Department of Criminal Justice
Undergraduate Program
Message from the Program Leader
I would like to welcome all of those who have shown interest in the Criminal Justice Department, housed under the Nelson Mandela College of Government and Social Sciences at Southern University. Criminal Justice is an interdisciplinary field that offers a variety of opportunities for its graduates. There is no greater time than now to become a part of this dynamic field with an opportunity to make a difference by providing a positive impact in the lives of individuals, helping to reshape communities, affecting policy change, etc. Our department is particularly interested in equipping students with knowledge of the various components that make up the criminal justice system. The department’s goal is to foster development in creative and scholarly achievement, as well as inspiring our students towards leadership roles in the field of criminal justice, albeit locally, regionally, nationally and internationally. Our department offers guidance from faculty members whose credentials and background cover a wide range of knowledge and experience in the field of criminal justice. Those areas of knowledge and experience include academic scholarship, law enforcement officers, lawyers, judges, federal officers, etc. Also, graduates of our department have transitioned into employment in the field of criminal justice and other related fields at the local, state, federal and international levels. Examples of where our students have obtained employment include city and state police departments, probation and parole, homeland security, attorneys, U.S. Marshall, Chiefs of police, etc.).
I hope that you strongly consider making Criminal Justice your field of choice. We have a welcoming staff that is equipped with information to help you navigate through our department and college and whose goal is to make your matriculation as smooth as possible.
Again, welcome and best wishes,
Stephone K. Addison
Interim Chair – Criminal Justice Department
Mission Statement
The Mission of the Criminal Justice Master Programs
Program Missions
The mission of the Criminal Justice Programs, both undergraduate and graduate students, is to provide opportunities to diverse student population to achieve high-quality national and global educational experience in the field of Criminal Justice. In addition, students are provide with opportunities to engage in scholarly research and creative activities. At the undergraduate level, the C.J Department’s mission is to equip students to think critically about the causes and consequences of crime and criminal behavior, and about the evolving issues in the field of criminal justice. In addition, the Department’s mission to exceptionally equip students to join the ranks of professionals working in the field of criminal justice, as well as, equip those who plan to obtain advanced degrees or continue their education in other professional careers. At the master’s level, the Department’s mission is for the students to develop critical thinking and research skills so they are able to expand their conceptual and practical knowledge critical to the fulfillment of leadership roles in criminal justice agencies. Master’s degree students who plan to proceed to Doctoral programs acquire a thorough knowledge in theories, (criminological/administrative--organizational), research methodologies, and empirical findings that promote in-depth scientific understanding of the issues in criminal justice systems.
Program Objective
The Criminal Justice Master’s Program is designed: (a) to provide students with advanced knowledge, research, and analytical skills that should contribute to their educational and professional development and (b) to provide the students the theoretical knowledge, professional, leadership, and management skills that should enable them to function effectively in the criminal justice agencies, such as the police, prisons, juvenile justice, probation, private security, etc.
The Program targets students interested in the criminal justice system who have a committed interest in enhancing their professional and management skills as well as in advancing their education.
Programs and Degrees Offered
Programs and Degrees Offered
The Department of Criminal Justice prepares students for careers in the sub-agencies of the criminal justice system and for continued education in professional and graduate schools. National and international themes related to contemporary challenges to the police courts and corrections are among those studied and explored in theory and in practice through a diverse curriculum. The Department addresses one of the University’s primary goals in the development and infusion of electronic media into the course curriculum. Online courses in our online programs support a student–centered environment that allows for e-teaching and e- learning experiences.
The Department offers a Master of Criminal Justice degree, both traditional and online, and a Bachelor of Science degree in criminal justice, both traditional and online. The undergraduate program operates as a feeder to the interdisciplinary Master of Science in criminal justice with a concentration in criminal investigation, and supporting specializations in law enforcement, corrections and public policy.
The Department offers membership to students in the Criminal Justice club, and other organizations.
Curriculum
10.15.20
Courses Offered and Descriptions
CRJU 201 CRIMINAL JUSTICE I: Intro. to Police, Courts, and Corrections (Credit, 3 hours)
All major components of the criminal justice system will be covered and their relationship to each other in competing for resources with conflicting goals. Their functions and effectiveness in working toward common and competing goals will be analyzed against environmental and organizational demands.
CRJU 202 CRIMINAL JUSTICE II: Private Security & Public Crime Prevention (Credit, 3 hours)
Public and private security authority will be examined looking at history up to modem times. Balance reactive policing with proactive philosophy in crime prevention training and operations. Civil litigation resulting from violent and nonviolent crimes will compare the criminal process to the civil process.
