Master of Science in Criminal Justice (M.S.C.J.) Major in Criminal Justice (Thesis Option)

CJ 5199B. Thesis.

This course represents a student’s continuous enrollment in the Master of Science in Criminal Justice thesis process. Under the supervision of a faculty advisor and thesis committee, students will design, implement, and complete an original research project addressing a substantive issue in criminal justice or criminology. Emphasis is placed on rigorous research design, methodological execution, and the production of a high-quality scholarly manuscript. Students will demonstrate mastery of empirical inquiry, theoretical integration, and evidence-based analysis relevant to criminal justice practice and policy. Continuous enrollment is required until the thesis is successfully completed and approved by the committee, ensuring academic rigor and scholarly contribution to the field.

CJ 5299B. Thesis.

This course represents a student’s continuous enrollment in the Master of Science in Criminal Justice thesis process. Under the supervision of a faculty advisor and thesis committee, students will design, implement, and complete an original research project addressing a substantive issue in criminal justice or criminology. Emphasis is placed on rigorous research design, methodological execution, and the production of a high-quality scholarly manuscript. Students will demonstrate mastery of empirical inquiry, theoretical integration, and evidence-based analysis relevant to criminal justice practice and policy. Continuous enrollment is required until the thesis is successfully completed and approved by the committee, ensuring academic rigor and scholarly contribution to the field.

CJ 5301. Graduate Instructional Assistant Training.

This course prepares graduate instructional assistants (GIAs) to perform effectively in various instructional settings and in their assigned instructional support roles. In addition to familiarizing themselves with essential Texas State University policies and procedures, including FERPA, Title IX, and academic integrity, GIAs learn about evidence-based teaching strategies, ethical classroom behavior, inclusive pedagogy, and effective communication with students. Topics include lesson planning, learning management systems, assessment design, and accommodating students with disabilities. This course is required as a condition of employment for GIAs in the School of Criminal Justice and Criminology and does not earn graduate degree credit.

CJ 5310. Administration of Justice.

This course introduces students to the systematic study of crime and criminal behavior in the United States. It examines the nature and extent of crime, major explanations of criminal behavior, and typologies of offending across different social contexts. Students explore the structure and functions of the criminal justice system, including law enforcement, courts, and corrections. The course also analyzes societal reactions to crime, including media, public opinion, and policy responses, encouraging critical evaluation of the effectiveness and consequences of contemporary criminal justice practices.

CJ 5315. Advanced Research Methods in Criminal Justice.

This course introduces students to the systematic study of crime and criminal behavior in the United States. It examines the nature and extent of crime, major explanations of criminal behavior, and typologies of offending across different social contexts. Students explore the structure and functions of the criminal justice system, including law enforcement, courts, and corrections. The course also analyzes societal reactions to crime, including media, public opinion, and policy responses, encouraging critical evaluation of the effectiveness and consequences of contemporary criminal justice practices.

CJ 5316. Criminal Justice Data Wrangling and Visualization.

This course teaches students how to acquire, clean, structure, and transform raw data in preparation for data visualization and analysis. Topics include data and data file types; database design and documentation; data processing workflows; data construction and cleaning; handling missing values; aggregating, appending, and merging datasets; creating and recoding variables; descriptive statistics; and visual presentation of data. Students use visual, point‑and‑click software tools to work with real‑world criminal justice datasets sourced from official repositories, data portals, and related sites.

CJ 5319. Crime Analysis.

This course examines the theories, tools, and techniques used to identify, analyze, and respond to crime problems and to support criminal investigations using data. Grounded in environmental criminology, students examine foundational frameworks including routine activity theory, crime pattern theory, the rational choice perspective, and situational crime prevention. Topics include crime mapping, temporal analysis, serial crime and case linkage, problem-solving methods, crime displacement, offender behavior, journey-to-crime research, and geographic profiling. Students learn to identify crime opportunities, evaluate problem-solving strategies, and communicate analytic findings to diverse audiences, including law enforcement practitioners, policymakers, and researchers. Through engagement with empirical research and applied crime data, the course prepares students to bridge the gap between criminological theory and practical law enforcement strategies and tactics.

CJ 5320. History and Philosophy of Justice.

