History and philosophy of criminal justice and ethical considerations; crime defined; its nature and impact; overview of criminal justice system; law enforcement; court system; prosecution and defense; trial process; corrections.

The judiciary in the criminal justice system; structure of the American court system; prosecution, right to counsel; pre-trial release; grand juries; adjudication process; types and rules of evidence; sentencing.

Study of criminal law, its philosophical and historical development and concepts, classifications and elements of crime, penalties using Texas statutes as illustrations, and criminal responsibility. Offered: Spring

An introductory study of the role of the community in corrections; community programs for adults and juveniles; administration of community programs; legal issues; future trends in community treatment. Offered: Fall

Corrections in the criminal justice system; organization of correctional systems; correctional role; institutional operations; alternatives to institutionalization; treatment and rehabilitation; current and future issues.

Investigative theory; collection and preservation of evidence; sources of information; interview and interrogation; uses of forensic sciences; case and trial preparation.

The police profession; organization of law enforcement systems; the police role; police discretion; ethics; police-community interaction; current and future issues.

In-depth examination of principles of substantive criminal law with emphasis on Texas penal statutes and case law.

This course provides an advanced examination of probation, parole, and pretrial services as critical components of the criminal justice system. Emphasis is placed on evidence based practices, legal standards, risk and needs assessment, officer discretion, ethical decision making, and professional report writing. Students will engage in applied learning through realistic case scenarios and the completion of professional style community supervision reports.

Role of social class, race and gender in the etiology and control of crime. Injustices within the criminal justice system and broader society. Cultural sensitivity.

In-depth examination of laws of criminal procedure with emphasis upon Texas procedural laws; rules of evidence; recent state and federal case law in fields of criminal procedure and evidence.

American crime problems in historical perspective; social and public policy factors affecting crime, impact and crime trends; liberal and conservative views of the crime problem and policy implications; crime prevention.

An examination of the typologies of criminal behavior. Psychological issues related to criminality and deviance will be presented. Topics include offender motivation, psychopathy, serial murder, sex offenders and career criminals.

A study of the juvenile justice process to include specialized juvenile law, role of the juvenile courts, role of police agencies, role of correctional agencies, and theories concerning delinquency.

This course explores the causes and patterns of female criminality within the criminal justice system. It examines historical and contemporary theories of women’s offending, including biological, sociological, and feminist perspectives, and analyzes gender differences in crime and victimization. The course also considers the social and legal factors influencing women’s involvement in crime and their treatment within criminal justice institutions.

Legal aspects of correction; rights of the convicted. Laws governing correctional officers and facilities. Legal liabilities in correctional activities.

Preparation of appellate brief on assigned point of law; presentation of appellate oral argument.

Individual study with an instructor in an area of mutual interest. May be repeated for credit when the designated topics are varied.

This course is an in-depth overview of the social structure and organizational factors leading to the definitions and social constraints toward deviant behavior. Deviant behavior is dependent on the cultural context. In this course, our focus is mostly on the U.S. context. In this course, you are asked to examine the nature and dynamics of a deviant behavior inside and outside the U.S. context. The behavior may be considered deviant in the U.S. but is not considered deviant elsewhere. The behavior may be considered deviant outside the U.S. but is not considered deviant here. The behavior may be considered deviant both inside and outside the U.S.

This interdisciplinary course introduces students to global perspectives on victimology, victim assistance, and criminal justice through participation in a study abroad program. Students engage with international scholars and practitioners to explore topics such as restorative justice, human trafficking, crisis intervention, victim compensation, and cross-cultural approaches to justice. Coursework includes seminars, research presentations, and reflective assignments connecting theory and practice in international contexts.

Examination of campus violence, including its forms, causes, impacts, and institutional and criminal justice responses. Topics include sexual assault, hazing, bullying, hate crimes, and active shooter incidents, with emphasis on research, theory, and prevention..

Theories of justice; relationship of justice to freedom and democracy; injustices in social class, gender, and race relationships.

An examination of selected ethical issues and problems confronting criminal justice professionals.

This course will examine the topic of murder from a criminological perspective. Special attention will be paid to extreme forms of murder, such as, serial murder, cult killings, hate-motivated murders, and mass murders. Throughout this course we shall also examine multiple murders in the past, present, and future. Finally, this class will provide a critical analysis of the manner in which serial murder has been depicted by the popular media.

Current topics in criminal justice. May be repeated for credit when the topic is varied.

