Justice and Policy Studies Programs
Jerry Joplin, Associate Professor
Hollyce C. Gyles, Associate Professor
Laurin Flynn, Assistant Professor
Barbara Lawrence, Assistant Professor
Sanjay Marwah, Assistant Professor
William C. Pizio, Assistant Professor
Lois Fuchs, Visiting Instructor
The Department of Justice and Policy Studies offers two majors, community and justice studies and criminal justice. The community and justice studies major focuses on policies and strategies of public service organizations. Taking an applied interdisciplinary approach, the department works with other departments and many community groups. Criminal justice focuses on policies, history and problems of the American criminal justice system.
Both majors emphasize understanding public service organizations, problem-solving, values in public policies, civic activism, strategies for changing organizations and experiential learning and internships.
Both majors are intended for students planning careers or graduate study in public service. The Criminal justice major opens pathways to careers in many parts of the criminal justice system and related areas. Graduates of the community and justice studies major have pursued graduate study and careers in law, urban affairs, public administration and related vocations. Graduates have also undertaken careers in law enforcement, courts, corrections, juvenile justice as well as nonprofit community service organization focusing on mediation and conflict resolution, spouse and child abuse and similar callings. Many students look forward to civic activism, to influencing policy in their community and to supporting local communities.
Degrees Offered
The Bachelor of Science degree in community and justice studies and criminal justice.
Major Requirements: Criminal Justice Major
The major requires a minimum of 40 credit hours (10 courses).
| 1. JPS 101 Intro to Criminal Justice | 4 credits |
| 2. JPS 200 Criminal Procedure | 4 credits |
| 3. JPS 290 Internship | 4 credits |
| 4. JPS 339 Research Methods | 4 credits |
| 5. One course from: | 4 credits |
JPS 202 Law Enforcement and Police Roles |
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JPS 203 Punishment and Corrections |
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JPS 204 Courts: Prosecution and Trials |
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| 6. Two courses from: | 8 credits |
JPS 201 Criminal Law |
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JPS 202 Law Enforcement and Police Roles |
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JPS 203 Punishment and Corrections |
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JPS 204 Courts: Prosecution and Trials |
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JPS 205 Juvenile Justice and Delinquency |
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JPS 244 Conflict Resolution Strategies |
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JPS 250 Special Topic |
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| 8-9. Two JPS 300 or 400 level courses | 8 credits |
| 10. One course at the 400 level | 4 credits |
Total credit hours required for B.S. degree in criminal justice |
40 credits |
Major Requirements: Community and Justice Studies Major
The major consists of eight courses (32 credit hours), as specified below.
| 1. JPS 103 Community Problem Solving | 4 credits |
| 2. JPS 262 Restorative Justice | 4 credits |
| 3. JPS 310 Public Management and Organizational Theory | 4 credits |
| 4. JPS 339 Research Methods | 4 credits |
| 5. One course from: | 4 credits |
| JPS 205 Juvenile Justice and Delinquency | |
JPS 220 Community Building Fundamentals |
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JPS 244 Conflict Resolution Strategies |
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JPS 290 Internship |
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| 6. One course from: | 4 credits |
| JPS 301 Criminal Justice Policy and Practice | |
JPS 313 Law and Society |
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JPS 365 Race in Criminal Justice |
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JPS 424 Trust and Violence |
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JPS 425 Family Violence |
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JPS 439 Understanding Oppressive Systems |
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JPS 440 Counseling |
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| 7. One course from: | 4 credits |
| JPS 205 Juvenile Justice and Delinquency | |
| JPS 220 Community Building Fundamentals | |
| JPS 244 Conflict Resolution Strategies | |
| JPS 290 or Internship | |
| JPS 301 Criminal Justice Policy and Practice | |
JPS 313 Law and Society |
|
| JPS 365 Race in Criminal Justice | |
| JPS 424 Trust and Violence | |
| JPS 425 Family Violence | |
| JPS 439 Understanding Oppressive Systems | |
| JPS 440 Counseling | |
8. JPS 447 Basic Group Facilitation (Available only to juniors and seniors completing their major.) |
|
Total credit hours required for B.S. degree in community and justice studies |
32 credits |