UHD 2000/2001 Catalog UHD Catalog Home | Academic Programs | College of Humanities and Social Sciences | Department of Criminal Justice Table of Contents | Previous Section | Next Section | Index | How to Use the Online Catalog DEPARTMENT OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE Bachelor of Science Major in Criminal Justice Master of Science Major in Criminal Justice 28 DEPARTMENT OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE Belth Pelz, PhD, Chair Room 1001-South, 713-221-8943 Faculty Associate Professor: Belbot, Pelz Assistant Professors: Engram, Glazier, Kellar, Long, Walsh Instructor: Phelan Lecturer: Jakovick Programs of Study Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice Master of Science in Criminal Justice Mission and Objectives The mission of the Department of Criminal Justice is to develop and sustain a Criminal Justice program that reflects a cooperative relationship between the University of Houston-Downtown and the community. The Department is committed to providing quality academic preparation that is designed to extend the knowledge and intellectual maturity of its students. In addition, we strive to influence the quality and nature of research in the field and to serve the community by influencing the development of programming and public policy in the area of criminal justice. The educational philosophy of the Department emphasizes an integration of intellectual growth and skill development in the preparation of our majors. The Criminal Justice program is designed to combine the applied aspects of the field with the theoretical components necessary for the development of sound, testable programming and public policy. This includes demonstrated competency in criminological, methodological and administrative theory as well as analytical and technical skills. Students are expected to analyze, question, reconsider and synthesize old and new knowledge and skills. We believe our responsibility to our students extends beyond course work to include providing research, internship, mentoring and networking opportunities that will enable them to better succeed in their pursuit of careers in the field of Criminal Justice. Sustained interaction with the professional community and representative of the community at large assists us in achieving this goal. Honor Societies Alpha Phi Sigma-National Criminal Justice Honorary Pi Gamma Mu-International Social Sciences Honorary Social Association Lambda Alpha Epsilon 29 Bachelor of Science Major in Criminal Justice Robert Walsh, MS, Coordinator Room 1001-South, 713-221-8501 Course work leading to this baccalaureate degree will provide the student with strong communication and analytical skills. This is accomplished (1) through a comprehensive and extensive set of general education requirements; (2) through a critical and in-depth interdisciplinary analysis of the causes of crime, the definition and measurement of crime and society’s formal and informal efforts at preventing and controlling crime; and (3) by treatment of the field of criminal justice as an applied science where the student is taught to integrate theory construction, empirical validation and practical application. Degree Requirements The criminal justice major requires a minimum of 123 hours. At least 25 percent of the semester credit hours must be earned through instruction offered by UH-Downtown. Twenty-four hours of criminal justice must be at the upper level, and 24 hours must be completed as course work at UH-Downtown. The last 30 of the total hours and 18 of the upper-level hours toward the degree must be successfully completed in residence at UH-Downtown. The degree requires a minimum of 36 upper-level hours. An overall minimum grade point average of 2.0 at UH-Downtown is required for graduation, and a minimum average of 2.0 must be maintained in the upper-level hours in the major. Common Core Requirements (42 hours) See listing under General Education Requirements in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences. General Education Requirements (9–12 hours) Specific General Education Application and Enhancement Requirements for the Criminal Justice degree are: Writing Skills (3 hours) ENG 3302 Business and Technical Report Writing or ENG 3308 Legal Writing Nonverbal Analytical Skills (3 hours) SOS 3312 Statistics in the Social Sciences Ethics and Morality (3 hours) CJ 3311 Ethics of Social Control or PHIL 3301 Moral Issues, Personal and Professional World Community (3 hours) One course which addresses topics beyond American society. Consult a degree advisor for specific courses which complement this degree. Courses commonly used to fulfill this requirement in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences include courses in geography, foreign languages and literatures, and history, political science and humanities courses which focus on other cultures. This requirement may be fulfilled through elective hours or in some other course applied to the degree. Criminal Justice Core (15 hours) CJ 1301 Crime, Law and Society CJ 2301 The Police System CJ 2302 The Criminal Court System CJ 2303 The Correctional System CJ 3300 Criminal Justice Methods CJ 3301 Criminology Criminal Justice Electives (27 hours) Chosen from among criminal justice courses not applied to the criminal justice core. At least 21 hours must be at the upper level. Supplemental Concentration (12 hours) Students must select 12 hours of non-criminal justice course work of which nine hours must be 3000–4000 level courses which will supplement their chosen area of specialization within criminal justice. The courses must be approved by a faculty advisor. Electives (12–15 hours) From any department at any level, with the following restrictions: Developmental courses (ENG 1300, MATH 0300, MATH 1300 and RDG 1300) may not apply to graduation requirements. No more than 25 percent of the hours presented for graduation may be credits in business. Electives are an important part of the degree program and should be selected in consultation with an academic advisor. (If the world community requirement is fulfilled by any course that meets another degree requirement, the total of elective hours is 15.) Minor in Criminal Justice (18 hours minimum) CJ 1301 Crime, Law and Society CJ 2301 The Police System CJ 2302 The Criminal Court System CJ 2303 The Correctional System CJ 3301 Criminology and 3 hours of upper-level criminal justice courses Academy Credit Students who complete the UHD Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Education (TCLEOSE) Basic Peace Officer’s Academy and pass the licensing exam can apply for