Online Master of Science in Criminology and Criminal Justice: Courses

This graduate-level course provides an in-depth exploration of advanced criminological theories, focusing on the evolution, application, and critique of contemporary models of crime and deviance. Through critical analysis and discussion, students will evaluate the strengths and limitations of various theoretical models, assess their applicability to diverse populations, and explore how social, political, and economic factors influence crime trends and criminal behavior. The course also considers how theories of crime intersect with issues of race, class, gender, and mental health

This graduate-level course examines the formulation, implementation, and impact of justice policy within the criminal justice system. Students will explore how policies are developed at local, state, and federal levels, as well as the political, social, and economic forces that shape them. Topics include sentencing reform, policing strategies, corrections, restorative justice, drug policy, and juvenile justice. Students will also evaluate contemporary debates surrounding justice reforms and consider the ethical dimensions of policymaking in criminal justice.

This is the first in a sequence of research methods courses for students in the Social Change majors. This course familiarizes students with the most common research methods used in the social and behavioral sciences, with an emphasis on critical thinking and becoming informed consumers of research. This course culminates with the final project in which students prepare a research proposal.

This course will examine the development and structure of the criminal justice system, including police, courts, and corrections. Topics will include the history, present status, and possible reform solutions for the criminal justice system. Students will formulate policy solution strategies to address the issues that are identified in each branch of the criminal justice system.

This graduate-level MAP course is focused on the intersection between psychology and the justice system. The three critical areas of knowledge and skill that define the scope of practice for psychologists working in forensic psychology are:

• Clinical (e.g., diagnosis, treatment, psychological testing, and intervention/rehabilitation)
• Forensic (e.g., response style, forensic ethics, tools and techniques for assessing symptoms and risk, and relationship to answering specific legal questions)
• Legal (e.g., knowledge of law and the legal system, knowledge of legal proceedings and protocol)

Within these areas of scope (clinical, legal, and forensic) that define psychological practice in forensic settings, students will learn how professionals in the forensic field develop sound and empirically based decision-making related to forensic populations. This course will help students develop knowledge related to the legal system and to the different types of law and processes that underlie the legal system. This course is designed to provide students with a survey of the many different sub-populations within the criminal and civil law systems. Emphasis will be placed on the role of mental health professionals working in forensic settings and use of research, advocacy, and knowledge of legal terminology and proceedings that allow psychologists and other professionals to effectively fulfill these roles. An in-depth exploration will be conducted regarding the landmark legal cases that have significantly impacted the field of forensic psychology, as well as, the roles of psychologists working in this field.

This graduate-level MAP course will focus on the concepts of deviance in human society, specifically that which is found in Western cultural norms. Theories of deviance, as well as the cultural, biological, and temporal nature of these theories will be explored in depth through both sociological and psychological lenses. Some other fundamental foci of the course include the: the nature of sexual paraphilias, the cultural context of drug abuse, the underlying determinants of “cultic’ membership, and the identification of psychopathic traits through both objective and projective assessment.

This graduate-level course is designed to provide a basic understanding of clinical techniques and the relationships with adult and juvenile offenders in society. Major topics include: mental health issues, assessment and diagnosis, role of clinicians, recidivism reduction measures, stressors specific to incarceration, and current best-practice treatment approaches. Additional considerations will address the balance between community safety and offender treatment success. This course will also introduce students to the theory, principles, and skills of motivational interviewing (MI), and will focus primarily on the use of MI by those working with individuals within the criminal justice system (i.e., incarceration, release, post-parole).

This course will provide students with a basic understanding of white collar crime including defining white collar crime, fraud, the fraud triangle, principle types of fraud, causes of white collar crime, theoretical underpinnings of crime causation, and noted theorists in the field. 3 credits

A study of fraudulent behaviors, individual and organizational ethical processes, fraud prevention programs and tools, and fraudulent activities. Students will study theories related to the criminogenic organization and learn how fraud prevention programs and establishing ethical corporate cultures can reduce the likelihood of criminal behaviors.

This graduate-level course addresses the complexities of assessing mental health disorders and behavior in public settings, focusing on the unique challenges faced by law enforcement and other public safety professionals in the field. Students will explore how to identify signs of mental illness, differentiate between violent intent and traumatic responses, and assess the risk of dangerousness during encounters outside traditional clinical environments.

This graduate-level course provides a comprehensive exploration of de-escalation techniques and their critical role in public safety, with a focus on law enforcement, corrections, and community-based settings. Students will examine the psychological, social, and behavioral dynamics that contribute to conflict and learn evidence-based strategies for de-escalating tense or potentially violent situations. Topics include verbal and non-verbal communication techniques, crisis intervention, cultural competency, mental health awareness, and conflict resolution.

The graduate-level course will introduce key psychological interventions aimed at mitigating stress, trauma, and burnout in these populations. Topics include trauma-informed care, critical incident stress debriefing (CISD), peer support programs, cognitive-behavioral techniques (CBT), and resilience training. Students will also examine the role of organizational culture, stigma, and barriers to seeking mental health care within public safety professions.