UTA COLLEGE OF LIBERAL ARTS

DEPARTMENT OF CRIMINOLOGY AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE

2020-2021 MASTER OF ARTS IN CRIMINOLOGY AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE STUDENT HANDBOOK

Master of Arts in Criminology and Criminal Justice

CONTENTS

WELCOME .....................................................................................................................

PROGRAM OVERVIEW ...............................................................................................

CRCJ AREAS/SPECIALIZATIONS .............................................................................

CURRICULUM ..............................................................................................................

CRIMINOLOGY AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE COURSES .........................................

SAMPLE COURSE DEGREE PLANS ..........................................................................

FINAL MASTER EXAM REPORT OPTIONS ............................................................ • PREPARING FOR CAPSTONE, THESIS, OR POLICY ANALYSIS ......................

CRCJ INTERNSHIP/PRACTICUM ............................................................................

DUAL DEGREES ...........................................................................................................

STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES .................................................................................

CRCJ STUDENT HONOR SOCIETY ORGANIZATION .........................................

CONNECT WITH CRCJ DEPARTMENT ..................................................................

FACULTY AND STAFF .................................................................................................

CAMPUS RESOURCES .................................................................................................

FAQ .................................................................................................................................

Master of Arts in Criminology and Criminal Justice

CRCJ Graduate Students: On behalf of faculty in the Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice at the University of Texas at Arlington, we congratulate you on your acceptance into the Master’s Program in Criminology and Criminal Justice. This achievement would not have been possible without the hard work and dedication you have demonstrated throughout your academic career. We are confident that your experience in the program will be challenging and rewarding. We understand that you had many choices for graduate school and are pleased that you chose us. You will find that we do not use an “assembly line” approach in processing students as quickly, impersonally, and cheaply as possible. We take the time and effort to teach, mentor, and train our students in the highest standards of research, practice, and ethics. We are dedicated to providing an academically rigorous program with true scholars and practitioners in the field. During your time at UTA, you will interact with faculty members who have the highest degrees in their respective areas and who have shown a commitment to the creation of knowledge through extensive publications and funding. Our program is unique in that we do not simply repeat the words of others and ask you to respond. Our faculty members are involved in the creation of knowledge and want to involve you in that process. Our faculty members are driven by love of knowledge and professionalism, and not love of money or prestige. We are confident you will enjoy your experience with UTA. If there is ever a time that you would like to speak with us about the program, we will be available. We look forward to meeting you and wish you a successful and rewarding academic experience. Best wishes, Kent Ryan Kerley, Ph.D. Professor and Chair Jaya Davis, Ph.D. Associate Professor and Graduate Programs Director

Master of Arts in Criminology and Criminal Justice

PROGRAM OVERVIEW Our degree programs offer a comprehensive examination of the criminal justice system, an exploration of criminal and delinquent behaviors, a foundation in research methods and statistics, and an opportunity to explore other relevant topics of interest to students. MA CRCJ programs are designed for:

1. Pre-professional students who wish to pursue a career in some aspect of criminal justice, or in a related field, and to develop the perspectives and knowledge appropriate to doing so.

2. In-service professionals who wish to enhance and broaden their knowledge in this and related areas of study.

3. Students, pre-professional or in-service, who wish to pursue further relevant post-graduate studies, whether academic or professional.

To meet these objectives, and to develop a broadly educated student, the program offers both thesis and non-thesis options. The coursework (non-thesis) option is generally recommended for students who do not intend to pursue doctoral-level studies. It does not require applicants to have prior criminal justice employment and is designed to provide a base of knowledge and skills necessary to enter and/or administer criminal justice related programs. The non-thesis option requires students to author and present a policy analysis. Students must select and work with a three-member faculty committee to complete this requirement. Students must complete 27 hours (including core classes) in order to schedule their presentation but can begin work on the analysis at any time. Students must be enrolled in the semester in which they complete and present the analysis. The thesis option is generally recommended for students wishing to pursue further education in professional schools or doctoral-level studies. It is designed to prepare students to conduct research in criminology and criminal justice and actively participate in the development of knowledge. The thesis is an independent research project requiring students to develop and analyze a novel research question. Students must select and work with a three-member faculty committee. Students choosing the thesis option are required defend a research prospectus the semester prior to the anticipated graduation semester and to take a six-hour thesis course during the semester in which the thesis is defended. With the approval of the Graduate Programs Director, students may also use their elective hours to concentrate on a particular field of study, such as sociology, political science, corrections, policing, or a multidisciplinary approach to a particular focus, such as administration or research.

