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GRADUATE COUNCIL NEW PROGRAM PROPOSAL ORIGINATING UNIT: Criminal Justice
TYPE OF ACTION:
__________ New course ____X____ New program
Semester and year course/program will take effect: Summer/Fall 2013
NEW COURSE or PROGRAM TITLE: Master of Science in Criminal Justice & Criminology
(M.S. Criminal Justice & Criminology)
Appropriate computer abbreviation (30 spaces or less):
New course number:
Prerequisites for new course:
DESCRIPTION OF NEW PROGRAM (catalog copy): Please refer to catalog copy attachment
SUPPORTING EVIDENCE OR JUSTIFICATION (For a new course, attach a copy of course objectives, course outline, representative bibliography and proposed syllabus. For a new program attach a statement of the mission and objectives of the new program):
Describe the intended outcomes of the course or program and how they will be assessed. Program-Level Learning Outcomes
1. Students will be able to write analytically in the style and quality that meet publication standards for research writing in criminology and the social sciences.
a. Courses:
i. CRJU 61123 Criminal Justice Systems
ii. CRJU 61133 Advanced Social Science Research Methodology iii. CRJU 61293 White-Collar Crime
iv. CRJU 61283 Research Writing v. CRJU 70980 Thesis (thesis track) vi. CRJU 70990 Thesis (thesis track)
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viii. CRJU 61393 Applied Research & Policy 2 (non-thesis track)
b. Students will write analytic research papers using APA format consistent with scholarly publications in the social sciences.
c. A master’s thesis written as publication-quality.
2. Students will be able to recognize, articulate, and apply fundamental theoretical paradigms towards empirical ideas.
a. Courses:
i. CRJU 61183 Advanced Criminological Theory ii. CRJU 61293 White-Collar Crime
iii. CRJU 70980 Thesis (thesis track) iv. CRJU 70990 Thesis (thesis track)
v. CRJU 61193 Applied Research & Policy 1 (non-thesis track) vi. CRJU 61393 Applied Research & Policy 2 (non-thesis track)
b. Students will be given writing assignments where empirical articles, policies, and theoretical concepts will be explained and analyzed.
c. Students will be assessed on active threaded discussions where various topics will be discussed.
3. Students will be able to demonstrate advanced critical thought by way of identifying and assessing dominant criticisms in criminal justice and criminological works and policy discourse.
a. Courses:
i. CRJU 61113 Introduction to Online Learning and Critical Thought ii. CRJU 61253 Policing
iii. CRJU 61273 Corrections and Reentry
iv. CRJU 61193 Applied Research & Policy 1 (non-thesis track) v. CRJU 61393 Applied Research & Policy 2 (non-thesis track)
b. Students will be given writing assignments in which empirical articles, policies, and theoretical concepts will be explained and analyzed.
c. Students will be assessed on active threaded discussions where various topics will be discussed.
4. Students will be able to demonstrate statistical competency in the social sciences by understanding statistical methods, perform statistical tests, and assess and critique statistical analyses.
a. Course:
i. CRJU 61143 Social Science Statistics and Probability b. Students will be tested in timed exams.
c. Students will be gauged on active threaded and live discussions.
d. Students will take quizzes and answer questions embedded within learning content.
e. Students will be given problem solving assignments.
3 a. Courses:
i. CRJU 61263 Courts, Law, and Legal Procedure ii. CRJU 61273 Corrections and Reentry
b. Students will be given writing assignments in which empirical articles, policies, and theoretical concepts will be explained and analyzed.
c. Students will be assessed on active threaded and live discussions where various topics will be discussed.
d. Students will take quizzes and answer questions embedded within learning content.
6. Students will be able to identify, critique, assess, and offer alternative research methodologies in published works and empirical research.
a. Course:
i. CRJU 61133 Advanced Social Science Research Methodology
b. Students will be assessed on their ability to collect, explain, and test empirical data.
c. Students will be assessed on their ability to find, understand, and present existing research through scholarly sources. Students will learn to navigate and find relevant empirical research articles, books, and other publications and apply them to writing literature reviews for assignments and each student’s individual thesis. Grades will be determined by the faculty, which will include the level of student engagement in the courses. The instructor will monitor class performance and engagement using threaded discussions, embedded activities, examinations, and papers. Students are expected to bring forth independent and original research. Participation will be graded using rubrics specified in the syllabi of each course. Written assignments and exams will be graded by the instructor.
