Politics, Administration and Justice, Division of

Introduction
Degree Descriptions
Learning Goals and Student Learning Outcomes

Internships
Advisement
Programs and Courses Offered

Division of Politics, Administration and Justice Division Chair

Matthew Jarvis

Coordinators

Alissa Ackerman-Acklin, Criminal Justice Program
Rob Robinson, Political Science Program
Samuel Stone, Public Administration

Division Office/Website

Gordon Hall 511
657-278-3521
hss.fullerton.edu/paj

Faculty

Alissa Ackerman-Acklin, David Adams, Michelle Arsenault, Gregory (Chris) Brown, Amy Cass Foust, Rob Castro, George M. Dery, III, Christine Gardiner, Veronica Herrera, Dixie Koo, Phillip Kopp, James Lasley, Brian Lovato, Jarret Lovell, Stacy Mallicoat, Lidia Nuno, Georgia Spiropoulos, Robert Castro, Meriem Doucette, Pam Fiber-Ostrow, Sarah Hill, Matthew Jarvis, Myung Jung Kwon, Valerie O’Regan, Mark Redhead, Rob Robinson, Choudhury Shamim, Alexei Shevchenko, Scott Spitzer, Stephen Stambough, Samuel Stone, Yuan Ting, David Traven, Justin Tucker, Yan Xiao

Introduction

Criminal Justice is the study of the causes, consequences and control of crime. Like other new and developing fields, criminal justice is difficult to define, as it draws from a number of different disciplines, including psychology, public administration, philosophy, political science, sociology and law. It is both academic and professional in that it is an interdisciplinary attempt to relate intellectual issues and practitioner perspectives to the challenge of crime in a free society.

Political science is the study of people’s behavior as it relates to power and public organizations. The discipline is normally divided into six subfields: political philosophy, American politics, public administration, public law, comparative government and international politics.

Public Administration teaches people management skills for government and nonprofit organizations. It draws on literature from political science, psychology, economics, business and sociology to provide students with skills that will make them more effective public sector leaders. It is concerned with the role played by public employees in policy-making, planning, personnel management, taxation and finance, and in responding to the needs and problems of communities and the nation.

Degree Descriptions

The Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice is designed to acquaint pre-service and in-service students with the principles and practices of criminal justice in America. Specifically, the curriculum provides: opportunities for students to develop a knowledge and understanding of different theories and methods of studying criminal justice and criminology; proficiency in the use of various tools of analysis, including research and data analysis techniques; an interdisciplinary approach to relate intellectual issues and practitioner perspectives to the challenge of crime in a free society; the practice of criminal justice through internships and other experiential programs; and the ability to communicate clearly, critically and intelligently about crime, criminals and criminal justice. A major in criminal justice prepares students for: law school or graduate school; government employment in local, state and federal agencies; employment in law enforcement, courts and corrections agencies; employment in non-profit and human service organizations; teaching; and leadership in civic activities.

The Bachelor of Arts in Political Science is designed to provide students with a broad understanding of the roles of institutional and non-institutional actors in politics and policy-making, both in the United States and cross-nationally. Specifically, the curriculum provides: opportunities for students to develop a knowledge and understanding of different theories and methods of studying politics; proficiency in the use of various tools of analysis, including research and data analysis techniques; the importance of interdisciplinary knowledge; the practice of politics through internships and other experiential programs; and the ability to communicate clearly, critically and intelligently about politics. A major in political science prepares students for law school, government employment on the local, state and national levels, foreign service, teaching, business, journalism, or leadership in civic and political activities.

The Master of Arts in Political Science is designed to provide students with an in-depth understanding of the roles of institutional and non-institutional actors in politics and policy-making, both in the United States and cross-nationally. Specifically, the curriculum provides: opportunities for students to develop an understanding of and the ability to apply theories and methods of studying politics; experience in the use of various tools of analysis, including research and data analysis techniques; and the ability to communicate clearly, critically and intelligently about politics. A masters in political science prepares students for doctoral programs, law school, government employment on the local, state and national levels, foreign service, teaching at the introductory post-secondary level, business, journalism or leadership in civic and political activities.

The Bachelor of Arts in Public Administration is designed to prepare students for service in public agencies or in nonprofit organizations. Public administration majors study the larger political environment of public service and the concepts and goals that underline such functions as budgeting, personnel, policy analysis and management. Specifically, the curriculum provides opportunities for students to develop an understanding of factual knowledge about the role and function of the public and nonprofit sectors of society, including: understanding the role of the administrative function in political system; the role of personnel administration, public budgeting and finance in the creation and implementation of public policy; the role of public administration professionals as participants in the creation and implementation of public policy; and different models of politics and governance as they relate to the role of administrative agencies and processes, particularly their role in democratic systems. A major in public administration prepares students for employment in government at the local, state and national levels, in nonprofit agencies, public safety, advocacy and more.

The Master of Arts in Public Administration (M.P.A.) is designed to prepare students for a career in public service by providing a core set of competencies anchored on the foundations of scholarly research and professional practice. Specifically, the curriculum provides opportunities for M.P.A. students to develop knowledge, skills and public service values that equip them to be ethical and exceptional leaders in their communities who act with a commitment to public service, democratic values, accountability, social equity and diversity. An M.P.A. prepares students for employment and advancement in government agencies at the local, state and national levels, as well as nonprofit and other public service organizations.

Learning Goals and Student Learning Outcomes

Programs and Courses Offered

Programs

Bachelor of Arts

Master of Arts

Political Science, M.A.

Master of Public Administration

Non-Degree

Courses

Criminal Justice

Courses are designated as CRJU in the class schedule.

Political Science

Courses are designated as POSC in the class schedule. POSC 100 or its equivalent is the prerequisite for all upper-division political science courses. Prerequisites may be waived only with consent of instructor.

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