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.  

Campus: Online 100%

Admission Requirements

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

1. 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.
2. An undergraduate degree in criminal justice, criminology, forensic science or closely-related discipline from an accredited institution of higher learning. 
3. Three current letters of recommendation that refer to and assess the applicant’s academic ability and aptitude for success in a graduate program.  Two of these must be written by individuals possessing at least a master’s degree.
4. Writing Sample: A typed statement of 750 to 1,000 words summarizing the applicant’s motivation for applying to the program that includes (a) a brief personal history statement, and (b) a summary of how the applicant intends to apply their graduate school experience to professional development and/or the improvement of criminal justice policy.
5. Resumé or Curriculum Vita.

Regular admission generally requires no coursework above the semester-hour minimum for the master’s degree.  

Conditional Admission: Conditional admission is granted when an applicant’s credentials suggest aptitude for successful graduate study but are deficient in one or more of the areas outlined immediately above.  Conditional admission may require a variable amount of coursework above the minimal semester-hour requirement for the master’s degree. 

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