Criminal Justice

General Information:

The Master of Science in Criminal Justice program focuses on the criminal justice system, its organizational components and processes and its legal and public policy contexts. The program includes instruction in criminal law and policy, police and correctional systems organization, the administration of justice and the judiciary, and public attitudes regarding a wide range of criminal justice issues. The program will provide students with advanced theoretical, legal, and methodological training for research, teaching, management and administrative careers in local, state, and federal agencies.

Applicants must possess a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution, have a GPA of 3.0, and complete the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) with scores at the 50^th percentile on both the verbal and quantitative sections and satisfactory completion of the writing analysis section. Admission is based on evidence that the applicant has already attained minimal academic proficiency in criminal justice coursework (15 hours of specific undergraduate courses which must include statistics and research methods). Applicants who do not meet the conditions for clear admission, but show promise for successful graduate study may be granted probationary admission upon recommendation of the criminal justice faculty and will be removed from probationary status upon successful completion of nine semester hours.

The Master of Science in Criminal Justice program requires students to complete thirty-six (36) hours, which includes eighteen (18) hours of core requirements and eighteen (18) hours of concentration and electives, designed to meet individual needs and subject to advisor approval. Students may choose either a thesis or a comprehensive examination track. Students must complete the following courses: Advanced Criminal Justice Studies, Constitutional Law, Applied Statistics, Applied Research Methods, Advanced Theoretical Criminology, and Seminar in Criminal Justice Planning and Evaluation. These are to be coupled with particular courses designed to enhance a strong foundation in law enforcement, corrections, victimology, terrorism, white collar crime, criminal law, and comparative justice systems. The program is designed to enable students to complete the course of study in 18-24 months, and includes opportunities for independent studies and internships. In order to assist the maximum number of students, attendance on a part-time basis will be permitted. The program involves a traditional, classroom-based curriculum offered three evenings per week. The goal of the program is to be flexible enough to meet the needs of a diverse group of students.