Criminal Justice Proposal for “With Honors in the Major” Program
Description of the Proposed Criminal Justice Honors Program
The purpose of the honors program in criminal justice is to provide undergraduate students the opportunity for
a fuller training in research and writing than are normally possible in the general undergraduate program.
Admission to the Criminal Justice Honors Program:
Students can apply to the honors program in the second semester of their sophomore year or the first semester
of their junior year. Minimum requirements for admission include, Criminal Justice as a declared first major,
an overall GPA not lower than 3.25 and a Criminal Justice GPA not lower than 3.50. Additionally, to remain
in the honors program, all honors students must maintain 3.50 GPA in major.
Honors Program Curriculum
Junior Year:
Fall Semester
Students who have been admitted to the program may elect to begin taking courses that will be applied to the
required 12 honors credit of coursework.
During this semester students may elect to take:
a. A writing-intensive course with a special honors section –OR-
b. One of the two foundations course in the master’s program
(CRJ 470/507 or CRJ 471/540) – OR -
c. Other courses proposed and approved by the faculty
(These classes can be taken at any time subsequent to the honors admission).
Spring Semester
All students in this entering cohort will take a three-credit “Great Ideas in Criminal Justice” course.
This course will be run by the director of the honors program and include a series of lectures by faculty
members in the School of Criminal Justice. Individual faculty members will be responsible for one lecture,
focusing on their area of research. This course will provide the incoming honors students with the opportunity
to meet faculty and to learn about the research being conducted in the School. (See attached Course Action
Form for CRJ490)
Senior Year:
Students will select either the Independent Senior Thesis (CRJ482/CRJ492) or the Topical Senior
Research (CRJ481/CRJ491) of the Honors Programs. Each Track will be six credits over two-semesters.
Topical Senior Research: RCRJ481/RCRJ491
This is a two-semester sequence which introduces well-prepared undergraduate majors to research.
The first semester will introduce the students to a specific area of research within the field. During this term
students will learn and synthesize the literature pertinent to this area. The second semester of this track will be
spent actively engaging in a research project that relates to the prior semesters preparation. The research will
be hands on and can include data collection, analysis, and project presentation. The SCJ will limit student
enrollment in the course, perhaps10-12, in order to maintain the seminar-like dynamic that students presently
taking the course find valuable in their intellectual development.
Independent Senior Thesis: CRJ482/CRJ492
Students who have an interest in a specific topic or research method (e.g., legal research) may arrange
to work for two semesters with an individual faculty member on an independent project. This track will also
require students to engage in both a literature review and research project which will be directly overseen and
guided by the faculty sponsor.
During the fall semester, senior year, students in this track will also participate in a cohort/thesis class
overseen by the director of the honors program. While the students will be working individually with their
chosen faculty members, the director will bring the students together bi-weekly for the continued benefits of
the cohort effect and to prepare the students for thesis research and writing.
Students in both tracks will complete a thesis by April of senior year. This thesis will be reviewed by the
committee created for this purpose. In order to graduate with honors in the major, the student’s thesis project
must be approved.
University at Albany
Course Action Form
School of Criminal Justice
Proposal No. __________
New Course
Revision of:
Number
Restrictions
Deletion of Course
Title
Credits
Cross-Listing
Prerequisites
Description
Effective Semester
Spring 2009
Department: CRJ
Course Number: New: CRJ 492
Course Title: Honors – Independent Senior Thesis
Credits: 3
Prerequisites:
Restrictions:
Ph.D. students ONLY or with permission of the instructor
MA students ONLY
Course description to appear in catalog: (Please do not exceed 50 words)
This is the second course in a two part sequence. During this semester the student will finish conducting their
research and write their thesis. During this term students will be working solely with their faculty mentors to
complete the honors thesis.
Justification of Proposal:
Required for completion of the Honors in the Major.
Course presented for S-U grading:
No
Yes
Other departments or schools which offer similar or related courses and
which have certified that this proposal does not overlap with their offering:
To the best of my knowledge, no similar or related course is being offered elsewhere in the university.
Cross-List Department: (If appropriate):
Course No.
