J. Frank Barefield, Jr. Department of Criminal Justice
https://www.uab.edu/cas/criminaljustice/
Chair: Dr. Kent R. Kerley, krkerley@uab.edu
The J. Frank Barefield, Jr. Department of Criminal Justice offers programs of study leading to a Bachelor of Science with a major in Criminal Justice, a Master of Science in Criminal Justice, a joint Bachelor of Science with a major in Digital Forensics, a Master of Science in Forensic Science, a joint Master of Science in Criminal Justice/Master of Public Administration, a joint Master of Science in Cyber Security. The Department also offers undergraduate minors in Forensics Science, Legal Affairs, a joint minor in Forensic Psychology and an interdisciplinary minor in Urban Affairs. The department also sponsors category “A” and “B” graduate Certificate Programs in Computer Forensics.
Bachelor of Science with a Major in Criminal Justice
The program leading to the Bachelor of Science with a major in Criminal Justice offers students broad academic exposure to the fields of criminal justice and criminology. It also provides students opportunities to take courses in computer forensics/cybercrime and forensic science. The primary mission of the program is to educate students by developing in them the knowledge and skills necessary to be successful in their careers, including:
- Major theoretical explanations of crime/delinquency.
- The logic and procedures associated with the research process, including understanding statistical analysis.
- The substantive, procedural, and operational aspects of the criminal justice system and its processes.
- Ethical foundations.
Each of these areas is developed through activities associated with specific courses in the curriculum as well as through an Internship/Capstone experience during the student’s senior year.
Undergraduate students interested in Forensic Science should consult the Master of Science in Forensic Science Program Director to learn more about the field. Students interested in the Legal Affairs minor should contact the Department Chair. Students interested in the Bachelor of Science with a major in Digital Forensics or Forensic Psychology minor should contact the Department Chair.
Bachelor of Science with a Major in Criminal Justice
| Requirements | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| CJ 100 | Introduction to the Criminal Justice System | 3 |
| CJ 101 | Crime and Criminality | 3 |
| CJ 220 | Police in America: An Overview | 3 |
| CJ 230 | The Judicial Process in America: An Overview | 3 |
| CJ 240 | Corrections in America: An Overview | 3 |
| CJ 300 | Research Methods in Criminal Justice | 3 |
| CJ 360 | Criminology | 3 |
| CJ 410 | Criminal Justice Ethics | 3 |
| Internship & Capstone | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Internship and Capstone in Criminal Justice for Practitioners | ||
| Internship and Capstone in Criminal Justice | ||
| Statistics Requirement | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Introduction to Statistics | ||
| Introduction to Statistics | ||
| Sociological Literacy | ||
| Elementary Statistical Methods | ||
| Electives (must include at least 3 hours at 400-level) | 12 | |
| Total Hours | 42 | |
Grade and Residency Requirement
A grade of C or better is required in all Criminal Justice courses. At least 3 hours must be taken at the 300 level or higher and 9 hours must be taken at the 400 – level or higher. Students must have a 2.3 cumulative GPA prior to applying for their Internship.
Additional Requirements
Minor
A minor is not required for this degree. Students are encouraged to take a minor in an area related to their career interests. Contact the criminal justice advisor for more information about minors.
General Electives
Students must take general electives to reach the 120 semester hour requirement.
Bachelor of Science with a major in Digital Forensics
The Bachelor of Science with a major in Digital Forensics is an interdisciplinary degree that prepares graduates for a professional career in the field of digital forensics and cyber security. The focus of the program is an understanding of the procedures and processes necessary to discover, recover, analyze, and present in court information that has been stored on digital devices, including mainframe and personal computers, cellular telephones, tablets, gaming and other devices used during illegal activities. Students graduating with the Bachelor of Science with a major in Digital Forensics degree will be prepared to fill entry- and advanced-level positions with federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies; with public and private sector non-profit companies; and with private sector for-profit companies. Students completing the program will also be prepared to pursue graduate studies (master’s and doctoral-level) in computer science, criminal justice, information systems, and information technology or pursue law school.