This course will examine the history and current states of white-collar crime. Theoretical explanations of white-collar crime and its control are discussed.

This course provides an overview of the major topics that relate to the interface of criminal justice, law and psychology. The contribution of psychological research and expert testimony have shaped our court decisions and influenced the manner in which law enforcement and corrections are managed. While this course will focus on psychological links to criminal justice, aspects of civil law and behavior will also be examined. Contemporary issues, controversies and trends within the field will be explored.

A study of contemporary thought on crime, criminals, and the criminal justice system using critical analysis of recently written materials as a source for research, discussion, and student seminar.

This upper-division elective course provides a comprehensive and balanced examination of capital punishment from a comparative and historical perspective. The course explores the legal foundations, procedural safeguards, and policy debates surrounding the death penalty in both abolitionist and retentionist jurisdictions. Students will analyze constitutional principles, including the Eighth Amendment’s prohibition of “cruel and unusual punishment,” and review how different legal systems interpret proportionality, due process, and deterrence. International conventions and national laws will be examined to understand how countries with varying political, cultural, and legal traditions regulate or prohibit capital punishment. Through a comparative approach, the course investigates similarities and differences in capital punishment practices across secular and religious legal systems. Emphasis is placed on understanding policy rationales, judicial reasoning, and evolving trends rather than advocating for or against specific positions.

Advanced analysis of major contemporary police problems from various perspectives. Examination of current issues in policing.

The global reach of the internet, the marginal cost of online activity and the relative anonymity of users have contributed to a wide escalation in cybercrimes. consequently, information and communication technologies (ICT) are being increasingly employed to investigate threats to global civil society. this course provides an overview of cybercrime.

This course provides an in-depth introduction to the principles, tools, and practices of digital forensics as applied to criminal justice and legal investigations. Students examine how digital evidence is identified, preserved, collected, analyzed, and presented in accordance with legal and ethical standards. Emphasis is placed on maintaining chain of custody, adhering to constitutional protections, and understanding the role of digital forensics in criminal, civil, and administrative investigations. Topics include chain of custody, forensic imaging, analysis of digital devices, network and cloud-based evidence, documentation for court proceedings, and the role of digital forensics in criminal investigations across multiple operating systems. The course integrates theory, applied practice, and ethical decision-making to prepare students for careers and advanced study within the criminal justice system.

This course is an in-depth overview of the social structure and organizational factors leading to the development of international organized criminal activity. The nature and structure of these crimes are introduced and discussed.

This course introduces core cybersecurity concepts from a criminal justice perspective, with an emphasis on cybersecurity principles, cybercrime, victimization, prevention, and human factors in cybersecurity. Students examine how offenders exploit digital systems and human behavior, focusing on social engineering techniques such as deception, phishing, identity theft, hacking, and cyber fraud. Legal, ethical, and policy issues in cybersecurity are explored, along with cyber threats, vulnerabilities, risk management, and compliance practices. The course also introduces digital forensics and its role in cyber investigations and criminal justice processes.

This upper-level internship provides advanced Criminal Justice students with supervised, hands-on experience in professional agency settings, including law enforcement, courts, corrections, and related justice organizations. Through structured fieldwork, students apply theoretical knowledge to real-world practice, enhance professional communication and leadership skills, and develop a deeper understanding of agency operations, organizational processes, and ethical responsibilities within the criminal justice system.

This course offers students the opportunity to learn the knowledge and skills of proven techniques of managing conflict and to obtain the ability to resolve disputes.

This course is an in-dept overview of current and comprehensive perspectives that investigate major topics, theories, and controversies within the field of criminal violence, victimization and social control of violence.

Problems and issues in the administration of criminal justice organizations.

This course will cover the causes of wrongful convictions, including eyewitness misidentifications, false confessions, racism, media bias and faulty forensic science. Case studies will be used to illustrate these causes.

This course is designated to introduce students to the topic of victimology, the scientific study of victims. The course examines the field of victimology, including its scope and development and reviews the problems associated with victimization. the relationship between the victim and the offender, the victim and the criminal justice system and the victim and society will also be examined.

An examination of the research methodologies used in the evaluation of crime and criminal justice systems. The course will provide students with a foundation in research design, analysis, interpretation, and communication of results.

This practicum provides students with supervised field experience in a policing, law enforcement, or public safety agency. Students observe daily operations, participate in approved tasks, and reflect on how academic concepts apply to real-world policing. Emphasis is placed on professional conduct, communication, ethical decision making, community engagement, and understanding the functional structure of law enforcement organizations.

