2007-09 - Graduate School - The University of Alabama

Graduate Catalog: Section 6.7http://graduate.ua.edu/catalog/15700.htmlTHE UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA GRADUATE CATALOGTable of Contents > College of Arts & Sciences6.7 DEPARTMENT OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE (CJ)Chairperson: Professor Celia Lo, Office: 432-C Farrah HallMission Statement. The mission of the Department of Criminal Justice is to develop and disseminate knowledgeabout crime, criminal justice, deviance, and social organization through research, teaching, and service to thecommunity. Grounded in the social sciences, and governed by the College of Arts and Sciences of The University ofAlabama, the department respects liberal values, encourages open-mindedness, and pursues in its programs bothdemographic and curricular diversity.Concerning students at the master's level, the department's mission is development of research skills and theexpansion of conceptual and practical knowledge critical to fulfillment of leadership roles in criminal justice or in thesocial services. Master's degree students planning to proceed to Ph.D. programs can expect from the departmentthorough training in the theories, methodologies, and empirical findings that promote understanding of deviance,crime, criminal justice, and social organization.Admission RequirementsAdmission into the master of science program is limited. An applicant should hold a bachelor's degree from anaccredited college or university. An undergraduate major in the social sciences is desirable, but students withsuperior undergraduate records in other fields are encouraged to apply.It is the policy of the criminal justice faculty to admit those students who demonstrate potential for successfullycompleting the master's degree program. Primary consideration is given to the applicant's scholastic record and testscores. Admission decisions for the master of science program are made in April.Degree RequirementsRequirements for the degree consist of 24 hours of coursework, 6 hours of thesis research, and successful completionand defense of a thesis; or, 24 hours of coursework and successful completion and defense of a 6-semester-hourpolicy and practice research project. Students must also pass public oral defense of their thesis/p & p.Comprehensive exams are conducted during the defense of the thesis or policy and practice paper. Up to 6 hours ofapproved coursework may be transferred from other universities. Up to 6 hours of approved coursework may betaken in other departments and may be applied to the degree when it is consistent with the student's degree plan.The department does not accept 400-level courses toward degree requirements for the master of science in criminaljustice.The section below outlines the requirements for the degree. In addition to the requiredcourses, at least 9 semester hours of elective courses with a CJ designation must be taken. CJ599 or CJ 598 should be taken after all other requirements have been completed.Core Course RequirementsCJ 581 Application of Statistics in Criminal Justice 3CJ 584 Seminar in Criminological Theory 3CJ 586 Research in the Criminal Justice Process 3Comprehensive ExamsAdditional RequirementsCJ 599 Thesis Research in Criminal Justice orCJ 598 Criminal Justice Policy and Practice 6Electives 15Students can generally complete degree requirements in 18–24 months.Course DescriptionsCJ503 Organized Crime (Three hours)