Proposed Program of Study for a Major in Criminal Justice
| Freshman | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| First Term | Hours | Second Term | Hours |
| EH 101 | 3 | EH 102 | 3 |
| MA 110 | 3 | Core Curriculum Area II: Humanities | 3 |
| Core Curriculum Area IV: History1 | 3 | CJ 101 | 3 |
| CJ 100 | 3 | Core Curriculum Area IV: History1 | 3 |
| Core Curriculum Area IV | 3 | Core Curriculum Area IV | 3 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Sophomore | |||
| First Term | Hours | Second Term | Hours |
| CJ 220 | 3 | CJ 230 | 3 |
| CJ 302 | 3 | CJ 240 | 3 |
| Core Curriculum Area II: Literature2 | 3 | Core Curriculum Area III: Natural Science with Laboratory | 4 |
| Core Curriculum Area II: Fine Art3 | 3 | Core Curriculum Area II: Humanities | 3 |
| Core Curriculum Area II: Natural Science with Laboratory | 4 | General Elective | 3 |
| 16 | 16 | ||
| Junior | |||
| First Term | Hours | Second Term | Hours |
| CJ 300 | 3 | Criminal Justice Elective (400 level) | 3 |
| CJ 360 | 3 | Criminal Justice Elective | 3 |
| Criminal Justice Elective | 3 | General Elective | 9 |
| General Elective | 6 | ||
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Senior | |||
| First Term | Hours | Second Term | Hours |
| CJ 410 | 3 | Capstone (Select one): | 3 |
| Criminal Justice Elective (300-400 level) | 3 | CJ 497 | 3 |
| General Elective | 3 | CJ 499 | 3-6 |
| General Elective | 10-12 | ||
| 9 | 19-24 | ||
| Total credit hours: 120-125 | |||
Minor in Criminal Justice
The minor in criminal justice is designed for students who are majoring in a discipline related to human and societal issues or in the sciences. Crime, justice, and community have relevance to almost all fields. The minor in criminal justice provides students with the background they need to understand these issues in the broader context of society.
| Requirements | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| Required Criminal Justice Courses | ||
| CJ 100 | Introduction to the Criminal Justice System | 3 |
| CJ 101 | Crime and Criminality | 3 |
| CJ 220 | Police in America: An Overview | 3 |
| CJ 230 | The Judicial Process in America: An Overview | 3 |
| Criminal Justice Electives | 6 | |
| CJ 240 | Corrections in America: An Overview | 3 |
| Select six hours from Criminal Justice (CJ) courses, with both courses being at the 300-level or above. | ||
| Total Hours | 21 | |
GPA Requirement: A C or better is required in all courses applied to the minor.
Minor in Legal Affairs
The minor in Legal Affairs is designed to help students learn to think both critically and creatively about law. Because the program is interdisciplinary and presents law as the subject of liberal inquiry, students in the program examine law from various perspectives. The minor exposes students to both general and specific aspects of both substantive and procedural law – civil and criminal; and helps them understand not only litigation, but alternatives to it.
Minor in Legal Affairs
| Requirements | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses 1 | ||
| Select four of the following courses: | 12 | |
| The Judicial Process in America: An Overview | ||
| Journey to Attorney | ||
| Criminal Law | ||
| Criminal Procedure | ||
| Justice Advocacy | ||
| Law and Film | ||
| The Politics of Constitutional Law | ||
| The Bill of Rights | ||
| Law and Society | ||
| International Law | ||
| Electives | ||
| Select two of the following courses: | 6 | |
| Fraud Examination | ||
| Trial Advocacy | ||
| Law and Economics | ||
| Economics, Institutions & Law | ||
| Legal Environment of Business | ||
| Legal Elements of Fraud Investigation | ||
| Employment Law | ||
| Practical Reasoning | ||
| The Rule of Law | ||
| Philosophy of Law | ||
| Psychology and Law | ||
| Public Health Law and Policy | ||
| Total Hours | 18 | |
- 1
A grade of "C" or better required for all courses
Minor in Urban Affairs
Urban Affairs provides a broad, interdisciplinary examination of the development, functions, and problems of metropolitan areas. Urban Affairs focuses on the social, health, and spatial characteristics of neighborhoods and cities. It highlights the application of social science principles in the study of how formal and informal forces influence urban people and neighborhoods. The minor crosses the disciplines of Urban Studies, Criminal Justice, Social Work, Sociology, Political Science/Public Administration, Public Health, Anthropology, History, Geography, and others. It prepares students to work in a variety of social service and technical areas in public and private organizations in metropolitan areas.