Prerequisite: CRJU 201
CRJU 210 CORRECTIONS (Credit, 3 hours)
This introductory level course overviews the American Correctional System, and focuses on historical and contemporary developments, trends and dilemmas. Offender profiles, rights, correctional sub-systems, and operational distinctions are examined at the three levels of government and the public and private sectors. A bibliography provides a wide range of internet resources and links to further explore and examine topics and issues in corrections at an international level.
Prerequisite: CRJU 201
CRJU 211 APPLIED CRIMINOLOGY THEORY (Credit, 3 hours)
Students will be presented an overview of the numerous schools of thought throughout history including those from psychology, sociology, biology, bio-social theory, and others in explaining pathology, causation-correlation, criminalization, and social control. Also covered will be the measurement of crime, criminal behavior patterns, alternative explanations of crime, types of crime and a criminological application to components of the criminal justice system and private sector.
Prerequisite: CRJU 201
CRJU 212 HOMELAND SECURITY (Credit, 3 hours)
This course introduces students to the challenges for law enforcement to "Secure the homeland" from terrorism. Challenges to civil liberties, the Patriot Legislation, and the Department of Homeland Security are among the themes of interests in this course. America's law enforcement roles in national defense from terrorism is the common theme throughout the course. A bibliography provides a wide range of internet e-resources and links to further explore and examine topics and issues in homeland security.
Prerequisite: CRJU 201
CRJU 232 CRIMINAL AND CIVIL INVESTIGATIONS (Credit, 3 hours)
The student will be made aware of differences in the criminal and civil process in the focus on various crimes. The importance of report writing, notebook, training, and standards will be made apparent to the student. Field trips to investigative agencies and crime scenes. Contrast between interviews and interrogations, tracing Sources of information, and informants. Also specific offenses, the investigator in court, identification and reproduction.
Prerequisite: CRJU 201
CRJU 234 ABUSES AND ADDICTIONS (Credit, 3 hours)
An introductory course in abuse of drugs, poly drug use, crime, and violence. History of drug abuse, and its pharmacology. Numerous explanations of drug abuse: physiological, psychological, and sociological. Treatment and prevention. The business of drugs: local, national and international trafficking; money laundering; politics and narcoterrorism.
Prerequisite: CRJU 202
CRJU 240 POLICING IN AMERICA (Credit, 3 hours)
A detailed survey of law enforcement in America, covering city, county, state, and federal enforcement agencies. Operations, discretion, rank order, policy, and organization will be covered, as well as the environment within which police operate including small, large and rural areas. Implementation of the law, 1983 Civil Rights Violations, use of force, and the impact of race will be analyzed, in addition to other timely subjects. Local and national events will be discussed. Prerequisite: CRJU 201
CRJU 245 CRIMINAL LAW (Credit, 3 hours)
This course involves the study of the substantive criminal law, including definitions, punishment and defenses to crimes. Also examined in this course are the general principles and specific elements of crimes, the most frequently used sections of the State Codes(s) of Criminal Law and the Model Penal Code (with emphasis placed on person and property crimes of the FBI's Uniform Crime Re- ports). Finally, this course will study the affect and/or impact of the U.S. Constitution on the creation and enforcement of criminal laws.
Prerequisite: CRJU 201
CRJU 246. LIABILITY AND LITIGATION IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE AGENCIES (Credit, 3 hours)
Seminar focusing on situational risks concerning civil litigation and its impact on the agencies of criminal justice systems, risk management, managing crime and unintended consequences of policy, training, supervision, liaison with the private sector, excessive force, stress, negligent hiring, negligent retention, and more.
Prerequisite: CRJU 201
CRJU 247 CRIMINAL PROCEDURE (Credit, 3 hours)
This course is designed to guide the student through an in-depth study of some of the major areas of criminal procedure such as a pre-arrest investigation, search and seizure, arrest. Students will also be provided information regarding the pretrial process including bail, pretrial hearings and motions, indictments, right to counsel, police interrogation, confessions, suspect identification process and other related laws, Constitutional Amendments and legal concepts. Also discusses are the roles of the major players in the U.S. adversarial system, i.e. prosecution, defense, etc.
Prerequisite: CRJU 201
CRJU 300 INTERNSHIP FOR CRIMINAL JUSTICE MAJORS (Credit, 3 hours)
Completion of at least three criminal justice courses, authorization of counselor and program director. The student will complete 100 hours of apprenticeship with a public or private sector operation dealing with control of crime and/or criminals. This may include police, courts, corrections, and private business.