A critical review and analysis of the role of governmental and nongovernmental organizations in the prevention, control and punishment of crime and delinquency. An emphasis is placed on policy analysis and recommendations for change.

An overview of the common legal issues facing managers in criminal justice agencies. Particular emphasis is placed on public employment law, including 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.

This graduate-level course examines the legal and constitutional framework governing cybersecurity in the United States. Students analyze federal and state cybercrime statutes, privacy and surveillance law, data protection requirements, and procedural rules for cyber investigation and prosecution. Emphasis is placed on statutory interpretation, case law analysis, legislative intent, regulatory compliance and jurisdiction in, developing students’ ability to apply legal reasoning to cybersecurity-related issues. The course focuses on the role of courts and legislatures in shaping cybersecurity law and policy.

This graduate-level course explores digital forensics and incident planning within the criminal justice system, emphasizing the identification, preservation, analysis, and presentation of digital evidence. Students examine legal, ethical, and procedural considerations while developing incident response and forensic readiness plans to support criminal investigations and interagency collaboration. The course additionally focuses on response strategies for law enforcement agencies, prosecutors’ offices, and criminal justice organizations. Students analyze real world case studies involving cyber incidents, data breaches, and major digital evidence investigations to develop structured, legally defensible incident response plans. Topics include interagency coordination, forensic readiness, crisis decision making, and post incident review.

This graduate-level course examines cybersecurity and risk governance as critical issues facing contemporary criminal justice organizations. Students analyze cybercrime, digital threats, and information security using advanced criminological and justice theories, with emphasis on policy development, organizational accountability, ethics, and risk management. The course explores the implications of cyber risk for crime control, public safety, institutional legitimacy, and civil liberties. The course culminates in an integrative project aligned with a capstone or thesis requirement, requiring students to synthesize theory, research, policy analysis, and leadership competencies to demonstrate mastery of cybersecurity and risk governance in the criminal justice context.

A comprehensive overview of various theoretical approaches to the understanding of crime and delinquency, including selected biological, psychological, sociological, legal and/or political theories.

This course provides in-depth, graduate-level analysis of the history, structure, and content of the United State Constitution and focuses on specific constitutional amendments, doctrines, and landmark Supreme Court cases as they relate to criminal justice and criminal justice professionals. Particular emphasis is given to the First, Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, Eighth, and Fourteenth Amendments.

This course covers the history and evolving ideology of confinement. Topics included are prison architecture, management and security levels, the development of the modern super prison, prison labor, chain gangs, crowding, women’s and men’s prisons, life in prison, prison culture and inmate social structure, prison riots, violence in prison, geriatric and mentally ill inmates, inmates who are ill particularly those with AIDS.

This course seeks to examine the history of terrorism and its manifestations in the contemporary world. It examines issues of nationalistic terrorism, religious terrorism and domestic and special interest group terrorism. The course concludes with an examination of the political and ethical implications of the “global war on terror” and homeland security.

Murder, and serial murder in particular, is one of the most frightening types of crimes imaginable. Fortunately, it is an extremely rare occurrence. Nevertheless, criminologist, sociologist, and psychologists have long been interested in the psychology of multiple murderers and how their behaviors affect the social fabric of society. This course focuses on serial murderers, their methods, and their madness.

An in-depth examination of information gathering and analysis; planning and evaluation. Emphasis on the analytical tools useful in criminal justice agencies.

Coding and analysis of research data, the application of statistical methods common to criminology, and the presentation of research findings to policy makers.

This graduate seminar examines human behavior as a critical vulnerability in cybersecurity and homeland security systems, with emphasis on social engineering, insider threats, and decision-making processes. The course examines how human behavior, decision-making, and organizational practices contribute to cybercrime, security failures, and provides prevention strategies. Drawing from criminology, psychology, and security studies, the course explores how individual, organizational, and social factors contribute to cyber risk and security failures. Students will analyze theoretical frameworks, empirical research, and real-world case studies to understand cybercrime, victimization, and prevention. The course emphasizes evidence-based interventions, policy development, and organizational strategies to mitigate human-centered cybersecurity risks in both public and private sectors

Includes an analysis of contemporary issues in the understanding, prevention, and control of crime and delinquency both domestically and globally. A student may repeat the course for credit as an elective when the area of study varies.

