethical foundation upon which the American system of Criminal Justice operates. During the course, students examine numerous societal issues which directly concern the criminal justice practitioner and the application of discretionary powers. In addition, this course will examine the ethical issues specifically related to the criminal justice profession. Issues include professional communications including government regulation and policy, free speech, client/victim/investigative privacy, accuracy in media and the impact of science and technology on communications.

This course examines data analysis and statistics that criminologists use in quantitative research that attempts to make casual inferences about how the social world works. The course will provide students with extensive experience in analyzing data and in writing research. This course will cover basic data analysis and statistical methods, from univariate and bivariate descriptive and inferential statistics through multivariate regression analysis. This course will focus on observational data used in cross-sectional statistical analysis, but it will consider issues of research design more broadly as well. M.S. students will conduct a semester-long, data-intensive crime analysis project using quantitative methods to address a specific research question, which is the first component of their thesis requirement. Student projects culminate with a completed thesis or capstone in CRJ 604. Minimum GPA of 3.0.

An overview of the history and structure of the Pennsylvania and Federal criminal courts. Included is an in-depth analysis of criminal court procedures including initiation of charges, bail, summary proceedings, preliminary hearing, pre-trial motions, trial and sentencing using the Pennsylvania Rules of Criminal Procedure with case reviews. The course will also focus on the various roles and tasks of the court personnel at each stage of the criminal process.

This course provides a comprehensive review of criminal justice, focusing on how the American criminal justice system functions in theory and practice. This course will conduct analyses of specific policies relevant to crime and administration of justice, and how these policies are used. This course is an in-depth study of the American criminal justice system and the field of criminology, including the history, theories, responsibilities, and functions of primary parts of the system. Students will have the option to complete a thesis or ending capstone in this course in order to graduate. Minimum GPA of 3.0. Prerequisite of CRJ 602 with a minimum grade of B-.

The scientific study of victimization, including the relationships between the victims and the offenders, the interactions between victims and the criminal justice system-that is the police, the courts, and corrections officials-and the connection between victims and other societal groups and institutions, such as the media, business, and social movements. Topics include child maltreatment, intimate partner violence, elder abuse, cybercrime, hate crime and current topics including human trafficking, home invasion, gang violence, terrorism and wrongful convictions.

An overview of sentencing, punishment, and treatment of convicted offenders. Analysis of the history of the correctional system, the prison social system and the theory and contemporary practices and trending issues in the area of corrections.

This course will introduce the theories of homeland security and the crucial fundamentals of the department by exploring its mission and goals. Students will develop an understanding of terrorism by learning how these organizations work, and what threats they pose to today’s society. In addition, students will learn that the man-made threats are not the only dangers challenging homeland security and that “natural threats” also pose a challenge for he department. Students will become familiar with federal, state, and local laws, as well as international law, as it relates to the mission and goals of homeland security. Special attention will be dedicated to the USA PATRIOT Act of 2001, the Homeland Security Act of 2002, and the Emergency Management Reform Act of 2006 and how these Acts affect policy making with the department. Included will be an introduction to the different communities associated with the Department of Homeland Security, the intelligence, the security, and the mil

This course covers the duties of cybersecurity analysts who are responsible for monitoring and detecting security incidents in information systems and networks, and for executing a proper response to such incidents. The course introduces tools and tactics to manage cybersecurity risks, identify various types of common threats, evaluate the organization’s security, collect and analyze cybersecurity intelligence, and handle incidents as they occur.