Office of the Provost
Vice President for Academic . 11000 University Parkway Pensacola, FL 32514-5750
The School of Justice Studies and Social Work in the College of Professional Studies has submitted a Request to Explore and Plan a New Academic Program for an M.S. in
Criminal Justice. According to our procedures for approval of new programs, the initiating unit does not submit a new program CCR until the unit is ready to submit the Request to Implement a New Degree Program. The Request to Explore and Plan a New Academic Program is usually submitted to the Provost who in turns requests review by the Faculty Senate prior to its submission to the Academic and Student Affairs
Committee of the Board of Trustees.
Attached herewith is the Request to Explore and Plan for the M.S. in Criminal Justice for review by the Faculty Senate. After approval by the Faculty Senate, please return the executed document to the Provost's Office for further approval.
Attachment
Pho", 850.474.2035 Fax 850.47
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Web uwf.edu
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MEMORANDUM September 23,2008
To: Richie Platt
President, Faculty
From: Chula King /J 1
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Provost ~ -0
Subject: Request to Explore and Plan a New Academic Program Master of Science in Criminal Justice
Don Chu, Dean, College of Professional Studies
Glenn Rohrer, Director, School of Justice Studies and Social Work John Smykla, Professor, School of Justice Studies and Social Work
Mathew Crow, Assistant Professor, School of Justice Studies and Social Work cc:
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Senate
University of
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West Florida
September 15, 2008
(hula King, Provost To:
CC: Glenn Rohrer, Director, School of Justice Studies and Social Work
Don Chu, Dean, College of Professional Studies
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Request to Explore and Plan a New Academic Program
From:
RE:
Please accept the enclosed "Request to Explore and Plan a New Academic Program" proposal from the
School of Justice Studies and Social Work. This proposal is the result of the good work of the faculty and administration of the Criminal Justice and legal Studies faculty and has my full approval. From a review of the proposal you will see that the proposed M.S. degree will be offered with the current complement of our faculty and will not require additional university resources.
Please feel free to inquire should further information be required.
~
College of Professional Studie! Dean s Office
11000 University Parkway
Pensacola, FL 32514-5753
Phon. 850.474.2769 Fax 850.474.3
W.b uwf.edu
M Equal Oppommlty/Equai Ace." Instltu';on
Donald Chu
John Smykla
Thursday, September 11, 200810:15 AM Donald Chu; Glenn Rohrer; Matthew Crow Lauretta Cihota; Carl Backman
Revised document "Request to Explore..."
Memo to Don Chu.doc; 9-11-08 Revised Request to Explore docx
From: Sent: To: Cc: Subject: Attachments:
Don, Glenn and Matt,
I spoke with Carl Backman this morning. He guided me through the changes in the document "Request to Explore and Plan an New Academic Program." The revised document and cover memo to Dean Chu from me via Glenn with copy to Matt is attached.
I am asking Laurie to print the memo to Dean Chu on letterhead and obtain signatures from Glenn and Matt on the last page of the revised document. Matt's signature line was not on
the earlier template. Carl believes it is a good idea to include Matt's signature as progra
coordinator.
Laurie, after obtaining signatures from Glenn and Matt please give the memo and document to Dean Chu.
Don, your signature and the signature from the College Curriculum representative are needed. Carl asked that you then compose your own cover memorandum, attach it to the document, and send it to Provost King. She will submit it to the Faculty Senate. She will present it to the BOT meeting in December.
John
P.S. Glenn, I explained your leadership role to Carl. Since the School does not yet have a name, Carl said it is OK to submit like this. The forms that are due in February (CCR to delete the CJ specialization from the MSA, CCR for a new degree, and CCR for at least one ne course) will then carry your new title and School name.
John Ortiz Smykla, Ph.D.
Professor
Department of Criminal Justice and
32514
850-473-7377
Legal Studies University of West Florida Pensacola, FL
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MEMORANDUM
TO: Dean Don Chu
FROM: John Ortiz Smykla Professor
VIA: Glenn Rohrer, Director f?J.
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School of Justice Studies and Social Work DATE: September 11,2008
RE: Request to Explore and Plan a New Academic Program
Based on my conversation with Dr. Carl Backman in the Provost's Office, the document "Request to Explore and Plan a New Academic Program" which was sent to you on August 28, 2008 has been revised. The revised document is attached for your review. Our purpose in deleting the online criminal justice specialty in the Master of Science in Administration (M.S.A.) and our plan to offer a Master of Science (M.S.) utilizing multiple course delivery formats (face-to-face, online, blended, evening and weekend) is threefold.