Minor in Forensic Psychology
Forensic Psychology is the professional practice by psychologists within the areas of clinical psychology, counseling psychology, neuropsychology, and school psychology, when they are engaged regularly as experts in an activity primarily intended to provide professional psychological expertise to the judicial system. Forensic psychologists work with individuals who may present a variety of mental health issues within the context of the civil law (e.g., personal injury suits, civil commitment proceedings, child custody disputes, or workers' compensation cases) and criminal law (e.g., insanity, competency to stand trial, assessment of future violence potential, or treatment of sex offenders). The minor is co-sponsored by the Department of Criminal Justice and the Department of Psychology, and is intended to expose students with an interest in forensic psychology to a broad-based overview of the field. A total of 24 semester hours is required to complete the minor.
| Requirements | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| CJ 110 | Introduction to Forensic Science | 3 |
| PY 125 | Introduction to Forensic Psychology | 3 |
| CJ 404 | Serial Killers | 3 |
| CJ 460 | Violence: An American Tradition | 3 |
| PY 218 | Psychopathology | 3 |
| PY 372 | Social Psychology | 3 |
| CJ 424 | Serial Killers in Cross-National Settings | 3 |
| CJ 362 | Victimology | 3 |
| Total Hours | 24 | |
A grade of “C” or better is required for all courses.
Transfer Students must earn at least 9 hours of PY or CJ credit at UAB, 6 hours of which must be at the 300 level or higher. Students may have to satisfy prerequisites before taking some of the courses.
Minor in Forensic Science
A minor in forensic science is perfect for anyone interested in the fundamental concepts and principles used in analysis of crime scene evidence. While the minor is open to all undergraduates, when paired with a degree in criminal justice, it will introduce students to careers in crime scene investigation. When paired with a major in the natural sciences, the minor prepares students for a job in a forensic crime lab or a Master of Science program in forensic science.
| Requirements | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| Students will be required to take the following courses: | ||
| CJ 110 | Introduction to Forensic Science | 3 |
| CJ 250 | Criminalistics: An Overview | 3 |
| Students will select 2 of the following forensic science electives: | 6 | |
| Forensic Anthropology | ||
| Advanced Criminalistics | ||
| Forensic Science Lab I | ||
| Forensic Science Laboratory II | ||
| Computer Forensics | ||
| Research Methods in Forensic Science | ||
| Investigation of Fires and Explosions | ||
| Investigating Online Crimes | ||
| Digital Media Forensics | ||
| Students will select 2 of the following natural science electives: | 8 | |
| Introductory Biology I and Introductory Biology I Laboratory | ||
| Introductory Biology II and Introductory Biology II Laboratory | ||
| Genetics | ||
| Molecular Genetics | ||
| General Chemistry I and General Chemistry I Laboratory | ||
| General Chemistry II and General Chemistry II Laboratory | ||
| Quantitative Analysis and Quantitative Analysis Laboratory | ||
| Instrumental Analysis and Instrumental Analysis Laboratory | ||
| Total Hours | 20 | |
*Note: A C or better is required in all courses in the minor.
Honors Program in Criminal Justice
The Criminal Justice Honors Program encourages and prepares outstanding Criminal Justice students to pursue careers in the field of Criminology and Criminal Justice by providing an opportunity to conduct independent research with a faculty member. It promotes initiative, creativity, and critical thinking among academically talented students. Under faculty supervision, students will have the opportunity to participate in and complete a research project. The program can accept up to six (6) outstanding students each fall.
Eligibility
Students are admitted to the Honors Program based on an evaluation conducted by the Honors Program Coordinator and a committee of faculty members. Students seeking admission to the Honors Program must:
- Complete an honors application. One may be obtained by contacting Dr. Heith Copes (jhcopes@uab.edu).
- Have a cumulative GPA of 3.25 or higher and a GPA of 3.2 or higher in all Criminal Justice courses attempted.
- Be Junior or Senior.
- Completion of CJ 100, CJ 101, CJ 302, & CJ 300. May enroll in up to two of these courses the fall semester enrolled in the Honors program.
