Master of Criminal Justice
Assessment Strategy and Plan
April 1999
Proposed
EPC A
• Effective Spring 2000;
• New course approvals: 500, 515, 516, 517, 518, 530, 550, and 599;
• Approve course title changes:
1) MCJ 700 Practicum to MCJ 700 Research Design;
2) MCJ 701 Criminal Justice Research to MCJ-701 Practicum Project;
3) MCJ 702 MCJ Project to MCJ 702 Thesis.
The SAU Master of Criminal Justice program is multi-disciplinary and comprehensive with emphasis on professional development. The MCJ integrates class offerings from business, criminal justice, education-special, legal studies, education, and social work. The program prepares graduates for professional positions in criminal justice, education, human services, and personnel and training in justice-related organizations.
1) Mission Statement
The MCJ program is designed to prepare professionally competent practitioners with
integrity for leadership positions in criminal justice and related organizations. The graduate program develops student talent for upper-level careers in law enforcement, court services, corrections-human services, and crime prevention and private security. It also is appropriate for those desiring to teach criminal justice at the community college level, or to serve as training specialists injustice-related organizations.
2) Learning Objectives for Majors
The MCJ student will:
1. Acquire the knowledge and understanding necessary for managing within complex
organizations by integrating-business insights applicable injustice settings.
2. Understand the relationship between crime theory, crime policy, and professional
practice.
3. Master interactive skills and learn behavioral strategies for improving systemic
communication within and between criminal justice agencies.
4. Demonstrate the capacity to work collaboratively with others in scientific problem
solving and good attainment.
5. Differentiate between management and leadership in theory and practice adapted to justice issues.
6. Enhance professional knowledge and skills through elective courses in business,
counseling, criminal justice, education, law, research and statistics, and/or social work.
7. Demonstrate competence with research methods in criminology and criminal justice.
8. Complete a final research project or thesis on a topic related to professional practice in an actual criminal justice agency.
3) Methods for Assessment
1. Graduate course syllabi for all program courses will be maintained for formative analyses of course materials and intended outcomes.
2. A portfolio will be developed for each MCJ student.
3. Ongoing review of student progress will be conducted via the Plan-of-Study, with
samples of written work included.
4. Upon completion of 30 credits of coursework, the MCJ student will sit for comprehensive examinations.
5. A copy of the HSRB-approved research proposal will be maintained for each MCJ candidate.
6. The final research report, i.e., practicum project or thesis, will be bound and placed in Special Collections in the SAU library.
7. The program will survey graduates for success and satisfaction via an exit interview
and/or follow-up questionnaire designed to elicit their initial attraction to SAU, and
placement data subsequent to graduation.
8. Feedback
from employers concerning effectiveness of MCJ graduates: employees will be
solicited pertaining to student impact in the community.
9. Input from the Criminal Justice Advisory Board as to program fit with evolving career opportunities will be incorporated into strategic planning by the faculty.
10. All feedback (1-9) will be considered for compliance with ACJS Standards.
4) Documentation of Student Learning
The MCJ Director will construct and maintain a portfolio for each graduate student. Each file will contain the following documents: (1) application; (2) transcripts; (3) two letters of reference; (4) acceptance decision; (5) plan-of-study with grade reports for all classes completed; (6) application for comprehensives; (7) written projects/papers for MCJ classes 500, 507, 610, 620, 630, and 640; (8) results of comprehensives in Criminological Theory, Crime Policy Analysis, Criminal Justice Organizations, Organization Development, and Criminal Justice Leadership; (9) a copy of the research proposal to HSRB, and (10) a copy of the final paper, with a hardbound copy placed in the library.
5) Use of Assessment Information
The Criminal Justice faculty will review student work in progress and determine if that work rises to a graduate level, making adjustments immediately as needed. In terms of summative evaluation, during the year preceding formal program review, the faculty will evaluate entire portfolio documents for insights into strengths and weaknesses of the program and/or clientele. Remedies/Changes would then be proposed at the lime of next review.
6) Evaluation of the Assessment Plan
ACJS Guidelines provide the normative standard for future evaluation of the MCJ
assessment plan, i.e., are we progressing toward accreditation?
7) Review of Proposed Courses (in progress)