Graduate
Thesis
The educational objectives of the graduate program in Criminal
Justice are to prepare professionals and future professionals
to think critically about the problems of crime and justice,
to provide them with an in-depth understanding of the criminal
justice system and issues that affect that system’s foundations,
functions and operations -- within a larger context. Students
will come to understand scholarly research and its applications
within diverse areas of the justice system, case studies
and the methods of inquiry and research. They will address
the social and societal issues that largely over-determine
and inform both crime and the system that is established
to “manage” it. This program is particularly well suited
to those employed in multi-cultural environments where an
understanding of society and culture from various perspectives
is paramount. Students are provided a solid theoretical,
conceptual, and methodological foundation in the social
sciences, which in combination with discipline-focused curriculum
will under-gird and complement their studies and broaden
the spectrum of professional opportunities to which they
will have access.
Program Objectives:
- Demonstrate in-depth knowledge of current issues, concepts,
philosophies and theories in the field of Criminal Justice.
- Evidence the capacity to analytically dissect and present
various theories of crime causation and societal response,
and the techniques of prevention and treatment of crime.
- Develop a sophisticated and far-reaching understanding
of the role of the courts in the administration of justice.
- Apply constitutional principles that protect the rights
of citizens and regulate criminal-justice agencies with
a solid mastery.
- Identify and discuss procedures necessary to establish
a lawful arrest and search, proper judicial procedures,
and the admissibility of evidence.
- Explain principles of effective law enforcement and
security administration.
- Describe the structure and procedures of juvenile court;
the function and jurisdiction of juvenile agencies; and
the processing and disposition of juvenile cases.
- Articulate the role of corrections in the Criminal Justice
system.
- Think logically and critically, in order to formulate,
present, and defend logical arguments.
- Apply the knowledge of ethical principles with the high
standards expected of criminal justice practitioners.
- Evidence the ability to apply critical thinking and
acquired knowledge in organizational and management theory
to effectively manage personnel and efficiently allocate
resources in the delivery of criminal/social justice services.
- Work collaboratively with fellow practitioners and
the community to jointly achieve common goals.
- Recognize how professional and ethical thinking are
essential to building both a successful career and elevating
the stature of criminal/social justice as a profession.
- Recognize the preeminence of social justice, the responsibility
for safeguarding human rights, and personal stewardship
of social justice in all professional endeavors.
- Further hone communicative skills, which underpin the
ability to conduct independent research and to formulate
documents, reports, and publications that manifest mastery
of content and execution.
Career Opportunities: The successful graduate will
be suitably prepared to assume a variety of managerial-level
positions in multiple arenas of the judicial system, in
the criminal justice community, in government, in public
or private agencies, and in other professional arenas –
or, alternatively, to assume enhanced leadership roles within
the context of a currently-held (CJ-focused) position or
organization. A broad spectrum of professional opportunities
involving the nature, genesis, management, control, regulation,
oversight, monitoring, planning design, data interpretation
and analysis of crime and justice are viable options as
well.
The Human Resource Management program prepares HR and other
professionals for today’s technology-intensive environment.
It provides the knowledge and techniques to deal with human
resource issues and to achieve high quality innovation and
productivity in often turbulent organizational settings.
It offers the training needed to establish and implement
policies consonant with HR best practices and the needs
of the organization. Students are provided a solid theoretical,
conceptual, and methodological foundation in the social
sciences. The curriculum is designed to expand and strengthen
field expertise by emphasizing the ability to think beyond
functional boundaries, the ability to participate meaningfully
in the development of and implementation of workplace strategies
that deliver business results. The University of Atlanta’s
graduate curriculum is mapped to the competencies identified
by the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) in “The
Competency Model for new HR.” Required course work includes:
human resource planning, recruiting, selection, placement,
compensation and benefits, performance management, career
planning, training and organizational development, labor
and employee relations, ethical/legal employment practices,
HR information systems, HR strategy, statistical methods,
and program evaluation. An intensive and comprehensive curriculum.
Program Objectives:
- Develop and implement plans, policies and procedures
for maximizing organizational performance.
- Establish and implement strategy-supportive staffing
techniques, including employee recruitment, retention
and training.
- Develop a significant knowledge of employment law and
mandates relating to human resource functions in order
to confirm compliance.
- Create processes for disciplinary action, grievances,
performance appraisal and compensation.
- Research empowerment theories and advantages, and constraints
to employee participation
- Evaluate the role of the National Labor Relations Board,
collective bargaining, contract administration and union-management
- Apply total quality assurance and continual improvement
to human resource processes, functions and programs
- Demonstrate proficiency in human resource management
at the master's degree level
- Establish a significant, comprehensive understanding
of ethical decision models and their applications within
the arena of HR Administration.
- Apply both quantitative and qualitative analysis of
Human Resource Management problems in the areas of policy-making,
comparative analysis of policies, strategic analysis,
cost analysis and other HR-related areas.
- Further hone communicative skills, which underpin the
ability to conduct independent research and to formulate
documents, reports, and publications that manifest mastery
of content and execution.
Career Opportunities:This program prepares those
who seek to pursue managerial-level positions in one or
more areas of HR: in recruitment, in compensation, in benefits,
in employee development, in labor relations and in other
branches of human resource management. For those already
in the field, the degree positions them well for significant
professional advances.