Prerequisites: CRJU 202; may be repeated for up to 12 hours in conjunction with CRJU 400 with advisor and program director's permission; these additional hours may be counted toward free electives or Volunteerism.
CRJU 357 ANALYZING CRIME: PRACTICAL METHODOLOGY AND STATISTICS (Credit, 3 hours)
A combination of statistics and methodology, this course will guide students through definition and application of techniques. Meant to not only address research issues, this course emphasizes practical use of data in criminal and civil litigation. Real case materials are provided to the student as well as computer techniques for developing and enhancing skills for creation and analysis of crime data in prosecution and civil litigation.
Prerequisite: CRJU 201, CRJU 210, and CRJU 211
CRJU 358 SEMINAR IN ADVANCED CRIME ANALYSIS (Credit, 3 hours)
Seminar in Real analysis of criminal justice data used in planning, management, deployment, "hot spotting," report writing, risk management, training, supervision, police, court administration, prison populations, probation and parole, corporate security, crime prevention projects, and criminal profiling. Skills taught will be that necessary for college graduates desirous of direct entry into criminal justice analysis employment. The course will be 60 percent classroom and 40 percent field working with local, state, and/or federal agencies and supervised by professor.
Prerequisite: CRJU 201, CRJU 357
CRJU 363 TERRORISM (Credit, 3 hours)
The course directs the student to both a military and police/ paramilitary perspective on terrorism, a United States vs. an international understanding, the role of local, state, and federal agencies, the various types of terrorism and the various international actors, groups, gangs and militaries involved, narcoterrorism, American foreign business interests and security, and the ultimate interface of public and private sector interests in America's new home front danger.
Prerequisites: CRJU 201
CJRU 367 CRIMINAL JUSTICE POLICY AND ADMINISTRATION (Credit, 3 hours)
Focus on the policy process as it relates to crime legislation, its implementation, and actual workings of the political system. Special consideration is given the student regarding a framework for analysis, influences on criminal justice policy, how policy is made, application of the policy cycle to the crime issue, planning, and the tools requisite of a policy analyst.
Prerequisites: CRJU 201, CRJU 211
CRJU 375 LEGAL RESEARCH METHODOLOGY (Credit, 3 hours)
Legal methods used in real cases will prepare the student for investigative skills needed in uncovering information necessary for answering basic questions through legal research. Instructed by attorneys and other practitioners within the criminal and civil courts, the student will become sensitized to requirements for generation of legal information.
Prerequisites: CRJU 201
CJRU 390 CRIME AS AN INTERDISCIPLINARY INTELLECTUAL PURSUIT (Credit, 3 hours)
This course pursues the function of crime within national and international society, not only recently but in a historical context. The interaction of literary content and philosophy will be studied against an historical background which considers not only sociological and psychological paradigms, but the input from increased efforts at professionalism in the public and private sectors. A workshop environment stressing an interdisciplinary philosophy.
CRJU 396 CERTIFIED PROTECTION OFFICER (CPO) TRAINING (Credit, 3 hours)
The CPO designation certifies that the holder of this certification has completed basic course work consolidated for both public and private security functions. This course is an excellent resource for practitioners in reducing liability for police, corrections, and private security operations.
Prerequisites (for no practitioners): at least 18 hours of criminal justice core and elective courses, Department of Criminal Justice. Permission by department only
CRJU 397 CERTIFIED SECURITY SUPERVISOR (CSS) TRAINING (Credit, 3 hours)
The CSS designation certifies that the holder has successfully completed training covering report writing, personnel policies and procedures, multicultural diversity, ethics, stress management, complaints and grievances, courtroom testimony, supervision and training, response plan implementation, development of safety attitude, designing operations centers, statistical analysis, and community relations. Prerequisites (for non-practitioners): at least 30 hours of criminal justice core and elective courses, senior standing, prior work experience, and approval of program director. Permission by department only.
CRJU 400 PUBLIC/PRIVATE SECTOR PRACTICUM (Credit, 3 hours)
This course is utilized for students to apprentice in real world operations.
Prerequisite: CRJU 201, CRJU 310; Junior standing.
CRJU 429. COMPARATIVE JUSTICE SYSTEMS (Credit, 3 hours)
A cross-cultural study of crime and crime control applying the comparative method of in the science of criminology. Advantages and disadvantages of the global village are discussed as is the goals of comparative research: studying foreign criminal and civil law, culture, and how data and other information are collected. Also examined are the special problems of empirical research, theory testing, international strategies, and internationally induced local crime problems. Prerequisite: CRJU 201, CRJU 211, Junior standing
CRJU 430 SEMINAR IN COMMUNITY-BASED CRIMINAL JUSTICE (Credit, 3 hours)
Seminar in community-based criminal justice agencies, special training needed, necessary interactions with the environment, educational presentations of agencies, the impact on law enforcement, court, corrections, drug abuse, etc., and interfacing with neighborhood groups, the church, educational institutions, and others.
