The Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in Cybercriminology and Security Studies with a concentration in physical security is designed to equip students with a strong baseline understanding of a growing category of 21st century crime.  The purpose of the B.S. degree in Cybercriminology and Security Studies is to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of national, corporate, and cyber security theories and practices, and to prepare them to operate on a supervisory level within security, law enforcement, and business environments. The events of 9/11 changed the way Americans look at all aspects of public safety.  The need for resilient security professionals who are prepared to deal with every facet of national, homeland, corporate, and cyber security has never been greater.  Students earning a B.S. degree in Cybercriminology and Security Studies will be prepared to take leadership roles in diverse areas of physical security will have the ability to pursue terminal degrees in private security.

 

Credit Hours Required

The major in Cybercriminology and Security Studies with a concentration in physical security consists of 51 credit hours (21 hours core courses, 24 credit hours concentration course work, and 6 credit hours directed electives). Under this concentration, students will develop the ability to analyze the global complexities and implications of corporate security, retail security, loss prevention, overall procedures, and operations.

 

Core Courses (21 credit hours):

CRIM 150 - Introduction to Criminal Justice (3 credits)

CRIM 200 - Criminology (3 credits)

CRIM 220 - Introduction to Law Enforcement (3 credits)

CRIM 420 - Criminal Law and Procedure (3 credits)

CRIM 435 - Criminal Investigation (3 credits)

CRIM 440 - Ethics in Criminal Justice (3 credits)

CRIM 499 –Danger and Disorder: Critical Issues in Criminology (3 credits)

 

Physical Security Concentration (24 credit hours)

CRIM 201 Institutional, Industrial, and Commercial Security (3 credits)

CRIM 203 Crime Prevention (3 credits)

CRIM 315 Techniques of Criminal Justice Interviewing (3 credits)

CRIM 416 Symposium on Criminology (3 credits)

CRIM 497 Individual Directed Studies (3 credits)

CRIM 498 Internship in Criminology (3 credits)

CSS 221 Introduction to Security Management (3 credits)

CSS 222 Introduction to Private Security (3 credits)

CSS 223 Introduction to Loss Prevention (3 credits)

CSS 321 School and Campus Security (3 credits)

CSS 322 Border and Coastal Security (3 credits)

CSS 323 Transportation Systems Security (3 credits)

CSS 420 Workplace Safety/OSHA (3 credits)

or HRD 394 Occupational Liability and Safety (3 credits)

CSS 421 Protective Services (3 credits)

CSS 422 Fraud Investigation (3 credits)

 

Physical Security Concentration Electives (6 credit hours)

CRIM 202 Retail Security (3 credits)

CRIM 396 Introduction to Research Methods in Criminal Justice (3 credits)

CRIM 416 Symposium on Criminology (3 credits)

CRIM 419 White-Collar Crime (3 credits)

CRIM 497 Individual Directed Studies (3 credits)

CRIM 498 Internship in Criminology (3 credits)

CSS 335 Principles of Retail Investigations (3 credits)

CSS 423 Retail Accounting and Inventory Control (3 credits)

CSS 424 Loss Prevention Data Analysis (3 credits)

 

CORE COURSE DESCRIPTION

CRIM 150 Introduction to Criminal Justice (3 credits)

A study of the agencies and processes involved in the criminal justice system: the courts, the police, the prosecutor, the public defender, and corrections.

CRIM 200 Criminology (3 credits)

A consideration of criminality, its nature and extent, particularly in the United States; and an analysis of the etiology of criminal behavior, criminal law, and societal reactions to criminals.

CRIM 220 Introduction to Law Enforcement (3 credits)

Philosophical and historical background of law enforcement at the federal, state, county, city, and village levels. An introduction to contemporary police organizations and methods of operation.

CRIM 420 Criminal Law and Procedure (3 credits)

An analysis of the history and development of the criminal law as a system of social control; the scope, purpose, and general principles of criminal law; and the essential characteristics of various crimes.

CRIM 435 Criminal Investigation (3 credits)

This course examines the organization and functions of investigative agencies, basic considerations in the investigation of crime, collection and preservation of physical evidence, elements of legal proof in the submission of evidence, and investigation of specific types of offenses.

CRIM 440 Ethics in Criminal Justice (3 credits)

A study of ethics, crime, and the criminal justice system. This course explores a variety of theoretical perspectives relative to the study of ethical behavior and then applies this discussion to the practice of law enforcement and corrections.

CRIM 499 Danger and Disorder: Critical Issues in Criminology (3 credits)

This course examines crime, justice, and civic life from historical, comparative, social science, and contemporary cultural perspectives. Topics include law and society, violence in America, criminal subcultures, drug policy, essential issues in criminal justice, mass media and crime, and citizen involvement in criminal justice.

 

Physical Security Concentration: Course Descriptions

CRIM 201 Institutional, Industrial, and Commercial Security (3 credits)

This course focuses on the overview of all-hazards approach to industrial security, site-specific vulnerability assessment, development of emergency action plans, loss prevention in industrial security, terrorist threats, and prevention of workplace violence.

