Faculty
- Jill Johnson Ph.D., LMSW, Chair
- Craig Allen, M.S.
- Jennifer Dabbs, Ph.D.
- Tony Parnell, LCSW, ACSW, LCPAA
Degrees
To earn a degree, students must complete the curriculum and meet other requirements for a degree listed in the academic policy section of this catalog.
Criminal Justice
The purpose of a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice is to prepare students to deal with the challenges of a career as a criminal justice professional in a changing society. The criminal justice program will instill in students a comprehensive knowledge of the criminal justice system while educating them to be critical thinkers who can communicate their thoughts effectively in oral and written form. The curriculum will familiarize students with facts and concepts while also teaching them to engage in ethical behavior when applying this knowledge to related problems and changing situations. Graduates from this program will be members of professional organizations dedicated to selfless public service and will be vital in maintaining peace and curtailing lawlessness in our society. Criminal justice graduates find gainful employment in law enforcement, security, the courts, and correctional facilities. Graduates with a degree in criminal justice may find employment in juvenile and adult probation, municipal and county law enforcement, private security, hospital security, investigations, and warrant offices. Many graduates continue their education in law school or other graduate school. Minimum employment requirements in law enforcement generally include the following:
- Be at least 21 years old
- Have no convictions for Class A misdemeanor or felony offense
- Have no convictions for Class B misdemeanor offense in the past 10 years
- Possess good mental and physical health
- Meet varying eyesight standards
- Have good moral character
- Possess a valid Texas driver’s license with minimum violations
The criminal justice degree is designed to meet the standards established by the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences (ACJS). ACJS encourages baccalaureate programs to reflect a balanced presentation of a broad scope of criminal justice studies. The criminal justice degree focuses specifically on the five core areas identified by ACJS:
- Criminal justice and juvenile justice processes–law, crime, and administration of justice
- Criminology–causes of crime, typologies, offenders, and victims
- Law enforcement–police organization, discretion, subculture, and legal constraints
- Law adjudication–criminal law, prosecution, defense, and court procedures and decision-making
- Corrections–incarceration, community-based corrections, and treatment of offenders
Criminal Justice Transfer Credit
To be considered for criminal justice transfer credit, courses must be completed with a grade of C or higher and must be of similar content and level. Courses taken at other institutions are evaluated by the Director of Criminal Justice to determine if and where they will be applied to the criminal justice degree plan. Courses taken five or more years prior to transfer may not be approved for major or supporting course. Transfer credit for CRJ4333 (Professionalism and Ethics in Criminal Justice) and CRJ4140 (Senior Assessment Seminar) is not accepted and must be completed in residence.
Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice
- University Core (45 hours)
- BIB1310 Introduction to the Old Testament
- BIB1320 Introduction to the New Testament
- BIB3305 Christian Heritage
- BIB3310 Christian Life
- COM2340 Communication for the Professional
- ENG1301 Composition Studies
- ENG1302 Composition and Literature
- PSY1300 General Psychology
- HIS2301 History of the United States I
- HIS2302 History of the United States II
- ESS1200 Personal Fitness and Wellness
- MAT1311 College Algebra
- 3 hours from BIO, CHE, NRC, or PHY
- 3 hours from ENG, GOV, HIS, FOL
- UNI1170 University Seminar
- 3 hours from
- GOV2301 National Government
- GOV2302 Texas State and Local Government
- UNI2000 University Skills
- Major (37 hours)
- CRJ2301 Introduction to Criminal Justice
- CRJ2302 Fundamentals of Texas Criminal Law
- CRJ2303 Criminal Investigation
- CRJ2304 Legal Aspects of Law Enforcement
- CRJ2305 Courts and Criminal Procedure
- CRJ3301 Criminology
- CRJ3302 Juvenile Delinquency
- CRJ3312 Violent Offenders
- CRJ3322 Social Deviance
- CRJ3324 Corrections, Probation and Parole
- CRJ4140 Senior Assessment Seminar
- CRJ4313 Legal Writing and Analysis
- CRJ4333 Professionalism and Ethics in Criminal Justice
- Supporting Courses (21 hours)
- SOC1300 General Sociology
- 18 hours from
- CRJ3311 White Collar Crime
- CRJ3321 Understanding Sexual Offending
- CRJ4326 Terrorism and Homeland Security
- CRJ4327 Cyber Crimes
- CRJ4329 Gangs
- FOL1401 Beginning Spanish I
- FOL1402 Beginning Spanish II
- GOV4305 Constitutional Law
- HSC3326 Family, Stress, Crisis, and Resilience
- PSY4321 Forensic Psychology
- PSY4322 Drugs, Alcohol, and Behavior
- SWK2320 Social Justice
- 3 hours from
- SWK2340 Diversity
- PSY2340 Psychology of Diversity
- 3 hours from
- SWK3330 Maladaptive Functioning
- PSY3330 Abnormal Psychology
- SWK3314 Family and Community Violence
- Electives (15-17 hours)
- Total (120 hours)
Note: CRJ4140 and CRJ4333 must be taken at the university.