Prerequisite: CRJU 201, CRJU 210
CRJU 435 PROBATION AND PAROLE (Credit, 3 hours)
Analysis of the comparison and contrast of probation and parole supervision, their interaction with the criminal courts, administrative courts, and revocation hearings. Detailed perspectives of sworn versus unsworn peace officer status and the differing correctional philosophies will be discussed.
Prerequisite: CRJU 201, CRJU 210
CRJU 450 VIOLENCE WORKSHOP (Credit, 3 hours)
Professional certification credential based on analysis of violence, how it starts, and its impact on the criminal justice system. Students will learn violence prevention skills used in the criminal justice profession: mediation, conflict resolution, and anger management. The course will study the application state-of-the-art innovative violence prevention programs practiced in criminal justice system agencies.
Prerequisite: CRJU 201, CRJU 211
CRJU 453 SEMINAR IN ETHICS AND ETHNICS (Credit, 3 hours)
The study of ethics and race, the rule of law, crime control and due process, individual decision-making and discretion, code of ethics in policing, courts and corrections, loyalty, employee whistleblowing, ethical duty toward truthfulness, the moralities of police lying, perjury, criminal justice deviancy, gratuities, use of force, "snitches," barriers to equality, reverse discrimination, preferential treatment, rehabilitation, death penalty, and retaliation.
Prerequisite: CRJU 201, CRJU 240
CRJU 457 CRIME PREVENTION BEST PRACTICES AND METHODS (Credit, 3 hours)
The student will learn what negligence is, including civil vs. criminal law, the issue of foreseeability, and proactive strategizing. The use of the security survey in and audit in identifying security needs, "premises profiling" as well as Crime Prevention through Environmental Design (CPTED), community oriented policing, and other crime prevention concepts in the protection of assets on numerous types of premises.
Prerequisite: CRJU 201, CRJU 357
CRJU 469 VICTIMOLOGY (Credit, 3 hours)
Topics addressed in this course include: the extent of criminal victimization; the role of the victim in victimization; the cost of victimization; child, elder, and spouse abuse; victim rights and repaying victims; sources of data on criminal victimization; victimizer attitudes toward their victims; victim- offender relationships; victim/target selection; victim personal characteristics; and victim behavior as a situational variable.
Prerequisite: CRJU 201, CRJU 211, Junior standing.
CRJU 478 WORKPLACE VIOLENCE (Credit, 3 hours)
Students will consider causes of workplace violence such as a job threat, lack of dispute-resolution skills, mental illness, general life stress, and substance abuse, including violence as a cultural norm. Behavioral topologies will be compared to most recent use of personality profiling, ethics, the nonviolence paradigm, building values into the organization, paranoid organizations, creation of organizational violence, and analysis of healthy organization.
Prerequisite: CRJU 201, CRJU 211, Junior standing
CRJU 483 SOCIAL CONTROL IN THE CRIMINAL AND CIVIL COURTS (Credit, 3 hours)
Examination of the court implementation process as social control in both civil and criminal law. The effects of organizational process on issues and court players including attorneys, plaintiff and defense civilians, the court, jury, judges, police, and probation officers.
Prerequisite: CRJU 201, CRJU 245, CRJU 247
CRJU 492 CRIMINAL JUSTICE WORKSHOP (Credit, 3 hours)
Topics vary each time course is offered. A focus will be on timely subjects and those of concern to criminal justice practitioners and the public.
Prerequisite: CRJU 201, Junior standing
CRJU 495 SEMINAR IN CORPORATE SECURITY (Credit, 3 hours)
Seminar considering private sector corporate security, training, definition of risk, predatory prevention, reduction of criminal opportunity in different types of businesses, policy development, employee assistance programs, organizational behavior, understanding of systems and security awareness training at different levels of organization, and reducing liability.
Prerequisite: CRJU 201, CRJU 240
CRJU 498 INDEPENDENT STUDY (Credit, 3 hours)
The student presents a plan for study to a criminal justice faculty who acts as a mentor through- out the semester. The student and professor meet regularly in order to complete supervision of the project. The student and professor work in conjunction with the program director in completing the study. The study plan requires authorization of the program director.
Prerequisite: CRJU 201, CRJU 357. Junior standing and approval of chair.
