Coursework

The program will have both day and night classes. Some of the classes specifically for doctoral students will be taught during the day. Courses that are doctoral/master’s may be taught at night. There will be a residency requirement of full time status (9 hours) for two, consecutive full-term semesters.

Research Design and Statistical Analysis Courses (12 hours). Courses in research and statistics are designed to produce an ability to frame issues and relevant research questions related to the study of crime and justice, to select the most appropriate statistical techniques, and to properly interpret the results. Students must take the following 12 hours:

PADM 7315, Research Methods

Provides an understanding of methods for conducting empirical research. Topics include the process of research; design of studies; the relationship between theory, research, and statistics; and ethical issues in research.

STAT 7340, Advanced Stat Methods I

Focuses on statistics that address single and multiple outcome measures. Statistics addressed include bivariate and multivariate models.

STAT 7341 Advanced Statistical Analysis II

Focuses on more advanced statistical procedures such as Ordinary Least Squares regression, Hierarchal Linear Modeling, Factor Analysis, and Structural Equation Modeling.

CRJU 8312, Secondary Data Set Management and Analysis

Provides an understanding of secondary data sets and how they can be used in analyses and program evaluation. Topics include data cleaning for accuracy and efficiency, recoding variables, and preparing data sets for analysis with SPSS.

Courses in Crime and Justice (12 hours). Courses in specific or advanced topics on crime and justice. Students are expected to have some knowledge of theories of criminal justice before entering the doctoral program. These courses will build on that knowledge to provide expertise in the core areas related to criminal justice (police, courts, corrections, and criminological theory). Students must select Proseminar and 9 hours from the following courses:

CRJU 8310 Proseminar

Provides a foundation for the study of crime and justice and an introduction to the role of PhDs in criminology/criminal justice. Topics include current trends in higher education, employment and career planning, and the role of academics in reducing crime. The course will also serve as an introduction to the doctoral program and writing refresher for incoming doctoral students.

CRJU 8311 Survey of Theories of Justice

Addresses the theoretical foundation of the justice system in the U.S. Topics include theories related to policing, law, corrections, and juvenile justice. This course provides a foundation for the advanced study of topics in other courses in the doctoral program.

CRJU 8313 Advanced Criminological Theory

Current works in criminological theory. Addresses updates of classical criminological theories as well as theories and research within ten years.

CRJU 8321 Teaching Practicum

Prepares students to teach criminology/criminal justice courses. Covers aspects of presentation, pedagogical issues, giving and grading tests, and handling problem students. Also addressed will be expectations and activities involved in being a faculty member.

Students may also take courses from CRJU 7393, Special Topics to fulfill this requirement.

Electives and Specializations (9 hours)

Students may take one of three specialization areas or may form a topical specialization with the approval of the dissertation committee and Doctoral Coordinator.

The first specialization is a criminal justice generalist. This specialization prepares students to fill positions as faculty members at universities or researchers in crime and justice institutes and agencies. The focus of the specialization is obtaining a broad base of advanced knowledge about the criminology and justice. Students selecting this specialization will take the following courses:

CRJU 8313 Advanced Criminological Theory

CRJU 8321 Teaching Practicum

1 course from the CRJU 7393 Special Topics in Criminal Justice

Since these courses are a part of the Crime and Justice core, students choosing this specialization will take the following courses to meet their crime and justice core requirements:

CRJU 8310 Proseminar

CRJU 8311 Survey of Theories of Justice

2 additional course from CRJU 7393 Special Topics in Criminal Justice

Drawing on the strengths of the faculty and the Center for the Study of Environmental Criminology, this doctoral program will also offer a specialization in the study of crime related to the environment of neighborhoods and cities. This specialization will prepare students to conduct research related to metropolitan areas, including the mobility and interaction of residents; urban design in preventing crime; and the relationship between social, physical, and economic networks and crime. Courses offered in this specialization include:

CRJU 8331 Urban Spatial Structures

Provides an understanding of American cities, how they have changed over time, and how the spacio-temporal characteristics influence criminal behavior.

PADM 7345, Urban Management and Community Change

Introduces students to the study of cities as it relates to social and public policy. The course draws upon the social sciences to answer questions such as how cities have changed over time, the characteristics of cities and their populations, how cities are governed, and how policy decisions influence city growth or decline.

CRJU 8323 Theories of Neighborhoods and Crime

Addresses criminological theories related to the urban environment, including studies from the 1800s, social disorganization research, human/social ecology, environmental criminology, and the nature of urban crime. The goal of the course is to provide a comprehensive theoretical background upon which to conduct research on neighborhoods and crime.

CRJU 8322 Theory and Practice of Spatial Analysis

Advanced analysis of data related to crime in the urban environment. Topics include using Spatial Analyst, CrimeStat III, and other spatial statistics. Theories of neighborhoods and crime will be tested using data on crime and social dynamics.

Students wishing to focus on statistical analysis may choose to obtain a Graduate Certificate in Applied Statistics as a specialization. Six of the fifteen hours required for the certificate are core requirements for the PhD in Criminal Justice. The other required course for the certificate is STAT 7342, Introduction to SAS. The other two courses to satisfy this specialization and the Certificate in Applied Statistics would be decided in consultation with the Doctoral Coordinator and the Coordinator of the Applied Statistics program.

Students with special interests may also select a tailored specialization. The student will work with his or her dissertation committee and the Doctoral Coordinator in selecting courses for this specialization. These electives may be taken from any of the courses offered in the Department of Criminal Justice. Students may take MACJ courses with the permission of the professor as long as the student did not previously take the course. In limited circumstances, students may take courses outside the Department if the student receives permission from the Doctoral Coordinator.

CRJU 8383 Research Practicum (12 hours)

Research Practicum is the point in the program where students begin to put their course work and skills in criminal justice, research design, and statistical analysis into practice. Students at this stage of the program will either obtain funding (by writing grant proposals) to conduct research related to their potential dissertation topic, work on a grant already obtained by a faculty member, or work as an intern at a government or public organization (e.g. Department of Correction, City of Little Rock, Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families). The goals of this portion of the program are: 1) to give students experience in writing grant proposals and obtaining funding, 2) to give students experience in designing research and putting the research into practice, 3) to give students practical experience in conducting research, and 4) to build on student knowledge in analysis and research in preparation for completing the dissertation. To demonstrate the ability to obtain funding, students will be required to either obtain funding by writing a grant proposal or complete three grant proposals in attempts to obtain funding. As a part of the preparation for this requirement, students will also be required to attend three, day-long grant workshops to increase grant writing knowledge and ability. Students will also be required to publish the findings of their research in peer-reviewed journals.

CRJU 8393 Dissertation (12 hours)

The dissertation will address a particular issue in crime, criminology, or criminal justice. Students are expected to obtain funding to complete their dissertation. The dissertation must be of a content and quality worthy of publication in relevant journals or completion of a scholarly book.