Benefits
Joining the Honors Program gives students the opportunity to interact with faculty and other honors students in an environment that encourages creative and innovative thinking. The hands-on research opportunities will help students prepare for future careers in the field or for embarking on an academic career. Those who complete the program will graduate from UAB “With Honors in Criminal Justice".
Requirements
- Completion of all required courses for the Criminal Justice major.
- Completion of Honors Seminar (CJ 481) during the fall semester.
- Completion of Honors Project (CJ 482) during the spring semester.
- Completion of a research presentation at the annual Honors Research Colloquium at the end of the spring semester.
Contact
For additional information on the Criminal Justice Honors Program, please contact
Dr. Heith Copes
Department of Criminal Justice
1201 University Blvd.
Suite 210
Birmingham AL 35294-4562
E-mail: jhcopes@uab.edu
Courses
CJ 100. Introduction to the Criminal Justice System. 3 Hours.
Introduction to criminal justice as a system consisting of interactions among three main components: police, courts, and corrections and the processes involving those components.
CJ 101. Crime and Criminality. 3 Hours.
Examination of the causes and consequences in society of crime/delinquency, including theoretical explanations, sources of data on crime/delinquency, and efforts at controlling the behavior.
CJ 110. Introduction to Forensic Science. 3 Hours.
Overview of the major components of forensic science including death investigation, toxicology, osteology, questioned documents, law, and criminalistics.
CJ 115. Comparative Criminal Justice Systems. 3 Hours.
Analysis of police, judicial, and correctional components found in the world's four major legal systems: Common Law, Islamic, Napoleonic and Socialist.
CJ 160. Introduction to Private Security. 3 Hours.
Survey of the field of private security, including organizational, administrative, operational, and liability issues common to it.
CJ 170. Introduction to Crime Scene Analysis. 3 Hours.
Overview of crime scene investigation (CSI), including history of crime scene investigation; processing techniques and methods used to document and preserve evidence found at crime scenes.
CJ 207. Crime and Everyday Life. 3 Hours.
Examines everyday aspects of crime, including different forms of crime, media involvement, crime patterns, and policy responses. This course meets Blazer Core Humans and their Societies with a Flag in Justice.
CJ 210. Introduction to Digital Forensics. 3 Hours.
This course provides a general introduction to the concepts, theories, principles, and practice of digital forensics. Topics include types of digital forensics, DOS/LINUX commands and DF, forensic acquisition and validation, forensic methodologies, file systems and file examination, expert testimony, legal issues, and challenges for the field. This course prepares students for advanced courses in program and in digital forensics.
CJ 220. Police in America: An Overview. 3 Hours.
Introduction to the history and evolution of modern law enforcement in the United States, including the role and functions of police in the community.
Prerequisites: CJ 100 [Min Grade: C](Can be taken Concurrently) or JS 100 [Min Grade: C]
CJ 230. The Judicial Process in America: An Overview. 3 Hours.
Introduction to the structure and function of American courts, including judicial selection and behavior, the prosecution function, jury system, and the role of lawyers.
Prerequisites: CJ 100 [Min Grade: C] or JS 100 [Min Grade: C]
CJ 240. Corrections in America: An Overview. 3 Hours.
Introduction to history and evolution of probation, prisons, parole, and community-based programs for adult and juvenile offenders.
Prerequisites: CJ 100 [Min Grade: C] or JS 100 [Min Grade: C]
CJ 250. Criminalistics: An Overview. 3 Hours.
Introduction to indentification and application of major types of physical trace evidence in criminal cases involving analysis and comparision. Laboratory component included; Laboratory fee is charged.
Prerequisites: JS 110 [Min Grade: C] or CJ 110 [Min Grade: C]
CJ 255. Journey to Attorney. 3 Hours.
This course introduces students to American law as well how law is studied. Specifically, the course examines topics law students typically encounter in their first year of law school -- including criminal law, tort law, contract law, property law, civil procedure, and legal writing – provides an overview of the law school application process, and covers some of the skills necessary for success in law school.
CJ 300. Research Methods in Criminal Justice. 3 Hours.
Introduction to ideas, techniques, and problems associated with social research with an emphasis on criminal justice/criminology applications. Writing assignments emphasize ability to make a logical argument and respond to counter claims; incorporating outside sources into written materials; and use conventions appropriate for the discipline. Writing is a significant component of this course.
