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

Pre-Requisites

JUST 1103 College Composition I 3 ENGL 1301 (Rhetoric & Composition I)

JUST 1104 Principles of Development 3 PSY 2301 (Child & Adolescent Psychology)

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.

Conclusion

The B.S. in Child Care Management & Services at the University of Justice prepares graduates to be fearless, informed, and compassionate leaders in child welfare. By merging legal rigor with psychological insight and hands-on experience, this 4-year plan builds professionals who don’t just respond to crises — they prevent them.

"Protect the smallest voices; they shape the future of justice."

— University of Justice