The criminal justice master's curriculum requires degree candidates to take four required core courses, plus their desired concentration courses. Total credit hours vary by concentration.
Concentrations are offered in Behavior Analysis, Behavior Management, Federal Law Enforcement, Homeland Security, and Intelligence and Crime Analysis. This arrangement allows you to create a unique plan of graduate study that is compatible with your interests and career objectives in the field of criminal justice. Alternatively, you can select the general concentration, which allows you to customize your studies to your criminal justice career goals.
General Track (30 credit hours): Complete the four core courses and six electives. Electives may be chosen from any of our online course offerings, excluding Behavioral Analysis courses.
Behavior Analysis (36 credit hours): Complete the four core courses, seven concentration courses, and one elective course. The Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) has approved courses ABA 601 through ABA 607 as meeting the 5th Edition Task List’s coursework requirement for taking the Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) Examination. Applicants will have to meet additional internship requirements independent of the online program to qualify.
Behavioral Management (30 credit hours): Complete the four core courses, four specialized courses, and two electives. Electives may be chosen from any of our online criminal justice courses, excluding Behavioral Analysis courses.
Federal Law Enforcement (30 credit hours): Complete the four core courses, two required concentration courses, two specialized courses, and two electives. Electives may be chosen from any of our online course offerings, excluding Behavior Analysis courses.
Homeland Security (30 credit hours): Complete the four core courses, four specialized courses, plus two additional electives from any of our online course offerings, excluding Behavior Analysis courses.
Intelligence and Crime Analysis (30 credit hours): Complete the four core courses, two required concentration courses, two specialized courses, and two electives. Electives may be chosen from any of our online course offerings, excluding Behavior Analysis courses.
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Core Courses (Required)
CRJ 550 Research Methods and Analysis
3 credits. The functions of concepts, hypotheses, and theories for an empirical discipline; the operationalization of theoretical variables; the principles of research design; and the problems of inference. The association between criminological theories and research methods used to study crime is explored through the utilization of a variety of related data sources. Also covered are basic quantitative techniques, relevant statistics, data interpretation, and an overview of SPSS.
CRJ 560 Criminological Theory
3 credits. A systemic and critical analysis of the major theories of criminality, including an examination of both traditional and contemporary theories. Consideration will be given to conceptualizations of crime, the relationship of criminological theories to crime on the streets, and specific aspects of criminal behavior.
CRJ 565 Ethics and Criminal Justice
3 credits. This course will address ethical issues in the criminal justice system at both the theoretical and applied levels. Typical theoretical issues addressed might include the following: the relationship between law and morality; theories of punishment; notions of procedural justice. Typical applied ethics issues might include the following: search and seizure rules; the insanity defense and the “guilty but mentally ill” verdict; plea bargaining; capital punishment; civil disobedience; limits on the use of deadly force.
CRJ 570 Professional Writing for Law Enforcement
3 credits. The course is designed to develop the cognitive and technical skills of effective writing for law enforcement. Primary emphasis will be given to the "craft of writing,” thus, learning the techniques and skills of effective communication in the law enforcement workplace. Class assignments will enhance students' use of computer technology in the writing process. These tools are then applied to a variety of topics, including correspondence, memos, investigative reports, and presentations.
Electives (Requirements vary by concentration)
CRJ 607 Multiculturalism and Diversity in Criminal Justice
3 credits. The purpose of this course is to present a conceptual framework to provide understanding of the special conditions of minorities in the context of the criminal justice system and encourage the development of culturally and gender specific compatible skills and practical approaches to more adequately meet the challenges presented by working with minority population concerns, problems and needs.
CRJ 615 Youth Cultures and Deviance
3 credits. This course explores economic, cultural, political, and social perspectives on American youth based on sociological theory. Special attention will be paid to youth popular culture and the unique social problems facing young adults, such as gangs, drugs, suicide, and teen pregnancy.
CRJ 616 Juvenile Justice and Delinquency: Issues and Responses
3 credits. This course provides a contemporary overview of theoretical and programmatic issues and concerns in juvenile delinquency and the juvenile justice system, including a review of recent research. The course also focuses on a critical review of the trends in problem solving and delivery of services to this population.