This course examines the historical and philosophical foundations of crime, punishment, and social control from antiquity through the present day. Students explore major Western European schools of thought, the emergence of criminology as a discipline, and the development of the scientific method as applied to justice systems. Topics include the evolution of policing, courts, and corrections; changing definitions of crime and deviance across cultural and political contexts; the history of punishment and its philosophical justifications; and the relationship between broader social transformations and criminal justice policy in the United States. Through critical analysis of empirical research and structured discussion, students develop the capacity to situate contemporary criminal justice debates within their historical and intellectual origins.

CJ 5321. Current Legal Issues in Criminal Justice.

This course examines contemporary legal issues shaping the practices and policies of criminal justice agencies, with particular emphasis on criminal courts and constitutional law. Related case law, legislation, legal research, and empirical studies will be analyzed. Topics may vary and include enforcement tactics, the right to counsel, bail, solitary confinement, and emerging legal challenges. The course is designed to provide students with an advanced overview of legal developments influencing decision-making, accountability, and reform within the criminal justice system.

CJ 5322. Police in Society.

This course provides a comprehensive, research-driven examination of policing in the United States. The course explores (1) the historical foundations of policing, (2) organizational structure, culture, and discretion, (3) recruitment, training, and officer wellness, (4) misconduct and accountability, (5) use of force, and (6) technological innovation. Emphasizing evidence-based policing, students engage foundational and contemporary scholarship to evaluate major strategies and reform efforts, including community- and problem-oriented policing, procedural and organizational justice, civilian oversight, and police-researcher partnerships. Attention is given to the measurement of crime and police performance, the strengths and limitations of official data, and methodological issues in policing research. The course prepares students to analyze policing policy and practice within a democratic society and to assess current and emerging challenges in the field.

CJ 5323. Special Operation Units.

This course explores the structure, function, and management of Special Operations Units (SOUs) within law enforcement. Students examine the formation, personnel selection, training, and operationalization of specialized units, as well as the leadership, accountability, and oversight structures required to manage them effectively. Topics include crisis management, risk assessment, ethical decision-making, community engagement, and the balance between operational security and public transparency. Drawing on real-world case studies, research literature, and policy reports, students analyze how SOUs are established, evaluate their performance and impact, and develop evidence-based recommendations for improving their effectiveness and ethical operations.

CJ 5324. Investigations.

This course examines the theory, practice, and contemporary challenges of criminal investigations. Emphasis is placed on investigative thinking, decision-making processes, and evidence-based best practices. Students evaluate interviewing and interrogation methods, the risk of false confessions and wrongful convictions, and the role of cognitive bias in investigative outcomes. The course also addresses specialized investigative contexts, including cold cases, serial offending, and complex major crimes. Through applied case analysis, students assess investigative successes and failures to develop analytically rigorous and ethically grounded investigative approaches.

CJ 5325. Statistics for Criminal Justice.

This course provides students with a basic understanding of fundamental statistical analyses employed in the fields of criminal justice and criminology. Descriptive and inferential statistics will be covered. Descriptive statistics refers to the basic properties of the data, including the most typical case and how the data are dispersed. Inferential statistics refers to a branch of statistics that allows researchers to begin making inferences from a sample about the population. The course covers bivariate and multivariate analyses.

CJ 5326. Qualitative Research Methods and Data Analysis.

This course provides students with a detailed and participatory introduction to the principles and use of common qualitative methods and data analysis used in social science research with a particular focus on the field of criminal justice.

CJ 5330. Management Principles in Criminal Justice.

This course introduces students to the foundational theories, structures, and practices that guide effective management within law enforcement, courts, and correctional organizations. The course examines how classical and contemporary management approaches shape decision‑making, organizational behavior, communication, and strategic planning across the criminal justice system. Students explore the unique challenges faced by justice‑sector managers, including ethical responsibilities, community expectations, workforce diversity, policy implementation, and the complexities of operating in high‑stakes environments. Emphasis is placed on understanding organizational culture, motivating personnel, managing change, and applying evidence‑based management strategies to real‑world scenarios.

CJ 5333. Analysis of Race, Class, and Crime.