School or department affected by change:
Action
Approved
Disapproved
Return to
Reconsider
Signature
Date
Faculty
Dean
Other Schools or Departments notified if affected:
Sent to Dean of Graduate Studies OR
Sent to Dean of Undergraduate Studies
Listed in Master File, School notified
University at Albany
Course Action Form
School of Criminal Justice
Proposal No. __________
New Course
Revision of:
Number
Restrictions
Deletion of Course
Title
Credits
Cross-Listing
Prerequisites
Description
Effective Semester
Spring 2009
Department: CRJ
Course Number: New: CRJ 470
Course Title: Advanced Theories of Crime
Credits: 3
Prerequisites:
Restrictions:
Ph.D. students ONLY or with permission of the instructor
MA students ONLY
Course description to appear in catalog: (Please do not exceed 50 words)
Theories of crime causation ranging through biological, psychological, sociological, cultural, and political
theories, giving close attention to the problems inherent in approaching the study of crime from a "causes of
crime" perspective. Developed around key concepts used in theories of crime (e.g., responsibility, rationality),
emphasizing the multidisciplinary source of these concepts, how they are changed when applied to
criminological theory, and their importance for understanding the present state of criminological theory.
Justification of Proposal:
Required for completion of the Honors in the Major.
Course presented for S-U grading:
No
Yes
Other departments or schools which offer similar or related courses and
which have certified that this proposal does not overlap with their offering:
To the best of my knowledge, no similar or related course is being offered elsewhere in the university.
Cross-List Department: (If appropriate):
RCRJ
Course No. 607
School or department affected by change:
Action
Approved
Disapproved
Return to
Reconsider
Signature
Date
Faculty
Dean
Other Schools or Departments notified if affected:
Sent to Dean of Graduate Studies OR
Sent to Dean of Undergraduate Studies
Listed in Master File, School notified
University at Albany
Course Action Form
School of Criminal Justice
Proposal No. __________
New Course
Revision of:
Number
Restrictions
Deletion of Course
Title
Credits
Cross-Listing
Prerequisites
Description
Effective Semester
Spring 2009
Department: CRJ
Course Number: New: CRJ 471
Course Title: Theoretical Foundations of CRJ
Credits: 3
Prerequisites:
Restrictions:
Ph.D. students ONLY or with permission of the instructor
MA students ONLY
Course description to appear in catalog: (Please do not exceed 50 words)
This course introduces students to theoretical work on criminal justice process and policy, from multiple
disciplinary perspectives. Topics discussed include theoretical approaches to studying individual,
organizational, system, and political behavior. Emphasis is placed on the practical utilization of theory to
inform development of research problems and agendas.
Justification of Proposal:
Required for completion of the Honors in the Major.
Course presented for S-U grading:
No
Yes
Other departments or schools which offer similar or related courses and
which have certified that this proposal does not overlap with their offering:
To the best of my knowledge, no similar or related course is being offered elsewhere in the university.
Cross-List Department: (If appropriate):
RCRJ
Course No. 640
School or department affected by change:
Action
Approved
Disapproved
Return to
Reconsider
Signature
Date
Faculty
Dean
Other Schools or Departments notified if affected:
Sent to Dean of Graduate Studies OR
Sent to Dean of Undergraduate Studies
Listed in Master File, School notified
University at Albany
Course Action Form
School of Criminal Justice
Proposal No. __________
New Course
Revision of:
Number
Restrictions
Deletion of Course
Title
Credits
Cross-Listing
Prerequisites
Description
Effective Semester
Spring 2009
Department: CRJ
Course Number: New: CRJ 481
Course Title: Honors – Topical Senior Research
Credits: 3
Prerequisites:
Restrictions:
Ph.D. students ONLY or with permission of the instructor
MA students ONLY
Course description to appear in catalog: (Please do not exceed 50 words)
This course is the first in a two-semester sequence of courses required to fulfill the requirements of the honors
program in criminal justice. CRJ481 is designed to involve undergraduate honor students in exploring
research opportunities in a continuing research project. The course will introduce students to a specific
problem in the field through evaluation of current literature and research. Students will be expected to
develop their own research question and proposal by the conclusion of the term.
Justification of Proposal:
Required for completion of the Honors in the Major.
Course presented for S-U grading:
No
Yes
Other departments or schools which offer similar or related courses and
which have certified that this proposal does not overlap with their offering:
To the best of my knowledge, no similar or related course is being offered elsewhere in the university.
Cross-List Department: (If appropriate):
Course No.