Prerequisites: (JS 100 [Min Grade: C] or CJ 100 [Min Grade: C]) and (JS 101 [Min Grade: C] or CJ 101 [Min Grade: C])
CJ 302. Introduction to Statistics. 3 Hours.
Introduction to basic statistical theory and analysis. Course emphasizes computation, units of measurement, and evaluation of quantitative assertions; interpretation of quantitative data; use of quantitative data for problem-solving; and communication of information using numbers/words appropriate for the audience. Quantitative Literacy is a significant component of this course.
CJ 321. Police-Community Relations. 3 Hours.
Overview and analysis of historical and contemporary relationship between police agencies and the public; legal issues; analysis of crime prevention programs, community participation, and police discretion.
Prerequisites: JS 100 [Min Grade: C] or CJ 100 [Min Grade: C]
CJ 330. Criminal Law. 3 Hours.
Analysis of the development of criminal law, including legal elements of a crime, defenses in criminal cases, appellate case analysis, and legal terminology.
CJ 331. Criminal Procedure. 3 Hours.
Introduction to legal rules relating to the criminal process from investigation through punishment.
CJ 333. Trial Advocacy. 3 Hours.
Overview of preparations for civil and criminal litigation including courtroom procedure, evidence, and the art of advocacy.
CJ 334. Justice Advocacy. 3 Hours.
Analyze theoretical foundations of advocacy in justice, in the court process, and in social, political, and legal settings. Presents philosophy and techniques of advocacy for an equitable and collaborative system of justice.
CJ 336. Criminal Investigation: Techniques and Analysis. 3 Hours.
Examination of both technical and analytical aspects of the criminal investigative process.
CJ 342. Probation and Parole. 3 Hours.
Analysis of history, structure, and function of probation and parole systems in the United States; pre-sentence investigations; offender selection and classification; offender supervision; and agency administration.
Prerequisites: JS 100 [Min Grade: C] or CJ 100 [Min Grade: C]
CJ 343. Community-Based Corrections. 3 Hours.
Examination of contemporary redefinition of correctional functions emphasizing development and use of community resources; diversion of offenders from criminal justice system; nontraditional correctional programs.
Prerequisites: (JS 100 [Min Grade: C] or CJ 100 [Min Grade: C])
CJ 350. Advanced Criminalistics. 3 Hours.
Examination of advanced criminalistics, including trace evidence, fingerprints, documents, drugs and other areas. Comparison of methods is emphasized.
Prerequisites: JS 110 [Min Grade: C] or CJ 110 [Min Grade: C]
CJ 352. Forensic Science Lab. 3 Hours.
Examination of forensic science, including collection, serology, DNA extraction, DNA amplification, and DNA analysis.
Prerequisites: JS 110 [Min Grade: C] or CJ 110 [Min Grade: C]
CJ 360. Criminology. 3 Hours.
Identification and assessment of early and modern theories concerning the causes of crime in society.
Prerequisites: JS 101 [Min Grade: C] or CJ 101 [Min Grade: C]
CJ 362. Victimology. 3 Hours.
Examination of the criminal-victim relationship and societal reaction to victims including victim services, restitution, and compensation.
Prerequisites: (JS 100 [Min Grade: C] or CJ 100 [Min Grade: C]) and (JS 101 [Min Grade: C] or CJ 101 [Min Grade: C])
CJ 380. Media, Crime & Justice. 3 Hours.
Examination of issues in crime and justice as depicted in popular media, including motion pictures, television, video, and other media.
CJ 400. Drugs and Society. 3 Hours.
This course teaches students the pharmacological effects of and different categories of drugs. Different theories of drug use are discussed as well as the historical development of drug laws. Various harms associated with drug use are discussed as well as the consequences of drug prohibition. Lastly, students are expected to understand the different methods of drug research.
CJ 402. Computer Forensics. 3 Hours.
Use of analytical and investigative techniques in criminal or civil litigation to identify, collect, examine and preserve evidence/information magnetically stored or encoded.
Prerequisites: CJ 210 [Min Grade: C]
CJ 403. Restorative Justice. 3 Hours.