This course investigates the historical and structural factors that contribute to differential outcomes within the criminal justice system. Students will be presented with data outlining these differential outcomes and be expected to discuss and assess the contributing factors within policing, the criminal courts, and correctional institutions. Students analyze major theories of crime, institutional practices, and the role of the broader societal systems such as media, policy, and economics to assess how different frameworks shape justice system practices.

CJ 5334. Sexual Offending and the Criminal Justice System.

This course examines persons who have committed a sex offense and their interaction with the criminal justice system. Students explore typologies of offenders, patterns and trends in sexual offending, and legal and policy issues related to community management, registration, and sentencing. The course emphasizes theoretical explanations of sexual offending, cognitive distortions, risk assessment instruments, and contemporary treatment approaches in institutional and community settings. Students also evaluate the strengths and limitations of official data sources and examine current strategies used by criminal justice professionals to manage and prevent sexual offending.

CJ 5335. Advanced Criminological Theory.

This course examines major theoretical and empirical explanations of deviance and criminal behavior, emphasizing their historical development, social context, and relevance to contemporary criminal justice policy. Students analyze how criminological theories are constructed, tested, and refined, and assess the strength of the evidence supporting each perspective. Topics span classical, positivist, sociological, and integrated theoretical traditions, with attention to how these frameworks inform responses to crime at the individual, community, and systemic levels. Through critical engagement with quantitative and qualitative research, students strengthen their ability to evaluate competing explanations, weigh evidence, and articulate informed positions on current issues in criminology and criminal justice.

CJ 5336. Ethics and the Criminal Justice System.

This course explores the ethical issues faced by criminal justice professionals. Basic ethical systems, such as ethical formalism and utilitarianism, will be examined from a criminal justice perspective. A standard lecture format is used to deliver key content, complemented by scenario- and circumstance-based exercises that enable the application of ethical principles to criminal justice-related dilemmas. The course emphasizes the development of ethical reasoning and analytical skills applicable to professional decision-making in criminal justice contexts.

CJ 5340. Personnel Practices in Criminal Justice.

This course examines personnel decision-making processes within criminal justice organizations, with emphasis on evidence-based and legally sound human resource practices. Students explore recruitment and selection strategies, promotion systems, training and professional development, performance evaluation, workforce planning, and human resource allocation in policing, courts, and corrections agencies. Particular attention is given to organizational effectiveness, leadership accountability, labor relations, diversity and inclusion, ethical decision-making, and compliance with employment law. The course evaluates how personnel policies influence organizational culture, employee performance, and public trust while preparing students to assess and implement contemporary personnel management practices in complex criminal justice environments.

CJ 5345. Criminal Justice Policy.

This course covers contemporary public policies designed to prevent and reduce crime and criminal offending. There is also an emphasis on different levels of evaluation that should be used to address specific criminal justice issues.

CJ 5346. Criminal Justice Leadership.

This course provides an examination and critical analysis of the important theories, concepts, and current issues relevant to the field of public leadership in general, and criminal justice agency leadership in particular.

CJ 5350. Current Issues in Criminal Justice.

This course provides an advanced examination of contemporary issues shaping criminal justice policy, practice, and research. Through critical analysis of emerging developments, students explore current challenges affecting policing, courts, corrections, and the broader justice system. Topics may include criminal justice reform, technological innovation, legitimacy and public trust, sentencing policy, violence trends, workforce challenges, federal–state relations, and evolving legal or procedural developments. While core thematic areas remain constant, specific course emphasis adapts to emerging social, political, and institutional issues. The course emphasizes scholarly evaluation of current debates and prepares students to assess and respond to rapidly changing conditions influencing modern criminal justice systems.

CJ 5355. Intelligence Analysis and Operations.

This course provides an overview of the principles, methods, and practices of intelligence analysis as applied to national security, law enforcement, and counterterrorism contexts. Students examine the intelligence cycle from collection through feedback, with emphasis on strategic analysis and the relationship between analysts and intelligence consumers. Topics include the role of the analyst, collection disciplines (HUMINT, SIGINT, OSINT, and others), structured analytical techniques, intelligence products, intelligence failures, ethical implications for intelligence collection in domestic policing, and strategies for gaining customer acceptance of intelligence products. Through case studies drawn from real-world intelligence operations, students apply structured analytic techniques to complex problems and develop skills in synthesizing information for strategic, operational, and tactical decision-making.