Master of Arts in Criminology and Criminal Justice

CRCJ AREAS/SPECIALIZATIONS The CRCJ program provides a generalist education that prepares our graduates to tackle their criminology and criminal justice position and move on quickly to higher, more advanced levels of responsibility. The most common specializations identified by Criminology and Criminal Justice Field include Policing, Courts, Corrections, Cybersecurity, Community Development, Forensic Science, and Law. CURRICULUM A total of 36 hours is required for completion of the program. The generalist core (36 hrs Thesis or Non-Thesis) is organized into three knowledge tiers:

• Core Courses (18 hrs) • Electives (12 hrs thesis) or (18 hrs non-thesis) • Implementation of Final Master Exam (FME)

• Policy Analysis for campus students, • Thesis (6 hrs) for campus students, or • Capstone course project for cohort students (3 hrs)

CORE COURSES CRCJ 5301 ProSeminar in CRCJ CRCJ 5309 Research Methods in CJ CRCJ 5310 Statistics & Research Practices in CJ CRCJ 5342 Ethics in Criminal Justice CRCJ 5350 Theoretical Criminology CRCJ 5381 Crime & Public Policy ELECTIVE COURSES (12 hours thesis students; 18 hours non-thesis students) CRCJ 5318 CJ Personnel Administration CRCJ 5319 Issues in Policing CRCJ 5327 Constitutional Issues in CJ CRCJ 5332 Correctional Theory & Practice CRCJ 5351 Terrorism & Crime CRCJ 5352 Women, Crime & Criminal Justice CRCJ 5353 CJ Organizational Theory & Mgt. CRCJ 5360 Race, Crime, Justice & the Law CRCJ 5366 Juv. Delinquency & Juv. Corrections CRCJ 5370 Practicum CRCJ 5380 Criminal Justice Seminar CRCJ 5393 Topics in Crime & Criminology CRCJ 5394 Topics in Justice Issues

Master of Arts in Criminology and Criminal Justice

CRIMINOLOGY AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE COURSES CRCJ 5301 - PROSEMINAR IN CRIMINOLOGY AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE 3 Hours This course is a comprehensive introduction to the discipline, with particular emphasis on the specialties of department faculty, academic research, and writing style. Classic and contemporary literature will be used to examine criminal behavior and the structure, function, operation, and interaction of the criminal justice system components as well as current practices and future trends in criminology and criminal justice. CRCJ 5309 - RESEARCH METHODS IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE 3 Hours Examination of research methodology in criminal justice. Special emphasis on methods and techniques for conducting research in criminal justice, including a review of problems encountered in sampling and survey research, field research, public policy implementation, and program evaluation. CRCJ 5310 - STATISTICS & RESEARCH PRACTICES IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE 3 Hours Advanced methods and techniques of research and research design in criminology and criminal justice. Course will cover pure and applied research and expose students to contemporary methodological and analytical issues. Students will be instructed on the use of existing CRCJ databases as well as the collection of new data and particular aspects of SPSS (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences software) and advanced data analysis. CRCJ 5318 - CRIMINAL JUSTICE PERSONNEL ADMINISTRATION 3 Hours Personnel administration and management in criminal justice agencies and institutions; analyzes functions of recruitment, selection, hiring, placement, evaluation, dismissal, benefits systems, minority recruitment, training, education, promotion, career development, and retirement. CRCJ 5319 - ISSUES IN POLICING 3 Hours In-depth analysis of historical, current, and future issues in policing and police administration. Emphasis will be placed on the role of police in society, police-citizen relationships, and empirical evaluations of police effectiveness, police behavior, and programs and strategies. CRCJ 5327 - CONSTITUTIONAL ISSUES IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM 3 Hours Examination of a variety of legal issues critical to a thorough understanding of the various aspects of the criminal justice system. Special attention is given to contemporary constitutional issues and court decisions and their impact on the criminal justice process. CRCJ 5342 - ETHICS IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE 3 Hours This course focuses on the ethical decisions and dilemmas encountered in the criminal justice system. Topics covered include criteria for ethical decision-making, professional codes of ethics, and ethical and legal dilemmas faced by criminal justice professionals. CRCJ 5350 - THEORETICAL CRIMINOLOGY 3 Hours Explores the etiology of crime, theory development and crime causation. Emphasis is on theoretical perspectives and policy implementation.

