COLLEGE OF
CRIMINAL JUSTICE

   The College of Criminal Justice offers a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Criminal Justice, a Master of Arts degree in Criminal Justice and Criminology, a Master of Science degree in Criminal Justice Management, and a Master of Science degree in Criminal Justice. The Doctor of Philosophy and Master of Arts programs are designed primarily to prepare graduate students to conduct research in the various areas of criminological theory, crime control, correctional and police administration, and social rehabilitation. These programs are based on a multidisciplinary study of the behavioral sciences as they apply to these specialized areas.

   The Master of Science degree in Criminal Justice Management is designed to serve the needs of the experienced professional in criminal justice. Course content is aimed at developing and enhancing managerial skills. This program is offered in an Intensive Semester time frame. To be considered for admission, the applicant to the Master of Science program must be currently employed in a criminal justice occupation in a management position or aspiring to become employed in a management position, with a minimum of two years experience.

   The Master of Science in Criminal Justice is available to students with or without previous employment experience in criminal justice. Course content is aimed at providing a base of knowledge and skills necessary to administer criminal justice-related programs. Courses are offered at The University Center in The Woodlands and carry residence credit.

   The deadline for submitting applications to the Master of Arts program, the Master of Science in Criminal Justice program, and the Doctor of Philosophy program is April 1 for the fall semester and October 1 for the spring semester. The deadline for submitting applications to the Master of Science in Criminal Justice Management program is June 1 for the fall semester.

   Graduate students in the College of Criminal Justice are expected to maintain a minimum 3.0 grade point average. Two grades of "C" are grounds for dismissal from the program. Students should consult the Criminal Justice Graduate Student Handbook (available in the Criminal Justice Graduate Office) for a more detailed description of policies regarding academic standards.

   In 1979, Houston Endowment Inc. established a fund for the George J. Beto Chair of Criminal Justice, the first endowed chair in criminal justice in the nation. Houston Endowment Inc. is a philanthropic trust established by the late Jesse H. and Mary Gibbs Jones to benefit educational, cultural and religious organizations. The award provides for the support of an annual lecture series of distinguished professors and professionals.

   The late Dr. George J. Beto, former Director of the Texas Department of Corrections and an internationally recognized authority on criminology and corrections, was designated by the Board of Regents, The Texas State University System, as a Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Criminal Justice at the University. In 1991, the Criminal Justice Center was renamed the George J. Beto Criminal Justice Center by action of the Board of Regents, The Texas State University System.

   Admission to the Master of Arts program is based on the Admissions Committee's assessment of the applicant's scores on the Graduate Record Examination, the undergraduate academic record, and letters of recommendation from undergraduate professors. In some instances a personal interview will also be requested.

   The normal expectations are: (1) that the applicant has, or will soon have, an undergraduate degree from an accredited institution in an allied field; (2) a minimum 3.0 undergraduate grade point average; (3) a score of 500 in each of the Verbal and Quantitative sections of the Graduate Record Examination; (4) at least two letters of recommendation from undergraduate professors, and (5) foreign students are required to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language. A minimum score of 550 is required. The deadline for submitting applications to the Master of Arts program is April 1 for the fall semester and October 1 for the spring semester.

   The Master of Arts degree in Criminal Justice and Criminology is a 37-hour degree which includes a thesis. The University's comprehensive examination requirement is met by successful defense of the thesis. No minor is required.

Electives: Fifteen (15) hours of graduate course work at the 500, 600, or 700 level.
Thesis: Six (6) hours (CJ 698, CJ 699)

* Subject to action by the Board of Regents, The Texas State University System, and the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.

