Criminal Justice Program Evaluation – CJUS 801
CG • Section 8WK • 11/08/2019 to 04/16/2020 • Modified 02/01/2024
Course Description
This course will examine key concepts, methods, and approaches in the field of program evaluation research. Students will be exposed to the theoretical and methodological diversity inherent in current evaluation practices across a number of substantive areas. The comprehensive range of activities involved in designing, implementing, and assessing the utility of criminal justice programs. Evidence based practice will be one of the focal points of this class.
For information regarding prerequisites for this course, please refer to the Academic Course Catalog.
Rationale
The purpose of this course is to understand the different types of program evaluations and how to apply them to the field. This course meets the requirements for the Ph.D. program by teaching students how to apply the appropriate research methodology to a hypothesis. This is an essential skill for a field researcher and Ph.D. student.
Course Assignment
Textbook readings and lecture presentations/notes
Course Requirements Checklist
After reading the Course Syllabus and Student Expectations, the student will complete the related checklist found in the Course Overview.
Discussions (5)
Discussions are collaborative learning experiences. Therefore, the student is required to create a thread in response to the provided prompt for each discussion. Each thread must be a minimum of 500–600 words, demonstrate course-related knowledge, and reference at least 2 scholarly articles. In addition to the thread, the student is required to reply to 3 other classmates’ threads. Each reply must be a minimum of 250-300 words.
Anticrime/Prevention Program: Part 1 – Evaluability Assessment Assignment
This assignment requires the student to develop a 5-7 page evaluation strategy for his or her chosen problem using Vito & Higgins planning evaluation strategy detailed in the textbook. Ideas from 5 scholarly sources must be integrated, and the paper must be written in the current APA format.
Anticrime/Prevention Program: Part 2 – Evaluation Strategy/Logic Model Assignment
This assignment requires the student to develop a 5-7 page evaluation strategy for a police or crime problem chosen using Vito & Higgins planning evaluation strategy in Chapter 2. Using the evaluation strategy in Vito & Higgins to frame the paper, the student will establish goals, objectives, and performance indicators using a theory that provides the basis for his or her specified program. Citations must be used for the underlying theories. For example, if the student chooses violent crime as the problem he or she is going to address, then he or she will examine the theories surrounding violent crime reduction. Using one of these theories, such as focused deterrence, the student will model a program after a Ceasefire or Pulling Levers example. The student will use the theory to inform program operations to drive the selection of treatments, clarify the services provided, and determine the variables to be measured. The paper must be written in current APA format.
The student will also include a Logic Model for the chosen problem following the Vito & Higgins model in Chapter 2. The Logic Model must be in the form of a chart (an excel spreadsheet will be fine). The Logic Model will cover inputs, activities, outputs, short-term outcomes, long-term outcomes, and external factors.
Anticrime/Prevention Program: Part 3 – Management Plan Assignment
This assignment requires the student to write a 5-7 page management plan for the chosen anti-crime/prevention program. Ideas from 5 scholarly sources must be integrated, and the paper must be written in current APA format.
Anticrime/Prevention Program: Part 4 – Program Impact Assignment
The student will write a 20-page research-based paper in current APA format that focuses on program impact. The paper must include at least 20 references in addition to the course textbooks and the Bible.