Master of Arts in Criminology and Criminal Justice

CRCJ 5351 - TERRORISM AND CRIME 3 Hours This course examines the origins, nature, and operational characteristics of terrorist groups. Students are exposed to topics ranging from the definition of "terrorism" to the unique characteristics of terrorist cells in the United States and abroad. Particular emphasis is on historical and contemporary terrorist attacks against the United States. CRCJ 5352 - WOMEN, CRIME & CRIMINAL JUSTICE 3 Hours A summary of issues related to women as criminal offenders, victims of crime, and professionals in the criminal justice system. The course focuses on crimes women are most likely to commit and/or be processed through the criminal justice system for, the punishment of female offenders, the types of victimizations most often experienced by women, and employment issues unique to women employed in the criminal justice system. While the main emphasis of the course will be on the experiences of women in the U.S., attention will also be given to women on a global scale. CRCJ 5353 - CRIMINAL JUSTICE ORGANIZATIONAL THEORY & MANAGEMENT THOUGHT 3 Hours An examination of organizational theory with specific application to the operation and management of criminal justice agencies. The historical precedents and emergence of contemporary perspectives are presented with their implication for effective functioning of the criminal justice system. CRCJ 5360 - RACE, CRIME, JUSTICE & THE LAW 3 Hours This course explores the role of race and ethnicity within the juvenile and criminal justice system. Emphasis is on the social construction of crime, racial and ethnic inequalities, the law and policies/practices that impact blacks and other racial minorities. CRCJ 5366 - JUVENILE DELINQUENCY & JUVENILE CORRECTIONS 3 Hours Correctional modes are discussed and applied to juvenile offenders. Theoretic approaches to causation, modification, and control of delinquent behaviors are presented, and policy implications and limitations are discussed. Historical and contemporary perspectives and approaches are presented in the context of evolving and emerging practices and procedures. CRCJ 5370 - PRACTICUM 3 Hours Professional or pre-professional experience in a criminal justice related agency or institution with the approval and direction of the student's supervising professor; intended for non-thesis option students who do not have professional experience related to criminal justice. CRCJ 5380 - CRIMINAL JUSTICE SEMINAR 3 Hours Synthesis course for advanced graduate students. Special emphasis on examination of constructs of crime/criminals, justice and systems. Requires individual research in area of particular concern to student. CRCJ 5381 - CRIME & PUBLIC POLICY 3 Hours This course addresses crime and criminal justice policy. Emphasis is on the examination of media and political forces that shape criminal justice responses and policy initiatives. In the context of theoretical paradigms, the impact of race, class, economics, and gender on development of criminal justice public policy is examined.

Master of Arts in Criminology and Criminal Justice

CRCJ 5382 - COMPREHENSIVE ISSUES IN CRIME AND JUSTICE 3 Hours An advanced course covering a broad array of issues related to criminology, crime, and the justice system. This course is designed to review topics related to the comprehensive examination. CRCJ 5393 - TOPICS IN CRIME AND CRIMINOLOGY 3 Hours May be repeated for credit as the topic changes. CRCJ 5394 - TOPICS IN JUSTICE ISSUES 3 Hours May be repeated for credit as the topic changes. CRCJ 5396 - CONFERENCE COURSE IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE 3 Hours Reading and research in a specialized area of criminal justice under the direction of a member of the graduate faculty. CRCJ 5398 - THESIS 3 Hours CRCJ 5698 - THESIS 6 Hours

Master of Arts in Criminology and Criminal Justice

SAMPLE TRADITIONAL DEGREE PLAN

Master of Arts in Criminology and Criminal Justice

SAMPLE COHORT DEGREE PLAN

Master of Arts in Criminology and Criminal Justice

FINAL MASTER EXAM OPTIONS COHORT PROGRAM (UTA FORT WORTH CAMPUS) Students enrolled in the cohort Master of Arts in Criminology and Criminal Justice program at the UTA Fort Worth campus must complete satisfactorily a Capstone Research Paper and Poster Presentation while enrolled in the Criminal Justice Seminar (CRCJ 5380).

• CAPSTONE PROJECT (no credit hours): Requires students to complete a research paper that represents elements of multiple courses in the program and to create a conference-style research poster. Students will showcase their posters at a semester-end event open to all faculty and staff in the department. Guidelines are posted in Canvas during the capstone course. TRADITIONAL CAMPUS PROGRAM Students enrolled in the traditional Master of Arts in Criminology and Criminal Justice program at the main UTA campus must satisfactorily complete a major project. This project may be a Policy Analysis or Thesis.

• POLICY ANALYSIS (no credit hours): This option is recommended for students who are going into professional practice and/or who desire research experience with criminal-justice related policymaking. Requires individual research in an area of particular concern to the student. Students identify a Policy Analysis committee chair, and in consultation with the chair, select from among the full-time CRCJ faculty, form a policy analysis committee consisting of at least two other members of the CRCJ Graduate Faculty. Guided by their chair, and in consultation with their policy analysis committee, students develop a policy project related to their area of criminology or criminal justice interest that can be analyzed via a review of relevant research. Conclusions, implications, and recommendations are drawn from and based upon the available research related to the policy. The Policy Analysis committee must receive copies of the paper at least two weeks prior to its defense. Policy Analysis students must defend their policy analysis in a final oral examination with all members of the committee present. The oral examination is also open to all CRCJ graduate faculty and students. During the semester in which the policy analysis is defended, the student must be enrolled in coursework.

