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Criminal Justice Leadership Course Descriptions

CJU500 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.

CJU502 Correctional Design (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.

CJU505 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.

CJU512 Criminal Justice, Politics & Media (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

CJU520 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.

CJU540 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

CJU543 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.

CJU545 Legal and Legislative Issues (4 credits)
While multiculturalism is a popular term in today?s society, diversity issues play a particularly important role in criminal justice. This course provides an understanding of diversity from theoretical, organizational, and personal perspectives to impact the effectiveness of those employed in criminal justice and mitigate the risk of legal liability and public perception issues that negatively impact this profession.

CJU551 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.

CJU570 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.

CJU584 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.

CJU585 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.

CJU586 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.

CJU596 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.