The Master of Science in Justice Administration program is designed to meet the needs of those justice professionals who seek the skills and tools necessary to make informed decisions in an increasingly complex field. The curriculum provides analyses of substantive issues within the criminal justice system, including contemporary approaches to problem-solving at all levels. The progression of courses, including research, policy and data analysis, leads to the completion of a capstone project or thesis. This helps students analyze issues of law, policy and society necessary to develop effective strategies regarding issues facing practitioners in the human service and criminal justice professions.

The program consists of a required 4 course sequence, seven electives, and successful completion of the Capstone Project.

• Ethical Theory
• Research Design and Methodology
• Statistical Analysis
• Justice Administration

Seven elective courses are required of the degree. Students are encouraged to take up to 3 courses (9 credit hours) in elective graduate coursework from related disciplines, especially Business, Psychology and Emergency Management. Program director approval required.

Required Courses Descriptions (all classes are 3 credits unless otherwise noted)

Policy and Strategy

Designed to help students become acquainted with the fundamentals of research and research design. Students are required to adopt an individually designed research project that demonstrates their ability to conceptualize ideas in criminal justice and apply methods for exploring those ideas.

Focuses on probability and statistics with an emphasis on data analysis, including univariate and multivariate techniques. Statistical problem solving is engaged using various data-sources.

Examines planning models and techniques applicable to public administration. Topics will also include theories of administration, leadership types, group decision-making, the budget process, the role of the work environment and grant writing.

Serves as the final evaluation for Justice Administration students. Requires case studies and other materials to demonstrate oral and written competence in the areas of research, professional responsibility, and management. Analyzes issues of law, policy, and society, allowing students to integrate knowledge and experience as they apply ethical principles in developing effective strategies to confront issues facing practitioners within the realm of human service and criminal justice. Culminates with a final project presented to a faculty panel. Prerequisite: JAD 710, 711 and completion of 24 credit hours.

Elective Course Descriptions (all classes are 3 credits unless otherwise noted)

Provides an overview of the intersection between technology and crime. This includes the study of criminal acts committed with the use of technology and the role of technology in investigation and analyzing crime rates and patterns.

Designed to introduce the graduate student to the realm of Forensic Anthropology as a Forensic Science and its place within the criminal justice system for criminal investigation, civil matters, and human rights issues.  The techniques of skeletal biology as they relate to Forensic Anthropology will be presented and will provide a foundation for an understanding of how these techniques fit into a team approach in forensic inquiry.  The ethical and moral underpinnings of casework are presented, as well as, issues derived from working with families of traumatic death and multiple fatality events.  Human rights exhumations of political dissidents and government ethnic cleansing campaigns will be presented and the legal presentation of forensic evidence at tribunals will be discussed.

Explores the philosophy and practice of the juvenile justice system from the Illinois Juvenile Justice Act of 1899 to present policies and process. Students are challenged to critically examine the juvenile justice system - its mandate, separateness, and effectiveness.

Studies the application of science to law. Introduces forensic science concepts, history, processes and issues including how forensic science is linked with other components of the criminal justice system.

Examines ethical principles as they apply to the many practical problems that confront criminal justice professionals in the performance of their duties and responsibilities. Uses case studies to illustrate ethical reasoning and examine issues of social justice.

An examination and analysis of recent decisions and opinions of federal and state courts around current issues in the criminal justice system.

A presentation of major theories of crime and criminality. Theories are analyzed by common sense, logic, evidence, policy utility and compatibility with one another. Theories will be examined through a discussion of measures, correlates and popular beliefs regarding the prevalence, causes and continuance of criminal offending.

The evolution of the study of victimology and historical perspective will be considered. This study will culminate in the victims' rights movement and resulting legislation including the Victim Bill of Rights and Victim Compensation. The experience of the criminal victimization will be analyzed from the crime scene to proceedings at the courthouse.

Designed to provide students with an understanding of the relationship that exists between the police and the community, and an examination of the police role in society and the psychological, sociological, and ethnic factors which influence this relationship.