• THESIS (minimum of 6 credit hours): This option is recommended for those students who enjoy research and/or are interested in pursuing another advanced academic degree. Students must identify a thesis committee chair from among the full-time CRCJ faculty. In consultation with the chair, the student will form a thesis committee consisting of at least two other members of the CRCJ Graduate Faculty. In consultation with the thesis committee, students develop a research question related to their criminology and criminal justice area of interest that can be examined via review of relevant scholarly literature and original empirical research. Conclusions, implications, and recommendations are drawn from and based on the student’s research.

Students receiving advice and assistance from their committee in preparation for the thesis must conduct a prospectus defense the semester proceeding the semester the student intends to graduate. Once the prospectus has been successfully defended, the student must register in CRCJ 5698 Thesis (under their committee chair). Once the student is enrolled in thesis hours, continuous enrollment is required until the thesis is ready for defense.

Master of Arts in Criminology and Criminal Justice

Thesis students must defend their thesis in a final oral examination attended by all members of the student’s committee. The defense is also open to all members of the faculty. The thesis committee must receive copies of the thesis at least two weeks prior to the thesis defense. All members of the student’s committee must be present at the defense. The semester in which the thesis is defended, the student must be enrolled in the appropriate section of CRCJ 5398 or CRCJ 5398 Thesis (under his/her committee chair).

EXAMPLES OF NON-THESIS POLICY ANALYSIS AND THESIS TOPICS Previous CRCJ Non-thesis policies for analysis:

Federal policies • Second Chance Act • Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act • Patriot Act

State policies • Texas Child Protective Services Anonymous Reporting Policy • Texas Driver Surcharge Policy • Texas Department of Criminal Justice Drug Rehabilitation Sentencing Policy/Practice

Local policies • Fort Worth Police Department’s Deadly Force Policy • Arlington Police Department’s Body Camera Policy • Dallas Police Department’s Possession of Marijuana Anti-Arrest Policy

Previous CRCJ Thesis topics:

• Effect of Juvenile Mental Illness on Adult Offending • Motivators for Prostitution Desistance • Perceptions of Mothering Post-Incarceration • Law Enforcement Perceptions of Victims of Domestic Violence • Implementation and Deployment of Tasers in a Police Department

(See table on next page comparing Policy Analysis vs Thesis requirements)

Master of Arts in Criminology and Criminal Justice

POLICY ANALYSIS VS THESIS The table below provides comparative information to assist the choice between a policy analysis and a thesis.

Comparative Aspect

Policy Analysis (NT) Thesis (T)

Professional Orientation

Recommended for students seeking a career in professional practice, desiring more professional experience, and/or doing an internship.

Suggested for students who enjoy research and/or intend to seek another advanced academic degree, career in research, or private consulting.

Timeline • Semester I: Begin to consider areas of research that interest you. Contemplate appropriate final project. Familiarize yourself with faculty and their areas of research to form your committee.

• Semester II: By mid-semester, make a final determination on final project choice. Narrow down policy area of interest. Identify preferred committee chair and begin discussing policies for analysis. By conclusion of semester, finalize policy and form your committee. The committee consists of one major professor and at least two committee members.

• Semester III: Research your policy and important components for analysis. Continue reading and writing.

• Semester IV: Finish writing analysis. Prepare PowerPoint presentation slides. Complete and defend Final Master Exam by mid-November or April deadline. The exact deadline is set by the university.

• Must follow Graduate Studies Office Deadlines for graduation.

Graduate Studies Office Deadlines: https://www.uta.edu/gradstudies/ * Semesters based on long semesters. Over summer semesters, students should be continuing to research and write. Students are not encouraged to graduate during a summer semester.

• Semester I: Begin to consider areas of research that interest you. Contemplate appropriate final project. Familiarize yourself with faculty and their areas of research to form your committee.

• Semester II: By mid-semester, decide on thesis topic and form your committee. The committee consists of one major professor and at least two committee members. Complete the official form that lists topic and committee members. Meet with committee to discuss preliminary project design. Determine if IRB required.

• Semester III: By mid-semester, complete thesis prospectus defense. Finalize data collection and begin data analysis. Continue reading and writing.

• Semester IV: Finish data analysis, results, and conclusions. Prepare PowerPoint presentation slides. Last semester, complete and defend Thesis by mid-November or April deadline.

• Must adhere to Graduate Studies Office deadlines, forms, and thesis guidelines for graduation.

Graduate Studies Office Deadlines: https://www.uta.edu/gradstudies/

* Semesters based on long semesters. Over summer semesters, students should be continuing to research and write. Students may be required to submit IRB protocol. Students are not encouraged to graduate during a summer semester.

Written Product’s Length

• 25-50 pages (average). • Follow APA and be of high

professional quality.

