Course Catalog

Course of Study

The entire online criminal justice program is 40 credits or 10 courses. Learners will take two courses (8 credits) per semester.

The program is 20 months in length.

Students can begin the program six times per year.

Criminal Justice Courses

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Criminal Justice Course Descriptions


MET CJ 602 Criminology
This course will expand students' understanding of criminal deviant behavior and the major theories of social and institutional control. It also addresses the effectiveness of social control methods and the policy implications associated with deterring deviant behavior. 4 cr.
Instructor: Robert T. Cadigan, PhD

MET CJ 610 Cyber Crime
This course is designed to help students understand and apply the nature of computer crime in the criminal justice field. Several theories (both micro-level and macro-level) will be presented and will be analyzed in depth and applied to computer crime cases both past and present. Students will see how major theories have been re-developed to be applied to computer crime, and by using these theories, students will both develop and explore different strategies for future law enforcement. Students will be presented with common types of fraudulent schemes, as well as several laws that have been enacted and developed specifically for computer crime. In addition, causes, victimization, legal issues, control strategies, and societal costs regarding the "computer-crime" problem will be explored and evaluated. 4cr
Instructor: Kyung-shick Choi, PhD

MET CJ 625 Victimology
The purpose of this course is to introduce the student to the discipline of victimology, an emerging area of specialization in the field of criminology. Emphasis will focus on crime victims and their plight, the relationships between crime victims and other social groups and institutions, such as the media, business, politicians, special interest groups, and social movements. The issues of Justice and Redress from the perspective of the victim as well as general society will be stressed. An overview of victim prevention programs and victim assistance programs will be presented. Topics such as the Restorative Justice Model, Victim Repayment, and Victim/Offender Mediation will be included in the course content. While the course follows an interdisciplinary approach and is designed for general interest and appeal, it has particular relevance for students drawn from disciplinary interests in the fields of criminal justice, psychology, sociology, education, health care administration, and political science. 4 cr.
Instructor: Daniel P. LeClair, PhD

MET CJ 631 Youth Crime Problems
Throughout this course, students will analyze the policy issues concerning juvenile justice and youth crime. Emphasis will be put on the scope and nature of youth crime, and the young offender, as well as juvenile justice procedures, programs and institutional roles. Over the semester, students will also be asked to consider delinquency prevention programs, violent offenders, dispositional alternatives, and crimes against youth. 4 cr.
Instructor: Francis J. Carney, Jr., PhD

MET CJ 632 White Collar Crime
The purpose of this course is to examine the nature and extent of corporate and white-collar crime, including detection, deterrence, and criminal liability sanctions, as well as, the social and legal changes related to corporate illegality. Students will use case materials which address securities fraud, money "laundering", professional deviance, and political corruption, in addition to other topics. Students will also analyze policy responses including RICO and other laws, regulations and court processing. 4 cr.
Instructor: Daniel P. LeClair, PhD

MET CJ 650 Terrorism
This course will include a general introduction to the overt as well as underlying ideology, history, reasons and causes of terrorism. Both domestic and international terrorism will be discussed. Domestic hate groups will also receive particular attention. The roles of politics and the media will be discussed. Students will be exposed to the philosophies of terrorists and terrorism. Counter terrorism will also be discussed at length. Students are expected to participate actively in the course. There will be written assignments, a midterm, a class presentation, and a final paper. 4 cr.
Instructor: Robert T. Cadigan, PhD

MET CJ 701 Crime and Punishment: A Conceptual and Ethical Inquiry
Assessment of the ways in which American society understands and responds to crime. Investigates acts regarded as criminal, as well as why they are so regarded, through an analysis of the ideas of harm and danger to society. 4 cr.
Instructor: Thomas Nolan, EdD

MET CJ 702 Analytical Methods
This course introduces students to the use of quantitative data in analyzing the criminal justice system. It serves as an introduction to the statistical methods used in applied social science research and furthers students' understanding of the role statistical analysis plays in planning and policy development. 4 cr.
Instructor: Robert T. Cadigan, PhD

MET CJ 703 Research Methods
This course introduces students to the practice, theory, and philosophy of social science research, with a special focus on criminal justice. It not only broadens students' knowledge of the ethical issues associated with research, but also introduces them to a variety of research techniques such as surveys, field research, and experimental designs. Research Methods will lay the foundation for students to become informed "consumers" of research, as well as "producers" of it.4 cr.
Instructor: Mary Ellen Mastrorilli, PhD

MET CJ 725 Forensic Behavioral Analysis
This course will examine the development of individual criminality and criminal careers, social group processes implicated in criminal activity; varieties of criminal behavior including violent, sexual and predatory crime; mental disorders; psychopathy; victimization; offender profiling; and forensic criminal investigation. The course will also explore the contribution of psychology to our contemporary understanding of crime and criminogenic behavior through the application of psychological theories in investigation of crime. 4 cr.
Instructor: Thomas Nolan, EdD

MET CJ 831 Criminal Justice Administration
The challenge of administering, managing, and leading today's criminal justice organizations is becoming increasingly complicated due to many factors, ranging from terrorism and cyber crime to politicization and privatization. This course provides students with not only a conceptual and theoretical basis on which to manage these complex entities, but also practical approaches to organizational effectiveness, integrity, and innovation. 4 cr.
Instructor: Mary Ellen Mastrorilli, PhD

Course offerings are subject to change.