First, we are proposing a graduate curriculum that conforms to the standards governing graduate program structure and curriculum set forth by the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences (ACJS).
Second, after implementation of the M.S. we plan to apply to ACJS for graduate program certification.
And third, multiple course delivery formats (face-to-face, online, blended, evening and weekend) will reach out to the diversity of learning styles in our graduate student body. c: Dr. Matthew Crow
Phone 850.474.2336 F~ 850.474.233
Web uwf.edu/justice
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Un;versity of
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West Florida
MEMORANDUM
TO: Dean Don Chu
FROM: John Ortiz Smykla Professor
VIA: Glenn Rohrer, Director f?J.
t.
School of Justice Studies and Social Work DATE: September 11,2008
RE: Request to Explore and Plan a New Academic Program
Based on my conversation with Dr. Carl Backman in the Provost's Office, the documt "Request to Explore and Plan a New Academic Program" which was sent to you on August 28, 2008 has been revised. The revised document is attached for your review.
Second, after implementation of the M.S. we plan to apply to ACJS for graduate program certification.
Request to Explore and Plan a New Academic Program Template Name of the proposed program: Master of Science (M.S.), Criminal Justice level and degree name: Graduate, Master of Science (M.S.), Criminal Justice Proposed CIP code: 43.0104
Offering department: Criminal Justice Contact person: John Smykla, Professor
Telephone: 850.474.7377 E-mail: [email protected]:
Offering college: College of Professional Studies Proposed implementation date: Fall 2010
Description of the proposed proQram inciudinQ principal student learninQ outcomes: The Department of Criminal Justice and Legal Studies is one of seven departments in the College of Professional Studies. It is a relatively large department with over 400 undergraduate majors and 30 master's degree students. Criminal Justice
Administration is one of eleven specialties in the online Master of Science in Administration (M.S.A.) degree.
In fall 2008, the department implemented a fast track bachelor's to master's degree program to attract the "best of the brightest" undergraduate students with an overall GPA greater than 3.5 into the master's program. Two undergraduate students entered the fast track program in fall 2008.
In addition, expedited admission into the master's program is a vehicle for application for undergraduate students who graduated UWF with an overall GPA greater than 3.0.
The Department of Criminal Justice and Legal Studies is requesting approval to (1) delete its specialty in the M.S.A. and (2) replace it with a Master of Science (M.S.) degree using face-to-face, online, blended, evening and weekend course delivery formats.
The purpose in moving from the M.S.A. to the M.A. is threefold. First, we propose a graduate curriculum that conforms to the standards governing graduate program
structure and curriculum set forth by the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences (ACJS). Second, after implementation of the M.S. we plan to apply to ACJS for graduate
program certification. And third, multiple course delivery formats (face-to-face, online, blended, evening and weekend) will reach out to the diversity of learning styles in our graduate student body.
The University of West Florida Division of Academic Affairs
The Master of Science (M.S.) in Criminal Justice will provide a well-rounded program of study focused on preparing students for myriad careers in criminal justice, advancement within current agencies, researcher and analyst positions, teaching opportunities, and advanced graduate education. The recent and sustained expansion of the criminal justice system combined with the public's interest in issues of crime and justice provide ample opportunities for diverse employment opportunities for students completing this program. The program will concentrate on imparting students with a foundation in theory, research, analysis, and administration while also enabling students to shape their educational experience to best fit their needs.
There are two tracks within the proposed program: a coursework only option and an area research paper option. Each track requires a minimum of 33 credit hours. There are also three optional specializations that students can choose from: Social Work; Public Administration; and Education. CCRs for a fourth specialization, Legal Studies, are currently under review.
Principal Student Learning Outcomes:
Upon completion of the program, graduates will be able to: Content
.
Identify and describe various theoretical explanations of crime and delinquency.
Identify and discuss theoretical explanations of criminal justice.
Articulate the challenges faced by various criminal justice agencies.
Describe different methods for conducting research in criminal justice Critical Thinking.
Analyze and critique the operation, functions, and methods of the criminal justice system and its components. Analyze and interpret quantitative and qualitative data pertinent to the criminal justice system
. Compare, contrast, and evaluate criminal justice administrative and management strategies and tactics
. Explain historical and contemporary controversies and developments in criminal justice
.
Outline racial, ethnic, and gender issues in criminal justice lunicationWrite logical, articulate, and structurally sound papers
Report findings from criminal justice and criminological research and literature
c
IntegrityNalues
.