Introduction to, and analysis of, movement in criminal justice to institutionalize peaceful approaches to harm, problem-solving and violations of legal and human rights. Includes discussion of specific programs, critical evaluation of these programs, and analysis of future directions of the movement.
CJ 404. Serial Killers. 3 Hours.
Examination of the psychology and sociology of serial killers, including case studies, agency responses and related issues.
CJ 407. Special Topics in Criminal Justice. 3 Hours.
In-depth analysis of substantive topic in criminal justice or criminology including contemporary issues, ethics, historical review, or related topics. Varies by semester and by Instructor. May be repeated twice for credit.
CJ 408. Juvenile Delinquency. 3 Hours.
Introduction to the nature, scope, and causes of illegal behavior by juveniles, and societal repsonses to that behavior.
CJ 410. Criminal Justice Ethics. 3 Hours.
Analysis of systems of ethics and their applicability to problems in the administration of the justice system including those facing police officials, lawyers, judges, and correctional professionals. Writing and Ethics and Civic Responsibility are significant components of this course.
Prerequisites: JS 100 [Min Grade: C] or CJ 100 [Min Grade: C]
CJ 411. Juvenile Justice System. 3 Hours.
Introduction to the evolution and operation of specialized agencies and procedures to address juvenile law-breaking, including emerging problems and solutions.
CJ 412. Juvenile Law. 3 Hours.
Review and analysis of emerging statutory and case law in American juvenile justice.
CJ 419. Investigating Online Crimes. 3 Hours.
Introduction to cyber investigative techniques involving focused analysis of email and websites; examination of legal process and preparing evidence in cyber crime cases; rules concerning introduction of digital evidence.
Prerequisites: CJ 402 [Min Grade: C] or JS 402 [Min Grade: C]
CJ 424. Serial Killers in Cross-National Settings. 3 Hours.
Examines serial homicide in cross-national settings including offender disorders; crime scene analysis; significance of victims; and offender classification process.
CJ 437. Digital Media Forensics. 3 Hours.
Digital media forensics addresses all stored digital evidence types faced by cyber security professionals and computer forensics examiners. Students will learn to analyze character encoding, file formats, and digital media, including hard drives, smartphones and other portable devices, and cloud-hosted evidence, as well as disk acquisition, duplication and evidence preservation techniques and how to apply these techniques in typical criminal investigation scenarios.
Prerequisites: JS 402 [Min Grade: C] or CJ 402 [Min Grade: C]
CJ 437L. Digital Media Forensics Lab. 0 Hours.
Laboratory to accompany CJ 437.
CJ 438. Investigations of Malicious Attacks. 3 Hours.
This course will address the means to investigate cyber attacks in a corporate or industrial setting. Tools for investigating and responding to malicious emails, phishing, ransomware, and attacks on websites, database systems, Windows, and Linux systems will be addressed from the varying perspectives of system administrators, network defenders, security researchers, and cyber law enforcement.
CJ 440. White Collar and Corporate Crime. 3 Hours.
Introduction to, and analysis of, illegal/deviant behavior occurring in complex organizational settings, including theoretical explanations; patterns and case studies; and control strategies.
CJ 442. Race, Crime, Gender and Social Policy. 3 Hours.
Examination of how subordinate status of minority groups (African Americans, Hispanics, Native Americans and Women) affects interaction with the justice system as offenders, victims, and professionals.
CJ 443. Women and the Criminal Justice System. 3 Hours.
Examination of women's experiences as offenders, victims, and professionals in the criminal and civil justice systems.
Prerequisites: (CJ 100 [Min Grade: C] or JS 100 [Min Grade: C]) and (CJ 101 [Min Grade: C] or JS 101 [Min Grade: C])
CJ 454. Financial Crimes and Investigations. 3 Hours.
Survey of the field of financial crime and its investigation, including review of various financial crimes (fraud, money laundering, cybercrime, etc.), investigative techniques, resources specific to the investigation of these crimes, and the role of financial institutions in combating these crimes.
CJ 460. Violence: An American Tradition. 3 Hours.
Examines violence as an American tradition, including historical acts of violence as catalysts for social change, destructive or negative violence, and policies and prevention strategies.
CJ 463. Urban Structures. 3 Hours.
