CJU 402   Returning Student Seminar for Criminal Justice 4 credits

This course will provide each student with an opportunity to reflect on their decision to return to college. Emphasis will be on preparations for their return to college and their development of a learning plan. Students will focus on time management, organizational skills, and practical writing for criminal justice practitioners. Extensive time will be devoted to writing fundamentals, such as mechanics, sentence structure, academic and professional prose and APA style.

CJU 405   Minnesota State Criminal Law and Traffic Codes 4 credits

This course will provide the opportunity for developing a basic working knowledge and strengthening individual understanding of the Minnesota Criminal Code by covering procedural law, crimes against persons and property, juvenile offenses, and rights of peace officers. Students will also examine Minnesota Traffic Laws to include driving rules, licensing, specialty vehicles, equipment requirements along with alcohol and controlled substance violations. Additionally, the exploration and discussion will cover key elements of crime, levels of offense, applicable case law, common defenses, and sentencing guidelines. (The course is required for students who intend to take the POST Exam for Minnesota Law Enforcement Officers).

CJU 422   Information Literacy in Criminal Justice 4 credits

Information today grows exponentially. This course teaches students to identify information needs in their profession, know and access criminal justice data bases, discern legitimate information, manage the data, and present information in an articulate, professional manner. Students will effectively integrate sources in academic writings using APA style.

CJU 431   Inside the Criminal Mind 4 credits

This course explores theories and research of criminal behavior. Students will examine how past and present understanding of criminals has determined responses of society and the criminal justice system.

CJU 435   Philosophy of Values and Ethics 4 credits

Students examine the issues of accountability in government and business regarding human rights and ethics through readings, discussion and debates. Exploring both ethical theory and personal values, students develop a system for making ethical decisions in their personal and professional lives. This course also explores the emotional and physical risks associated with their work and helps develop strategies that will nurture maintaining physical and emotional health.

CJU 437   Systems Thinking in Criminal Justice 4 credits

Given the dynamic complexity of organizations, it is vital that professionals have an understanding of how organizations and systems interact. This course provides the skills to diagnose interactions and engage in finding solutions to problems. "Systems thinking" serves as one of the threads of continuity running throughout this degree program.

CJU 442   Foundations of the Criminal Justice System 4 credits

This course will offer a robust overview and more profound understanding of criminology designed to provide an extensive emphasis on personal development, by examining career roles, responsibilities, policies/procedures, and administration of various public and private agencies and organizations, involving multiple federal, state, county, local, tribal, and international components, that constitute modern-day Criminal Justice System. Students will explore critical issues affecting multi-cultural populations, administration of justice and develop deeper awareness involving domestic violence intervention, interpersonal communication, and trauma-informed approaches. Students will also explore the evolution of technology approaches, proactive intervention efforts, and community-based treatment programs as well as implications of vicarious/secondary trauma experienced and explore a variety of strategies for practitioner survival mindset.

CJU 446   Research Methods in Criminology and Criminal Justice 4 credits

This course will provide a forum for students to gain an understanding of how academic writers use the writing process to shape initial ideas and effectively communicate in the Criminal Justice System as a whole and develop an understanding and link between criminological theory, qualitative and quantitative research methods, and literature review research analysis and comparison. Students will utilize this course to further their individual reflection while developing and practicing the necessary skills to be successful in accessing criminal justice-related research and statistics that will assist them in balancing this academic program and realizing how these skill sets transition into their Criminal Justice environment.

CJU 451   Diversity in Criminal Justice 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.

CJU 452   Constitutional Law 4 credits

This course will develop the understanding and working knowledge of constitutional law that professionals in this field are expected to have. Students will review constitutional history and basic concepts to understand interpretations of the Constitution by the United States Supreme Court impacting criminal justice, and learn practical research strategies to find law.

CJU 453   Troubled Youth in the Criminal Justice Corrections System 4 credits

This course explores why and how governments have always treated children differently than adults. Theories of delinquency and the corresponding responses by society through the criminal justice system are addressed, as are current data, trends and programs. Students will also explore the challenges facing juvenile corrections in a society that continues to change in demographics, norms, and expectations of criminal justice.

