Justice and Policy Studies Programs
Jerry Joplin, Associate Professor, Chair
Barton Parks, Professor
Hollyce C. Gyles, Associate Professor
Laurin Flynn, Assistant Professor
Barbara Lawrence, Assistant Professor
Sanjay Marwah, Assistant Professor
William C. Pizio, Assistant Professor
John Motsinger, Visiting Assistant Professor
Lois Fuchs, Visiting Instructor
The Justice and Policy Studies Department 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 & 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 is offered to all students.
Major Requirements: Criminal Justice Major
The major consists of ten courses (40 credit hours) that fulfill five departmental requirements, as specified below.
- Four required basic courses:
- JPS 101: Introduction to Criminal Justice
- JPS 200: Criminal Procedure
- JPS 290: Internship
- JPS 339: Research Methods
- One from the following component courses:
- JPS 202: Law Enforcement and Police Roles
- JPS 203: Punishment and Corrections
- JPS 204: Courts: Prosecution and Trial
- Two courses from the following:
- JPS 201: Criminal law
- JPS 202: Law Enforcement and Police Roles
- JPS 203: Punishment and Corrections
- JPS 204: Courts: Prosecution and Trial
- JPS 205: Juvenile Justice and Delinquency
- JPS 244: Conflict Resolution Strategies
- JPS 250: Special Topics in Criminal Justice
- JPS 270: Interpersonal Communication
- Two additional upper-division courses, designation of 300 or 400.
- At least one additional course with a designation of 400 or higher. These are the most developed and sophisticated courses offered in the Ciminal Justice major. Students are encouraged to take as many of these courses as their schedule allows.
Major Requirements: Community and Justice Studies Major
The major consists of eight courses (32 credit hours), as specified below.
- Four basic required courses:
- JPS 103: Community Problem Solving
- JPS 262: Restorative Justice
- JPS 310: Public Management and Organizational Theory
- JPS 339: Research Methods
- Choose three from the following group—at least one at the 200 level, at least one at the 300 or 400 level, and one more of your choice:
- JPS 205: Juvenile Justice and Delinquency
- JPS 220: Community Building
- JPS 244: Conflict Resolution Fundamentals
- JPS 290: Internship (strongly recommended)
- 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
- All majors take the following capstone course:
- JPS 447: Basic Group Facilitation (Available only to juniors and seniors completing their major.)