Course Descriptions

Watch Walden courses in action. Click on the “play” icons below to see a brief video about the topics you will explore in each course.

Core Courses

WLDN 1000 Dynamics of Walden Success: Learning Lab (1 cr.)
Walden University offers students a dynamic learning environment and a range of support services to ensure academic success. In this course, students immerse themselves in Walden University’s online learning environment and apply skills from the student readiness orientation. In addition, students discover and apply the tools and services that will support them throughout their degree program. Through classroom discussions and the application of key communication principles, students establish an online community of peers and explore their degree program with discipline-specific examples. This course helps students prepare for their Walden academic career and continues their orientation to the university.

CRJS 1001 Contemporary Criminal Justice Systems
What is criminal justice and how is it delivered and sustained? This course surveys contemporary criminal justice systems in the United States with emphasis on the roles of law enforcement, courts, and corrections. Students analyze the components of and major players in the criminal justice system and apply what they learn to current events and dilemmas. Students will address the duplication of police services in the United States from the local, county, state, and the numerous federal law enforcement agencies and make recommendations to make the system more cost effective, efficient, and streamlined.

CRJS 2001 Criminology and Social Control
People commit crimes for a variety of reasons. And crimes vary in their impact on individual victims and on society. This course examines the nature, causes, and typologies of crime and offenders; the impact on of crime victims, as well as on major systems of social control; and policies and practices related to crime and social control. Students will research the etiology of crime and the various theorists contributing to the literature that addresses deviant behavior.

CRJS 2002 Juvenile Delinquency and Justice
It’s hard to imagine any toddler evolving into a juvenile delinquent. And yet some do. What is it that leads some juveniles along this path and is there a way to intervene in the process and outcome? This course considers biological, psychological, and sociological factors in juvenile delinquency as well as modern trends in prevention and treatment. The concept of juvenile justice also is explored. Students will consider the proper age that society should hold a juvenile criminally responsible and at what age juveniles should be tried as adults.

CRJS 2003 Criminal Law
Books, movies and television programs about crime, particularly those that feature criminals and trials, have been popular for decades. But there’s more to criminal law than the theatrics that often are featured in such media. This course focuses on the concepts and processes related to criminal law including criminal procedures, prosecution, defense, and court procedures and decision-making. Students will examine major criminal law violations and the differences between de-criminalization and legalization.

CRJS 3001 Corrections
What is the goal of the corrections system? Is it punishment, rehabilitation, or both? This course examines the history of corrections and the practice and legal environment in corrections, including institutional and community based programs and their relationship to other areas of the criminal justice system. Students study correctional philosophy and practices related to incarceration, diversions, community-based corrections, and treatment of offenders. Students analyze the role of corrections professionals and challenges facing corrections in a society that continues to change in demographics, norms, and expectations of criminal justice.

CRJS 3002 Courts and Judicial Process
What happens in a courtroom is both complex and fascinating as is evidenced by the popularity of courtroom drama, real and fictional. In the course, students analyze and apply information about the components of the judicial system including their structure, function, and processes; the professional roles within this system; and issues related to the courts and judicial process in an increasingly diverse society.

CRJS 3003 Law Enforcement
What is law enforcement? And what is involved in enforcing the law? This course focuses on the study and analysis of the history, theory, innovations, and practices of law enforcement and emphasizes the administration of justice through police organization, discretion, and subculture. Students will explore the pros and cons of individual police agencies, police consolidation, police contracting, and public safety agencies with regards to political and fiscal influences.

CRJS 3004 Data Analysis for the Criminal Justice Professional
How is data understood and used by the criminal justice professional? This course explores the uses of research and statistics and geographical information systems (GIS) in crime analysis and justice administration. Students explore a real-world perspective on the application of data analysis to criminal justice problems and solutions. The class will help support the student’s ability to provide innovative criminal justice program development and management. Student will research the area of computerization and the role it plays in reduced police budgets as well as address the question of whether data analysis and the use of GIS and GPS provide a greater tool for effective policing, allowing fewer police officers on the street but accomplishing the same level of service.

Computer Information Systems and Security

CMIS 1002 Information Technology Infrastructure (5 cr.)
This course introduces some of the most important aspects of the technology infrastructure that underlies information systems. Students study both hardware (computers, networks, interface devices) and software (operating systems, middleware, applications, system software) elements. They also explore key issues of capacity, performance, reliability, scale, and obsolescence. (Prerequisite: COMM 1001 Contemporary Communications.)

CMIS 2001 Internet Computing (5 cr.)
Students explore how the Internet stitches together many disparate devices and software components into a flexible fabric that supports an enormous variety of uses. Topics include the design of the Internet protocol stack, the structure and function of some of the most important Internet services and applications, and Internet governance. Students study ways to apply concepts of performance, scale, and reliability in the design of information systems. (Prerequisite: CMIS 1002 Information Technology Infrastructure.)

CMIS 4101 Information Security and Privacy (5 cr.)
Students explore key concepts and concerns of information security and privacy, including technical, social, and policy issues. Fundamental notions of authentication, authorization, and encryption are examined in the context of everyday information systems activities. Students analyze case studies of security and privacy breaches to understand economic and human impact. (Prerequisite: CMIS 2001 Internet Computing.)

CMIS 4102 Information Security Techniques I (5 cr.)
Students examine information security attacks and defenses at the individual computer level. Physical and software intrusions and defenses are considered. Students learn best practices in configuring and maintaining systems to minimize the risk of compromise. Topics covered include viruses, Trojan horses, physical compromise, stolen credentials, and related protective measures. (Prerequisite: CMIS 4101 Information Security and Privacy.)