RESOURCES REQUIRED: Faculty:
Existing department full-time faculty
Existing faculty members will be given to option of teaching courses as an alternative to an on-campus course or as overload courses for compensation. All faculty members, especially junior faculty, interested in teaching online courses as overloads will need to approval of the Department Chair and AddRan Dean. This approval process is required to ensure minimal impact on tenure and promotion progress. Only faculty in good standing will be considered for overload teaching. Furthermore, faculty interested in teaching online courses must be certified to teach online courses through TCU’s Koehler Center. Teaching courses as overload will ensure no impact on current on-campus course offerings.
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to ensure progress of the tenure and promotion process and the teaching requirements of the online program are met. Non-department faculty interested in teaching online courses must be certified to teach online courses through TCU’s Koehler Center prior to teaching online classes. For the consideration of this program, one tenure-track position in 2013 has been granted to the department. This additional faculty member will increase the teaching capacity of the department by five courses. The online program will require two courses each semester the first year and four courses each semester in subsequent years with two simultaneous cohorts. The additional faculty member will ensure the teaching requirements are met both for online and on-campus courses.
TCU non-department full-time faculty
Additional teaching can be provided by full-time faculty from other TCU departments in related fields. The interdisciplinary nature of criminal justice and criminology allows for faculty from other disciplines, such as Sociology, Anthropology, Political Science, Psychology, and Economics, to teach courses. Compensation will offered to non-departmental faculty members interested in teaching courses as overloads. It is up to the faculty member to get approval for teaching online courses from their respective Department Chairs and other supervisors. All TCU faculty members must be certified for fully online teaching through the TCU Koehler Center. Please see attachment: Letter of support from Dr. Morrison Wong, Chair of Sociology and Anthropology.
Non-TCU full-time faculty
Additional faculty from other institutions can be considered for teaching online courses. Due to the nature of distance learning, additional faculty can conduct courses remotely. Non-TCU faculty can be considered for their expertise in a particular area. Compensation will be offered to non-TCU faculty members interested in teaching courses. It is the responsibility of the faculty member to obtain any approvals from their respective schools to teach at TCU. All non-TCU personnel interested in teaching online courses must be certified to teach online courses through TCU’s Koehler Center or equivalent certification body prior to teaching online classes.
Note: All students and faculty will be located in Texas and other approved states in order to be in compliance with accreditation requirements until TCU establishes contractual agreements with different state requirements.
Adjunct faculty
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interested in teaching online courses must be certified to teach online courses through TCU’s Koehler Center or equivalent certification body prior to teaching online classes.
Training and Technical:
All instructors must be certified through the TCU Koehler Center’s “Teaching Fully Online” course prior to online teaching. The course instructs on proper online teaching methods and effective strategies to ensure quality of teaching in the Pearson LearningStudio environment. The addition of the online program can put additional strain on the Koehler Center’s resources. The proposed program has an “IT Support” line-item to compensate for such additional resources.
Space: N/A
Equipment: The Koehler Center will manage all additional server space required and maintain the online environment, including software updates and additional training if necessary. Additional technical support can be obtained through Pearson.
Library: Students enrolled in the program will be granted full library access online and on-campus. No additional resources will be required. Additional student assistance can be obtained from the TCU Social Science Librarian.
Please see attached library resources sheet for list of journal resources.
Writing resources: Students will have access to the TCU William L. Adams Center for Writing. Please see letter of support from center Director Dr. Steve Sherwood.
Justification for the Program 1. Demand
There is currently a large demand for online education in Criminal Justice and Criminology. Several key audiences can be served, including professionals working in the criminal justice field, TCU alumni, and prospective doctoral students. Without having advertised the program, the department has received numerous inquiries from interested individuals ranging from police officers to current students and alumni.
2. Other Programs
6 3. AddRan School’s Mission and Vision Mission
To advance life-long learning and discovery in the humanities and social sciences and to develop critical thinking, analytical, and communication skills that prepare students for successful careers in our global society.
Vision
To become a liberal arts college nationally recognized for innovative learning and critical inquiry that enhances our environment, improves the human condition, and develops ethical leaders.
This program furthers AddRan school’s mission and vision in focusing on the development of critical thinking, analytic, and communication skills in an innovative learning environment that is relevant to the future of higher education. Moreover, the presence of TCU’s reputation in this online space can further enhance the university’s profile locally, regionally, and nationally.
