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Bachelor of Science in Child Care Management Services: 8-Semester Degree Plan
University of Justice | Course Prefix: JUST
Course Equivalency for University of Houston (UH): 4-Digit Course Numbers
Admissions Requirements and Eligibility
The University of Justice maintains stringent admissions standards to ensure candidates possess the academic readiness to handle the program’s rigor.
Eligibility Requirements:
GPA Standards: A minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale.
Grade Thresholds: All lower-division prerequisites must be completed with a grade of “C” or better.
Application Materials: Official transcripts, a completed USJ application and two formal letters of reference (preferably from science instructors or employers).
Interview: A personal interview with program faculty is required to assess professional alignment and communication skills.
Required Prerequisites
* BIOL 1306: Biology for Science Majors I & BIOL 1106: Biology for Science Majors Lab I
* BIOL 1307: Biology for Science Majors II & BIOL 1107: Biology for Science Majors Lab II
* ENGL 1301: First Year Writing I
* ENGL 1302: First Year Writing II
*CHEM 1311: Chemistry I & CHEM 1111: Chemistry I Lab
* CHEM 1312: Chemistry II & CHEM 1112: Chemistry II Lab
CHEM 2323: Organic Chemistry I & CHEM 2123: Organic Chemistry I Lab
* PHYS 1301: General Physics I & PHYS 1101: General Physics I Lab
* PHYS 1302: General Physics II & PHYS 1102: General Physics II Lab
* Core: HIST 1377-US History to 1877
BCHS 3304: Biochemistry*
CHEM 2325: Organic Chemistry II & CHEM 2125: Organic Chemistry II Lab
MATH 1342 or MATH 3339 or other Statistics*
Bachelor of Science in Child Care Laws, Management & Services (B.S.C.L.M.S.)
University of Justice (UJ)
4-Year Degree Plan (8 Semesters)
Prefix: JUST | Course Numbers: 4 digits | Course Equivalencies: University of Houston (UH)
Program Overview
The Bachelor of Science in Child Care Laws, Management & Services (JUST) is a pioneering interdisciplinary degree designed to train future leaders, advocates, and legal professionals specializing in child protection, welfare, and justice. This 120-credit program integrates law, psychology, public policy, and human services with a strong emphasis on child safety, trauma-informed practices, and systemic advocacy. Each course is structured to build legal knowledge, analytical skills, leadership in child-centered institutions, and real-world application through internships and fieldwork.
Courses designated with a JUST#### prefix are unique to the University of Justice. Where applicable, course equivalencies are provided for transfer credit purposes at the University of Houston (UH).
Year 1: Foundations in Child Welfare and Legal Systems
Semester 1 (Fall)
Course Code Course Title Credits UH Equivalent
JUST1101 Introduction to Child Justice Systems 3 HDFS 2301
JUST1201 Foundations in U.S. Family Law & Juvenile Rights 3 POLS 2312
ENGL1301 Academic Writing for Social Justice 3 ENGL 1303
PSYC1301 Developmental Psychology (Birth to Adolescence) 3 PSYC 2301
JUST1001 Orientation to Child Advocacy Careers 1 COUN 1200
Total 13
Explanation: Students begin with core principles of child development and the structure of legal systems affecting minors. JUST1001 includes guest speakers from DFPS, CPS, and NGOs.
Semester 2 (Spring)
Course Code Course Title Credits UH Equivalent
JUST1302 Child Abuse Identification & Mandatory Reporting 3 HDFS 3302
JUST1402 Domestic Violence and Children: Home Safety Protocols 3 SOCW 3337
MATH1321 Statistics for Social Sciences 3 MATH 2311
JUST1502 Introduction to Child Exploitation & Human Trafficking 3 CRIM 2305
JUST1002 First Aid & Trauma Response for Children 1 KIN 2306
Total 13
Explanation: Students learn to recognize signs of physical, emotional, and sexual abuse. JUST1502 introduces cyber exploitation, sex trafficking, and digital forensics. Field observation hours at local shelters begin.
Year 2: Legal Frameworks & Protection Protocols
Semester 3 (Fall)
Course Code Course Title Credits UH Equivalent
JUST2103 Kidnapping & Child Abduction: National Response Systems 3 CRIM 3310
JUST2203 Child Safety in Pregnancy & Perinatal Protection Law 3 HLT 3305
JUST2303 In-Home Safety Assessments & Risk Evaluation Models 3 HDFS 3318
JUST2403 Child Interview Techniques: Non-Leading & Trauma-Informed Methods 3 PSYC 3325
JUST2003 Professional Ethics in Child Services 1 PHIL 2306
Total 13
Explanation: Students study Amber Alerts, NCMEC collaboration, and border trafficking patterns. JUST2403 trains learners in forensic interviewing using protocols such as NICHD (National Institute of Child Health and Human Development).
