Criminal Justice MS

Overview

The School of Criminal Justice, Forensic Science, and Security offers the Master of Science in Criminal Justice in fully online format.   

The Master of Science in Criminal Justice is designed to prepare students for diverse careers in the modern justice system, for doctoral study or law school. Graduates are equipped to apply theoretical and applied knowledge to issues within the justice and public policy contexts thus allowing advanced examination and analysis of issues within modern justice and legal systems.  

Admission Requirements

In addition to meeting the standards set forth in the Academic Requirements and Procedures , applicants must have the following:   

1. A competitive score on the verbal and quantitative sections of the GRE.
2. A GPA of 3.0 or greater on the last 60 hours of undergraduate course work; or a 3.0 or greater on prior graduate work.
3. An undergraduate degree in criminal justice. 
4. Three letters of recommendation from individuals such as professors who are able to assess the applicant’s academic potential for success in a graduate program.
5. Personal Statement: A typed statement of 750 to 1,000 words summarizing the individual’s motivation for applying to the graduate program as well as the professional contributions s/he intends to make assuming successful completion of the degree.
6. Resumé
7. Successful completion of prior coursework in research methodology at least equivalent to that required by the USM B.A. degree in Criminal Justice, namely Methods of Criminal Justice Research and Planning (CJ 420).
8. Successful prior coursework in the theory of justice or criminology at least equivalent to that required by the USM B.A. degree in Criminal Justice, namely Criminal Justice Theory (CJ 325).
9. Successful prior coursework or professional experience confirming expertise in substantive and procedural criminal law and justice at least equivalent to that required by the USM B.A. in Criminal Justice, namely Criminal Law (CJ 330), Criminal Procedure (CJ 430), Evidence, Search and Seizure (CJ 433), Introduction to Modern Corrections (CJ 352), and Introduction to Juvenile Justice (CJ 360).

Program Requirements and Academic Policies

The Master of Science in Criminal Justice requires a minimum of thirty (30) hours of criminal justice coursework (with 18 hours at the 600 level or above) plus successful completion of a comprehensive examination. In addition, students select a thesis or non-thesis option (capstone project) within the degree program. 

See General Degree Requirements  and General Academic Information  for other requirements and policies.

Course Requirements (30 hours)

• CJ 600 - Seminar in Theory of Criminal Justice 3 hrs.
• CJ 620 - Applied Research Methods for Criminal Justice 3 hrs.
• CJ 625 - Applied Statistical Methods for Criminal Justice 3 hrs.
• CJ 630 - Seminar in Civil Liberties and Criminal Law 3 hrs.
• CJ 640 - Seminar in Policing 3 hrs.
• CJ 650 - Seminar in Corrections 3 hrs.
• CJ 670 - Seminar in Criminal Justice Policy 3 hrs.
• Electives - 9 hours at 500/600 level