   The Master of Arts degree is designed to prepare graduate students to conduct research and actively participate in the development of knowledge in the areas of criminological theory, crime control, and correctional and police administration. The curriculum is broad enough to satisfy these various interests. Students who are planning careers in law enforcement, corrections or rehabilitation, or who wish a deeper understanding of crime and the criminal justice system should confer with the Assistant Dean for Graduate Programs to develop a combination of elective courses which will support their particular career interests. In exceptional cases, the Graduate Admissions Committee may consider students eligible for the Master of Arts program for admission into the Ph.D. program. Information regarding this process is provided in the Graduate Student Handbook and the Doctoral Curriculum, Master's Degree Not Completed, described below.

   The Master of Science program with a major in Criminal Justice Management is designed for persons in mid-management positions in criminal justice agencies, or for those who have a reasonable expectation of being promoted to such a position. It serves practitioners whose jobs and family commitments prevent them from returning to campus as full-time students. The Master of Science program restructures classroom hours allowing the fully-employed person to earn a Master of Science degree in Criminal Justice Management in two years. On-campus classroom attendance requires about seven weekends each spring and fall semester and during the combined summer sessions. Roughly 36 days are spent in class each year along with extensive home study. A student in full-time attendance earns six credit hours in each of the fall and spring semesters and combined summer sessions, totaling 18 credit hours per year.

   Master of Science in Criminal Justice Management students are admitted only in the fall semester. The deadline for submitting applications to the Master of Science program is June 1.

   Admission to the Master of Science in Criminal Justice Management program in the College of Criminal Justice requires: (1) an undergraduate degree from an accredited institution in an allied field; (2) a minimum of 3.0 undergraduate grade point average; (3) a score of 500 in each of the Verbal and Quantitative sections of the Graduate Record Examination; (4) a reference letter from the applicant's employer indicating awareness of the time commitment involved over the next two-year period, and willingness to enable the employee to keep his/her weekend commitments; (5) current employment in a criminal justice occupation with a minimum of two years experience, and (6) foreign students are required to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). A minimum score of 550 is required.

   The Master of Science degree in Criminal Justice Management is a 36-hour degree. No thesis is required, but the student completes a directed management project which involves a major analysis of an occupationally-related problem. The University's comprehensive examination requirement is met by the requirement of completion of a capstone course with a grade of B or better.

Other elective courses may be substituted with the approval of the Assistant Dean for Graduate Programs.

* Subject to action by the Board of Regents, The Texas State University System, and the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.

   The Master of Science program in Criminal Justice is designed primarily for persons who aspire to management positions in the field of criminal justice. It is designed for nontraditional students who have full-time jobs. Courses are scheduled primarily at night at The University Center in The Woodlands, and sequenced so that students can complete the degree in two years. The degree prepares students to work in various areas of criminal justice administration including, but not limited to, organizational management and social policy. The deadline for fall admission is April 1 and the deadline for spring admissions is October 1.

   Admission to the Master of Science in Criminal Justice program in the College of Criminal Justice requires documentation of: (1) successful completion of an undergraduate degree from an accredited academic institution in an allied field; (2) a minimum of 3.0 overall undergraduate grade point average; (3) a score of 500 in each of the Verbal and Quantitative sections of the Graduate Record Examination; (4) at least two letters of recommendation from undergraduate professors referencing the applicant's ability to perform graduate work, and (5) foreign students are required to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). A minimum score of 550 is required.

   There is no thesis requirement, but the student completes a directed management project which involves a major analysis of an occupationally-related problem. The University's comprehensive examination requirement is met by the requirement of completion of a capstone course (CJ 637) with a grade of B or better. Students should seek advisement from the Assistant Dean of Graduate Programs in planning a course of study. The Master of Science degree in Criminal Justice is a 36-hour degree.

Electives: 15 hours
   Five elective courses will be chosen around a coherent theme based on the student's area of interest with the guidance of the Assistant Dean of Graduate Programs. The Graduate Office will provide students with a list of suggested electives for a particular area.

* Subject to action by the Board of Regents, The Texas State University System, and the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.