An overview of emerging legal issues, especially those related to the use of force by police and correctional officers. Emphasis will be on municipal and individual officer liability in cases related to tasers, prone position, excited delirium, and other mental health conditions that may or may not involve criminal activities. This course will examine both constitutional and case law.

This course critically examines the problem of technology-related crime and the ways that deviance is facilitated through technology, the internet and the World Wide Web. Students will understand law enforcement's response in dealing with cybercrime. Students will also understand the complex nature of cybercrime and its significance across a variety of disciplines.

Application of leadership theory and development of management skills important to criminal justice agencies. Personnel practices, organizational behavior, and decision-making models will be reviewed in context with positive leadership traits.

This course is the culminating experience for students who are approaching graduation. Students must integrate knowledge from across the criminal justice curricula as they debate and discuss current issues and controversies in criminal justice with one another and also complete an independent, faculty-directed, semester-long book review essay suitable for publication.

This course provides a graduate-level exploration of the strategies and methodologies used to protect critical infrastructure and enhance community resilience. This course examines the identification of threats, the assessment of organizational vulnerabilities, and the development of evidence-based risk mitigation strategies within the Homeland Security enterprise. Students analyze risk using advanced criminological and justice theories, with a specific focus on organizational accountability, ethics, and the implications of risk management for public safety and institutional legitimacy. The course culminates in an integrative project where students synthesize theory and research to formulate strategic recommendations for managing risk in complex justice environments.

This graduate-level course explores cyberwarfare and cyberterrorism as central security challenges in the digital age. Students examine how states and non state actors use cyberspace to pursue military, political, ideological, and economic objectives. Topics include cyber conflict and deterrence, terrorist use of cyberspace, attribution and escalation, legal and ethical constraints, and national security policy responses. The course emphasizes strategic analysis and real world case studies to understand cyber-enabled threats and defenses.

This graduate-level course provides an advanced analysis of the structure, dynamics, and impact of transnational organized crime (TOC) within the global justice system. Unlike ideologically motivated terrorism, TOC is examined through the lens of shadow economies and the pursuit of financial and material gain. Students evaluate the business models of diverse criminal syndicates—including cartels, triads, and cyber-criminal organizations—and their involvement in illicit markets such as narcotics, human trafficking, and intellectual property theft. The curriculum emphasizes the mechanics of criminal governance, global money laundering, and the international legal frameworks, such as the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC), used to combat cross-border criminality. By synthesizing criminological theory with empirical case studies, students develop strategic policy recommendations to enhance international law enforcement cooperation and institutional integrity.

This graduate-level course provides an in-depth examination of domestic and international terrorism from a criminal justice perspective. It explores the historical evolution, ideological foundations, and organizational structures of terrorist groups, as well as the social, political, and economic conditions that contribute to radicalization and violent extremism. The course analyzes major case studies from the United States and around the world, highlighting differences and similarities between domestic and transnational threats. Students will critically evaluate counterterrorism strategies, including law enforcement, intelligence operations, legal frameworks, and prevention programs, while considering ethical dilemmas and civil liberties concerns. Emphasis is placed on developing analytical skills to assess contemporary threats, policy responses, and the role of criminal justice professionals in addressing terrorism in a globalized context. 3 credits

This graduate-level course provides a comprehensive analysis of the legal, organizational, and strategic frameworks governing emergency and disaster management within the criminal justice system. Students will examine the four phases of the emergency management cycle: mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery, with a specific focus on the unique roles and responsibilities of law enforcement and public safety agencies. The curriculum emphasizes interagency collaboration, the National Incident Management System (NIMS), and the application of evidence-based strategies to address both natural and man-made disasters. By integrating theoretical perspectives with practical case studies, students will develop the leadership and policy-making competencies necessary to enhance community resilience and institutional legitimacy during critical incidents.

A critical analysis of contemporary issues in the understanding, prevention, and control of white-collar crime within domestic and global contexts. The course examines the development of economic and political crimes, emphasizing the application of macro and micro theoretical perspectives to evaluate impacts on social and political institutions. Topics include regulatory oversight, criminal sanctions, and public policy. May be repeated for credit when the area of study varies.

This course evaluates crime at the macro level. It examines the spread of certain crimes across international borders. The nature of transnational crime will be researched and potential solutions will be critiqued. The crime control methods of the United States will be compared with other countries.

Prerequisite: Approval of graduate advisor. Must complete both for required six hours.

A major practical project integrating the students course work, previous experience and professional goals. May take the form of a supervised internship, applied research or professional project.