Curriculum
The Master of Science in Criminal Justice is awarded upon successful completion of 30 credits: 15 credits of required courses and a 15 credit emphasis:
- Criminal Justice Theory - This emphasis is appropriate for those who want to continue graduate education in a Ph.D. program, teach at a two-year college, or embark on a career in governmental research.
- Criminal Justice Management - This emphasis is appropriate for those seeking promotion to supervisory or administrative positions.
- Victim and Offender Services - This emphasis is designed for those interested in working with crime victims, juveniles, probation and parole clients, or providing services in institutional or community-based settings
- Emergency Management - This emphasis is designed for those interested in supervisory or administrative positions that require background knowledge in emergency preparedness and management.
All courses are three credits unless otherwise noted. Graduate credits in which a grade lower than a "C-" has been earned will not be counted toward a degree in Criminal Justice; however, these lower grades will be reflected in the student's grade point average.
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | 15 | |
| Criminal Justice Systems | ||
| Criminal Justice Research and Statistical Methods | ||
| Evaluation and Program Analysis in the Criminal Justice System | ||
| Criminological Theory | ||
| Law as Social Control | ||
| Seminar Paper Research | ||
| Thesis Research | ||
| Emphasis | 15 | |
| Select one of the Emphasis areas below. 1 | ||
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Elective Courses | ||
| CRIMLJUS 6030 | Criminal Law | 3 |
| CRIMLJUS 6230 | Community-Based Corrections | 3 |
| CRIMLJUS 6330 | Criminal Procedure and Evidence | 3 |
| CRIMLJUS 7120 | Policing in a Democratic Society | 3 |
| CRIMLJUS 7310 | Perspectives on Child Maltreatment and Child Advocacy | 3 |
| CRIMLJUS 7320 | Juvenile Delinquency & Justice: Race, Class, Gender and Youth | 3 |
| CRIMLJUS 7340 | Cyber-Crime | 3 |
| CRIMLJUS 7430 | Victimology | 3 |
| CRIMLJUS 7520 | Civil Liability & Risk Management | 3 |
| CRIMLJUS 7530 | Criminal Justice Administration | 3 |
| CRIMLJUS 7540 | Principles of Emergency Operations Management | 3 |
| CRIMLJUS 7630 | Contemporary Correctional Systems: Institutional and Community-Based Corrections | 3 |
| CRIMLJUS 7880 | Criminal Justice Internship | 3 |
| POLISCI 5830 | Civil Liberties | 3 |
| PSYCHLGY 7030 | Psychology in the Criminal Justice System | 3 |
| PSYCHLGY 7230 | Crisis Intervention Theory | 3 |
| PSYCHLGY 7330 | Theories of Personality in the Criminal Justice System | 3 |
| PSYCHLGY 7430 | Abnormal Psychology in a Dangerous World | 3 |
| PSYCHLGY 7980 | Independent Study in Psychology | 1-4 |
| BUSADMIN 5030 | Human Resource Management | 3 |
| BUSADMIN 5340 | Management, Gender and Race | 3 |
| BUSADMIN 5530 | Organizational Behavior | 3 |
| COUNSED 7130 | At Risk Youth | 3 |
- 1
With the help of an academic advisor, students develop an academic program plan consistent with specific goals from one of the four emphasis areas. Additional electives may be available through transfer and/or other arrangements. Contact the program coordinator for more information.
Courses are continuously being developed to provide knowledge and expertise in high demand.
Any new elective courses will apply for all catalog years unless otherwise stated.
Criminal Justice Theory Emphasis
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| CRIMLJUS 7320 | Juvenile Delinquency & Justice: Race, Class, Gender and Youth | 3 |
| COUNSED 7130 | At Risk Youth | 3 |
| PSYCHLGY 7430 | Abnormal Psychology in a Dangerous World | 3 |
| Plus 6 additional elective credits | 6 | |
| Total Credits | 15 | |
Criminal Justice Management Emphasis
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| CRIMLJUS 7510 | Public Finance & Budgeting | 3 |
| CRIMLJUS 7530 | Criminal Justice Administration | 3 |
| BUSADMIN 5030 | Human Resource Management | 3 |
| BUSADMIN 5530 | Organizational Behavior | 3 |
| Plus 3 additional elective credits | 3 | |
| Total Credits | 15 | |
Victim and Offender Services Emphasis
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| CRIMLJUS 7310 | Perspectives on Child Maltreatment and Child Advocacy | 3 |
| CRIMLJUS 7430 | Victimology | 3 |
| PSYCHLGY 7230 | Crisis Intervention Theory | 3 |
| Plus 6 additional elective credits | 6 | |
| Total Credits | 15 | |
Emergency Management Emphasis
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| CRIMLJUS 7530 | Criminal Justice Administration | 3 |
| CRIMLJUS 7540 | Principles of Emergency Operations Management | 3 |
| CRIMLJUS 7550 | Emergency Planning and Preparedness | 3 |
| CRIMLJUS 7560 | Application and Techniques of Emergency Management | 3 |
| BUSADMIN 5530 | Organizational Behavior | 3 |
| Total Credits | 15 | |
Certificate in Child Advocacy Studies
The Child Advocacy Studies (CAST) certificate is designed to prepare students for the realities of child protection and serve the needs of learners specifically interested in professions that work directly with or among maltreated children. It’s specifically tailored for students who intend to pursue careers in law enforcement and as child protection professionals, victim witness workers, lawyers, school social workers and treatment providers.
The CAST certificate meets the mission of the National Child Protection Training Center (NCPTC), funded by the U.S. Department of Justice to end child abuse in the United States. In recognition of UW-Platteville students’ contribution to its mission, the NCPTC will recognize the UW-Platteville CAST certificate by including its logo on each awarded UW-Platteville CAST certificate.
UW-Platteville offers several graduate certificates. These certificates are distinct from the Master's degree, but credit earned for them might be applied toward the completion of the degree. To earn a certificate, students must complete all the required courses through the University of Wisconsin-Platteville, under the direction of the University of Wisconsin-Platteville faculty. Transferred courses or course substitutions are not allowed.
To obtain a graduate certificate, students must:
- Complete the certificate with a minimum GPA of 3.00
- Achieve a minimum grade of “C” in each course from the certificate program
- Request a certificate through their advisor within one year from completion of the final course of the certificate
To earn the certificate, students must complete the following three graduate courses:
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| CRIMLJUS 7310 | Perspectives on Child Maltreatment and Child Advocacy | 3 |
| CRIMLJUS 7430 | Victimology | 3 |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Criminal Justice Internship (CAST Internship) | ||
| Independent Study in Criminal Justice (CAST Project) | ||
| Total Credits | 9 | |