CJU 455   Contemporary Issues in Criminal Justice 4 credits

Current criminal justice related events occurring nationally and locally will provide the scenarios for students to apply the knowledge acquired during this degree program in a thoughtful and scholarly manner. Students will draw upon their understanding of systems thinking, constitutional law, religion, modern trends, ethics, and individual and community behavior.

CJU 456   Building an Integrated Criminal Justice System 4 credits

This course is designed to understand the roles of various federal, state, county, local, tribal, and international components of the Criminal Justice System and how these systems work collaboratively. Students will further explore career insights, trajectory, and professional networks and internship opportunities. Students will identify and apply concepts and principles from a system perspective lens through current challenges within the systems and further explore these interlocking systems as change agents, exercising creative problem-solving processes. Through this course exploration, students will develop skill sets to bridge communication and strengthen collaboration between systems. Students will promote a deeper awareness of vicarious/secondary trauma experienced and explore a variety of approaches for practitioner survival mindset.

CJU 461   Constitutional and Criminal Law and Justice 4 credits

This course is designed to explore and develop the understanding and working knowledge of broad and specific variations of federal, state, county, local, tribal, and international components that influence constitutional, criminal, and criminal justice process civil law and how it affects the Criminal Justice System in the modern day. Students will review foundational history, basic concepts, and key participants in the courtroom/trial to understand interpretations of the Constitution by the United States Supreme Court impacting criminal justice. Moreover, students will learn and apply practical research strategies to find relevant case law. This course will use an assortment of case studies, individual research, and in-depth group discussions.

CJU 472   Cultural Considerations in Criminal Justice Systems 4 credits

The course is designed to conceptualize the balance between community and Criminal Justice Systems, within the framework of cross-culture and diverse populations albeit related to critical social problems and Criminal Justice System responses to manage and influence them. This course prepares students to explore various vocational fields such as law enforcement, security, courts, corrections, probation/parole, social services, community reintegration, and treatment services by building skill sets to professionally and effectively manage challenging and diverse situations, employing deeper understanding and appreciation for culture uniqueness by acknowledging individual awareness, system-oriented bias, and refining effective communication skill sets.

CJU 475   Ethical and Legal Dilemmas in the Criminal Justice System 4 credits

The course is designed to expose students to ethical and moral decisions within the Criminal Justice System, by examining the power in discretionary decisions influenced by individual attitudes, values, and beliefs. Further exploration involving concepts such as public service, authority, and power, discretion, law, individual liberty and punishment, bias and cynicism will be used to evaluate alternatives within the multi-systemic Criminal Justice System when solving dilemmas. This course prepares students to acquire skills in moral sensibility and to resolve these individual issues in discretionary decision making as it applies to professional codes of ethics and within the boundaries of the law.

CJU 478   Contemporary Issues in the Criminal Justice System 4 credits

The course is designed to afford students deeper focus on current and relevant topics and patterns in today’s Criminal Justice System while drawing upon constitutional and criminal law, spirituality, values, and ethics further building innovative problem-solving skill sets to address emerging public safety issues. Further exploration involving concepts such as individual and community behavior, multi-cultural aspects, use of force, suicide by cop, mental illness, body cameras, and the interworking of the multi-systemic Criminal Justice System. Additionally, students will further explore the evolution of the multi-systemic Criminal Justice System brought on by the war on terrorism, rapid technological changes, police accountability, accusations of racial profiling, and the redesign of community policing in the 21st century.

CJU 483   Exploring the Criminal Mind and Identifying Suspect Behavior 4 credits

The course explores the theories and research that define logical components and causes to the criminal mind, including mental health, brain structure and function, and environmental factors associated with identifying suspect behavior and exploring preventative and intervention strategies, and treatment modalities. Students will identify general theoretical frameworks to include Choice Theories, Psychological Theories, Sociological Theories, Life Course Theories, Criminology Theories as well as further examine how past and present understanding of the criminal’s behaviors has determined the contemporary responses in our society as well as the final treatment of offenders within the Criminal Justice System.

CJU 487   Delinquent and Criminal Behaviors Across the Life Course 4 credits

This course focuses on issues related to juvenile delinquency and justice, biological and psychological development including the impact adverse childhood experiences, risk/protective factors, criminal exposure, and criminal behavioral perspectives toward adult and elderly criminal behavior response through the lifespan. This course will also examine delinquent and criminal behaviors comparing foundational history, policies, and practices of the juvenile justice and adult criminal systems from prevention, arrest to post-incarceration, and rehabilitation, within the context of federal, state, county, local, tribal, and international components. As well as further analyze elements involving adversity, cultural aspects, victimization, environmental, data statistics and patterns, legal requirements, and community and societal reactions and perceptions of law violations and correctional practices.

