Criminal Justice (CJU)

CJU 242 Foundations of the Criminal Justice System 3 credits

This course provides an introduction to the criminal justice system and criminology. Emphasis is placed on understanding the adjudication, corrections, and law enforcement systems. Students will explore crime, theories, terminology, functions, and relevant topics.

CJU 256 Building an Integrated Criminal Justice System 3 credits

This course explores the roles and organization of the various components within the criminal justice system. Students will gain insights into interagency collaboration and discuss interrelated problems. The course enhances skills in organizational collaboration to address change. (Prerequisite: CJU 242)

CJU 372 Cultural Considerations in Criminal Justice Systems 3 credits

This course examines the balance between the community and the criminal justice system, focusing on related cross-cultural issues and diverse populations. Students will develop skills to manage diverse challenges, emphasize cultural awareness, understand system biases, and develop effective communication. Students will explore strategies to build and maintain trust. (Prerequisite(s): CJU 242; Strongly recommended sophomore standing or higher)

CJU 375 Ethical Dilemmas and Fundamental Leadership in the Criminal Justice System 3 credits

This course explores ethical issues in the criminal justice system. Students will evaluate ethical decision-making, focusing on the influence of individual values, attitudes, and beliefs. Students will discuss various practices within ethical frameworks and perspectives. (Prerequisite(s): CJU 242; Strongly recommended sophomore standing or higher)

CJU 378 Contemporary Issues in the Criminal Justice System 3 credits

This course discusses trending topics in the criminal justice system. Students will explore historical and contemporary practices and strategies for addressing issues. Students will get an opportunity to explore a variety of local, national, and international criminal justice examples. (Prerequisite(s): CJU 242; Strongly recommended sophomore standing or higher)

CJU 391 Forensic Exploration in the Criminal Justice System 3 credits

This course explores forensic science in crime scene management and technology within the criminal justice system. Students will gain insight into forensic investigations, examine technologies, assess risks and vulnerabilities, and analyze evidence collection, preservation, analysis, and courtroom admissibility. (Prerequisite(s): CJU 242; Strongly recommended sophomore standing or higher)

CJU 448 Exploring the Criminal Mind and Identifying Suspect Behavior 3 credits

This course examines the theories, concepts, and research behind criminal behavior and crime commission. Students will explore theoretical frameworks and analyze how they shape understanding of and responses to criminal behavior and offenders in the criminal justice system. (Prerequisite(s): CJU 242; Strongly recommended sophomore standing or higher)

CJU 457 Juvenile Justice 3 credits

This course explores juvenile delinquency and justice. Students will explore the juvenile justice system and compare juvenile and adult criminal justice policies and practices. The course will analyze risk factors and theories that seek to explain crime and delinquency. (Prerequisite(s): CJU 242; Strongly recommended sophomore standing or higher)

CJU 462 Constitutional and Criminal Law and Justice 3 credits

This course explores criminal, constitutional, and civil law within the criminal justice system. Students will review the different types of crimes defined in criminal law, criminal defenses, liability, classification of crimes, and criminal punishments. (Prerequisite(s): CJU 242; Strongly recommended sophomore standing or higher)

CJU 473 Minnesota State Criminal Law and Traffic Codes 3 credits

This course covers the Minnesota criminal code, juvenile offenses, traffic laws, and peace officer rights. Students will interpret and apply various Minnesota laws. This course is particularly applicable to students preparing for the MN POST Exam for law enforcement licensure. (Prerequisite(s): CJU 242; Strongly recommended sophomore standing or higher)

CJU 495 Criminal Justice Experiential Learning eFolio 4 credits

Experiential Learning eFolio is an integral component to enhance a student’s total academic experience through a "field apprentice" in a Criminal Justice System setting, receiving academic credit for their work. Designed as a capstone eFolio model used throughout their academic criminal justice program journey, students will institute a plan of observation, study, and participation in a Criminal Justice System 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. (Prerequisites: CJU 442, CJU 446, CJU 456, CJU 461, CJU 472, CJU 498, CJU 475, CJU 483, CJU 487, CJU 491 or CJU 405)

CJU 498 Internship/Capstone 1-16 credits

This course is the culminating application in the major linking theoretical, conceptual, and practical experiences to formalize understandings and career goals. Students will complete one or more of the following: Internship, Portfolio, or Capstone Project. (Prerequisite: CJU 242; sophomore, junior, or senior standing)

CJU 521 Emotionally Intelligent Authentic Leadership 3 credits

This course will explore the intersection of emotional intelligence and authentic leadership, examining how these concepts relate to personal and professional experiences and shape leadership paradigms. Through self-reflection, students will become more aware of their identities, values, and leadership styles to assess how their life experiences and personal narratives shape their leadership paradigms.