CJ 5360. Independent Studies in Criminal Justice.

This course provides graduate students with the opportunity to pursue advanced, individualized study in a specialized area of criminal justice or criminology under the supervision of a faculty member. Students engage in focused, in-depth inquiry that may include original research, advanced policy analysis, theoretical development, or comprehensive literature review. Emphasis is placed on independent scholarship, critical analysis, and the application of advanced disciplinary knowledge aligned with the student’s academic and professional goals. In consultation with the supervising faculty member, students will develop a structured project plan with clearly defined objectives, appropriate methodological or analytical approaches, and a timeline for completion. The course culminates in a substantial scholarly or applied product that reflects graduate-level rigor and contributes to the student’s intellectual and professional development. The course may be repeated once for credit with a different emphasis, subject to approval by the department chair.

CJ 5370. Capstone in Criminal Justice Research and Communication.

This course serves as the capstone in the MSCJ Executive Track and guides students through the development of a professional paper and oral presentation that fulfill the program’s comprehensive examination requirements. Students examine stages of the scientific research process, distinguish credible from non-credible research, and apply evidence-based reasoning to criminal justice problems. Coursework culminates in two integrated assignments: a white paper synthesizing research on a policy-relevant issue and a research proposal that applies theory and identifies an appropriate research design. Students present their work in a professional conference-style format. The course emphasizes analytical writing and professional communication skills for criminal justice contexts.

CJ 5380A. Ethics and the Criminal Justice System.

This special topics course will explore ethical issues that are faced by criminal justice professionals, basic ethical systems, and applications to dilemmas of criminal justice professionals.

CJ 5380F. Police Problem-Solving Practicum.

This course applies contemporary police problem-solving tools and techniques (including SARA, COMPSTAT, crime mapping, intelligence led policing and computer enhanced problem solving) to real world problems with practicum problems derived from situations commonly facing police practitioners such as common law enforcement “problems” such as noise abatement, property offenses and traffic violations.

CJ 5380H. Police Problem Solving Methodologies.

This course introduces and applies problem-solving methodologies grounded in the principles of Problem-Oriented Policing (POP). Students explore the history and theoretical foundations of POP, including routine activity theory, crime pattern theory, rational choice perspectives, and situational crime prevention. The course develops students' ability to define, analyze, and prioritize recurring community problems using structured analytical frameworks, with particular emphasis on the SARA model (Scanning, Analysis, Response, Assessment). Topics also include Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED), interagency collaboration, and the sustainability of problem-solving initiatives. The course emphasizes critical thinking, evidence-based reasoning, and the translation of criminological theory into actionable policing strategies.

CJ 5380N. Applied Research Practicum.

This course provides structured assistance to students who are preparing for significant independent research projects (i.e. Thesis, Professional Paper) by exposing them to the organizational tools, processes and techniques used by productive scholars. Ideally, students should expect to complete a viable research prospectus by the end of the semester.

CJ 5380Q. Qualitative Research Methods and Data Analysis.

This course provides students with a detailed and participatory introduction to the principles and use of common qualitative methods and data analysis used in social science research with a particular focus on the field of criminal justice.

CJ 5380R. Criminal Justice Policy.

This course covers contemporary public policies designed to prevent and reduce crime and criminal offending. There is also an emphasis on different levels of evaluation that should be used to address specific criminal justice issues.

CJ 5380S. Criminal Justice Leadership.

This course provides an examination and critical analysis of the important theories, concepts, and current issues relevant to the field of public leadership in general, and criminal justice agency leadership in particular.

CJ 5380T. Crime, Criminal Justice and the Media.

This course examines the complex relationship between media systems and the social construction of crime. Students explore how news organizations, entertainment media, and digital platforms shape public perceptions of criminal behavior, justice processes, and policy responses. Through interdisciplinary scholarship and case studies, the course analyzes media’s role in amplifying moral panics, reinforcing or challenging stereotypes, and influencing fear of crime. Additional attention is given to contemporary issues in the changing media and criminal justice interface due to technological advances in participatory news. Students will develop critical media literacy skills, evaluate empirical research, and assess the broader cultural, ethical, and political implications of crime representation in a mediated society.

