Faculty of Arts and Sciences
Goals
The master’s degree program in criminal justice administration has two goals:
- To provide advanced education and professional development in information security and digital forensics for those currently working in the world of cyber security.
- To provide advanced education for those seeking future leadership positions in the world of cybersecurity.
The program serves two student populations: those currently working full time who seek further education in the field, and those not yet working in the field who plan to pursue information security and digital forensics careers in operations, research or teaching.
The philosophy of the program is closely intertwined with the mission of Niagara University. It is designed to prepare its graduates for productive roles in society, as well as to provide them the opportunity to fulfill their potential. A holistic education is offered through an integrated program that encourages students to develop powers of discrimination and judgment, and fosters their commitment to ethical, intellectual and social values. The program aims to accomplish these objectives through a core of courses that develops skills in management, data privacy, software security, research, ethics, liability, writing, and speaking. As the curriculum suggests, the program aims to do more than train competent managers and administrators. It also strives to inculcate communication, analytical and decision-making skills, as well as professional ethics that will enable graduates to function as effective leaders in any organizational environment. The curriculum also helps graduates to anticipate, address and correct problems faced in the world of data privacy and security in an efficient, effective, and ethical manner.
Admission Requirements
Candidates for admission must submit application materials via www.niagarau.ca/students-and-alumni/admissions.
For specific program requirements please visit https://niagarau.ca/students-and-alumni/admissions/requirements-by-program.
Unique Program Characteristics
The courses combine a variety of skills, information and concrete applications for a gratifying educational experience. Small class size, computer availability for all students, and state-of-the-art library facilities provide a supportive learning environment.
All faculty members in the graduate program hold earned doctorates in criminology, criminal justice, or a related field, an attribute not found in any comparable regional program. All are published authors and experts in a variety of specializations within the field. They are all experienced teachers and regularly make presentations at professional conferences. The faculty draws upon a wealth of knowledge and expertise that makes the learning experience both enlightening and enjoyable.
Administration skills, computer applications, professional ethics, and low student-faculty ratios are combined with an interdisciplinary flavor. Several classes can be taken as electives in the university’s M.S. in counseling program. Included in this sequence are: 651, 654, 658, 617 and 669.
A combined maximum of four courses (12 credit hours) including transfer credit from an accredited institution and courses outside of the criminal justice administration department at Niagara University may be allowed. Preapproval by the director of the criminal justice master’s program to take any courses outside of the criminal justice department at Niagara University (MBA, MA Interdisciplinary Studies, or EDU counseling courses) must be obtained by the student prior to registration for the course(s).
Courses
The course provides an intensive introduction to computers and to programming as a tool for problem solving. Students will use and write programs in a beginners programming language. Applications involve personal, scientific, and health or business worlds. (This course does not satisfy the CIS major requirement.)
Students are introduced to computing and apply problem solving techniques to a variety of contexts including, but not limited to, web page design, introductory programming and robotics. Students will consider the societal and ethical issues regarding technology while applying computing concepts and utilizing computing tools to solve problems.
This is a first course using a structured business language. Design and style are emphasized. Typical business problems are coded and documented, compiled and tested to acquaint the student with practical use of the language.
Students in this course will learn how to plan and develop dynamic web pages utilizing graphics, CSS, multimedia, animation, database applications, sharing and distribution of documents via the Web.
This course presents an introduction to computers and their use in the schools. It is designed as a first course for teachers. Emphasis is placed upon fundamental concepts and their applications in education. Students use an integrated software package and programs relating to the subject matter of their discipline. They have the opportunity to write programs in a structured language. No prior experience with computers is assumed. (This course does not satisfy the CIS major requirement.)
Students will be introduced to fundamental programming concepts and core programming structures including but not limited to variables, data types, arithmetic operators, decisions, loops, functions, arrays and objects. Students will obtain basic knowledge of standard programming practices utilizing a minimum of two programming languages.
The course presents business-related software for the microcomputer (PC). The main applications examined are spreadsheets, business graphics, databases, word processing, and presentation graphics. Integration of these applications is also covered. (This course satisfies the CIS major or minor requirements.)
