Courses

This course introduces students to the skills necessary for successful leadership in law enforcement organizations. Crucial factors that influence organizational, team, and individual performance will be explored. This includes hidden and explicit dynamics that influence motivation and decision-making. Leadership principles will be applied to new approaches to law enforcement challenges, including collaborative strategies to successfully deal with complex public problems. It introduces and analyzes multiple perspectives on policing and justice, including a Christian worldview. (3 units; Online)

Graduate level course on the nature of criminal law; philosophical and historical development; major definitions and concepts; classification of crime; elements of crimes and penalties using California and federal statutes as illustrations; defenses to criminal responsibility; criminal responsibility. (3 units; Spring and Online)

A study in the traditional and theoretical schools of criminology. Theories relating to individual abnormality and theories relating to cultural influences are examined. Theories of the causes of delinquency and data on delinquent behavior including gangs, minor and major criminal actions and methods of correction are also covered. (3 units; Summer and Online)

This course will focus on the fundamentals of crime analysis and provide an introduction to crime intelligence and mapping. Students will examine concepts, theories, practices, data and analysis techniques associated with the field of crime analysis for law enforcement. Additional topics will be introduced including understanding criminal behavior, behavioral geography, linking crimes, forecasting, crime prediction and career opportunities. (3 units; Online)

This course will examine elements of criminal investigation, including crime scene preservation, evidence collection and interviewing. To bring these two topics (investigation and report writing) together, students will also be exposed to various concepts of criminal law, search and seizure and police procedures. (3 units; Summer and Online)

The Capstone Project provides the student with the opportunity to synthesize and apply major principles learned in the MSCJ program. It requires students to identify a challenge in law enforcement, review relevant literature on the subject, connect theory and practice to formulate a plan to effectively address the issue(s), and vet the plan through current leaders in the law enforcement community. (3 units; Online)

This course traces the historical development of the intellectual and theoretical foundations of modern public administration beginning with Woodrow Wilson's essay concerning the politics administration dichotomy through the multitude of more modern theories. It includes an overview of the responsibilities of public administration professionals within a democratic society, a description of the history and development of the field of public administration, and an introduction to ethical issues faced by public administrators. (3 units; Online)

This course is designed to create a deeper understanding of leadership at the cognitive, experiential, and implementation level. Students will integrate and apply theoretical concepts, improve collaborative management skills, and explore their individual philosophies of leadership. (3 units; Online)

Investigates concepts and practical techniques of organizational design and change. Emphasizes change management includes factors in transitioning individuals, teams, and organizations to a desired future state. Explores the leader's role in creating and preventing change, and strategies for coping with resistance will also be studied. (3 units; Online)

Explores the philosophical concepts behind the construct of worldview, and its control over value formation, moral, and ethical decision-making. Reviews court cases and data surrounding the intersection of legal and ethical choices made by leaders will be studied. Examines the issues that shape public policy at the local, state and federal level and the ethical dilemmas policy makers face. (3 units; Online)