Uphold e"
. Describe
Uphold ethical standards of criminal justice research and practice Describe and evaluate ethnical controversies in criminal justice
Project Management
. Design and implement research strategies to examine issues in crime and the criminal justice
. Hypothesize relationships among various factors in crime and criminal justice Rationale for the proposed proqram includinq identification of the relationship of the proqram to priorities established by the Board of Governors. the University. and the Colleqe and justification of the proqram in relation to supply and demand for qraduates from the proposed proqram:
The proposed Master of Science in criminal justice degree was included in the
2007-2008 annual report submitted by the College of Professional Studies and the University of West Florida.
The strategic planning process of the Department of Criminal Justice and Legal Studies has determined the need to improve the quality of criminal justice graduate education by deleting the criminal justice specialty in the online Master of Science in Administration degree and adding a Master of Science degree.
The Master of Science in Criminal Justice will utilize multiple course delivery formats (face-to-face, online, blended, evening and weekend) thereby reaching out to the learning styles of our graduate student population.
The curriculum we propose for the Master of Science will conform to the standards governing graduate program structure and curriculum set forth by the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences (ACJS) thereby allowing us to seek future graduate program certification from ACJS.
Encouragement and support for these changes have been voiced by former and present graduate students, professional practitioners, and an external reviewer.
More on the relation to supply and demand for graduates from the proposed program is discussed below under "impact on students."
Statutory and other external requirements
Common prerequisites (bachelor's degree programs only): N/A Credits to degree limits (bachelor's degree programs only): N/A
Limited access status (if relevant; bachelor's degree programs only): N/A
Relationship to licensure/certification in the field: There are no individual licenses or certifications required in the field of criminal justice.
Anticipated impact of the proposed proqram on each of the followinq
Students: The faculty surveyed graduates of the MSA and those currently enrolled. Over 80 percent said they would be very or somewhat likely to enroll in the MS with a mixed course delivery system (face-to-face, online, blended, evening and weekend). Furthermore, at a time in the future when the
Department applies to ACJS for certification of its undergraduate and graduate programs, the new MS curriculum will already be in compliance with the
To date, 80 percent of our graduate students live within a gO-mile radius of the Pensacola campus and gO percent live within a 150-mile radius. Multiple course delivery formats (face-to-face, online, blended, evening and weekend) will still allow us to serve students living in these areas and reach out to the diversity of learning styles in our graduate student body. We project no negative impact on the population we are serving.
The proposed Master of Science will build on other strengths of the College of Professional Studies by offering concentrations in social work, public
administration, education and legal studies, thereby aligning itself more closely with the UWF mission of becoming be the best regional comprehensive
university in America.
Faculty: In fall 2008, the Department of Criminal Justice and Legal Studies hired a new full-time faculty member (Dr. Chang-Bae Lee) to teach in the criminal justice program. In addition, in fall 2008, Dr. John Smykla resigned the department chairship. Those changes will yield a maximum of an additional twelve FTE courses per year in addition to those taught by four other full-time faculty members. That complement of faculty is sufficient to initiate and sustain the proposed MS based on projected enrollments.
Staff: The present complement of staff that sustains the MSA specialization in criminal justice is sufficient to initiate and sustain the proposed MS based on projected enrollments.
Budqet: No new budget is needed to support the MS. The budget that currently supports the MSA specialization in criminal justice will be redirected to the MS. Space: The Department has access to sufficient classroom space in Pensacola and Ft. Walton Beach for face-to-face, blended, evening, and weekend course delivery formats. Faculty teach online from their campus or home offices. Library and other learninq resources: Library and other learning resources that support the MSA in criminal justice are sufficient and will be redirected to the MS.
Accreditation: No accreditation is involved. However, sometime in the next few years the Department may wish to apply to ACJS to certify its undergraduate and graduate programs. The new MS curriculum will already be in compliance with the standard governing graduate program structure and curriculum.
Related proQrams: In the document "Criteria for New Degree Program
Authorizations, criterion #10 states, "The proposed program relates to specific institutional strengths such as programs of distinction, other academic programs, and/or institutes and centers."
One of the strengths of the MS is it offers students the opportunity to select one of three areas of specialization that currently exist in the College of Professional
~-.
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Studies (social work, education, public administration). area of specialization in legal studies are under review.
Other related information:
Request to Explore and Plan for a New Degree Program-Approval Signatures
Prog ram Coord inator:
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Program Chairperson: .
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Faculty Senate: Date:
Provost: Date:
President: Date:
Board of Trustees,
A&SA Committee: Date:
CCRs to develop a fourth