This course presents computers as research tools to students in the behavioral and social sciences and human services. It presents an overview of computer hardware and software and use of an operating system and an editor as tools for the computer user. The student will also become familiar with the use of a word processor for report and proposal writing, spreadsheets for budgeting, and database design and access. Students will learn SPSS as a research tool for statistical applications. (This course does not satisfy the CIS major requirement.)
(also listed as GIS 100) This course is a broad and intensive introduction to the study of Geographic Information Systems (GIS). Using this extensive computer-based mapping software, students will learn the nature and models of spatial data, organize, manage, and present such data, as well as plan and conduct research. Applications in various social and natural sciences will be introduced and discussed. This learning is to be continued in upper division courses within related fields.
This course will introduce students to mobile game development including fundamental knowledge and skills in game design. A practical introduction to game design and implementation will be presented including history of mobile games, game elements, human-computer interaction, interface design, collision detection, testing and publishing, and game-related math and physics.
This course will introduce students to mobile application development including the general principles and skills for developing apps using the Android operating system. Students will learn Java and how to use development tools, such as JDK, SDK, Eclipse, ADT including testing and debugging using an emulator and an actual device.
This course is an introduction to the fundamentals of computer programming in Python and data analysis with Python. Topics include computer programming concepts, Python fundamentals,control structures, functions and modules, strings, lists, dictionaries, file input and output, data analysis and data visualization. Problems examined include real-life applications.
This is a second course in a structured business programming language. It emphasizes structured design, file organization, editing, data input techniques, indexed and keyed files, file updating, merging and sorting, debugging techniques, and program maintenance.
This course provides an intensive introduction to structured and object-oriented programming in a modern programming language. Algorithm development is introduced. Designing, coding, debugging, and documenting programs are emphasized. Problems examined include numerical and non-numeric applications.
This course presents the students with the fundamentals of computer hardware, operating systems, and data communications. The students will have the opportunity to assemble, upgrade, troubleshoot and configure computers. Students will be exposed to tools and technologies necessary to take the A+ certification upon completion of this class.
This course introduces students to the techniques and tools of computer forensic investigations. Students will learn how to utilize computer forensic tools in investigations. The course maps to the objectives of the IACIS certification. Topics include coverage of the latest technology including cell phones, and portable devises.
Students will develop web sites using PHP and access MySQL databases and tables, be able to use PHP variables and operators, make decisions using conditional statements, code arrays, utilize loops to process data, develop basic XML web pages, and apply the concepts of DTD and XSL to create dynamic pages.
This course provides an intensive introduction to structured and object-oriented programming using the C++ language. Algorithm development is stressed. Designing, coding, debugging, and documenting programs are emphasized. Problems examined include numerical and non-numeric applications.
This course continues CIS 301. Advanced techniques of object-oriented programming are introduced using the C++ programming language. Data structures and algorithms associated with arrays, several forms of linked lists, and trees are studied. Other topics include sorting and searching, analysis of algorithms, and an introduction to parallel programming.
This course introduces the broad and constantly changing field of local networks. The course emphasizes technology and architecture issues such as transmission medium, network topology, communications protocols, and hardware/software interfaces. Local area networks and digital switch/computerized branch exchanges are discussed.
This course prepares students to produce professional-quality business documents and to communicate effectively in academic and business environments. The course involves using advanced features of spreadsheets, databases, word processing, presentation graphics and the Internet as tools for analyzing business problems and communicating business information.
This course examines forensic accounting and economic crime interrelating accounting, criminal justice and computer and information systems concepts and issues. The course will include limited accounting theory and concentrate on financial fraud, white-collar crime, how financial fraud is perpetrated, approaches to fraud investigations and documentation, fraud detection and prevention.
This is the first course in the general concepts and techniques of systems development. The study, logical design, physical construction, and implementation phases for development of a system will be examined in detail. Students are presumed to have a general knowledge of information systems hardware and software from prerequisite courses.
This course continues CIS 256: Mobile Gaming I. Students will learn techniques including game control, advanced collision detection, advanced math and advanced physics for game design, data structures and algorithms for game design, and using game engines to develop mobile games. Students will also learn advanced debug techniques with IDE.
This course will continue application development for mobile devices using the android platform. Students will utilize and integrate specific features, such as client-server communicating, location-based services, computer graphics/animation, multimedia, and on-device sensors. Students will use Java for software development. The class will be oriented around intensive hands-on activities.