Bachelor of Arts in Law Studies
- University Core (45 hours)
- BIB1310 Introduction to the Old Testament
- BIB1320 Introduction to the New Testament
- BIB3305 Christian Heritage
- BIB3310 Christian Life
- COM2340 Communication for the Professional
- ENG1301 Composition Studies
- ENG1302 Composition and Literature
- 3 hours from
- PSY1300 General Psychology
- SOC1300 General Sociology
- HIS2301 History of the United States I
- HIS2302 History of the United States II
- 3 hours from
- GOV2301 National Government
- GOV2302 Texas State and Local Government
- ESS1200 Personal Fitness and Wellness
- MAT1311 College Algebra
- 3 hours from BIO, CHE, or NRC
- PHI2304 Introduction to Philosophy
- UNI1170 University Seminar
- UNI2000 University Skills
- Major (39 hours)
- CRJ2302 Fundamentals of Texas Criminal Law
- CRJ2304 Legal Aspects of Law Enforcement
- CRJ2305 Courts and Criminal Procedure
- CRJ4333 Professionalism and Ethics in Criminal Justice
- CRJ4313 Legal Writing and Analysis
- 6 hours upper level HIS
- GOV3325 History of Law
- GOV4305 Constitutional Law
- COM4321 Advanced Public Speaking and Rhetorical Analysis
- 3 hours from:
- COM4341 Communication and Conflict
- COM3372 Intercultural Communication
- 3 hours from:
- GOV3314 Comparative Politics and Development
- GOV3323 American Foreign Policy and International Relations
- GOV3331 U.S. and Texas Public Policy
- GOV3341 American Public Administration
- GOV4306 Political Theory
- HUM4380 Senior Research
- Supporting Courses (24 hours)
- ECO2301 Macroeconomics
- ENG3307 Classical and Contemporary Rhetoric
- SWK2320 Social Justice
- 3 hours from:
- SWK2340 Diversity
- PSY2340 Psychology of Diversity
- 12 hours from
- BUA4301 Business Law
- Upper-level ENG, HIS, HTH, or PHI
- Electives (12 hours)
- Total (120 hours)
Note: CRJ4140 and CRJ4333 must be taken at the university.
Social Work
The Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) accredits the Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) program at the university. Therefore, graduates are eligible to sit for the social work licensing exam to become Licensed Bachelor Social Workers (LBSW). Additional information for programs leading to licensure or certification can be found here. Types of agencies where BSW graduates often find employment are foster care and adoption, hospitals, schools, military services, child and adult protection, substance abuse, criminal justice, mental health, hospice, home health care, aging, victim services, community outreach, and various other agencies. BSW graduates are experiencing a high rate of admission into Master of Social Work programs and are most often granted advanced standing, shortening the length of the master's program to around 40 hours.
Social Work Program Goals
- Prepare students for research-informed generalist social work practice with individuals, families, groups, communities, and organizations;
- Cultivate practitioners that are guided by the values and ethics of the social work profession; and
- Develop social workers who understand the forms and mechanisms of oppression and discrimination and the consequential need to advocate for economic and social justice, human rights, and respect for all people.
