Course Descriptions

This program is on a temporary pause and will not be accepting new students for the 2023-2024 academic year.

 

Course Descriptions for Courses in the Applied Correctional Practice Certificate

CJ 6303 Foundations for Practice
CJ 6304 Specialized Populations in Criminal Justice
CJ 6305 Core Skills 1: Evidence-Based Practices
CJ 6306 Core Skills 2: Program Delivery

CJ 6340 Administration in Criminal Justice
One elective

CJ 6302 Foundations for Practice
This course provides a foundation of the knowledge, values, and skills required for ethical and effective practice with correctional populations in the United States. It introduces the role of trauma in human behavior and applies theories of human behavior and the social environment to systems work. It covers how personal experiences and affective reactions can influence interaction of personnel working in the corrections system.

 
CJ 6303 Specialized Populations in Criminal Justice
Explores criminal justice populations that require a unique approach for management and treatment.  Populations to be reviewed include vulnerable populations such as females, LGBTQ, mentally ill, youthful and elderly offenders, as well as offenders of unique crime types, such as sex offenders.  Focus is on effective strategies when working with these specialized populations. 

CJ 6304 Core Skills 1: Evidence-Based Practices
This course introduces students to fundamental concepts related to evidence-based correctional practices.  The course examines theories, methods, and techniques related to successful offender rehabilitation. The topics include the principles of effective intervention, assessment and classification, case planning and case management, skills necessary to work with justice-involved populations, and characteristics of effective correctional programs.

CJ 6305 Core Skills 2: Program Delivery
This course assists students to develop skills necessary to deliver services and programs effectively to justice-involved populations. The course focuses on core staff skills, skills aimed at changing client behavior, and delivery of group-based interventions.  

 CJ 6340 Administration in Criminal Justice
Surveys the relationship between worker productivity and personnel/management policies in criminal justice organizations. Examines the workplace application of theories of learning, personality, cognitive processes, group dynamics, and communications.

Possible electives (depending on when offered):

CJ 6325 Issues in Juvenile Justice
Seminar in issues confronting the juvenile justice system and juvenile offenders, with an emphasis on the history, philosophy, and the role of the juvenile court.

CJ 6335 Victimology
This course examines the nature and extent of victimization—focusing on theories, history, and trends. Additional analysis will focus on the relationships between victims and social institutions, groups, and individuals. Justice system and social service responses to victimization will be evaluated.

CJ 6360 Special Topics in Criminal Justice
Seminar for advanced students offered in response to student request and faculty interest. May be repeated for additional credit when course content differs. Sample topics include the death penalty, family violence and disputes, hate crimes, inmate social organization, prison gangs, etc.

 

For more information, contact:
Contact the MSCJ email for more information: [email protected]