This course introduces advanced topics in data analysis with Python. Topics include advanced programming techniques in Python, machine learning algorithms and the use of libraries including NumPy, Pandas, and Matplotlib, to conduct advanced data analysis and data visualization. This course emphasizes problem solving skills and real-world applications.
This course continues CIS 265. Advanced techniques of object-oriented programming are introduced. Data structures and algorithms associated with arrays, several forms of linked lists, and trees are studied. Other topics include sorting and searching, and analysis of algorithms.
Internships allow students to experience working in a professional environment. Area businesses, government offices, and nonprofit organizations provide these opportunities. Internships are generally unpaid; see CIS 493-494 and 496-497 for paid cooperative education experiences. CIS department chair permission required.
The application, logical structure, and physical implementation of database management systems (DBMS) are considered. The storage, management, and retrieval of information in hierarchical, network, and relational database systems, some specific database languages, and normalization and data dictionaries, file security, integrity, and reliability will be discussed. The student designs, programs, and implements a database system using state-of-the-art relational database packages.
This course will give students the ability of investigating advanced forensics and incident response, including cutting-edge network investigation and mobile devices. The course will utilize advanced industry standard tools to investigate data breach intrusions, tech-savvy employee investigation, and complex digital forensic cases.
Students in this course will learn to integrate tools built on multiple software platforms into complex applications with graphical user interfaces.
Individual research of a substantive nature pursued in the students major field of study. The research will conclude in a written thesis or an original project, and an oral defense.
Individual research of a substantive nature pursued in the students major field of study. The research will conclude in a written thesis or an original project, and an oral defense.
Theory and practice in problems of scientific computing. Students will study the development of solutions to important scientific problems requiring powerful computing resources. Students will write programs for a parallel supercomputer.
This online course familiarizes the nurse with terminology, standards and rationale for health system information technology. Computer systems to access, enter and manage information are demonstrated. Students employ search and retrieval of scientific literature to support evidence-based practice. Ethics regarding privacy, information storing, sharing, and security are discussed.
Internships allow students to experience working in a professional environment. Area businesses, government offices, and nonprofit organizations provide these opportunities. Internships are generally unpaid; see CIS 493-494 and 496-497 for paid cooperative education experiences. CIS department chair permission required.
This course considers the selection of a computer system (software and hardware); management of small and large systems including distributed processing; establishment of priorities and information systems security; and project management. Advanced database languages and applications generators are examined.
This course presents students with the opportunity to explore and discuss information security, specifically learn about current information security threats, how to protect information, the relationship between policy and security, and the importance of the use of network protection mechanisms such as firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and other security tools.
Special topics courses in information systems and computer science are offered whenever departmental resources are sufficient to do so. Topics could include, but are not limited to, new software design technologies; recent hardware and software developments; data communications; special high-level languages; parallel processing; ethical, legal and societal issues in computer and information systems; assemblers, compilers, and interpreters; simulation and modeling.
A junior or senior work-study employment experience. The student must work two semesters, including one semester full time. Registration will occur at the beginning of the experience. The objective of the program is to integrate classroom theory and practical work experience, lending relevance to learning and providing the student with a realistic exposure to career opportunities.
A junior or senior work-study employment experience. The student must work two semesters, including one semester full time. Registration will occur at the beginning of the experience. The objective of the program is to integrate classroom theory and practical work experience, lending relevance to learning and providing the student with a realistic exposure to career opportunities.
The independent study elective provides an opportunity to do intensive work in an area of particular interest to the student and a faculty member. Departmental approval necessary.
A junior or senior work-study employment experience. Students will work part time for four semesters. Registration will occur during the second and fourth semesters of the experience. The objective of the program is to integrate classroom theory and practical work experience, lending relevance to learning and providing the student with a realistic exposure to career opportunities.
A junior or senior work-study employment experience. Students will work part time for four semesters. Registration will occur during the second and fourth semesters of the experience. The objective of the program is to integrate classroom theory and practical work experience, lending relevance to learning and providing the student with a realistic exposure to career opportunities.
This is a capstone course emphasizing the skills necessary for building high-quality software. A significant team project is required; knowledge obtained by students in prerequisite courses will be applied to bring about proper completion of the team project. Systems development models and software relevant to systems engineering will be discussed.