Master of Arts in Criminal Justice Leadership - College of Business and Organizational Leadership
Course Descriptions
CJU 500 Administration of Criminal Justice - 4 credits
This course is a scholarly consideration of the concepts, principles, and analytical tools for effectively administering criminal justice agencies. Students will examine the critical application of strategic management skills in operational environments that are ever-changing, under intensive scrutiny by the public and media, and limited by legal, financial, and political constraints.
CJU 502 Correctional Design in a Changing World - 4 credits
The philosophies, roles, and designs of juvenile corrections continue to evolve. This course expands upon the basics of institutional and community corrections by exploring modern research and trends in modern corrections. Students will address leadership, legal, political, and financial issues impacting the effectiveness of corrections in a society with increasing demands and expectations of the criminal justice system.
CJU 512 Criminal Justice and Media Relations Politics - 3 credits
This course examines the relationships, roles, and responsibilities of criminal justice politics and the media. Included is a critical review of the tension that exists between the two, and how effective relationships can be fostered. Students will also learn to write press releases, organize and facilitate press conferences, and effectively utilize media resources.
CJU 505 The Reflective Adult Learner - 2 credits
Students will address what it means to become a graduate student and lifelong learner. Issues of critical thinking, scholarly research, continuous learning, ethical frameworks and problem solving are discussed in relation to adult learning principles. This class assists with the transition to online learning graduate study by modeling the collaborative learning and self-directed nature of the program.
CJU 520 Tactical Problem Solving - 4 credits
This course will provide an understanding of the dynamics of problem solving, paying special attention to finding creative and productive solutions.
CJU 545 Legal and Legislative Issues - 4 credits
Those in leadership positions find themselves with a greater duty to recognize and respond to legal issues. This course examines how law defines policy in areas impacting the business of criminal justice, including due process, civil rights, equal protection, employment law, civil liability, and criminal procedure. In addition to identifying emerging law, this class addresses the political science of public policy at jurisdictional levels, including the United States Supreme Court.
CJU 584 Accessing Educational Resources - 2 credits
This course familiarizes students with the learning environment of technology. Students learn to efficiently integrate knowledge navigation into their curriculum and at work using a variety of search engines, databases, and research techniques.
CJU 585 Synthesizing Seminar I - 1 credit
The culminating project of the master's program is the capstone, a research project designed to help learners generate new information for their field. Explanation of the capstone process will take place, along with a dialog regarding possible capstone topics.
CJU 586 Synthesizing Seminar II - 1 credit
This course continues the process of selecting and implementing the capstone project. Issues of epistemology and social change are discussed and explored.
CJU 596 Capstone - 3 credits
While this course is the culminating event in the educational experience, it also sets the stage for new beginnings. The focus is on a combined reflection and synthesis on knowledge learned throughout the program. In seminar fashion, students will discuss with each other the significant issues they have studied, and ways they will continue to learn in the future.
CJU 540 Organizational Behavior in Criminal Justice - 2 credits
As one of the threads of continuity throughout this degree program, "systems thinking" provides a means to better understand and work more effectively with individuals and organizations. This course provides advanced perspectives of how to identify interactions and best select a means of responding from the position of manager and leader.
CJU 542 Contemporary Issues in Leadership - 4 credits
Criminal justice professionals are affected not only by catastrophic events such as the Columbine High School shootings and the World Trade Center attacks, but by the more routine and frequent aspects of the job as well. This course examines stress from a leadership perspective, asking why and how employers should respond to mental health issues. Theory, research, and trends in employee assistance are discussed as students consider how employers can help prevent, mitigate, and respond to emotional issues impacting personnel on the job.
CJU 570 Applied Ethics - 2 credits
Students will be introduced to models of ethical decision making, including the vocational ethics of Christianity. The emphasis is on the interplay between the historical models of ethical decision making and the problems professionals face every day.
CJU 551 Strategic Leadership - 4 credits
Effective leaders understand and leverage their leadership strengths to positively influence people and, in turn, an organization's success. This course will focus on learning your personal leadership style, how to positively impact others, and how to continue to grow and develop as a leader to bring out the best in yourself and others. Acknowledging the frequent challenge to "run government like business," students will learn the strategies of successful private sector and government leaders.
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