CMIS 4103 Information Security Techniques II (5 cr.)
Students examine information security attacks and defenses in the network. Hardware and software vulnerabilities as well as denial of service attacks are considered, along with defensive measures. Students consider the social and technical aspects of anonymity in the network as they relate to network abuse and free speech. (Prerequisite: CMIS 4102 Information Security Techniques I.)

CMIS 4104 Computer Forensics (5 cr.)
Students study basic approaches to analyzing information systems for evidence of illegal or inappropriate activities. They consider the legal, ethical, and policy implications of monitoring and forensic techniques. (Prerequisite: CMIS 4103 Information Security Techniques II.)

Crime and Criminals Concentration Courses

CRJS 4101 Criminal Evidence and Investigation
Criminal investigation is a critical duty at all levels of public and private law enforcement. Understanding the proper collection, tagging, processing, and chain of custody is an integral part of such investigation. Students explore how to assess a crime scene, interview and interrogate witnesses and suspects, and use informants as well as other surveillance techniques in an investigation.

CRJS 4102 The Criminal Mind
What makes the Criminal unique? Criminal Justice professionals confront criminal behavior in many forms. This course explores theories and research that provide cognitive, behavioral, and psychological explanations of criminal behavior. Knowledge of these theories enhances the student's ability to interact effectively with offenders.

CRJS 4103 Drugs, Gangs, and Organized Crime
The implications of drug trade, gangs and organized crime are felt throughout communities domestically and across the world. Students study domestic and international law enforcement efforts in managing issues of drugs and crime. Topics focus on urban problems involving drugs, gang processes and activity, and organized crime and their impact on crime and the cost of policing in the United States.

Criminal Justice Management and Administration Concentration Courses

Students are required to complete three concentration courses, two of which are required. Students choose a third concentration course from a choice of two additional B.S. in Criminal Justice courses described below.

CRJS 4401 Management and Supervision in Criminal Systems (Required)
Managers and organizational leaders must learn how to successfully guide criminal justice organizations into the global 21st century. Students explore the skills necessary to plan, delegate, and effectively communicate with constituents as well as problem solve and make appropriate decisions.

CRJS 4402 Planning and Budgeting (Required)
Planning and applying effective budgeting strategies are critical elements in managing corporate and government organizations. Students study short- and long-term financial analysis, policy development, and budget development. Additional topics include budget monitoring, control, planning, and accountability.

CRJS 4202 Coordinated Community Response: Developing Community Resource Brokers
This course integrates the identification of community resources with the development of both planned and ad hoc community responses to intervene in the lives of people affected by criminal incidents. Students explore ways to to assess the needs of affected persons -- victims, witnesses, and offenders—and effective intervention strategies using existing or community resources.

Homeland Security Concentration Courses

CRJS 4301 Terrorism
This course focuses on topics related to domestic and international terrorism including theory, history of and trends related to terrorism, causes and goals of terrorist groups, and responses to terrorist acts by the criminal justice system. Students examine and analyze contemporary terrorist threats and movements and contemplate future trends.

CRJS 4302 Critical Incidents and Cross-Agency Coordination
What happens when critical incidents occur and agencies that respond operate independent of one another? This course defines and describes critical incidents that present risks of widespread harm to communities. These incidents serve as the focus for the development of broad-based contingency planning and the development of strategies, policies, and procedures for cross agency coordination. Students study ways to develop models of cross-agency coordination that anticipate prototypical critical incident responses

CRJS 4303 Weapons of Mass Destruction and Disaster Response
How would the criminal justice system respond to a weapon of mass destruction (WMD) or disaster incident? What specifically is its role? Topics in this course include types of WMDs (including biological and chemical threats) and disasters, the role of and methods used by the criminal justice system to respond to and manage such incidents, and the function of the National Incident Management System (NIMS) and the Incident Command System (ICS). Students consider the similarities and differences of the responses of the criminal justice system to WMD and disaster incidents.

Human Services for Criminal Justice Concentration Courses

CRJS 4201 Restorative Justice
This course explores a theory of justice and practice that, in contrast to an adversarial approach to justice, emphasizes repairing the harm caused by criminal behavior to the victim and community. Students study strategies for repairing harm by involving stakeholders in actions that transform the relationships between victims, offenders, communities, and criminal justice agencies in their response to crime.

CRJS 4202 Coordinated Community Response: Developing Community Resource Brokers
This course integrates the identification of community resources with the development of both planned and ad hoc community responses to intervene in the lives of people affected by criminal incidents. Students explore how to assess the needs of affected persons -- victims, witnesses, and offenders—and effective intervention strategies using existing or community resources.

CRJS 4203 Victimology
This course focuses on the crime victim. Students will study different types of victimization, roles of and ethics related to the criminal justice practitioner who works with victims, the criminal justice system’s response to victims, and victims’ human and civil rights. Students explore and analyze contemporary problems and trends in victimology.

Elective

CRJS 3010 Profiling Serial and Mass Murderers
Law enforcement officials characterize serial murder among one of the most abhorrent of all criminal behavior. Students examine the interest in serial and mass murder in popular culture and explore theories of criminal behavior. Topics include the history of serial killers in the United States, profiling, and serial murder and its relationship to gender and race. Students also apply criminal theories to cases of serial and mass murder.

Capstone

CJRS 4150 Capstone: International Justice and Human Rights
International justice and human rights are topics of global importance. This capstone course examines the concepts of human rights and the rule of law in the international arena. Students are asked to develop a capstone project or paper that integrates and applies the concepts of international justice, rule of law, and/or human rights with/to their area of concentration.