CHANGE IN TEACHING LOAD:
It is anticipated that the teaching load will minimally impact faculty. To minimize any impact on tenure and promotion, the following guidelines will be used:
1. A maximum of teaching one overload course per year in this program is allowed for each faculty member.
2. Teaching an online course requires the approval by the Department Chair and AddRan Dean.
3. Junior faculty who commit to teaching can back out before the start of the course, in which case, a tenured faculty member or adjunct faculty will teach the course. Assistance from tenured faculty is available during the course if time for research becomes an issue. 4. The instruction candidates can include full-time tenure-track department faculty, TCU
faculty in disciplines other than criminal justice, criminal justice adjunct faculty, and qualified faculty from other institutions. All instructors must be certified for teaching fully online through TCU’s Koehler Center.
It is anticipated that faculty members will serve as thesis committee chairs and committee members for students choosing to complete a thesis. Tenured faculty will primarily serve as thesis committee chairs with junior faculty serving as committee members unless approved by the Department Chair.
Changes to the department to facilitate impact of program: 1. One additional tenure-track faculty line granted for 2013.
2. Instruction capacity expanded to adjunct faculty, department TCU faculty, and non-TCU faculty.
7 Admission Requirements (from catalog copy)
For unconditional admission, applicants should satisfactorily meet the following requirements set by TCU:
- A bachelor’s degree in from an institution regarded as standard by the University and a regional accrediting agency.
- A “B” average in either the last 60 hours of undergraduate work or in all undergraduate work.
- A “B” average in the major field
The Department of Criminal Justice also requires the following from each applicant:
- A personal statement of no more than 250 words describing the applicant’s academic and professional objectives.
- Three (3) letters of recommendation - Application fee
Individuals who do not meet these requirements may be accepted conditionally, in accordance with TCU policy and with the approval of the Department Chair or Program Director and AddRan Dean. Please see the TCU graduate handbook for more information. Meeting these minimum requirements does not guarantee admission to the program and it is up to the discretion of the Department Chair and faculty to select applicants for admission. The department will consider qualified majors in other fields and can take into account life and career experience for admissions.
Students not meeting minimum GPA requirements can be considered for admission with supplemental performance predictors such as career experience, GRE exam scores (not required), and additional or supplemental coursework. These students will be reviewed and approved by the Program Director, Department Chair, and AddRan Dean.
Tuition and fees
To be negotiated with the TCU Office of the Provost and Office of the Vice Chancellor for Finance Administration.
Financial Aid
9 CATALOG COPY
Criminal Justice
The Department of Criminal Justice offers the Master of Science in Criminal Justice and Criminology. This graduate program emphasizes independent research and analytic thinking in examining topics and issues related to the study of crime and the criminal justice system. Students will apply analytic skills developed in the courses to examine contemporary criminal justice issues, analyze existing research, and inform policy. Courses will integrate published research, empirical data, and the personal experiences of the instructors and students in the criminal justice field. Students and instructors with a variety of backgrounds and experiences in the criminal justice field will provide a rich and interactive learning environment for those with or without a background in the criminal justice field. The program is offered exclusively online with the exception of a one-week orientation and classroom instruction. The program is designed for prospective doctoral students, working professionals, and college graduates interested in the advanced study of criminal justice and criminology.
Admission Requirements
For unconditional admission, applicants should satisfactorily meet the following requirements set by TCU:
- A bachelor’s degree in from an institution regarded as standard by the University and a regional accrediting agency.
- A “B” average in either the last 60 hours of undergraduate work or in all undergraduate work.
- A “B” average in the major field
The Department of Criminal Justice also requires the following from each applicant:
- A personal statement of no more than 250 words describing the applicant’s academic and professional objectives.
- Three (3) letters of recommendation - Application fee
Individuals who do not meet these requirements may be accepted conditionally, in accordance with TCU policy and with the approval of the Department Chair or Program Director and AddRan Dean. Please see the TCU graduate handbook for more information. Meeting these minimum requirements does not guarantee admission to the program and it is up to the discretion of the Department Chair and faculty to select applicants for admission. The department will consider qualified majors in other fields and can take into account life and career experience for admissions.
10 Application Deadlines
Application materials must be received by March 1 for full consideration Degree Requirements
Degree requirements differ depending on whether a student chooses to complete a thesis, which is recommended for those planning on doctoral studies. Since this is a fixed two-year program, students will not choose amongst course offerings and no transfer credits will be given.
Students are required to attend a week-long on-campus introductory class (CRJU 61113 “Introduction to Online Learning and Critical Thought”) and orientation with online learning and topics throughout the program during the summer prior to the fall semester of the first year. OPTION 1: Thesis-track
Students are given the option of completing a Master’s thesis, which is approved by the student’s thesis advisory committee, consisting of two faculty members, and committee chair. The development and writing process of the thesis will be accomplished with guidance from the thesis committee chair throughout the duration of the program.