CRIM 202 Retail Security (3 credits)

Emphasizes the identification and development of physical security objectives, policies, procedures, and methods necessary to achieve efficient and effective retail security measures.

CRIM 303 Crime Prevention (3 credits)

Provides an overview of types of crime prevention programs that can be implemented by police departments; retail, commercial, or individual firms; and community action groups and individual citizens.

CRIM 315 Techniques of Interviewing and Interrogation (3 credits)

This course explores (a) the interviewing and interrogation techniques, (b) legal restrictions on interrogations, and (c) techniques and technology related to the detection of truth and deception. This course also examines the legal and ethical issues of the use of interview and interrogation techniques to acquire intelligence information from suspects and its concomitant impact on criminal prosecutions, veracity of information, and public policy.

CRIM 396 Introduction to Research in Criminal Justice (3 credits)

This course focuses on the methods and techniques used to prevent and reduce losses due to theft and casualty. Consideration of the security survey; communication and surveillance systems; control of personnel and visitors; the use, supervision, and training of security forces; handling civil disturbances in public buildings; and other emergencies.

CRIM 416 Symposium on Criminology (3 credits)

Consideration is given to a specific area of criminology. Course is offered for credit or non-credit, and for in-service or pre-service students. A different topic is selected for each symposium.

CRIM 419 White-Collar Crime (3 credits)

Course Description: This course provides an overview of the nature, extent, causes, costs, and control of corporate and white-collar crime.

CRIM 497 Individual Directed Study (3 credits)

An individual study of a particular area or problem in security studies as decided upon by the student and the instructor. An outline of the proposed study must be submitted to the instructor for approval prior to enrollment in the course.

CRIM 498 Internship (3-6 credits)

Students engage in a period of employment (minimum of 200 hours for 3 credits) as a security analyst with government, international agency, or corporation during which certain experience objectives in security studies must be met.

CSS 221 Introduction to Security Management (3 credits)

An introductory course designed to familiarize students with the security profession and measures. Emphasis is placed on security industry terminology. Topics include privatization of public safety, use of technology and physical security, contract and proprietary security, executive protection, special event security, access control, integrated security systems, and assessing organizational vulnerabilities.

CSS 222 Introduction to Private Security (3 credits)

This course will cover the development, role, responsibility, limitations and liabilities of the private security industry in the contemporary society. It covers describing the relationship between private security professionals, law enforcement and representatives of the legal system.

CSS 223 Introduction to Loss Prevention (3 credits)

This course covers issues related to internal and external theft that affect all private and public operations, with focus on retail businesses. Examines and evaluates major loss prevention programs used by security operations, with primary focus on retail security.

CSS 321 School and Campus Security (3 credits)

This course explores risk management and emergency management protocols, the threat assessment process, crisis and recovery measures in school settings. It explores preparedness for managing every day security issues in schools while planning for high impact scenarios such as terrorism and active shooter/ mass casualty incidents.

CSS 322 Border and Coastal Security (3 credits)

A study of the federal, state and local organizations involved in border and coastal security, associated homeland security issues, the various policy and operational strategies used for border and coastal access and security. Contemporary border and coastal security concerns as well as immigration and non-U.S. approaches are addressed.

CSS 323 Transportation Systems Security (3 credits)

Focus on organizational risks through an examination of air, sea and land transportation systems. Acquisition and analysis of information necessary to support decision-makers in the protection of assets and allocation of security resources is reviewed. Risk management process, asset identification, threat and vulnerability identification and assessment, and cost-benefit analysis are examined.

CSS 335 Principles of Retail Investigations (3 credits)

This course explores the scope and impact of employee theft within the retail industry. Specific investigative techniques related to cash theft, under-ringing, refund fraud and credit fraud are covered, along with victim/witness interview techniques and completing concise and detailed investigative narratives.

CSS 420 Workplace Safety/OSHA (3 credits)

This course covers the basics of occupational safety management in the manufacturing environment as they relate to hazard identification, and accident investigation and training. It covers the minimum requirements under Federal OSHA and State OSHA.

CSS 421 Protective Services (3 credits)

An overview of executive protection services. Topics include basic principles, threat assessment, risk analysis, training, employment, organization and management of a protective services detail, working the principal, home and office security, technological considerations, vehicle security, domestic and international travel, firearms selection and training, and self-defense fundamentals.

CSS 422 Fraud Investigation (3 credits)

This course covers the principles and methodology of fraud detection and deterrence. The course includes topics such as skimming, cash larceny, check tampering, register disbursement schemes, billing schemes, corruption, accounting principles and fraud, fraudulent financial statements, and interviewing witnesses.

CSS 423 Retail Accounting and Inventory Control (3 credits)

This course introduces the principles of retail accounting and inventory shrink for loss prevention professionals.

CSS 424 Loss Prevention Data Analysis (3 credits)

This course focuses on the basic concepts and the practical application of analysis within the realm of retail loss prevention. Emphasis is placed on the fundamentals of analysis, giving the loss prevention professional insight into the validity of research encountered within the professional world.

HRD 394 Occupational Liability and Safety (3 credits)

The investigation of the safety environment. Safety terminology, hazards, and the need for safety training programs are included.