   The degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Criminal Justice is designed to produce students of crime and justice who possess (1) a deep and extensive awareness of the body of knowledge in the field of criminal justice and, (2) the intellectual and methodological skills necessary for the continuing process of discovery and understanding of crime and justice related issues. The graduate should be capable of integrative and analytical thinking, competent at transmitting knowledge, able to engage in various accepted modes of research, and should possess skills in problem-solving.

   To accomplish this, the College of Criminal Justice has a faculty of diverse scholars committed to the study of crime and justice issues. The curriculum includes courses that provide theoretical and applied knowledge of the phenomena of crime and criminal justice. In addition to the demonstration of excellence in the classroom, students are expected to engage in research in accordance with personal specialized interests beyond specified courses.

   Through the combined efforts of faculty and students, the Doctor of Philosophy program in Criminal Justice produces students capable of making contributions to criminal justice through the academic and applied components of the discipline. The curriculum is designed to ensure that graduates are well equipped to participate in criminological positions emphasizing research, theory, and administration.

All of the foregoing items must be on file in the College of Criminal Justice prior to admission to the program. The candidate for admission will be advised of the committee's decision in writing.

   All formal requirements for completion of the Ph.D. are described in the Graduate Student Handbook (available in the Graduate Office) and may vary from one student to another, depending upon previous academic preparation. The following guidelines are offered to demonstrate the nature of the doctoral program and should not be misconstrued as representing the formal requirements for a Ph.D.

Comprehensive Exams: Criminology, Criminal Justice

   To increase the level of integration between the doctoral and master of arts degrees, and to increase students' flexibility in pursuing a graduate education, exceptional students with baccalaureate degrees may be admitted directly into a combined Master of Arts-Ph.D. program. This program reduces the requirements to obtain a doctoral degree by nine hours compared with a program of study in which doctoral courses commence after completion of a master's degree.

Comprehensive Exams: Criminology, Criminal Justice

Academic Advisement

   The Assistant Dean for Graduate Programs conducts all academic advisement. At least a month before the end of each semester, graduate students should contact that office for advisement for the next term. All the readings courses, special projects, internships, practicums, and workshops for students must be coordinated by the Assistant Dean for Graduate Programs. The Degree Plan for each graduate student is developed in consultation with the Assistant Dean for Graduate Programs.

   Students are encouraged to consider the makeup of the comprehensive examinations before they develop a degree plan. The student should try to ensure that by the time he/she finishes the course work that he/she will have a base of knowledge in the primary areas of the curriculum.

   Doctoral students are authorized to enroll in courses at the 500 through the 800 levels. If it is necessary for a student to do stem work in order to meet the prerequisites for graduate courses, those credit hours will be in addition to the classroom hours required for the doctoral degree.

   The normal course load during the fall or spring semester is 9 hours. During a summer session, the maximum permissible load is 6 hours.

Specialized Readings (CJ 770): Enrollment requires prior permission of the Assistant Dean for Graduate Programs and the supervising faculty which is given only when necessary to meet specific needs of the student and the College.

Research Internship (CJ 773): A minimum of six hours of Research Internship is required of all students who enroll without a completed master's degree. Supervised training including special applications in information acquisition, storage, retrieval, analysis, and display in criminal justice.

   The purpose of the doctoral comprehensive examination is two-fold. The primary purpose is to ensure that each student has gained a satisfactory understanding of the core areas of the curriculum. The secondary purpose is to provide the student and faculty an opportunity to identify areas of deficiency and to establish for the student a program of study to remedy those deficiencies. Consult the Graduate Student Handbook (available from the Graduate Office) for a more detailed description of the process.

   Admission to candidacy is granted upon successful completion of all course work and passing of the written comprehensive examinations.

   A doctoral dissertation must be the product of original scholarly research and must be of such quality as to represent a meaningful contribution to knowledge in the field of criminal justice. It is expected that much time and effort will be devoted to the dissertation phase of the doctoral program. Consult the Graduate Student Handbook (available from the Graduate Office) for a more detailed description of the doctoral dissertation requirements.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

*CJ 530 CRITICAL ANALYSIS OF JUSTICE ADMINISTRATION. An analysis of the criminal justice system in the United States; role of justice agencies as part of societal response to crime; the knowledge base of criminal justice; issues, problems, trends.