advanced placement for CJ 2301 (Police Systems) and CJ 2302 (Criminal Courts) by paying an administrative fee of $15. Students must be enrolled at UHD in order to receive credit and may not receive credit for classes in which they are currently enrolled or for which they have already received credit. No other criminal justice classes may be substituted. No grade is awarded for credit obtained in this matter. No other academy credit will be accepted. Master of Science Major in Criminal Justice Barbara Belbot, JD, PhD, Coordinator Room 1986-South, 713-221-8983 The degree is designed to prepare graduate students to provide leadership, critical thinking and knowledge in the areas of criminological theory, program evaluation and criminal justice administration. The curriculum provides for the development of skills in criminal justice planning, implementation and evaluation to ensure that the management and administration of the criminal justice system is effective, efficient and responsive to the needs of the community. 30 The degree is particularly beneficial for students: Already working in a criminal justice occupation who wish to increase their professional knowledge and skills or seeking employment in a criminal justice agency. who have an interest in teaching at the junior college level who wish to pursue a doctoral degree Degree Requirements A minimum of 36 semester hours for either thesis or non-thesis options; both thesis and non-thesis options require completion of the following core for a total of 18 hours. CJ 6310 Issues in Criminal Justice CJ 6320 Research Design and Methods CJ 6321 Quantitative Analysis in Criminal Justice CJ 6330 Advanced Criminology CJ 6340 Administration in Criminal Justice CJ 6350 Criminal Justice Policy Analysis A minimum GPA of 3.0 for all coursework Thesis Option In addition to the common core, thesis option candidates are required to complete 12 hours of electives, 3 hours of Thesis Practicum and 3 hours of Thesis. Thesis option candidates will be required to take and pass a comprehensive written examination, encompassing material covered in the following core courses: 6310; 6320; 6330; and 6350. The purpose of these examinations is to provide a structured situation in which the candidate can demonstrate proficiency in various areas of study. Non-Thesis Option In addition to the common core, non-thesis option candidates are required to complete 12 hours of electives and the following designated courses (6 hours): CJ 6355 Program Analysis CJ 6365 Communication & Technology in Criminal Justice Non-thesis option candidates will be required to take and pass a comprehensive examination, encompassing materials covered in all six core curriculum courses. The purpose of these examinations is to provide a structured situation in which the candidate can demonstrate proficiency in various areas of study. Admissions Standards Admission is competitive and selective, and is designed to identify those applicants who have the ability, interest and qualities necessary to successfully complete the program and the potential to contribute to the field of criminal justice. To be eligible, an applicant should have the following: Baccalaureate degree or minor in criminal justice, or a degree in a related field from an accredited university. Applicants without a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice will be required to complete additional preparatory coursework as a condition of admission to the program. Minimum GPA (grade point average): 3.0 for the final 60 semester hours of undergraduate study. Graduate Record Examination scores (GRE): verbal and quantitative GRE scores are examined separately and evaluated as one information source in the total application. Three letters of recommendation from individuals acquainted with the applicant’s academic work and potential. Graduates of universities where English is not the native language; minimum score 550 with section scores 50 or higher for the TOEFL (Test for English as a Foreign Language). Any student accepted into the MS program may be required to take remedial coursework in Criminal Justice. Training Division Rex White, Director 122-North, 713-221-8690 The University of Houston-Downtown has one of the largest criminal justice training centers in Texas. The mission of the Criminal Justice Center is to provide quality adult education to people desiring to enter public and private sector criminal justice professions and continuing education to criminal justice practitioners. In addition, students, faculty and staff of the center donate thousands of hours annually to activities leading to the improvement of the criminal justice professions and the community at large. The center has conducted more than 100 police academy classes, trained more than 15,000 students for the criminal justice professions, and won regional and national awards for excellence. Its location near the Harris County courthouse and criminal justice complex makes it an ideal training site. Law Enforcement Training Program Entry-level training for prospective police officers is provided by the center’s Police Academy. The academy is certified by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Officer Standards and Education (TCLEOSE) and is approved for veterans benefits through the Texas Education Agency. Between 40 to 50 specialized and advanced courses are offered annually for police officers and other public sector practitioners. Basic and advanced management training ranging from one to 14 weeks in length is provided through the Police Management Institute. Texas Department of Criminal Justice—Institutional Division Officer Training The Pre-Service Academy for the Texas Department of Criminal Justice Institutional Division is a minimum 160 hour certification program, to train entry personnel as Correctional Officers for the T.D.C.J.–I.D. Once the academy is completed the graduates are offered paid positions within the Texas Prison system throughout Texas. Specialized Certification Courses and Seminars Specialized training and certification opportunities are provided through unique seminars and courses. In cooperation with the International Foundation for Protection Officers, the center co-sponsors the Certified Protection Officer Program. In cooperation with the Houston Police Department and the Houston Chapter of the American Society for Industrial Security, it co-hosts an annual Joint Professional Development Conference. Certification courses are available in such diverse areas as arson investigation, investigative hypnosis, emergency medical care and technician training, and management.