2016 Fact Book

47 The Department of Justice and Human Services (DJHS) is composed of academic programs, grant- funded research, and outreach projects focused on some of today’s most urgent social challenges. These include substance use and health disparities, criminal justice, developmental disabilities, and the accessibility of services for returning veterans. DJHS is committed to values-based leadership and to the collaborative spirit of academic work at NSU. The department’s academic offerings include programs at the bachelor’s, master’s, and Ph.D. degree levels. DJHS is home to a B.S. in Criminal Justice, a B.S. in Paralegal Studies, a B.S. in Human Services Administration, and a B.S. in Recreational Therapy. The B.S. in Paralegal Studies, approved by the American Bar Association, prepares students for entry- level paralegal positions in the common areas of law practice. DJHS also offers a postbaccalaureate certificate in paralegal studies. The B.S. in Criminal Justice explores the questions surrounding crime, punishment, and rehabilitation, and examines the theoretical basis of criminal justice. The M.S. in Criminal Justice prepares students through a strong core curriculum in criminal justice and allows for specialty training through various concentrations focused on key issues within the field, including legal perspectives, behavioral science, substance abuse, and strategic community planning, among others. This multidisciplinary structure facilitates choice for students and fosters the development of specialized expertise. The Ph.D. in Criminal Justice opens opportunities in the areas of research, academia, and management to those who are ready to advance their careers. The Human Factors in Aviation concentrations within the Human Services Administration program are designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the human factors associated with flight. These factors include problem-solving skills, decision-making, communication, attention, stress management, and physical condition. Within these concentrations, a student has the opportunity to gain the training necessary to become a professional aviator and obtain a Federal Aviation Administration Private Pilot License, with an Instrument Rating, a Commercial Pilot License, Multi-Engine Rating, and/ or a Flight Instructor Certificate. The M.A. in Gerontology was developed from the perspective that human beings require meaning and purpose in order to experience life with a sense of well-being as they grow older. The program’s emphasis is on growing knowledge and skills, while challenging attitudes about aging that limit the potential of older lives in the 21st century. A concentration in Professional Geriatric Care Management prepares students for certification in this emerging and critical area. The Master of Human Services in Child Protection provides competency-based child protective services instruction aimed at closing the gap between ground level, on-the-job training and scientifically grounded best practices. The M.S. in Developmental Disabilities is designed to prepare researchers, advocates, administrators, and policy makers to be leaders in community-based or governmental agencies that address the confluence of issues associated with developmental disabilities throughout the life span. Upon completion of this program with a concentration in Applied Behavior Analysis, students are prepared to pursue certification as a behavior analyst. In addition, students selecting the Child Life Specialist concentration are eligible, upon graduation, to pursue certification as a child life specialist. The mission of the Center for Applied Research on Substance Use and Health Disparities is the production, dissemination, and utilization of scientific knowledge in the areas of substance abuse, health risk behaviors, and health disparities among vulnerable populations. Internationally renowned social scientists are the recipients of numerous grants from the National Institutes of Health, among other sources. In addition, DJHS has continued to receive external funding to conduct research and program evaluation in a number of health and human services fields on such topics as criminal justice recidivism and civil citations. The mission of the Department of Performing and Visual Arts (PVA) is to provide quality education that fosters creative growth and professional development in a liberal arts environment. The PVA is a major part of the cultural fabric of NSU, and it fosters advancement