One of the oldest explanations of criminal behavior is that crime is concentrated in particular areas of the city. This class examines the structure of cities, how they grow, and particularly how they decline. It addresses how this decline can produce high levels of crime. It also addresses how cities can be revitalized, and how the justice system can work to reduce crime in these areas.
CJ 464. Crime and Place. 3 Hours.
One of the oldest explanations of criminal behavior is that crime is concentrated in particular areas of the city. But why is that? Is it something about the people, the place, or both? This class will look at the structure of cities, how they grow, and particularly how they decline. We will talk about how this decline can produce high levels of crime. We will also talk about how cities can be revitalized, and how the justice system can work to reduce crime in these areas.
Prerequisites: CJ 463 [Min Grade: D]
CJ 466. Spatial Analysis. 3 Hours.
This skills-based class will introduce students to the application of geographic information systems (GIS) to crime-related topics and issues.
CJ 481. Honors Research. 3 Hours.
Undergraduate research project developed and completed under direction of faculty mentor.
CJ 482. Honors Research and Colloquium. 3 Hours.
Completion of undergraduate Honors Project under the guidance of a faculty mentor with presentation of project at department colloquium.
CJ 483. Patterns in Crime. 3 Hours.
Examination of the major correlates of crime and criminality; critical examination of major sources of information from which data on crime correlates are gathered.
Prerequisites: (CJ 100 [Min Grade: C] or JS 100 [Min Grade: C]) and (CJ 101 [Min Grade: C] or JS 101 [Min Grade: C])
CJ 490. Independent Research in Criminal Justice. 1-3 Hour.
Independent readings, research or project approved and directed by a criminal justice faculty member who supervises proposed plan of study. Permission of Department Chair.
CJ 492. Study Abroad in Criminal Justice. 3 Hours.
This course affords students the opportunity engage in academic study outside of the U.S. to examine substantive topics in crime and justice. Students spend time (to be determined by the specific program) at a destination point, where they engage with students and faculty members in classroom and research settings at partner post-secondary institutions, experience immersion in foreign culture, and engage in comparative analysis of policies and programs relating to crime and justice.
CJ 493. Internship and Capstone for Digital Forensics Practitioners. 3 Hours.
Supervised capstone experience for students working full-time in a government agency or company in a position utilizing skills in digital forensics or cyber security. Course strongly emphasizes demonstration of student’s ability to communicate in writing; understanding and practicing ethical decision making and civic responsibility; and quantitative analyses including construction and interpretation of tables and ability to adequately communicate quantitative information. Prerequisite: Permission of Internship Coordinator. No more than 3 hours of credit toward the degree may be earned.
CJ 494. Digital Forensics Capstone. 1 Hour.
The digital forensics capstone is designed to prepare students with the skills needed to secure employment in the field of digital forensics, cyber security, and forensic investigation. Students will engage in resume writing, interview skills and career launch learning modules. The course strongly emphasizes demonstration of ability to communicate in writing, understanding ethical decision making, and civic responsibility. Prerequisite: Permission of the Capstone Instructor and verification from academic advisor that student is in the last 30 hours of coursework.
CJ 495. Digital Forensics Internship and Capstone. 3,6 Hours.
Supervised capstone experience in government agency or private company utilizing skills learned in cyber security and forensic investigation. Course strongly emphasizes demonstration of ability to communicate in writing; understanding and practicing ethical decision making and civic responsibility; and quantitative analyses including construction and interpretation of tables and ability to adequately communicate quantitative information. Prerequisite: Permission of the Internship Coordinator. May be repeated for maximum of 12 hours of which not more than 6 hours may be counted toward fulfilling major or minor requirements.
CJ 497. Internship and Capstone in Criminal Justice for Practitioners. 3 Hours.
Supervised capstone experience for students already working in a local, state, or federal criminal justice or ancillary agency. Course strongly emphasizes demonstration of student’s ability to communicate in written form to appropriate audiences, including competence in grammar and mechanics; understanding and practicing ethical decision making and civic responsibility; and quantitative analyses including construction and interpretation of tables and ability to adequately communicate quantitative information. No more than 3 hours of credit toward degree may be earned. Prerequisite: Permission of Internship Coordinator.