A faculty committee chair will be initially assigned to the student based on the topic of the research fit as expressed in the application or during the first week of orientation with faculty specializations. The student will have the option of changing advisers during the first year of the program with the approval of their current Committee Chair, new Committee Chair, and Program Director. The thesis chair will assist in choosing an appropriate topic, data collection, and the writing process. Furthermore, the Committee Chair will help address any questions and concerns the student may have during the course of the program. The thesis must be reviewed and approved by a thesis committee, consisting of the committee chair and two other faculty members.
Coursework: (30 hours of coursework + 6 hours of thesis work) Required courses:
Year 1
CRJU 61113 Introduction to Online Learning and Critical Thought 3
CRJU 61123 Criminal Justice Systems 3
CRJU 61133 Advanced Social Science Research Methodology 3 CRJU 61143 Social Science Statistics and Probability 3
CRJU 61183 Advanced Criminological Theory 3
Year 2
CRJU 61253 Policing 3
CRJU 61263 Courts, Law, and Legal Procedure 3
CRJU 61273 Corrections and Reentry 3
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CRJU 61293 White-Collar Crime 3
CRJU 70980 Thesis 3
CRJU 70990 Thesis 3
The thesis is an extensive, research-based manuscript that must be approved by student’s committee chair and thesis committee advisory members. It is a product of independent research and should demonstrate the appropriate level of analytic and writing acumen to the standards in the social sciences. Students will meet regularly with their advisers throughout the research and writing process. Each thesis student will enroll in three credit hours of CRJU 70980 (“Thesis”) and CRJU 70990 (“Thesis”) in their second year.
OPTION 2: Non-Thesis Track
Students who choose not to complete a Master’s thesis will be required to take two alternative courses to complete the 36 credit hours required for the Master of Science degree: CRJU 61193 “Applied Research & Policy 1” and CRJU 61393 “Applied Research & Policy 2.”
Coursework: (30 hours of coursework + 6 hours of applied research project) Year 1
CRJU 61113 Introduction to Online Learning and Critical Thought 3
CRJU 61123 Criminal Justice Systems 3
CRJU 61133 Advanced Social Science Research Methodology 3 CRJU 61143 Social Science Statistics and Probability 3
CRJU 61183 Advanced Criminological Theory 3
Year 2
CRJU 61253 Policing 3
CRJU 61263 Courts, Law, and Legal Procedure 3
CRJU 61273 Corrections and Reentry 3
CRJU 61283 Research Writing 3
CRJU 61293 White-Collar Crime 3
CRJU 61193 Applied Research & Policy 1 3
CRJU 61393 Applied Research & Policy 2 3
CRJU 61139 Applied Research & Policy 1 and CRJU 61393 Applied Research & Policy 2 are designed to incorporate course material, acquired analytic skills, and each student’s life and career experience in a group project that assesses a contemporary topic in criminal justice and criminology. Students will work collaboratively while contributing their own independent research and writing in order to create a final comprehensive project as directed by the instructor. Instructors for these courses can be an expert in a particular field and can choose topics accordingly.
Course Descriptions
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Students will take this course partially online and partially on the TCU campus. An introduction to main topics in criminal justice and criminology will be discussed. Students will receive instruction on online learning and research tools and resources.
CRJU 61123 Criminal Justice Systems
This course explores basic policy issues in the administration of criminal justice system, including police, courts, and corrections. Advanced study and independent research in matters of continued interest to policymakers are emphasized.
CRJU 61183 Advanced Criminological Theory
Essential paradigms of criminological theory will be explored and critiqued in detail. Types of deviant and criminal behavior will be assessed using various theories. Using this assessment, empirical and data and policies will be examined.
CRJU 61133 Advanced Social Science Research Methodology
This course emphasizes understanding the approach to developing and evaluating empirical research methodology for the social sciences. Emphasis will be placed on active involvement and differentiating between scientific approaches and pseudo-science.
CRJU 61143 Social Science Statistics and Probability
This course teaches students the fundamentals of probability and statistics in order to use fundamental statistical analysis techniques for solving public policy and management problems in the social sciences.
CRJU 61263 Courts, Law, and Legal Procedure
Students will gain a fundamental understanding of the functioning of the American court system, the development of legal thought, and the mechanisms that govern legal procedures. Legal thought and procedure will be assessed using contemporary critical issues ranging from fundamental rights to terrorism.