CJU 528 Research Methods in Criminal Justice 3 credits

This course is designed to familiarize students with the scope, function of information, and the research process within professional multi-systemic criminal justice leadership. Students will be provided with fundamental concepts and methods in the research literature, building skillsets in consuming literature by critically evaluating and reporting the body of research and statistics on issues related to multi-systemic criminal justice leadership. Critical problem-solving serves as a primary function in further shaping ideas, developing strategies, and effectively communicating solutions and change within the discipline. 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.

CJU 532 Organizational Leadership in Criminal Justice 3 credits

This course explores the concepts, principles, and analytical tools necessary to lead multi-systemic criminal justice agencies effectively. Students will examine the critical application of strategic management skills in ever-changing operational environments, under intensive scrutiny by the public and media and limited by legal and political constraints. Students will develop the skills to lead effectively in complex criminal justice environments, enhancing their ability to drive positive change and achieve organizational success through robust financial management practices.

CJU 536 Legal and Legislative Issues in Criminal Justice 3 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 547 Correctional Design in a Changing World 3 credits

This course examines the philosophies, roles, and designs in evolving correctional practices being employed through the 21st century. This will entail exploring the challenge of instilling a cultural shift within the vocation from that of containment and surveillance to one of change agent. Students will be exposed to the most current research and trends while exploring the evolution of Correctional thinking from the now infamous 1974 proclamation that "Nothing Works" to the era of Evidence Based Practices. This will involve not only a thorough look at why individuals enter into and persist in a life of criminality and delinquency, but also why those individuals desist from the lifestyle. 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 556 Applied Ethics in Criminal Justice Leadership 3 credits

This course will review and analyze popular models and real-life examples of ethical decision making criminal justice professionals often encounter and how outcomes can impact entire organizations. Students will be exposed to research, trends, and case studies, providing 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, policy development and implementation, as well as value-centered leadership will be explored. A variety of practical application based assignments will demonstrate the integration of a personal and vocation ethic.

CJU 562 Contemporary Issues in Criminal Justice Leadership 3 credits

This course is designed to help students identify their own beliefs about the people they work with or who work for them, as well as to focus on the importance of understanding self/others as an integral part of any organizational change. We will examine the needs of people, responses of managers, the importance of how to discipline, alternatives to discipline, and how to work with troubled employees. Furthermore, 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 573 Community Relations and Public Engagement in Criminal Justice 3 credits

This course explores the principles and practices of community relations and public engagement within the context of criminal justice leadership. Emphasizing the importance of transparency and collaboration, students will develop essential skills to build public trust through community policing, effective media relations, and crisis communication. Through the analysis of case studies and practical exercises, students will learn to create and implement strategies for engaging with diverse communities and fostering collaboration between criminal justice and the public.

CJU 578 Criminal Justice Leadership: Essential Skills 3 credits

In this course, students will develop leadership vision and adaptive solutions, as well as build confidence as active change agents in the multi-systemic criminal justice system. The course will focus on the complex dynamics of criminal justice, including organizational, cultural, socioeconomic, and political influences. Students will explore such policies as financial forecasting, risk decisions under conditions of uncertainty, and vulnerability in managing exposure risks that further impact leadership decision-making. Students will engage in practical, scenario-based learning and develop the best-practice creative problem-solving tactics, techniques, and enhancing the skills needed to be effective leaders in criminal justice.

CJU 593 Criminal Justice Capstone 3 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. At the completion of their Capstone course students will be required to complete a comprehensive Capstone project.

CJU 596 Criminal Justice Capstone 4 credits