• 50-125 pages (average 100 pages). • Follow Graduate Studies Office’s templates:

http://grad.pci.uta.edu/students/services/thesis/ Summary of Presentation/ Defense

• Policy Analysis is defended before three committee members.

• Student must coordinate schedule for defense.

• Thesis is defended before three committee members. • Student must coordinate schedule for defense. • Student does a 30 + minute Power point presentation

Master of Arts in Criminology and Criminal Justice

• Student does a 20-minute Power-point presentation.

• Presentation is open to the public and evaluated by the committee members.

• Defense is open to the public and evaluated by the committee using a Thesis Rubric.

Product & Audience

• Evaluation and recommendations of a criminology or criminal justice policy via published empirical research.

• Product: applied research; literature review of benchmark studies, best practices and reports from cities, regional or private, state, or federal agencies/ organizations, think tanks, etc.

• Provides analysis of criminology or criminal justice policy and makes policy recommendations.

• Audience: Policy committee and policy users.

• Original empirical research or evaluation research, using quantitative, qualitative, or case study research or a mixed methods approach.

• Product: original research, literature review of academic scholarly literature and/or policy analysis.

• Provides policy recommendations • Audience: Thesis committee, researchers, and

academics.

Required Courses/ Credit Hours

No additional course requirements above degree requirements.

CRCJ 5698 Thesis

Supervisory Committee

Student solicits and engages a CRCJ faculty member to be the chair of the Policy Analysis Committee and under his/her direction, the student selects the other two Committee members from among the CRCJ Graduate Faculty.

Student solicits and engages a CRCJ faculty member to be the chair of the Thesis Committee and under his/her direction, the student selects the other two Committee members from among the CRCJ Graduate Faculty.

Grading Committee determines Unconditional Pass, Pass with Revisions, Does not Pass. Contingent on satisfactory completion of revisions provided at policy analysis presentation.

CRCJ 5698 pass/fail determined by committee. Contingent on satisfactory completion of revisions provided at the student's defense.

CRCJ FINAL MASTER EXAM REPORT FORMS • Thesis Format Template • Prospectus Defense Form • Final Masters Exam Report Form • Steps Required to Earn a Master’s Degree

** Note: For students enrolled in the cohort master’s program administered at the Fort Worth Campus, the Final Master Exam is included in the Capstone Course, CRCJ 5380. Those students complete the capstone project instead of the policy or thesis project.

Master of Arts in Criminology and Criminal Justice

CRCJ INTERNSHIP/PRACTICUM The internship/practicum is designed to enhance CRCJ students’ readiness for professional work or current employment, while creating opportunities for future employment in the fields of criminology and criminal justice. After securing an internship offer and with the prior authorization of the Internship Director, students can enroll in the elective course. Additionally, the course requirements include preparing an internship paper/report and completing and submitting the intern’s evaluation of the internship experience as well as the supervisor’s evaluation of the intern’s performance. The following Internship documents can be obtained from the Internship Director:

• CRCJ 5370 SYLLABUS • CRCJ 5370 INTERNSHIP AGREEMENT FORM • CRCJ 5370 INTERN PERFORMANCE EVALUATION

DUAL DEGREES To participate in the dual degree program, students must make separate application to each program and must meet the admission requirements of each program. Students must be admitted to the second program before completing more than 24 credit hours in the first program and must complete the second degree within three academic years following completion of the first. By participating in a dual degree program, students may apply 9-18 total credit hours jointly to meet the requirements of both degrees, thus reducing the total number of hours required to earn each degree separately (shared courses are subject to approval by the Director of each program). Degree plans, non-thesis or final thesis report must be submitted separately for each degree and approved by the Program Directors and relevant committees of each program. The successful candidate is awarded two degrees (not one joint degree). Those interested in the dual degree program should consult the appropriate Program Directors for further information and review the statement on Dual Degree Programs in the general information section of the catalog. Dual degrees can be arranged with any suitable program. Arrangements for the following dual degrees have already been made between CRCJ and the relevant Program Directors and Graduate Advisors.

1. Master of Science in Social Work 2. Master of Arts in Political Science 3. Master of Public Administration 4. Master of Arts in Sociology

CRCJ STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES Graduate school requires substantial work, attention to Graduate School regulations and deadlines, and a professional approach to course work and to completing tasks and assignments. These clear signals underlie the outlook on graduate work that CRCJ students must cultivate throughout their tenure at CRCJ in preparation for their future careers. Additionally, successful CRCJ students heed the following:

Master of Arts in Criminology and Criminal Justice

Maintain an adequate grade point average The Graduate School’s requirements are spelled out in the Graduate Catalog. A GPA of 3.0 is required to avoid academic probation and to graduate. If placed in an academic probation status, the student has one semester to return to an unconditional status. A successful graduate student typically earns only As and Bs. Follow deadlines for submitting forms and obtaining faculty signatures Not being aware of these deadlines can seriously hinder the student’s degree progress. It is not the advisor’s responsibility to remind students of deadlines or to complete the necessary forms. Successful students diligently adhere to graduate school and COLA requirements by: • Monitoring graduation and project deadlines identified by the Graduate School- Master's and

Doctoral Degrees Academic Deadlines and Eligibility for Graduation • Downloading, completing, and obtaining faculty member signatures for the various UTA forms

required for degree progress and graduation Application for Graduation forms can be accessed through the Office of Graduate Studies’ Forms Website

• Consulting with the Graduate Advisor at the beginning of each semester to check degree progress and get assistance in selecting courses.

• Obtaining information about COLA required degree progress and graduation forms from the Graduate Advisor as needed.

Prepare for and participate in class Successful graduate students are self-directed in learning and research and actively engage in class discussion. If the student fails to keep up with course requirements or to participate fully, the student fails him or herself and impoverishes the classroom environment. Typically, graduate-level classes require between three and four hours of preparation for every one hour spent in the classroom. For a three-hour class, this means nine to twelve hours of study time. The part-time student must be especially careful in planning her or his course load. Prepare professional-quality papers and presentations Written assignments and presentations in graduate school are expected to be of professional quality. In fact, oral communication and written communication are required skills in for successful criminology and criminal justice professionals. This means the student must carefully edit and proofread written work for typing, stylistic, spelling, and grammatical errors and to assure clarity of thought. Bibliographical references and footnotes must conform to the APA Style. Complete assignments on time The student is responsible for timely completion of assignments in accordance with course syllabi. Students in their final term must be especially vigilant about completing assignments on time in order to avoid any course grade of Incomplete that would interfere with graduation plans. Honor classroom etiquette Class discussion should at all times be collegial. No student or group of students should dominate the discussion. Active listening should be practiced by all students at all times. Strong political or social positions, although perfectly acceptable, should be respectfully articulated and students should be open to intellectual debate rather than dogmatically asserting a position.

Master of Arts in Criminology and Criminal Justice

Use of electronic devices in the classroom can be distracting to the instructor and fellow students. The instructor’s permission should be requested first. Also ask permission before using a recorder; lectures are proprietary information and recording discussions can inhibit some students from participating freely. Students should always turn off or mute personal electronic devices. Comply with UTA and COLA policies on academic integrity The graduate catalog states: “All students are expected to pursue their academic careers with honesty and integrity. Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, cheating on a test or other coursework, plagiarism (offering the work of another as one's own) and unauthorized collaboration with another person. Students found responsible for dishonesty in their academic pursuits are subject to penalties that may range from disciplinary probation, suspension or expulsion from the University. In accordance with the Rules and Regulations of the Board of Regents of The University of Texas System (Part One, Chapter VI), For complete discussion of UT Arlington’s academic dishonesty and associated disciplinary procedures, see UTA’s definition and rules on academic integrity. It is the general practice of the department to refer all suspected cases of academic dishonesty to the Office of Student Conduct. Comply with UTA policies regarding research with human subjects Compliance with these policies is critical for students planning to conduct interviews, focus groups, etc. for dissertations, theses or policy analyses. If the student’s research project involves more than using secondary data such as Census Bureau information or other publicly available data, then the student might well be required to receive training and obtain approval from the Office of Research Integrity and Compliance before conducting research. For instructions and requirements, see UTA’s Responsible Conduct of Research Training can be obtained on-line and usually takes only a few hours. If you intend to work with human subjects for your thesis or policy analysis, make sure that a supervisory committee is formed at least two semesters before planning to graduate and that you apply for project approval to the Office of Research Integrity and Compliance the semester before the one in which you plan to graduate and well in advance of the period in which you plan to conduct your research. CRCJ STUDENT HONOR SOCIETY ORGANIZATION ALPHA PHI SIGMA (APS)

Alpha Phi Sigma is the only Criminal Justice Honor Society. The society recognizes academic excellence of undergraduate and graduate students in criminal justice field, as well as those with juris doctorate degrees. The mission of Alpha Phi Sigma is to promote analytical thinking, rigorous scholarship, and lifelong learning. Masters students shall be enrolled at the time of application in a Master’s program in the Criminal Justice field in the institution represented by the chapter; have completed four courses, have a minimum GPA of 3.4 on a 4.0 scale. Alpha Phi Sigma participates in criminal justice related activities and volunteering throughout the semester. https://alphaphisigma.org/.