*CJ 532 PERSPECTIVES IN CRIMINOLOGY. Survey of the field of criminology emphasizing perspectives regarding the making of law, breaking of law and societal reactions to the breaking of law.

CJ 533 SEMINAR IN LAW. Deals with the theory of law as a means of social control; advanced problems and issues in the use of the criminal sanction; and alternative legal means of controlling deviant conduct.

*CJ 534 COURTS AS ORGANIZATIONS. Critical evaluation of the dispensing of justice in America, using the systems theory approach, as well as current court policy.

*CJ 563 THE JUVENILE OFFENDER. Theoretical perspectives regarding the creation of childhood as a social construct and the etiology of juvenile offending. Particular attention is paid to the role of family, peers and school.

*CJ 572 COMMUNITY BASED CORRECTIONS. Techniques and procedures utilized in the supervision of adult and juvenile probationers and parolees, and other residents of community-based corrections facilities. Preparation of social history, pre-hearing, and pre-sentence investigation reports. Emphasis on practical problems confronting the probation and parole and other community-based corrections officer.

CJ 592 SURVEY OF RESEARCH METHODS. The theory and application of social science research techniques and designs, with a focus on the interpretation and use of research findings. Students who have not completed an introductory course in research methods within the past five years must take CJ 478 as a prerequisite.

*CJ 593 LEGAL ASPECTS OF THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM. Aspects of law which are relevant to and essential for a better understanding of the criminal justice system and its related processes.

*CJ 594 LEGAL RESEARCH. Methods and techniques of research in the legal system. Designed to prepare students to locate, interpret and disseminate relevant statutory and case law as well as scholarly legal works.

CJ 615 CRIMINAL JUSTICE STATISTICS LAB. Two hour (one semester credit hour) computer lab which must be taken in conjunction with CJ 685 (Statistics for Criminal Justice Research).

CJ 632 HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT IN THE ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT. Critical issues and strategic questions regarding managing human resources in criminal justice agencies. Policy areas discussed are: (1) employee influence; (2) human resource flow; (3) reward systems; and (4) work systems. Human resource management as a coherent, proactive management model.

*CJ 633 SEMINAR IN ORGANIZATION AND ADMINISTRATION. The study of bureaucracy and complex organizations with strong emphasis on the concepts and practices of the organization and management of public agencies in the United States. Special consideration is given to the various philosophies, typologies, and models of administrative systems in criminal justice.

CJ 634 BASIC RESEARCH METHODS AND PLANNING RESOURCES. Methods and techniques of research and research design; conducting and assessing research in the criminal justice agency management environment; translation of research findings to policy; informational resources readily available to the agency manager. Designed to prepare students to gather decision-relevant information.

CJ 635 SEMINAR IN LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT. Problems and alternative solutions in criminal justice management. The case study method and current readings provide an admixture of practical and educational experiences intended to foster and disseminate new ideas for management strategies, especially as this is impacted by leadership styles, human resources, and the environment.

CJ 636 COMPUTER APPLICATIONS FOR CRIMINAL JUSTICE MANAGEMENT. Techniques of data processing with emphasis upon utilization and application to criminal justice information management. Prerequisite: CJ 634.

CJ 637 DIRECTED MANAGEMENT AND DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS. This course is designed to provide the student with an opportunity to demonstrate under faculty supervision the ability to engage in a problem solving management project as a demonstration of skill in administration techniques.

*CJ 639 POLICE IN SOCIETY. An examination of the evolution of police in modern society with a special emphasis given to the role of the police play in contemporary society. Current research examining the function of the police will be examined.

CJ 660 SEMINAR IN DEVIANT BEHAVIOR. Analysis of behavior which violates expectations that are shared and recognized as legitimate. Special attention is focused on societal reactions to such behavior.