Social Work Program Outcomes
Graduates will be able to:
- Identify as a professional social worker and conduct oneself accordingly;
- Apply social work ethical principles to guide professional practice;
- Apply critical thinking to inform and communicate professional judgments;
- Engage diversity and difference in practice;
- Advance human rights and social and economic justice;
- Engage in research-informed practice and practice-informed research;
- Apply knowledge of human behavior and the social environment;
- Engage in policy practice to advance social and economic well-being and to deliver effective social work services;
- Respond to contexts that shape practice; and
- Engage, assess, intervene, and evaluate with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.
Social Work Transfer Credit
To be considered for social work transfer credit, courses must be completed with a grade of C or higher and be of similar content and level. Courses taken from programs not accredited by CSWE and courses taken 5 or more years ago must first be evaluated by the Director of Social Work. Transfer credit for SWK 4610 and SWK 4620 is not accepted.
Admission to the Program
Students interested in the Social Work major must see the Social Work faculty for academic and career advising. Any student may enroll in the pre-professional course, SWK 2300. However, only students admitted to the Social Work program are permitted to enroll in SWK 3301, 3302, 3303, 4610 or 4620. Once SWK 2300 is complete, Social Work majors must apply to be admitted to the program. In order to be admitted, students must:
- An overall GPA of 2.00;
- Completed ENG 1301 and ENG 1302 earning a grade of C or better in each course;
- Completed SWK 2300;
- Completed a written application for admission;
- Provided a reference from a non-social work faculty member; and
- Provided a personal reference.
When the above requirements are met, the Social Work faculty will consider the application and grant or deny admission to the Social Work Program. Students will be informed of the decision by email. Applicants refused admission may appeal.
Field Placement
A vital part of the social work program is a 400 hour field placement, which is a required internship completed in the semester prior to graduation. Students complete the internship in a social service agency under the supervision of an experienced social worker. Social work students are required to successfully complete the 400 hours in field in a timely manner, consistent with field practice policy and procedure. It is each social work student's responsibility to plan in advance for the field experience in order to ensure that they will have ample time to complete all field requirements. The vast majority of available and viable field agency sites are capable of accommodating students on a full-time basis during traditional business hours. Options for field sites will generally be limited to these types of agencies. Each student must arrange, in advance, to participate in the field experience on a full-time basis. Failure to do so may prevent a student from advancing in, or completing, the social work program.
Admission to Field
Students are evaluated for readiness before beginning field. Only students meeting this criteria will be admitted into field:
- Successful completion of all other courses required for the social work degree;
- Minimum overall GPA of 2.00;
- Minimum 2.0 GPA in social work courses;
- Minimum 2.5 average in SWK 3301, 3302, and 3303;
- Evaluated favorably by the Social Work faculty in professional ethics, values, and behavior using the NASW Code of Ethics;
- Successful completion of UNI2000;
- Submission of the Field Placement application; and
- Successful oral interview with the Director of Field Education.
The 2.5 average in the social work practice courses, SWK 3301, 3302, and 3303, will serve as a measure for determining student potential to engage in effective social work practice. The practice courses provide opportunities for students to demonstrate practice skills. If students have at least an average of 2.5 in those courses, it is assumed they have demonstrated the potential to engage in effective social work practice. Within these practice courses, and other social work major courses, social work faculty also evaluate student ability to recognize and demonstrate social work ethics and behavior. Ethics assignments required throughout the social work curriculum are used as the primary measure for evaluating student knowledge and demonstration of social work values, ethics, and behavior. Ethics assignments required throughout the social work curriculum are used as a measure for evaluating student knowledge and demonstration of social work values and ethics. Social work faculty also formally evaluate social work students on the demonstration of professional behavior in each upper level social work course.
Faculty evaluation of field readiness will occur after the Field Placement Application is submitted. Students are notified of the decision in writing. Students denied admission to field may appeal the decision. If field criteria are met, students meet with the Director of Field Education to discuss guidelines for field and to identify field placement sites. After successful completion, enrollment in SWK 4610 and 4620 is permitted. Students must have the prior permission of the Director of Social Work to take additional courses while enrolled in field.