CJ 5380U. Cold Case Investigations.

This course introduces students to the concepts and issues of cold cases and their investigation. The major causes of uncleared crimes will be examined. The nature of crime and criminality will be explored with an emphasis on serial sexual crime, stranger offenders, and victim risk. Solving cold cases, evidence structure, relevant forensic methodologies, and interviewing approaches are discussed. The issue of missing persons and its relationship to cold cases is examined. Methods of crime linkage analysis, behavioral profiling, and geographic profiling are outlined and explained. The course will use a number of case studies and in-class exercises.

CJ 5380V. Modern Methods in Biosocial Criminology.

This course examines contemporary biosocial research methods and their application to criminological questions. Students will engage foundational evolutionary and developmental perspectives on behavior, examine how biological processes and social environments interact across the life course, and explore how computational methods and molecular data can be used to study a wide range of behaviors relevant to criminology and the social sciences. By the end of the course, students will be able to critically evaluate biosocial research, apply biosocial frameworks to novel criminological questions, and identify key ethical/policy issues raised by biosocial inquiry.

CJ 5390. Criminal Justice and Security Internship.

This course provides students with supervised, applied experience in a criminal justice agency or related professional setting. Students are required to complete 150 documented field hours, during which they integrate advanced theoretical knowledge with practical responsibilities relevant to policy analysis, research, administration, or direct service. The course includes a structured professional development component designed to enhance students’ career readiness, workplace competencies, and engagement with practitioners in the field. Guided supervision and reflective assignments support critical examination of organizational practices, ethical considerations, and the broader social, political, and cultural contexts shaping criminal justice work. Successful completion of regular progress evaluations and a culminating analytical report is required. Prerequisite: CJ 5315 and CJ 5325 with grades of "B" or better.

CJ 5399A. Thesis.

This course represents a student’s continuous enrollment in the Master of Science in Criminal Justice thesis process. Under the supervision of a faculty advisor and thesis committee, students will design, implement, and complete an original research project addressing a substantive issue in criminal justice or criminology. Emphasis is placed on rigorous research design, methodological execution, and the production of a high-quality scholarly manuscript. Students will demonstrate mastery of empirical inquiry, theoretical integration, and evidence-based analysis relevant to criminal justice practice and policy. Continuous enrollment is required until the thesis is successfully completed and approved by the committee, ensuring academic rigor and scholarly contribution to the field.

CJ 5399B. Thesis.

This course represents a student’s continuous enrollment in the Master of Science in Criminal Justice thesis process. Under the supervision of a faculty advisor and thesis committee, students will design, implement, and complete an original research project addressing a substantive issue in criminal justice or criminology. Emphasis is placed on rigorous research design, methodological execution, and the production of a high-quality scholarly manuscript. Students will demonstrate mastery of empirical inquiry, theoretical integration, and evidence-based analysis relevant to criminal justice practice and policy. Continuous enrollment is required until the thesis is successfully completed and approved by the committee, ensuring academic rigor and scholarly contribution to the field.

CJ 5599B. Thesis.

This course represents a student’s continuous enrollment in the Master of Science in Criminal Justice thesis process. Under the supervision of a faculty advisor and thesis committee, students will design, implement, and complete an original research project addressing a substantive issue in criminal justice or criminology. Emphasis is placed on rigorous research design, methodological execution, and the production of a high-quality scholarly manuscript. Students will demonstrate mastery of empirical inquiry, theoretical integration, and evidence-based analysis relevant to criminal justice practice and policy. Continuous enrollment is required until the thesis is successfully completed and approved by the committee, ensuring academic rigor and scholarly contribution to the field.

CJ 5999B. Thesis.

This course represents a student’s continuous enrollment in the Master of Science in Criminal Justice thesis process. Under the supervision of a faculty advisor and thesis committee, students design, implement, and complete an original research project addressing a substantive issue in criminal justice or criminology. Emphasis is placed on research design, methodological execution, and the development of a scholarly manuscript. Students engage in empirical inquiry, theoretical integration, and evidence-based analysis relevant to criminal justice practice and policy. Continuous enrollment is required until the thesis is completed and approved by the committee.