CJ 661 SOCIAL POLICY. Evaluation of the legal, social, economic, philosophic, and controversial issues of governmental programs, administered by federal, state, local units of government, and the client systems served.

CJ 662 FOUNDATIONS OF SUBSTANCE ABUSE COUNSELING. An introduction to counseling persons involved in substance abuse; basic concepts in treatment and rehabilitation; professional practices; assessment and treatment planning; treatment modalities; laboratory work and field study.

CJ 664 SEMINAR IN SUBSTANCE ABUSE COUNSELING. The focus of this course will be on substantive issues related to substance abuse treatment. Primarily there will be an exploration of individual counseling strategies and techniques.

*CJ 665 COMMUNITY THEORY AND THE ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE. This course examines the nature of criminal justice organizations as components of the political, social and economic inter-organizational networks that comprise communities. Topics such as the intersection of criminal justice, mental health, juvenile justice and educational systems are examined. The impact of criminal victimization and attributes of communities that foster crime are examined in detail. The processes that motivate and implement change in community based organizations are also addressed.

CJ 668 SEMINAR ON DRUGS, SOCIETY AND POLICY ISSUES. This course will focus on issues and problems surrounding the problem of illicit drugs in society. Particular emphasis will be placed on policy related issues.

CJ 670 INTERNSHIP IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE. A minimum of three months in an approved criminal justice setting. Designed to provide the graduate student with an opportunity to synthesize theory and practice. Prerequisite: consent of the Assistant Dean for Graduate Programs, College of Criminal Justice. Credit to be arranged.

CJ 672 SEMINAR IN CRIMINOLOGY AND CORRECTIONS. Theory and problems in Criminology and Corrections. One or more term papers evidencing qualities of scholarship will be required.

CJ 685 STATISTICS FOR CRIMINAL JUSTICE RESEARCH. Review of descriptive and graphical techniques; probability and sampling theory; the normal curve and statistical inference; Central Limit Theorem; Chi-square, T and F distributions; analysis of variance and linear regression.

*CJ 687 THE ETHICS OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE. Ethics and moral philosophy in criminal justice including the role of natural law, constitutional law, code of ethics and philosophical principles. Strong emphasis will be put on examining the role of justice in a free society and the practical implications of justice to practitioners of police, courts and corrections.

CJ 692 PROGRAM EVALUATION FOR CRIMINAL JUSTICE MANAGEMENT. Principles and techniques of program evaluation including models and case studies.

CJ 693 SPECIAL TOPICS IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE. Designed to give the graduate student academic flexibility. May be repeated for credit. Prerequisites: consent of the Assistant Dean for Graduate Programs of the College and of the instructor directing the readings.

CJ 696 LEGAL ASPECTS OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE MANAGEMENT. An overview of the legal issues commonly facing managers in criminal justice agencies. Particular emphasis is placed on public employment law including the hiring, promoting, disciplining and discharging of employees, fair employment practices, and agency and administrator civil liability. Both state and federal statutory and case law are examined.

CJ 698 THESIS PRACTICUM. Overview of research strategies; principles of research writing; and procedures for initiating, executing and completing a Thesis. Preparation and approval of a Prospectus. (Preliminary planning for the Thesis should begin during the first semester of graduate work; the student should enroll in CJ 698 after he/she has completed 12 semester hours of graduate work.)

CJ 699 THESIS. The completion and defense of the Thesis. (The student must be registered in 699 the semester in which he/she receives his/her master's degree.)

*CJ 730 SEMINAR IN ORGANIZATION THEORY. An examination of organizational thought with application to criminal justice. Analysis of the developmental state of organizational theory, including historical derivations and the implications of various theoretical bases for organizational functioning.

CJ 733 PROSEMINAR IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE ISSUES. The course is designed to give doctoral students a current, thorough, and comprehensive review of the criminal justice system -- focusing on how the system functions in theory and practice, current future needs and trends. Students are required to submit extensive critiques and to participate in panel discussions.