CRJU 499 SENIOR SEMINAR- PRACTITIONER PROFESSIONALISM (Credit, 3 hours)
A senior capstone course which centers on the student's marketing skills, consolidation of "college knowledge" useful in prospecting and securing employment. Students will learn how to prepare for an interview for criminal justice and private sector positions using social science theory, practice and methodology, develop resumes', and how to utilize the computer in locating and applying for jobs on the Internet as well as through more traditional means at the local, state, and national levels.
Pre- requisite: CRJU 201, senior standing or permission of chair
Faculty and Staff
Stephone Addison (J.D., Southern University Law School). Assistant Professor in Criminal Justice. Areas of interest includes: Criminal Justice, Criminal Law and Procedure, Issues in Gun Laws, Race and Justice and Crime Prevention.
Orscini Beard (Ph.D., Public Policy, MS in Criminal Justice, Southern University and A&M College; JD, Southern University Law School). Assistant Professor in Criminal Justice and Public Administration. Area of interests include: Criminal Law and Procedure, Issues in Legal Ethics.
Geraldine Doucet (Ph.D., Juvenile Justice, Prairie View A & M University; ABD in Criminal Justice, Sam Huston University; MA in Criminal Justice, Louisiana University of Monroe). Associate Professor in Criminal Justice. Area of interests include: Criminal Justice, Criminology Research, Corrections, Correctional Health, Geriatrics Inmate Issues, School Crime, Juvenile Justice/Delinquency Issues, and Zero Tolerance Impact.
Craig H. King (JD, Southern University Law School; MS in Criminal Justice, Southern University and A & M College). Instructor in Criminal Justice. Area of interests include: Litigating cases in court; Writing journals, Assistant Editor of Southern University Law Review Journal (Researching law legal issues), Insurance Law and Constitutional Law.
Abiodun Raufu (Ph.D. Criminal Justice, Texas Southern University; MS in Political Science, University of Lagos, Nigeria; BA in Philosophy, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria). Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice. Area of interests include: Intimate Partner Violence, Policing, Corrections, Juvenile Justice, Gangs, and Cyber Crime.
Adjunct Faculty
John Hart (Ph.D. Public Policy, Southern University at New Orleans). Adjunct in Criminal Justice. Areas of Interest include, Criminal Investigation, Homeland Security and Policing.
James Jefferson III (MA, Criminal Justice, Southern University and A&M College). Adjunct in Criminal Justice. Areas of interest include, Criminal Justice, Criminology and corrections. Currently work for Louisiana State Police. Sergeant in Internal Affairs.
Ganiyu Jimoh (MS, Criminal Justice, Loyola University New Orleans). Adjunct in Criminal Justice. Areas of interests include, Criminal Justice, Law, and Investigation, Criminology, Justice Administration, Ethical Dilemma in Criminal Justice, Juvenile Delinquency and Victimology.
Donald Johnson (Ph.D. Criminal Justice, University of Southern Mississippi; J.D. Louisiana State University Law School). Adjunct in Criminal Justice. Areas of interest include Philosophy, Criminology and Criminal Justice.
Jason Matthews (MS, Criminal Justice, Southern University and A&M College) Adjunct in Criminal Justice. Areas of interest include Law Enforcement, Community Policing, and Interview and Interrogation
Louis Perry (MS, Criminal Justice, Southern University and A&M College) Adjunct in Criminal Justice. Areas of interest include Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement.
Alberta Robertson (MA, Criminal Justice, Southern University and A&M College) Criminal Justice Online Programs Coordinator, Adjunct in Criminal Justice. Interest Includes, Workplace Violence, Protection Assess.
Christopher Williams (Ph.D. Higher Education Leadership, NOVA Southeastern University; MA, Criminal Justice, Southern University at New Orleans) Adjunct in Criminal Justice. Areas of interest include, criminology, criminal justice, emergency preparedness, human resources and higher education leadership.
Contact Information
Addison, Stephone, Interim Chair, JD, MA
225-771-0032
Higgins Hall, Room 419B
Doucet, Geraldine, Ph.D.
225-771-5804
Higgins Hall, Room 419H
Beard, Orscini, Ph.D.
225-771-5911
Higgins Hall, Room 421A
King, C. Hunter, Judge, JD, MS
225-771-2906
Higgins Hall, Room 420B
Abiodun Raufu, Ph.D., MS
225-771-3410
Higgins Hall, Room 421B
Robertson, Alberta, CJ. Master’s Online Coordinator, MS
225-771-4597
Higgins Hall, Room 417
Karen Rogers-Blazio, Admin. Asst.
225-771-5732 or 2906
Higgins Hall, Room 419