CJU 490   Criminal Justice Portfolio 4 credits

This final course is designed to help learners reflect on all they have done during this degree program. Students will synthesize all they have learned. Preparation of a professional and educational portfolio or e-folio will cap the learning experience. Students will participate in group activities to provide closure to the program.

CJU 491   Forensic Exploration in the Criminal Justice System 4 credits

This course is designed as a systematic and comprehensive exploratory approach to the evolution of forensic science relative to crime scene management and various technology considerations in Criminal Justice Systems. Students will delve into practical application in a forensic investigation by utilizing foundational theoretical frameworks. Students will research and examine various technologies used in forensic investigation explore risks and vulnerabilities, and examine specialty cases, case law, and require record evaluations involving the evidentiary collection, preservation, analysis, as well as the admission of legal evidence in court. (The course maybe substituted for students who do not intend to take the POST Exam for Minnesota Law Enforcement Officers).

CJU 495   Criminal Justice Experiential Learning eFolio 4 credits

The Experiential Learning eFolio is an integral component to enhance a student’s total academic experience through a CJS field experience where students work/volunteer/shadow in a CJS setting, receiving academic credit for their work. Designed as a capstone eFolio model, students will institute a plan of observation, study, and participation in a CJS setting linking theoretical, conceptual, and practical experiences to examine, challenge, question, and broaden their educational experience. This course will further expose students an opportunity to formalize their career goals or aspire toward promotional opportunities within the field of practice.

CJU 498   Criminal Justice Internship 1-16 credits

CJU 500   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.

CJU 502   Correctional Design in a Changing World 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.

CJU 505   Reflective Adult Learner & Leadership 4 credits

The premise of this course is leaders must have an understanding of who they are and why they are here. Students will devote considerable time to self-examination and reflection to gain greater awareness and understanding of who they are, and how their life and professional experiences influence their paradigms and leadership qualities. There is an emphasis on attitude and emotional intelligence and how they influence leadership effectiveness and results.

CJU 520   Research Methods in Criminal Justice 4 credits

This course will provide an understanding of the dynamics of problem-solving with special attention to research methodologies which result in finding creative and productive solutions.

CJU 543   Contemporary Issues in Criminal Justice Leadership 4 credits

This course examines stress from a leadership perspective by 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.

CJU 545   Legal and Legislative Issues 4 credits

Those in leadership positions find themselves with a greater duty to recognize and respond to legal issues. This course examines how law defines policy in areas impacting the business of criminal justice, including due process, civil rights, equal protection, employment law, civil liability, and criminal procedure. In addition to identifying emerging law, this class addresses the political science of public policy at jurisdictional levels, including the United States Supreme Court.

CJU 570   Applied Ethics in Criminal Justice Leadership 4 credits

This course will review and analyze popular models of ethical decision making and problems criminal justice professionals face every day. Readings, case studies, and written assignments will provide opportunities to investigate current ethical issues facing criminal justice leaders and managers in organizational settings, as well as critically apply various ethical theories and decision-making frameworks. Discussions relative to Christian vocation, applied ethics, and value-centered leadership will be explored. Weekly written assignments will demonstrate the integration of a personal and vocation ethic.

CJU 584   Accessing Criminal Justice Resources 4 credits

This course familiarizes students with online academic and professional criminal justice leadership periodical indexes. Students will employ secondary research techniques in a criminal justice topic area of their choice. Students will evaluate and ethically report the body of research and informational landscape related to the topic in APA style. Students will learn to integrate knowledge navigation into academic, professional, and personal application. Students will also reflect on program objectives and personal learning and identify a direct link between the new knowledge they have acquired and their career field. Students will also begin steps to set up their final project (E-folio) due at the end of the master's program.

CJU 596   Criminal Justice Capstone 4 credits

The Capstone course is the concluding event of the program. This course assists students in synthesizing previous coursework and research leading to greater self-reflection, application to their career field, and an assessment of their learning throughout the duration of the program. The student will present and discuss the final M.A. Capstone E-folio.