Undergraduate Thesis
The B.S. program in Social Science, with a concentration
in Human Resource Management, centers on a developed understanding
of multi-focal personnel matters within varied professional
settings: recruitment, training and evaluation of employees;
effective communication in workplace environments; conflict
resolution; development and/or dissemination of regulations
and standards of performance. Studied, too, are organizational
structures as they relate to payroll, benefits and other
HR matters of priority. Throughout the learning experience,
students analyze and apply the tools of effective problem-solving,
as related to Human Resource Management, while developing
a fundamental understanding of business-related procedures
and processes, all of which are ultimately essential to
adept leadership and, notably, to adept HR management.
Program Objectives:
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Develop a solid theoretical and practical
(applied) understanding of the major functional areas
of Human Resource Management
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Demonstrate the ability to utilize
current technology in the processes of researching,
analyzing, solving and applying issues in Human Resource
Management
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Apply strong analytical and critical
thinking skills to HR policy understanding and development
within the broader context of a business organization’s
multiple areas of operation.
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Establish a functional understanding
of ethical decision models and their applications within
the arena of HR Administration.
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Apply both quantitative and qualitative
analysis of Human Resource Management problems in the
areas of policy-making, comparative analysis of policies,
strategic analysis, and cost analysis.
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Acquire a comprehensive familiarity
with the principal components of HR: recruitment, retention,
employee rights, law and statutes impacting employment,
compensation, benefits, conflict resolution, equity
and other co-extensive sub-fields.
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Develop strong communication skills
with due emphasis on the tools of effective writing.
Career Opportunities: The successful graduate in
HR will encounter a notably broad slate of career possibilities.
In the last decade, the Human Resource function has moved
beyond personnel management and development to become a
strategic cornerstone in many organizations, increasing
the need for professionals with specialized HR skills. Entry-level
positions (and, depending on former experience, middle-management
positions) in recruitment, compensation, benefits, labor
relations, and other human resource fields are widely available
in industry, business, the public and private sectors, government
agencies, non-for-profit foundations and organizations.
The University of Atlanta’s Bachelor of Science program
in Social Science, with a concentration in Criminal Justice,
offers a curriculum which engages students in issues relevant
to the Criminal Justice system, its functions and operations,
its strengths and weaknesses, its links to other social
issues in contemporary society. Areas of study include policing,
criminal law, corrections, and applied analysis of crime
and justice in America. Throughout the learning experience,
students analyze and apply the tools of effective decision-making
and problem-solving, as related to Criminal Justice, while
developing a fundamental understanding of processes, procedures
and pertinent social phenomena. Both the theoretical underpinnings
and practical dimensions of the criminal justice system
and its co-extensive social and societal dimensions are
explored. Graduates will be prepared to: analyze the operations,
policies and procedures within the criminal justice system;
recognize trends in crime and criminal behavior along with
methods of prevention and treatment; analyze theories related
to deviance and critique the effectiveness of their practical
application to behavioral change; demonstrate a cohesive
base of skills, techniques and principles related to the
practice of criminal justice; and compare and contrast (when
applicable) international and cross-cultural approaches
to crime and prevention; access, interpret and apply criminal
justice research findings to the analysis and assessment
of situational events.
Program Objectives
- Demonstrate knowledge of current issues, concepts, philosophies
and theories in the field of Criminal Justice.
- Explain and discuss various theories of crime causation
and societal response, and the techniques of prevention
and treatment of crime.
- Describe the role of the courts in the administration
of justice.
- Apply constitutional principles that protect the rights
of citizens and regulate criminal-justice agencies.
- Identify and discuss procedures necessary to establish
a lawful arrest and search, proper judicial procedures,
and the admissibility of evidence.
- Explain principles of effective law enforcement and
security administration.
- Describe the structure and procedures of juvenile court;
the function and jurisdiction of juvenile agencies; and
the processing and disposition of juvenile cases.
- Articulate the role of corrections in the Criminal Justice
system.
- Think logically and critically, in order to formulate,
present, and defend logical arguments.
- Apply the knowledge of ethical principles with the
high standards expected of criminal justice practitioners.
- Develop strong communication skills with due emphasis
on the tools of effective writing.
Career Opportunities: The successful graduate
will be suitably prepared to assume management trainee
positions in various arenas of the judicial system, in the
criminal justice community, in government, in the courts, in
police and corrections facilities, in social work agencies
and in other professional domains – or, alternatively, to
assume enhanced responsibilities within the context of a
currently-held (CJ-focused) position. Those who so elect
will be academically prepared to pursue graduate studies in
Criminal Justice, Criminology, Social Science, Social Work
or a wide array of related disciplines.