CRJ 617 Mental Health and the Law
3 credits. The purpose of this course is to acquaint criminal justice professionals with the mental health field and to serve as a primer for understanding mental health and mental health professionals. In addition, particular areas of interplay between mental health and criminal justice will be emphasized to provide a historical and up-to-date factual background.
CRJ 618 Therapeutic Strategies in Criminal Justice
3 credits. An examination of the application of basic counseling principles to varied criminal justice settings, from adult correctional institutions to post-release situations. Special emphasis is given to innovative methods and programs.
CRJ 619 Foundations of Addiction
3 credits. This course provides an understanding of substance abuse problems and addiction in American society as well as its human and social consequences. It is designed to provide a framework for exploring the effects of these problems on the many aspects of American culture including the individual, families, the criminal justice system, the healthcare system, and the workplace. Course content will also include a critical analysis of current and past treatment interventions.
CRJ 633 Federal Criminal Justice
3 credits. This course will examine the criminal justice at the federal level. The main areas are the role of each branch of government; how agencies are funded; the major investigation, prosecution, probation, and correction elements; and individual investigative agencies including Inspector General. The course will cover the mission of and interrelationships among individual agencies.
CRJ 634 Federal Criminal Law and Prosecution
3 credits. This covers federal criminal law and its enforcement. Major areas include an overview of federal crimes, elements of the United States Code, origin, and scope of federal criminal law, and the role of federal agents in the support of prosecutions. Specific topics include mail and wire fraud, the Hobbs Act, organizational crime, drug enforcement, money laundering, criminal civil rights violations and remedies, federal versus state prosecution, sentencing guidelines, and asset forfeiture.
CRJ 635 White Collar Crime
3 credits. The course provides an understanding of the accounting and financial bases of embezzlement, fraud, corruption, and misapplication of funds. Legislation and regulation in government and business are examined. Consumer protection and corporate responsibility are discussed.
CRJ 637 Forensic Financial Analysis
3 credits. This course covers the detection of illegal financial transactions. Major topics include money laundering, fraud, embezzlement, and illicit accounting practices. Students will learn data gathering and analysis techniques for financial transactions, records, legitimate businesses, illegal organizations, and individuals. The course will include preparation for trial. Prerequisite: a basic course in accounting or permission of the instructor.
CRJ 640 Terrorism: Threats and Strategy
3 credits. This course is designed to give the student an understanding of the concepts of terrorism, both domestic and international. Lecturer will address the causes and effects of terrorism as they relate to political structures from both religious and historical perspectives; noting its impact on the world today.
CRJ 641 Homeland Security
3 credits. This course focuses on the consolidation of responsibilities and functions across agencies at various jurisdictional levels that have the charge of mitigating hostilities, threats, hazards, and consequences. This course is designed to develop analytical skills that will prepare students to identify, evaluate and resolve complex policy issues and initiate practical actions. Though the range of relevant issues extends from local matters to national security, this course will concentrate on preparedness strategies for state, urban and local areas.
CRJ 642 Law Enforcement Intelligence Analysis
3 credits. This course pursues the deliberative and cognitive activities and methodologies that surround the production of intelligence information, in support of decision-making at the strategic, tactical, and operational levels of law enforcement. Also examined are the structure and supervision of the intelligence analysis unit at various levels of law enforcement, and the role of the analyst.
CRJ 643 Law Enforcement Intelligence: Policy and Process
3 credits. This course provides insights into the contemporary functions of law enforcement strategic, tactical, and operational intelligence and its influence upon crime prevention policy. The discussion will include the intelligence process in the context of intelligence unit structure and supervision, operating procedures, and resources. The course will examine how law enforcement intelligence relates to organizational relationships, planning, and decision-making.
CRJ 645 Sociology of Disasters
3 credits. This course is designed to provide the graduate student advanced knowledge and understanding of the sociological issues and concerns related to both man-made and natural disasters. The purpose is to present the current research pertaining to community resilience and the effects on individuals who witness, become victimized, or are otherwise affected by disasters. Each student will be expected to increase their capacity
CRJ 646 Risk Assessment
3 credits. This course is designed to provide the graduate student advanced knowledge and understanding in the area of risk assessment and management. The focus is on the recognition of real and perceived threats, sharing information between communities and agencies, the collaboration of resources, and the management of risk. Students will examine the concepts of risk assessment, risk analysis, and the impacts of actual and suspected threats.
