Criminal Justice - Graduate Program

Overview

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 provides students with advanced theoretical, legal, and methodological training for applied, research, teaching, management and administrative careers in local, state, and federal agencies. Many students choose to pursue graduate education while working in the field. Others choose to pursue doctoral study following graduation. Some students enter the graduate program immediately following the completion of a baccalaureate degree, while others come back after being out of school for many years. This creates a diverse cohort of motivated individuals who support and assist one another through interactive online education. Graduates and current students have worked for state and federal agencies as probation and parole officers, in corrections, in law enforcement and for organizations like the National White Collar Crime Center and Fusion Center. 

Criminal Justice graduate students will learn about:

• Criminal law and policy
• Police and correctional systems organization
• Administration of justice and the judiciary system
• Public attitudes regarding criminal justice issues

Our faculty members in the Criminal Justice graduate degree program are as diverse as our students in their experiences.  They’ve worked in federal and state agencies.  They also have strong ties to local, state and national personnel and organizations.

Courses now offered in 8-week sessions! To further accommodate the unique needs of adult learners, the MS in CJ program now offers 8-week sessions, allowing students to focus on only one or two courses at a time in manageable short-term sessions. During each fall and spring term, there will be one required course offered in each of the two 8-week sessions. Electives will also be offered in each 8-week session. Theses and Capstone courses span the entire semester. Elective courses are also offered in convenient, 5-week summer terms. 

Career Opportunities

Graduates and current students have worked for state and federal agencies as probation and parole officers, in corrections, in law enforcement and for organizations like the National White Collar Crime Center and Fusion Center.  Career opportunities for Example

• Global intelligence
• Forensics
• Legal research
• Corrections

Choose Your Track

The thesis track will involve the 18 required hours, six hours of elective classes, and six hours of thesis work. Students interested in the thesis track must get approval from the program director and have a committee in place prior to registering for thesis courses.

• 18 Hours - Required Courses
• 6 Hours - Elective Courses
• Thesis I and Thesis II

The Capstone Track will involve the 18 required hours, nine hours of elective classes, and the Capstone Course.

• 18 Hours - Required Courses
• 9 Hours - Elective Courses
• 3 Hours - Capstone Course

Model Schedule

• Criminal Justice - Graduate Program

Additional Resources

• Course Descriptions
• Program Outcomes
• Admission & Program Requirements