Criminal Record Implications
Many social service agencies do not allow volunteers and/or employees with criminal backgrounds. Therefore, it may be extremely difficult, if not impossible, to locate an agency where students with criminal backgrounds can complete their field placement. In which case, it becomes the primary responsibility of a student with a criminal background to secure an approved field placement in accordance with the social work degree plan. The State of Texas reserves the right to deny a license to any person entering the field of Social Work with a criminal history. Therefore, upon their graduation students having a criminal background may be denied licensure by the State of Texas for this or any other reason the State deems relevant. Licensure eligibility is the sole decision of the State of Texas.
Bachelor of Social Work
The social work program does not give academic credit for life experience or previous work experience.
- University Core (45 hours)
- BIB1310 Introduction to the Old Testament
- BIB1320 Introduction to the New Testament
- BIB3305 Christian Heritage
- BIB3310 Christian Life
- COM2340 Communication for the Professional
- ENG1301 Composition Studies
- ENG1302 Composition and Literature
- PSY1300 General Psychology
- 3 hours from
- HIS2301 History of the United States I
- HIS2302 History of the United States II
- ESS1200 Personal Fitness and Wellness
- MAT1311 College Algebra
- BIO1300 Human Biology
- ENG3308 Technical Writing
- 3 hours from
- GOV2301 National Government
- GOV2302 Texas State and Local Government
- 3 hours upper level ENG
- UNI1170 University Seminar
- UNI2000 University Skills
- Major (42 hours)
- SWK2300 Introduction to Social Work
- SWK2340 Diversity
- SWK3301 Generalist Practice with Individuals and Families
- SWK3302 Generalist Practice with Communities and Organizations
- SWK3303 Generalist Practice with Groups
- SWK3304 Social Welfare Policy
- SWK3306 Social Work Ethics and Professional Behavior
- SWK3310 Statistics
- SWK3311 Human Behavior in the Social Environment
- SWK3320 Social Research Methods
- SWK4610 Field I
- SWK4620 Field II
- Supporting Courses (18-20 hours)
- SOC1300 General Sociology
- SWK2320 Social Justice
- SWK3330 Maladaptive Functioning
- 3 hours from
- SWK3313 Interventions with Older Adults
- SWK3314 Family and Community Violence
- SWK3315 Social Work in Criminal Justice Settings
- SWK3316 International Social Work
- SWK4352 Special Topics in Social Work
- 6-8 hours of foreign language and/or multicultural studies
- Electives (13-15 hours)
- Total (120 hours)
Minor in Criminal Justice
(18 hours)
- CRJ2301 Introduction to Criminal Justice
- CRJ2305 Courts and Criminal Procedure
- CRJ3301 Criminology
- 9 hours from
- CRJ3302 Juvenile Delinquency
- CRJ3312 Violent Offenders
- CRJ3322 Social Deviance
- CRJ3324 Corrections, Probation, and Parole
- CRJ4325 Forensic Cyber Evidence Examination
- CRJ4326 Terrorism and Homeland Security
- CRJ4333 Professionalism and Ethics in Criminal Justice
- PSY4321 Forensic Psychology
Minor in Sociological Studies
(18 hours)
- SOC1300 General Sociology
- SWK2320 Social Justice
- SWK2340 Diversity
- CRJ3322 Social Deviance
- 6 hours from:
- SWK3314 Family and Community Violence
- SWK/PSY3320 Social Research Methods
- CRJ3301 Criminology
- CRJ3302 Juvenile Delinquency
- PSY3381 Social Psychology
- PSY4342 Qualitative Research
- HSC3313 The Family
- HSC3322 Gender and Sexuality
- HSC3328 Parenting
- HSC4326 Family and Community
- ESS3324 Sport in Society
- COM3371 Group Communication
- COM3372 Intercultural Communication
- COM3374 Non-Verbal Communication
- LIN4301 Sociolinguistics
- REL3301 World Religions