CONNECT WITH DEPARTMENT OF CRIMINOLOGY AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE

• Website: http://www.uta.edu/criminology/ • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/UTACRCJ • LinkedIn: UTA Criminology and Criminal Justice

Master of Arts in Criminology and Criminal Justice

CRCJ FACULTY Please click the name of the faculty or staff member to view the profile. DEPARTMENT CHAIR Kent Ryan Kerley, Ph.D. E-mail : kent.kerley@uta.edu, UTA Faculty Profi le Research Areas: Corrections, Religiosity , Drug Careers, White-Collar Crime CRCJ GRADUATE PROGRAMS DIRECTOR & GRADUATE ADVISOR Jaya Davis, Ph.D. E-mail : jbdavis@uta.edu, UTA Faculty Profi le Research Areas: Juvenile Just ice, Correct ions, Reentry , Women and Crime GRADUATE FACULTY Robert L. Bing III , Ph.D., Professor E-mail : rbing@uta.edu, UTA Faculty Profi le Research Areas: Race and Crime, Sentencing, Criminal Justice Education, Socia l Justice Rashaan DeShay, Ph.D., Assistant Professor E-mail : rashaan.deshay@uta.edu, UTA Faculty Profi le Research Areas: Offender Decision-Making, Prisoner Reentry, Intermittency, Desistance Sarah El Sayed, Ph.D., Assistant Professor E-mail : sarah.elsayed@uta.edu, UTA Faculty Profi le Research Areas: Life-Course and Developmental Criminology, Gendered Pathways to Crime, Quantitat ive Research Methods Seokjin Jeong, Ph.D., Associate Professor E-mail : s j jeong@uta.edu, UTA Faculty Profi le Research Areas: Juvenile Just ice, Program Evaluation Seungmug Lee, Ph.D., Associate Professor E-mail : seungmug. lee@uta.edu, UTA Faculty Profi le Research Areas: Cybercrime, Alarm Systems, Burglary, Mass Shootings John Rodriguez, Ph.D., Associate Professor and Internship Director E-mail : j j rodriguez@uta.edu, UTA Faculty Profi le Research Areas: Juvenile Just ice, Gangs, Policing Michael TenEyck, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Assistant Professor E-mail : michael. teneyck@uta.edu , UTA Faculty Profi le Research Areas: Life-Course and Developmental Criminology, Biosocial Criminology Roxanne Zascavage, Ph.D., Assistant Professor E-mail : roxanne.zascavage@uta.edu, UTA Faculty Profi le Research Area: Forensic invest igat ions

Master of Arts in Criminology and Criminal Justice

CRCJ GRADUATE PROGRAMS STAFF Catherine Edgell , UTA CRCJ On Campus Program Support Special ist E-mail : cedgel l@uta.edu Shatavia Thomas, LMSW, UTA Fort Worth Cohort Program Coordinator E-mail : shatavia. thomas@uta.edu CAMPUS RESOURCES Campus Operator/Switchboard A-Z Index, http://www.uta.edu/uta/alpha-index on the UTA home page. The index is helpful in finding university offices and services.

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Ask Admissions General questions about choosing UT Arlington, how to apply, transferring to UT Arlington, campus visits, admission counselor appointments, and application status.

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Ask Financial Aid Applying for financial aid and scholarships, your financial aid package, and accepting your award. Website: https://www.uta.edu/fao/ Scholarships The University of Texas at Arlington and Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice is proud to offer numerous scholarships to better support our graduate students. Website: https://uta.academicworks.com/ **Welcome to the UTA Tuition Estimator This tool is designed to help potential and existing students obtain a rough estimate of the fees involved in attending the university. (https://www.uta.edu/admissions/afford/tuition-estimator)

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Office of the Registrar The UT Arlington Office of the Registrar is dedicated to providing prompt, efficient service, ensuring the integrity of academic records and providing reliable information, transcript, proof of enrollment, audit procedures, and applying for graduation to the University community. Email: records@uta.edu Website: https://www.uta.edu/records/about/index.php

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Master of Arts in Criminology and Criminal Justice

Ask Veterans Affairs Obtaining veterans benefits. Email: va@uta.edu Website: https://www.uta.edu/vets/

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Office of Information Technology (OIT) Help Desk NetID and email accounts, basic MyMav support, library guest accounts, wireless connections, lab printing, file storage support, and more.

