Master of Science in Forensic Leadership and Administration

Program Description/Overview

This program supports students to develop advanced competencies to succeed in leading within forensic sectors, including law enforcement, fire safety, corrections, and private security. Practical training in asset management (fiscal, material, and personnel) is paired with education and training that are particularly relevant within public safety arenas, such as crisis prevention, response, and management; forensic report writing and testimony; and building strong internal
and community relationships. The program supplements agency-specific training, and expands the knowledge base and skillset that leaders can draw upon to support those on the front lines.

Emphasis/Concentration/Tracks

This program offers five (5) concentrations as follows:

1. Advanced Situational Awareness: Designed for students interested in gaining advanced knowledge regarding human perception and in strengthening observation skills to improve risk responsiveness and promote public safety.

2. Criminal Behavior: Designed for students interested in understanding offenders from amotivational, psychological, social perspective. Designed to enhance the knowledge base for students aspiring to law enforcement, correctional, investigative or consulting careers.

3. Victimology: Designed for students interested in understanding crime and its impact on victims, this concentration aims to enhance the knowledge base for students aspiring to careers law enforcement, advocacy, policy and prevention, or consulting.

4. Conflict Resolution and Peace Studies: Designed for students interested in understanding and mitigating the impact of various crises, such as hostage or other barricade situations, and conflicts that may give rise to volatile and potentially violent situations. The courses in this concentration focus on reducing the potential for violence; engaging in quick, strategic assessment and problem-solving, and responding to and managing threats to personal or public safety.

5. Trial Consulting: Designed for students interested in working within the court system, and particularly in working with attorneys in criminal or civil actions. Witness preparation, jury selection, and argument and rhetoric improvement are emphasized.

Program Learning Outcomes/Goals

Upon completion of the program students will be able to:

1. Apply evidence-based and informed leadership approaches to improving organizational performance in private security and public safety contexts.
2. Engage in core organizational leadership tasks, including budgeting, program development, employee investigations, and personnel development and management.
3. Describe the ethical and communication considerations associated with leadership in public safety and security milieus.
4. Analyze the role that culture and cultural competency play in successfully managing and leading in public safety and private security contexts.
5. Demonstrate knowledge of the specific emotional, psychological, and behavioral vulnerabilities that employees dedicated to promoting safety and security may experience, and be able to effectively prevent, intervene, and postvene when critical incidents occur.

Professional Behavior Expectations/Ethical Guidelines

Respectful Speech and Actions: As an institution of higher education, the University has the obligation to combat racism, sexism, and other forms of bias and to provide an equal educational opportunity. Professional codes of ethics and the academic code shall be the guiding principles in dealing with speech or actions that, when considered objectively, are
abusive and insulting.

Professional Behavior: This program is a graduate-level professional program, and each member of the program, both students and faculty, are expected to engage in professional behavior and conduct. Students should always display empathy, self-control, friendliness, generosity, cooperation, helpfulness, and respect in all of their interactions with other students, staff, and faculty. Students will strive to exemplify professional behavior in all aspects of their participation in this program, to be on time in all engagements, to thoughtfully and diligently complete activities and assignments, and to treat all other program members with respect and dignity.

Credit Units

Total Credit Units: 36

Total Core Credit Units: 21

Total Elective Credit Units: N/A

Total Concentration Credit Units: 15

Emphasis/Concentration/Track Requirements

Curriculum Plan