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Online MS in Criminal Justice Curriculum

Curriculum Details

30 total credit hours required

Develop the critical skills to advance your career with an online Master of Science in Criminal Justice degree from Auburn University at Montgomery (AUM). Our experienced faculty in this 10-course program will be there to help you along the way as you prepare for roles in victim advocacy, community corrections, federal law enforcement, and more.

The online MS in Criminal Justice can be completed within two years, consists of 16-week terms, and includes courses in critical issues in law enforcement, cyber victimization, juvenile justice, international and comparative criminal justice, and a variety of other related topics. These courses will prepare you to advance your criminal justice or public safety career and give you the confidence you need to be an effective leader.

Core Courses

Credits

Examines the major information technology systems used in criminal justice. Practical experience is offered on systems used in actual agencies. Technologies of the future will be explored.
Introduction to planning concepts, methods, implementation, budgeting, and evaluation. Focuses the relationship of planning to effective management and decision-making. Develops a broad conceptual framework for various planning methods and techniques.

Detailed study of effective communication in justice and public safety. Includes analysis and synthesis of interoffice communications, analysis of research, and development of projects and presentation of social science research.
Prerequisite: JUST 6602

Research theory and methodology in the social sciences including research design, conceptual models, sampling techniques, and development of individual research papers. May be offered concurrently with JUST 4700.

Planning and managing human resources in law-related and criminal justice agencies; implications of substantive law relating to personnel issues; and legal and regulatory issues within and organization. 

Electives

Credits

Explores gender-based issues in criminal justice related to victimization, offenses, and work as a criminal justice professional.
Examines representative criminal justice systems from a variety of nations with emphasis on the role of history, culture, social and political values and economic institutions in shaping institutions of justice including law, police, courts, corrections, and juvenile justice systems and practice. Attention is paid to conflict and cooperation between criminal justice systems and ideologies that occur when people of different cultures and systems are in close proximity.
This course will provide information and purpose of existing laws, legislation and policies. It will also provide information about challenges faced in the process of developing and enforcing laws, legislation and policies of prevention of cybercrime and cyber victimization.

This course explores how a “networked” world has bred new crimes and new responses; investigates how information and communication technology has become a tool, target, and place of criminal activity and security threats. The course will discuss mechanisms of response and white-collar crime. 

Review of administrative structure, management practices and operational aspects of enforcement agencies in the criminal justice system. Analysis and evaluation of innovative programs and the impact of science and technology.

Administration, organization and management theory and practice in correctional institutions and agencies. The impact of legal and social change on correctional policy development. Discusses current problems, issues and trends.

Examines the development of and rationale for community-based corrections as an alternative to incarceration. Discusses probation and parole, half-way houses, diversion, restitution, and other community-based corrections programs, including intermediate sanctions

Provides an examination of the major criminological schools of thought as well as the prominent theorists within each school; theories are presented that examine criminal motivation and the application of criminal law; additionally, the implicit theoretical assumptions regarding the punishment of offenders is examined.

Application of basic principles of organizations and management in the juvenile justice system. Examines the social and legal context of delinquency and juvenile justice practice. Discusses policy, procedure, budgeting, program development and evaluation.

Characteristics of victim/offender interaction, the effects of criminal acts on victims and their families, and society’s reaction to the plight of the victim.

Detailed study of effective communication in justice and public safety. Includes analysis and synthesis of interoffice communications, analysis of research, and development of projects and presentation of social science research.
Prerequisite: JUST 6602

Variable content as determined by faulty member outside of the classroom setting.
Prerequisite: JUST 6642

Supervised study in an administrative setting, with an opportunity to integrate theory and practice in criminal justice agencies. Credit may not exceed 3 semester hours for any single internship.

Independent research into criminal justice problems, issues, and theories or a practical problem in a student’s work setting. Credit may not exceed 3 semester hours for any single project.

In-depth examination of specific topics of current interest in criminal justice, public safety, and/or paralegal education. Course may be repeated as topics change.

Thesis credit.

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