CRJ 656 The Criminal Justice System
3 credits. Provides a foundation and overview of the criminal justice system and process. The major components are discussed including crime, law, criminology, law enforcement, adjudication by the courts, corrections, juvenile justice, current issues, and policies. This course is designed for students with only limited prior study in American criminal justice and little or no professional Criminal Justice experience in the United States.
Behavior Analysis Specialized Courses (Required)
ABA 601 Concepts and Principles of Behavior Analysis
3 credits. This introductory course focuses on the concepts and principles of behavior analysis, a natural science approach to studying behavior. It covers principles of learning and behavior from relatively simple animal studies to more complex issues such as the acquisition of human language. Examples of topics reviewed in depth include operant and respondent conditioning, reinforcement, punishment, extinction, shaping, chaining, stimulus control, and verbal behavior. Multi-disciplinary, real world examples and applications will be introduced. Due to changes in certification standards, this course is not open to those students who began their program of study prior to the Fall 2018 semester.
ABA 602 Ethics and Professionalism in Behavior Analysis
3 credits. This course focuses on ethics and professionalism in behavior analysis, with a emphasis on the Behavior Analyst Certification Board’s® Professional and Ethical Compliance Code for Behavior Analysts and the corresponding disciplinary system. This course familiarizes students with ethical problem solving and practice related to the application of behavior analysis. Topics include regulations, laws, policies, and societal issues of importance related to culture, human rights, punishment, parenting, education, behavior management, and workplace behavior. Students learn to demonstrate professionalism in the field and practice resolving ethical dilemmas from case studies and their work settings. Connections are made to relevant ethical codes from multi-disciplinary and related fields as students learn to think, resolve issues, and behave like an ethical behavior analyst. Due to changes in certification standards, this course is not open to those students who began their program of study prior to the Fall 2018 semester.
ABA 603 Measuring and Evaluating Behavior
3 credits. This course addresses defining behavior, collecting data, calculating inter-observer agreement, and creating graphical displays of data. It teaches students the characteristics of behavior analytic experiments that are methodologically and logically sound, socially valid, and ethical. We explore the major experimental designs used in behavior analysis, practice interpretation and evaluation of data, and learn the limitations of behavioral and non-behavioral research. Interdisciplinary examples are provided and analyzed. Prerequisite: ABA 601. Due to changes in certification standards, this course is not open to those students who began their program of study prior to the Fall 2018 semester.
ABA 604 Behavior Assessment
3 credits. This course focuses on behavior assessment. It covers descriptive and functional assessment of problematic behavior, as well as functional analysis. Students learn to review records, determine the need for behavior analytic services, select socially significant behavior-change goals, and conduct skill and preference assessment. Through case studies, students learn to describe the common functions of behavior. Examples of multi-disciplinary applications of behavior assessment are presented. Prerequisite: ABA 601. Due to changes in certification standards, this course is not open to those students who began their program of study prior to the Fall 2018 semester.
ABA 605 Behavior Change Procedures
3 credits. This course provides comprehensive review of the application of behavior analytic principles across varied child, adult, and health contexts. Specific training is provided for procedures such as reinforcement, punishment, motivating operations, modeling, stimulus control, rules, shaping and chaining. Students explore methods for teaching simple to complex repertoires, using discrete trials, Skinner’s analysis of verbal behavior, group contingencies, self-management, and strategies to maintain and generalize behavior. Topics include behavior change applications from a range of subject-matter experts who have clinical and research experience across multiple uses of ABA. Prerequisite: ABA 601, ABA 603. Due to changes in certification standards, this course is not open to those students who began their program of study prior to the Fall 2018 semester
ABA 606 Collaboration, Supervision and Management in Behavior Analysis
3 credits. This course prepares students to provide behavior analytic supervision or training, performance monitoring, mentorship, and function-based strategies to improve personnel performance through expectation setting, motivation, and feedback. There is an emphasis on the importance of data-based decision making to evaluate the effects of interventions for clients and staff of organizations. Students also learn to collaborate while selecting and implementing interventions that integrate behavior analytic concepts and principles into plans and to rely on the best available scientific evidence and to incorporate information about preferences, risks, the environment, and social validity for program planning. The course includes team activities and case studies to assess and intervene in collaborative, positive ways that maximize outcomes. Prerequisite: ABA 601. Due to changes in certification standards, this course is not open to those students who began their program of study prior to the Fall 2018 semester.