817.272.2208

Student Accounts Account charges, payment plans, payment deadlines, and emergency loans. Office of Graduate Studies Recommended Online Resources readings and websites featured on this page can help you navigate graduate school, from finding the right work/life balance to writing a winning thesis/dissertation. Website: https://www.uta.edu/gradstudies/index.php **Graduate Student Senate: Provides information about general issues, rights, and welfare of graduate students. With representation from all UTA departments and colleges, the GSS addresses policy and programming issues that are important to graduate students. Office of International Education The International Office promotes international programs and services across the breadth of the University by providing a focal point for the international arena. Website: https://www.uta.edu/oie/

817.272.2172 817.272.5164 817.272.2355

CRCJ Librarian: Andy Herzog Assists with finding articles that you are unable to locate on-line through the journal database. Website: http://www.uta.edu/library/ Email: amherzog@uta.edu

817.272.7517

Writing Center The Writing Center provides the workshops below to help guide graduate students through the demands of writing at the graduate. Location: 411 Central Library, Website: www.uta.edu/owl

817.272.7517

UTA Fort Worth (MA Cohort Program) Learn all about UTA Fort Worth, its resources, campus and more in the Student Handbook. The ultimate Fort

817.272.5988

Master of Arts in Criminology and Criminal Justice

Worth Maverick resource, the Student Handbook contains valuable information about what we can offer you as a student at UTA Fort Worth. Location: 1401 Jones Street, Fort Worth, TX 76102, Website: https://fortworth.uta.edu Email: utafw@uta.edu

CRCJ Graduate listserv Our department maintains an email listserv to transmit announcements and job opportunities, and as a vehicle for open discussion of university and public issues. All CRCJ faculty, students, and staff have access to CRCJ postings and may post messages. All CRCJ students are automatically subscribed to the listserv via their UTA e-mail address during their first semester.

CRIMGRAD@LISTSERV.UTA.EDU

Academic Calendar

https://www.uta.edu/academics/academic-calendar

WRITING RESOURCES COLA graduates typically enter careers that require a high degree of fluency and competency with both spoken and written English, and many COLA students need assistance in improving their writing skills. Because COLA courses provide only limited instruction in writing, students often need to seek other alternatives for improving their writing skills. Numerous resources are available on campus an online. Style Manual In the context of academic writing, style refers to conventions of punctuation, documentation, and presentation of text, graphical material, and numerical data. CRCJ faculty members require adherence to the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (APA Style Guide). Knowing the basics of this style – a style that prevails in the CRCJ discipline and across most social sciences – is a valuable asset in graduate school and beyond. Website: https://apastyle.apa.org/ Guidelines for Using Online Resources in Academic Writing The Internet is a valuable resource for academic research, but the quality of materials it provides ranges from stellar to abysmal. Use only materials that are appropriate for academic research at the graduate level and use these materials in ways that are appropriate for the specific context. Guidelines for evaluating the quality of Internet documents can be found at: http://www.virtualsalt.com/evalu8it.htm Remember that use of materials obtained on the Internet is subject to rules regarding plagiarism. For guidelines on citing materials from the Internet, see a recent stylebook or https://apastyle.apa.org/products/index

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

• Will I be contacted through my personal email or my UTA student email address? • MavMail (UTA student email) is the only email that anyone from UTA will use to contact

you. Please check your MavMail on a regular basis. • If I have an emergency and can’t attend class, who do I contact?

• Contact the instructor ASAP

Master of Arts in Criminology and Criminal Justice

• Who do I contact if I have an issue with my schedule? • Please contact the instructor if it’s an immediate scheduling issue. If it is an issue that will be

coming up in the future, please contact Graduate Program Director & Advisor, Dr. Davis and appropriate CRCJ staff. UTA CRCJ On Campus Program Contact: Dr. Jaya Davis, jbdavis@uta.edu and

Catherine Edgell, cedgell@uta.edu UTA Fort Worth Cohort Program Contact: Dr. Jaya Davis, jbdavis@uta.edu and

Shatavia Thomas, shatavia.thomas@uta.edu • Do I have a point of contact with the UTA library?

• Yes, the CRCJ Department has a designated library liaison: Andy Herzog, amherzog@uta.edu or 817.272.7517.

• Is there someone that can assist me with writing papers in Graduate School? • UTA’s Writing Center offers a welcoming and supportive environment for students who

seek assistance on a wide variety of writing needs. (817.272.2601) http://www.uta.edu/owl/ • Whom do I speak with about Financial Aid/Veteran’s benefits?

• 817.272.3564 - Financial Aid office • 817.272.3373 -Veteran Affairs office

• How do I obtain my grades? • If you wish to know your grade prior to grades posting online, it is University policy that you

submit a request in writing to the instructor. If grades have already posted, they may be seen on Canvas and in MyMav.

• Will I be notified when to register for classes? • Yes! The program coordinator will contact you when registration is open for the next

semester’s registration. • What is the chain of command if I have an issue?

• If an issue arises, please speak to the instructor first. If you are unable to reach a resolution, contact the Graduate Programs Director, Dr. Jaya Davis. If a problem still exists, please contact the Department Chair, Dr. Kent Kerley.

• What if I am called in for a special assignment at work and I will miss more than one class? What do I do? Whom do I contact? • If a special assignment comes up, please contact the instructor. If special arrangements need

to be made, contact the Graduate Programs Director and appropriate CRCJ staff.