School or department affected by change:
Action
Approved
Disapproved
Return to
Reconsider
Signature
Date
Faculty
Dean
Other Schools or Departments notified if affected:
Sent to Dean of Graduate Studies OR
Sent to Dean of Undergraduate Studies
Listed in Master File, School notified
University at Albany
Course Action Form
School of Criminal Justice
Proposal No. __________
New Course
Revision of:
Number
Restrictions
Deletion of Course
Title
Credits
Cross-Listing
Prerequisites
Description
Effective Semester
Spring 2009
Department: CRJ
Course Number: New: CRJ 482
Course Title: Honors – Independent Senior Thesis
Credits: 3
Prerequisites:
Restrictions:
Ph.D. students ONLY or with permission of the instructor
MA students ONLY
Course description to appear in catalog: (Please do not exceed 50 words)
This course is designed for students pursuing individual research projects with faculty to complete the Honors
Thesis requirement. The course is the first of a two part sequence and should be utilized by students to
explore a problem in the field through evaluation of current literature and research. Additionally, students in
this course will also participate in bi-weekly cohort/thesis meetings to discuss their various projects.
Justification of Proposal:
Required for completion of the Honors in the Major.
Course presented for S-U grading:
No
Yes
Other departments or schools which offer similar or related courses and
which have certified that this proposal does not overlap with their offering:
To the best of my knowledge, no similar or related course is being offered elsewhere in the university.
Cross-List Department: (If appropriate):
Course No.
School or department affected by change:
Action
Approved
Disapproved
Return to
Reconsider
Signature
Date
Faculty
Dean
Other Schools or Departments notified if affected:
Sent to Dean of Graduate Studies OR
Sent to Dean of Undergraduate Studies
Listed in Master File, School notified
University at Albany
Course Action Form
School of Criminal Justice
Proposal No. __________
New Course
Revision of:
Number
Restrictions
Deletion of Course
Title
Credits
Cross-Listing
Prerequisites
Description
Effective Semester
Spring 2009
Department: CRJ
Course Number: New: CRJ 490
Course Title: Honors – Theory and Research
Credits: 3
Prerequisites:
Restrictions:
Ph.D. students ONLY or with permission of the instructor
MA students ONLY
Course description to appear in catalog: (Please do not exceed 50 words)
This course is designed to introduce undergraduate students to advanced Criminal Justice theory and research.
Specifically this course aims to introduce students to the various research projects with which the faculty is
involved and to assist them in preparing for their own senior honors research projects.
Justification of Proposal:
Required for completion of the Honors in the Major.
Course presented for S-U grading:
No
Yes
Other departments or schools which offer similar or related courses and
which have certified that this proposal does not overlap with their offering:
To the best of my knowledge, no similar or related course is being offered elsewhere in the university.
Cross-List Department: (If appropriate):
Course No.
School or department affected by change:
Action
Approved
Disapproved
Return to
Reconsider
Signature
Date
Faculty
Dean
Other Schools or Departments notified if affected:
Sent to Dean of Graduate Studies OR
Sent to Dean of Undergraduate Studies
Listed in Master File, School notified
University at Albany
Course Action Form
School of Criminal Justice
Proposal No. __________
New Course
Revision of:
Number
Restrictions
Deletion of Course
Title
Credits
Cross-Listing
Prerequisites
Description
Effective Semester
Spring 2009
Department: CRJ
Course Number: New: CRJ 491
Course Title: Honors – Topical Senior Research
Credits: 3
Prerequisites:
Restrictions:
Ph.D. students ONLY or with permission of the instructor
MA students ONLY
Course description to appear in catalog: (Please do not exceed 50 words)
This course is the second in a two-semester sequence of courses required to fulfill the requirements of the
honors program in criminal justice. CRJ491 is designed to involve undergraduate honor students in
conducting their own research project. After review a current problem in the field (CRJ481), students will
design and execute their own research proposals that address a gap in the literature. The class size will be
limited to maintain a seminar-like dynamic that is valuable to student’s intellectual development and mastery
of the material.
Justification of Proposal:
Required for completion of the Honors in the Major.
Course presented for S-U grading:
No
Yes
Other departments or schools which offer similar or related courses and
which have certified that this proposal does not overlap with their offering:
To the best of my knowledge, no similar or related course is being offered elsewhere in the university.
Cross-List Department: (If appropriate):
Course No.
School or department affected by change:
Action
Approved
Disapproved
Return to
Reconsider
Signature
Date
Faculty
Dean
Other Schools or Departments notified if affected:
Sent to Dean of Graduate Studies OR
Sent to Dean of Undergraduate Studies
Listed in Master File, School notified