ABA 607 Science and Philosophy of Behavior Analysis
3 credits. The course covers the history and philosophy of behaviorism, latest developments over the last decade, evolutionary theory, and cultural evolution theory. We explore behavior analysis as it applies to philosophical and practical problems, and explore concepts such as purpose, language, knowledge, and thought, as well as applying behavioral thinking to contemporary social issues like freedom, democracy, culture, and resolution of complex social issues. The course culminates with practical approaches to improving our lives, our community, and our world. Prerequisite: ABA 601, ABA 605. Due to changes in certification standards, this course is not open to those students who began their program of study prior to the Fall 2018 semester.
Behavior Management Specialized Courses (Choose 4)
CRJ 615 Youth Cultures and Deviance
3 credits. This course explores economic, cultural, political, and social perspectives on American youth based on sociological theory. Special attention will be paid to youth popular culture and the unique social problems facing young adults, such as gangs, drugs, suicide, and teen pregnancy.
CRJ 616 Juvenile Justice and Delinquency: Issues and Responses
3 credits. This course provides a contemporary overview of theoretical and programmatic issues and concerns in juvenile delinquency and the juvenile justice system, including a review of recent research. The course also focuses on a critical review of the trends in problem solving and delivery of services to this population.
CRJ 617 Mental Health and the Law
3 credits. The purpose of this course is to acquaint criminal justice professionals with the mental health field and to serve as a primer for understanding mental health and mental health professionals. In addition, particular areas of interplay between mental health and criminal justice will be emphasized to provide a historical and up-to-date factual background.
CRJ 618 Therapeutic Strategies in Criminal Justice
3 credits. An examination of the application of basic counseling principles to varied criminal justice settings, from adult correctional institutions to post-release situations. Special emphasis is given to innovative methods and programs.
CRJ 619 Foundations of Addiction
3 credits. This course provides an understanding of substance abuse problems and addiction in American society as well as its human and social consequences. It is designed to provide a framework for exploring the effects of these problems on the many aspects of American culture including the individual, families, the criminal justice system, the healthcare system, and the workplace. Course content will also include a critical analysis of current and past treatment interventions.
Federal Law Enforcement Concentration Courses (Required)
CRJ 633 Federal Criminal Justice
3 credits. This course will examine the criminal justice at the federal level. The main areas are the role of each branch of government; how agencies are funded; the major investigation, prosecution, probation, and correction elements; and individual investigative agencies including Inspector General. The course will cover the mission of and interrelationships among individual agencies.
CRJ 634 Federal Criminal Law and Prosecution
3 credits. This covers federal criminal law and its enforcement. Major areas include an overview of federal crimes, elements of the United States Code, origin, and scope of federal criminal law, and the role of federal agents in the support of prosecutions. Specific topics include mail and wire fraud, the Hobbs Act, organizational crime, drug enforcement, money laundering, criminal civil rights violations and remedies, federal versus state prosecution, sentencing guidelines, and asset forfeiture.
Federal Law Enforcement Specialized Courses (Choose 2)
CRJ 635 White Collar Crime
3 credits. The course provides an understanding of the accounting and financial bases of embezzlement, fraud, corruption, and misapplication of funds. Legislation and regulation in government and business are examined. Consumer protection and corporate responsibility are discussed.
CRJ 637 Forensic Financial Analysis
3 credits. This course covers the detection of illegal financial transactions. Major topics include money laundering, fraud, embezzlement, and illicit accounting practices. Students will learn data gathering and analysis techniques for financial transactions, records, legitimate businesses, illegal organizations, and individuals. The course will include preparation for trial. Prerequisite: a basic course in accounting or permission of the instructor.
CRJ 641 Homeland Security
3 credits. This course focuses on the consolidation of responsibilities and functions across agencies at various jurisdictional levels that have the charge of mitigating hostilities, threats, hazards, and consequences. This course is designed to develop analytical skills that will prepare students to identify, evaluate and resolve complex policy issues and initiate practical actions. Though the range of relevant issues extends from local matters to national security, this course will concentrate on preparedness strategies for state, urban and local areas.
