Program Overview

Introduction to the Master of Arts in Criminal Justice and Criminology

The Master of Arts in Criminal Justice and Criminology provides students with a cutting-edge education that will prepare them to assume leadership roles in criminal justice and related agencies as well as to pursue more advanced educational opportunities.

Program Overview

The Master of Arts in Criminology and Criminal Justice requires 30 credit hours of coursework, consisting of five required courses (including a culminating experience) and five elective courses. In order to demonstrate cumulative proficiency, students are required to pass either Applied Research in Criminal Justice & Criminology or complete a thesis as their culminating experience.

Curriculum Requirements

• Required Courses:
  • CJC 401: Politics and Policies in the Criminal Justice System (3 hours)
  • CJC 402: Theories of Criminal Behavior (3 hours)
  • CJC 403: Research Methods and Program Evaluation 1 (3 hours)
  • CJC 404: Applied Data Analysis and Interpretation 1 (4 hours)
  • Culminating Experience Course:
    • CJC 408: Applied Research in Criminal Justice & Criminology 1,3 (2 hours)
    • or CJC 501: Thesis Research
• Select Five Electives (15 hours)
  • CJC 415: Mental Illness and Crime
  • CJC 416: International Criminal Justice
  • CJC 499: Independent Study
  • CJC 502: Practicum in Criminal Justice
  • Variable Topics Electives - Maximum of 3 in each area
    • CJC 410: Advanced Topics in Criminology
    • CJC 411: Advanced Topics in Policing
    • CJC 412: Advanced Topics in Courts
    • CJC 413: Advanced Topics in Corrections
    • CJC 414: General Special Topics
• Total Hours: 30

Thesis Option

Students who have aspirations to pursue research in their career, or pursue a PhD, should consider the thesis track. To be approved for the thesis option, students must meet the following requirements:

• Completion of CJC 403 Research Methods and Program Evaluation with a grade of A- or better
• Submission of a class paper to demonstrate writing skills that are acceptable to the Department of CJC's Graduate Committee
• Submission of a thesis approval form that provides a brief description of the proposed research question, the proposed methodology, and a detailed timeline

Responsible Conduct of Research

All PhD students and students in thesis-based Master's degree programs must successfully complete UNIV 370 Responsible Conduct in Research and Scholarship or other approved coursework in responsible conduct of research as part of the degree requirements.

Graduate & Professional Standards and Regulations

Students in graduate and professional programs can find their Academic Policies in Graduate and Professional Academic Standards and Regulations under their school. Any additional University Policies supersede school policies.

Learning Outcomes

The CJC graduate curriculum incorporates six Student Learning Outcomes:

• Provide students with a broad liberal arts background, with stimulating and challenging courses pertinent to the study of criminal justice and criminology
• Give students the awareness and appreciation of group similarities and differences, especially those relating to culture and race, and to ethics, norms, and values
• Help students develop theoretical and practical knowledge of the structures, processes, and functions of the criminal justice system, always stressing its links and interdependence with other institutions in the social system
• Provide students with an understanding of criminological theory and how these apply to criminal justice policy and practice
• Help prepare students for professional service in a wide range of careers in criminal justice
• Enable talented students to enter confidently into graduate or professional school programs in criminal justice, law, social work, or any of the social sciences