CJ 734 SEMINAR IN AMERICAN POLICING. The course includes the philosophy and role of American policing, politics of policing, managing police organizations, police-community relations, police operational and administrative practices, police research, police executive development, emergent issues and problems in policing.

*CJ 736 SEMINAR IN AMERICAN CORRECTIONS. In-depth examination of the various issues and problems in corrections as they relate to administration and management. A variety of problems is explored, including the philosophical justification for prisons, personnel management, sentencing and its implications, community-based corrections, rehabilitation, judicial intervention, and correctional reform.

CJ 737 CRIMINOLOGICAL THEORY. Overview of the major paradigms focusing on the causes of crime and deviant behavior with special attention given to the social, political and intellectual milieu within which each perspective arose. The course will include a discussion of criminological theories from a philosophy of science perspective focusing upon such issues as theory construction, theoretical integration and the formal evaluation of theory.

*CJ 738 SEMINAR IN AMERICAN COURTS. Role and structure of prosecution, public defense, and the courts in the United States jurisprudence with emphasis upon criminal law, and problems in the administration of justice.

CJ 739 DISTRIBUTION AND CORRELATES OF CRIME. Survey of research on the scope and nature of criminal activity and factors correlated with criminal behavior. Attention specifically on four general categories: race/ethnicity, gender, age and class. Examines the issues of etiology, victimology, differential police enforcement, sentencing and correctional practices.

*CJ 742 ADVANCED STATISTICS I. Introduction to multivariate statistical techniques including multiple regression, logistic regression, discriminate analysis, multivariate analysis of variance, canonical correlation, factor analysis, cluster analysis and multidimensional scaling. Four (4) credit hours. (Prerequisite: CJ 685 or equivalent in past years).

CJ 760 ADVANCED SEMINAR IN CRIMINOLOGICAL THEORY. Extensive studies in areas of classical and/or current criminological theory. A basic knowledge of criminology is assumed. Emphasis is on analytical, critical evaluation, and the advancement of theory.

CJ 770 SPECIALIZED READINGS. Directed readings designed to give the student flexibility in developing an area of specialization. Prerequisites: Consent of the Assistant Dean of Graduate Programs of the College and of the instructor directing the readings.

CJ 773 RESEARCH INTERNSHIP. Required of all doctoral students entering the program without a master's degree. Supervised training including special applications in information acquisition, storage, retrieval, analysis, and display in criminal justice.

CJ 780 SEMINAR ON THE LEGAL ASPECTS OF THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM. Advanced seminar concerned with aspects of law which are relevant to and essential for a better understanding of the criminal justice system and its related processes.

CJ 787 RESEARCH DESIGN. Advanced study of scientific inquiry with an emphasis on the practical aspects of research design and implementation. Topics include the philosophy of science; the relationship of sampling theory to statistical theory; studies in causation; non-experimental research; data systems and modern data processing techniques. Prerequisites: CJ 592 and consent of instructor.

CJ 788 SOCIAL CONTROL. A seminar which focuses on the creation and application of law, the activities of deviance control agencies, and the concept of deterrence.

*CJ 789 ADVANCED STATISTICS II. Survey of reliability analysis, loglinear, and logit loglinear analysis, nonlinear, weighted and two stage least-squares regression, probit analysis, survival analysis and Cox regression. (Prerequisite: CJ 742).

*CJ 793 PRACTICUM IN DATA ANALYSIS. The course is intended to develop proficiency in data analysis using computerized statistical programs such as SPSS. Statistical theory and research design issues are combined with hands-on computer experience. The course emphasizes data management, multivariate statistics and diagnostics.

CJ 794 FOCUSED TOPICS IN RESEARCH. Survey methods and techniques for achieving interpretable results in social research. Includes experimental, quasi-experimental and unobtrusive measures. Prerequisite: CJ 488 or equivalent.

CJ 896-899 DISSERTATION.