Semester 4 (Spring)
Course Code Course Title Credits UH Equivalent
JUST2504 Child Interrogations: Legal Rights & Psychological Impact 3 CRIM 3320
JUST2604 Children in Detention: Legal Standards & Reform 3 POLS 3340
JUST2704 Financial Advocacy for Children & Guardianship Funds 3 FINA 3301
JUST2804 National Child Security Alerts: Systems and Protocols 3 PUBA 3302
JUST2004 CPR & Emergency Field Response (Certification) 1 KIN 2107
Total 13
Explanation: Explores the constitutional rights of juveniles during interrogations and the ethics of detention. Students simulate alert activation workflows and analyze past cases like the Elizabeth Smart recovery.
Year 3: Management, Policy & Field Application
Semester 5 (Fall)
Course Code Course Title Credits UH Equivalent
JUST3105 Child Travel Laws: Interstate & International Regulations 3 POLS 3332
JUST3205 Child Exploitation Online: Dark Web & Digital Surveillance 3 ITEC 3305
JUST3305 Courtroom Advocacy: Child Witnesses & Testimony Procedures 3 COMM 3312
JUST3405 Program Administration in Child Services 3 HADM 3301
JUST3005 Internship I (100 hours) 2 SOCW 3198
Total 14
Explanation: Students examine passport restrictions, SEVIS, and Hague Convention compliance. Internships begin at CACs (Child Advocacy Centers) or CASA offices.
Semester 6 (Spring)
Course Code Course Title Credits UH Equivalent
JUST3506 Managing Child Abuse Investigations 3 CRIM 3340
JUST3606 Trauma-Informed Case Management Systems 3 HDFS 4315
JUST3706 Financial Management in Child Welfare Agencies 3 ACCT 2331
JUST3806 Community-Based Prevention Programs for Child Exploitation 3 HLT 4345
JUST3006 Internship II (120 hours) 2 SOCW 3199
Total 14
Explanation: Learners design prevention curricula and audit real agency budgets. Internships include report drafting, victim support, and system navigation training.
Year 4: Leadership, Research & Capstone
Semester 7 (Fall)
Course Code Course Title Credits UH Equivalent
JUST4107 Child Detention Alternatives & Restorative Justice 3 CRIM 4325
JUST4207 Designing Activities for Healing & Development in Secure Settings 3 REC 4307
JUST4307 Policy Analysis in Child Protection 3 PUBA 4301
JUST4407 Research Methods in Child Justice 3 SOCI 3313
JUST4007 Senior Seminar: Emerging Issues in Child Trafficking 1 HDFS 4198
Total 13
Explanation: Students propose policy reforms, such as reducing foster youth trafficking vulnerability. Activities include therapeutic arts, educational play, and trauma-sensitive recreation.
Semester 8 (Spring)
Course Code Course Title Credits UH Equivalent
JUST4508 Capstone: Crisis Response Simulation 4 HDFS 4396
JUST4608 Legislative Advocacy & Child Rights Lobbying 3 POLS 4385
JUST4708 Data Privacy & Cybersecurity for Child Records 3 ITEC 4320
JUST4808 Professional Certification Prep (CPS, NICHD, CAC) 2 HLT 4298
Elective Approved Elective (e.g., Special Education Law) 1 SPED 3301
Total 13
Explanation: The capstone simulates a multi-agency child abduction case with live role-play involving law enforcement, attorneys, and medical staff. Students earn digital badges in nationally recognized protocols.
Program Highlights & Outcomes
Field Hours: 300+ supervised hours across internships
Certifications: CPR, NICHD interview training, AMBER Alert responder
Career Paths: Child Protective Services Manager, Juvenile Court Liaison, Anti-Trafficking Advocate, Child Safety Consultant, Policy Analyst
Transfer Agreement: Articulation with University of Houston ensures smooth credit transfers via course equivalency (e.g., JUST1302 ≈ HDFS 3302) under UH’s Human Development and Family Sciences program.
Unique Program Features
Child Interrogation Lab: Simulated forensic interview rooms with audio/video recording and expert review.
National Child Security Network (NCSN): Live access to mock AMBER and BLUE alerts for training.
Trauma-Informed Curriculum: All courses integrate neuroscience-informed approaches to child stress.
Legal Clinics: Partnership with Texas RioGrande Legal Aid for real case consulting.
Global Child Protection Elective Track (Optional): Study international conventions (e.g., UN CRC) and cross-border child recovery.
Academic Fresh Start
The Academic Fresh Start program at the University of Justice offers a valuable opportunity for returning students to reset their collegiate records by disregarding past academic performance that may hinder their current goals. By electing this provision, candidates benefit from an improved cumulative grade point average (GPA) that exclusively reflects their new academic efforts, an elimination of previous low-performing credits from institutional calculations, and a clean slate that fosters renewed confidence and eligibility for academic standing. While these former credits and grades are excluded from GPA requirements, applicants should be mindful that they cannot use these specific courses to fulfill new program prerequisites, ensuring that their current foundation is built upon fresh, relevant knowledge.