CRJU 61273 Corrections and Reentry
This course explores how the U.S. attempts to sanction and punish offenders, focusing on the gaps between policy and practice. Historical perspectives in sentencing and penal policy and contemporary issues in reform will be analyzed.
CRJU 61283 Research Writing
This course is designed to help familiarize students with the publication process in the social sciences. Students will learn the components of research, the writing process, and publication procedures.
CRJU 61293 White-Collar Crime
This course provides an examination of theory and research in the field of white-collar crime. Classic theoretical works will be considered as well as contemporary writings. Topics will cover underlying theory, forms of white-collar crime, and sanctions.
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This course examines the development of policing and examines critical issues in the administration, structure, and models of law enforcement. Past, present, and future models of policing are emphasized using empirical and theoretical models.
CRJU 61193 Applied Research & Policy 1
Working in groups, students will deconstruct complex problems related to crime and control and produce a proposal that incorporates independent research, analytic skills, and life experiences in order to develop effective crime control policies and strategies.
CRJU 61393 Applied Research & Policy 2
Working in groups, students will deconstruct complex problems related to crime and control and produce original research derived from data collected and analyzed by each student. The project will focus on a contemporary topic presented by the instructor and tailored to each group’s experience in the criminal justice field.
CRJU 70980 Thesis
This is an independent study for progress towards the completion of the Master’s thesis. Students will work closely with their thesis committee and committee chair throughout the semester. Thesis-track students must enroll in this course fall semester of their second year. CRJU 70990 Thesis
14 TCU LIBRARY RESOURCES
Criminal Justice journals:
American Correctional association membership - library subscription - multiple formats British Journal of Criminology – online
Corrections Compendium Corrections Today
Crime & Delinquency – online Crime and Justice – online
Crime, Law, and Social Change - online - enhanced access Crime, Media, & Culture – online
Criminal Justice Abstracts - online
Criminal Justice Review - print + online - current year with 1 year rolling access Criminology – online
Criminology & Public Policy – online
Critical Criminology : An International Journal - online - enhanced access Deviant Behavior - online - single site access
Howard Journal of Criminal Justice - online
Journal of Contemporary criminal justice - online Journal of Crime and Justice - print + online
Journal of Criminal Justice Education - print + online Journal of Criminal Law and Criminology
Journal of Interpersonal Violence - online Journal of Rehabilitation
Journal of Research in Crime & Delinquency - online Justice Quarterly - print + online - single site access Juvenile and Family Court Journal - online
Law and Human Behavior - online - enhanced access On the Line - md - electronic mail
On the Line - md – online Police Quarterly – online Prison Journal – online
Theoretical Criminology - online Violence and Victims
Virginia Journal of Social Policy & the Law
Women & Criminal Justice - print + online - single site access Other online databases and journals:
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Not listed: Numerous journals that are available through political science, psychology, economics, sociology, and other related disciplines.
Library Financial Resources
The department of criminal justice has a current annual budget of $7,000 for materials acquisitions. An additional request has been made by the library to prepare for supplemental materials in the form of journal subscriptions, books, eBooks, multimedia, and other needs. The needs of the department are managed by the TCU social science librarian.
Student Access
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To Whom It May Concern:
The William L. Adams Center for Writing is prepared to offer online students in the Department of Criminal Justice’s M.S. in Criminal Justice and Criminology Program assistance with the papers they write during the course of their graduate studies.
The center currently offers both face-to-face and online tutorials to students and faculty of all disciplines. Of the 7,200 tutorials the center provided during the 2010-2011 academic year, 3,250 (or 45%) were online tutorials. A number of these tutorials involved fully online students in TCU’s doctorate of nursing practice and master of liberal arts programs. The center’s five full-time staff members respond to graduate students’ online submissions by reading each paper and offering instructional feedback via the “comment” function of Word. The center’s writing consultants are not proofreaders or editors. They provide feedback on all aspects of writing, including structure, content, style, and sentence-level concerns. They tend to identify both strengths and weaknesses in a student’s work. If they notice patterns of error, they will attempt to teach a student how to avoid the error and expect him or her to make any necessary
corrections. They may do some editing in order to demonstrate ways students can revise
particular passages. The aim of such editing is not to perfect the paper but to teach students long-term lessons about writing.
The consultants read and comment on online submissions Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and usually return papers within one or two business days (depending on length and student traffic in the center). Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions. Dr. Steve Sherwood
Director