CJ 499. Internship and Capstone in Criminal Justice. 3-6 Hours.
Supervised capstone experience in local, state, or federal criminal justice or ancillary agency. Course strongly emphasizes demonstration of ability to communicate in written form to an appropriate audience, including competence in grammar and mechanics; understanding and practicing ethical decision making and civic responsibility; and quantitative analyses including construction and interpretation of tables and ability to adequately communicate quantitative information. Prerequisite: Permission of the Internship Coordinator. May be repeated for maximum of 12 hours of which not more than 6 hours may be counted toward fulfilling major or minor requirements. Ethics and Civil Responsibility and Writing are significant components of this course.
Faculty
| Blankenship, Brandon, Teaching Assistant Professor, 2001, B.A. (UAB), J.D. (Thomas Goode Jones School of Law),, Legal Studies, Pre-Law, Criminal Law |
| Copes, J. Heith, Professor and Director, Criminal Justice Honors, 2001, B.S. (Southwestern Louisiana), M.A., Ph.D., (Tennessee), Qualitative Methods, Criminal Decision Making, Visual Criminology |
| Earwood, Martha, Teaching Assistant Professor and Internship Coordinator, 2003, B.S., M.S. (Georgia State), Corrections, Victimology, Restorative Justice, Experiential Learning. |
| Gardner, Elizabeth A., Associate Professor and Director, Master of Science in Forensic Science,, 2007, B.S. (Penn State), Ph.D. (Michigan State), Drug Chemistry, Legal Highs, Gun Powder Residue, Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy, Pharmaceutical Spam |
| Griffin, O. Hayden, Associate Professor, 2013, J.D. ( Richmond), Ph.D. (Florida), Corrections, Policy, Drugs and Society, Law and Society |
| Kerley, Kent R, Professor and Chair, 2001, B.S. (East Tennessee), M.A., Ph.D., (Tennessee),, Religiosity, corrections, drug careers |
| Leban, Lindsay, Assistant Professor, 2018, B.A. (Florida Gulf Coast), M.A., Ph.D. (Florida), Drugs, Neighborhood Collective Efficacy, Gender |
| Lim, Hyeyoung, Associate Professor, 2013, Ph.D. (Sam Houston State), Police Use of Force, Police Decision Making, Quantitative Methods, Program and Policy Evaluation |
| Linville, Jason G., Teaching Associate Professor, 2004, B.S. (Ohio), M.S., Ph.D. (UAB), Forensic Biology, Entomology, Forensic Science Education |
| McGrath, Shelly A., Associate Professor, 2008, B.S. (St. Mary’s), M.S. (Ball State), Ph.D. (Southern Illinois), Quantitative Methods, Crime Mapping, Violence |
| Morgan, Kathryn, Professor and Director of African American Studies, 1991, B.S., M.A. (Texas Woman’s), Ph.D. (Florida State), Corrections, Criminological Theory, Violence, Race, Gender & crime |
| Mwenesongole, Ellen M, Associate Professor, 2021, B.S. Hons (Univ. of Kwa-Zulu Natal), M.S. Forensic Science (Univ. of Strathclyde), M.S. Chemistry (Univ. of Pretoria), Ph.D. Forensic Science & Chemistry (Anglia Ruskin Univ), Illicit Drugs, Wastewater, Hair & Fibers, Counterfeit Products |
| Todak, Natalie, Associate Professor, 2017, B.A. (California-San Diego), M.S. (Bowling Green State), Ph.D. (Arizona State), Policing, Use of Force, De-escalation, Qualitative Methods |
| Walker, Jeffery, University Professor, 1992, B.S. (Arkansas), M.A. (Arkansas - Little Rock), Ph.D. (Sam Houston), Social Structures of Neighborhoods, Crime Analysis/Mapping, Crime and Place |
| Warner, Gary, Instructor and Director of the Computer Forensics Research Lab, 2007, B.S. (UAB), Digital Forensics, Cybercrime and Security |
| Warner, Tara, Associate Professor and Director, Master of Science in Criminal Justice, B.A. and B.S. (Louisiana State ),M.A (Pennsylvania State) ,Ph.D., (Bowling Green State), Sociology, Victimization, Health & Well-being, Neighborhoods, Adolescence and Emerging Adulthood |