Facilitates critical thinking about the approaches to the delivery of public safety services in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Includes the study of actual behaviors and attitudes of individuals in various agencies in an attempt to understand and assess planning decisions. Develops concepts of interdependence, jurisdictional disputes and the goals of contemporary justice administration in a democratic society.

A consideration of the effects of psychotropic substances on individual and societal human behavior. Students will study the history of drug use in the United States, and the development of regulatory and enforcement policies and practices. The behaviors studied will chronicle the effects of drug abuse upon individuals. Societal behaviors, domestic and international, that result from widespread use or trafficking of illegal drugs will also be examined.

A critical view of policy formation in probation and parole through legislative initiatives and institutional philosophy in our state and federal systems.

Examines those forces in a society that shape thinking and group attitudes. Gives special consideration to diverse issues related to the break down of the family structure, domestic violence, child abuse, problems of the economically deprived, race and ethnic relations, the homeless, the mentally ill, and alcoholism and drug abuse.

An analysis of various topics relevant to issues of deviance, their societal impact and solutions in both the individual and group setting.

Examines gender differences in criminal offending, criminological theory, and the experiences and treatment of women offenders, victims and professionals in the criminal justice system.

An analysis of recent decisions of the United States Supreme Court. Concentration will be on case analysis of major decisions as they impact upon the criminal justice system and its professionals. A review of the Court's decisions from a societal context will be a focal point of class discussions.

An examination of the philosophy and practice of the penal system as it exists today. Students will critically examine the structure of the system, sentencing, alternative methods of punishment, and the effectiveness of capital punishment as a deterrent to crime.

An analysis of the American criminal justice system as it reflects the values and principles inherent in our democratic system of government. Principles of political philosophy in the works of Plato, Aristotle, Aquinas, Locke, Madison, deToqueville, and others will be studied in the context of order vs. liberty; liberalism vs. conservatism; rights vs. duties; and individualism vs. collectivism.

Examines the historical, philosophical and legal foundations of private sector security. The course will include an analysis of private sector security problems, liability issues, powers and restrictions.

Examines fundamental issues concerning terrorism, including the doctrine of systematic terrorism, current interpretations of terrorism, and its common patterns and motives. Probes the structure of organized terrorist groups, universally accepted military principles and doctrine, terrorist profiles and personalities, and the group dynamics of belonging to a terrorist organization. Examines prevention, societal impact, and federal, state, and local agency responses.

A comparative study of criminal justice systems extant in various countries. The course will focus on the definition and organization of the nation state; its history and culture and how these shaped the legal system; its process; and the degree and role of democracy within the nation state.

Examines specific topics within justice administration under the direction of a faculty advisor.

A seminar designed to allow for focused analysis on selected justice issues.

Designed to enhance the knowledge of criminal justice professionals in the interdisciplinary field of criminal justice. The course uses lectures, discussion, and case studies to develop critical thinking concerning various issues.

Designed to provide knowledge of interventive and counseling strategies. Topics include behavior modification, crisis intervention, aggression, violence, and interpersonal communication.

An exploration of contemporary local, national, and international issues regarding juvenile justice.

Uses a community approach model to examine initiatives with public and private institutions and state and local agencies.

The study and identification of stress and tension in the public safety environment. Topics include the origins of stress theories, types of stress, history of stress research, establishing a stress program, and techniques used to reduce stress in the workplace.

Students will use statutory and case law decisions to analyze specific areas of potential civil liability facing the criminal justice manager. The course will include an examination of possible defenses and resulting damages.

Evaluates specific problems faced by correctional administration. Analyzes issues of resource allocation, prisoner management strategies, philosophies of punishment, political climate and the legal and medical costs of maintaining the correctional system.

Focuses on the relationship of management and labor in criminal justice agencies. Emphasizes analysis of dispute resolution and mechanisms and assesses the impact of civil service and unions on the quality and productivity of agencies in the criminal justice system.

Advanced students may undertake an applied internship at a specified agency. The internship is supervised by a faculty member and requires the student to submit a written proposal and final written report. Program Director approval required.