CRJ 640 Terrorism: Threats and Strategy
3 credits. This course is designed to give the student an understanding of the concepts of terrorism, both domestic and international. Lecturer will address the causes and effects of terrorism as they relate to political structures from both religious and historical perspectives; noting its impact on the world today.
Homeland Security Specialized Courses (Required)
CRJ 640 Terrorism: Threats and Strategy
3 credits. This course is designed to give the student an understanding of the concepts of terrorism, both domestic and international. Lecturer will address the causes and effects of terrorism as they relate to political structures from both religious and historical perspectives; noting its impact on the world today.
CRJ 641 Homeland Security
3 credits. This course focuses on the consolidation of responsibilities and functions across agencies at various jurisdictional levels that have the charge of mitigating hostilities, threats, hazards, and consequences. This course is designed to develop analytical skills that will prepare students to identify, evaluate and resolve complex policy issues and initiate practical actions. Though the range of relevant issues extends from local matters to national security, this course will concentrate on preparedness strategies for state, urban and local areas.
CRJ 645 Sociology of Disasters
3 credits. This course is designed to provide the graduate student advanced knowledge and understanding of the sociological issues and concerns related to both man-made and natural disasters. The purpose is to present the current research pertaining to community resilience and the effects on individuals who witness, become victimized, or are otherwise affected by disasters. Each student will be expected to increase their capacity
CRJ 646 Risk Assessment
3 credits. This course is designed to provide the graduate student advanced knowledge and understanding in the area of risk assessment and management. The focus is on the recognition of real and perceived threats, sharing information between communities and agencies, the collaboration of resources, and the management of risk. Students will examine the concepts of risk assessment, risk analysis, and the impacts of actual and suspected threats.
Intelligence & Crime Analysis Concentration Courses (Required)
CRJ 642 Law Enforcement Intelligence Analysis
3 credits. This course pursues the deliberative and cognitive activities and methodologies that surround the production of intelligence information, in support of decision-making at the strategic, tactical, and operational levels of law enforcement. Also examined are the structure and supervision of the intelligence analysis unit at various levels of law enforcement, and the role of the analyst.
CRJ 643 Law Enforcement Intelligence: Policy and Process
3 credits. This course provides insights into the contemporary functions of law enforcement strategic, tactical, and operational intelligence and its influence upon crime prevention policy. The discussion will include the intelligence process in the context of intelligence unit structure and supervision, operating procedures, and resources. The course will examine how law enforcement intelligence relates to organizational relationships, planning, and decision-making.
Intelligence & Crime Analysis Specialized Courses (Choose 2)
CRJ 635 White Collar Crime
3 credits. The course provides an understanding of the accounting and financial bases of embezzlement, fraud, corruption, and misapplication of funds. Legislation and regulation in government and business are examined. Consumer protection and corporate responsibility are discussed.
CRJ 640 Terrorism: Threats and Strategy
3 credits. This course is designed to give the student an understanding of the concepts of terrorism, both domestic and international. Lecturer will address the causes and effects of terrorism as they relate to political structures from both religious and historical perspectives; noting its impact on the world today.
CRJ 637 Forensic Financial Analysis
3 credits. This course covers the detection of illegal financial transactions. Major topics include money laundering, fraud, embezzlement, and illicit accounting practices. Students will learn data gathering and analysis techniques for financial transactions, records, legitimate businesses, illegal organizations, and individuals. The course will include preparation for trial. Prerequisite: a basic course in accounting or permission of the instructor.
CRJ 641 Homeland Security
3 credits. This course focuses on the consolidation of responsibilities and functions across agencies at various jurisdictional levels that have the charge of mitigating hostilities, threats, hazards, and consequences. This course is designed to develop analytical skills that will prepare students to identify, evaluate and resolve complex policy issues and initiate practical actions. Though the range of relevant issues extends from local matters to national security, this course will concentrate on preparedness strategies for state, urban and local areas.
NOTE: Courses are in alpha-numeric order, not necessarily the order in which they are taken, and are subject to change. Please speak with a Program Manager for a course map.
To learn more about the online Master of Science in Criminal Justice curriculum from Saint Joseph’s University, call (866) 758-7670 to speak with a Program Manager right away or request more information below.
