College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences offers a Master of Science in Criminal Justice degree program.

M.S. in Criminal Justice

The 36-credit Master of Science in Criminal Justice is designed to provide the skills and understanding necessary to address the emerging public interest problems of the 21st Century.

Program Overview

The program offers a core curriculum that lays the foundation for the understanding of crime and high technology and the ability to think critically. Graduates of the program are equipped to pursue careers such as working at research institutes, with juveniles, alternative-to-incarceration programs, victims' rights groups, corporate security, defendants' rights groups, and treatment and rehabilitation programs in addition to traditional law enforcement positions at the federal, state and local levels.

Admissions Requirements

Applicants to the Master of Science in Criminal Justice must meet the following requirements for admission:

• Application for Admission
• Official copies of undergraduate and/or graduate transcripts from any college(s) or universities attended
• A bachelor's degree in a related area with a minimum 3.0 undergraduate cumulative average
• Students whose G.P.A. is 2.5 or better will be considered on an individual basis
• Two professional and/or academic letters of recommendation that address the applicant's potential in the profession and ability to complete a graduate program
• Fast Track Stipulation form
• If a student holds a degree from outside the United States, official records of all post-secondary education must be translated by an approved organization
• The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is required of all applicants whose native language is not English

Matriculation Policy

Students are fully matriculated into the Department of Criminal Justice when they meet all of the admission requirements for the M.S. degree program in Criminal Justice. In cases where any of the supporting documents specified are missing, an applicant may be admitted as a limited matriculant.

Residence Requirements and Transfer Credits

A degree candidate for the Master of Science in Criminal Justice must complete at least 24 credits in residence. Residency is defined as the completion of graduate courses offered by the department or by other graduate departments. Graduate courses taken at other institutions before admission may, if approved by the department chairperson, be applied toward the master's degree. Transfer credit is limited to 12 semester hours of credit and granted only for grades of B or better.

Program Requirements

The M.S. in Criminal Justice requires 36 credits, consisting of:

• Core Courses (15 credits)
  • CRJ 555T: Technology and the Criminal Justice System (3 credits)
  • CRJ 699T: Foundations of Scholarship (3 credits)
  • CRJ 675T: Critical Issues in Law and Society (3 credits)
  • CRJ 690T: Theories of Crime Causation (3 credits)
  • CRJ 700T: Research Design and Methods (3 credits)
• Elective Courses (15 credits)
• Capstone (6 credits)
  • CRJ 707T: Thesis Research Consultation (3 credits)
  • CRJ 708T: Thesis Writing Consultation (3 credits)

Course Descriptions

Core Courses

• CRJ 555T Technology and the Criminal Justice System: Analysis of high-tech society, the impact of advanced technology on the crime scene, and its application in criminal justice management.
• CRJ 699T Foundations of Scholarship: Development of tools for conducting research and writing papers in the field of criminal justice.
• CRJ 675T Critical Issues in Law and Society: Analysis of the ways laws evolve along with social change and the applicability of laws in relation to the criminal justice system.
• CRJ 690T Theories of Crime Causation: Survey of theoretical implications of criminal acts in relation to behavioral systems.
• CRJ 700T Research Design and Methods: Survey of research designs, analytical techniques, and preparation of research papers.

Capstone Courses

• CRJ 707T Thesis Research Consultation: Advanced study of the scientific method in the discipline of Criminal Justice and preparation of a master's thesis proposal.
• CRJ 708T Thesis Writing Consultation: Actual writing of the master's thesis.

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Overview:

• Founded in 1926 as the Brooklyn Law School
• Expanded to become Long Island University in 1954
• Currently has 6 campuses across New York State
• Enrolls over 20,000 students
• Notable achievements:
  • Ranked among the top 200 universities in the U.S. by U.S. News & World Report
  • Recognized for its strong programs in business, education, and health sciences
  • Home to the Arnold & Marie Schwartz College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, one of the largest pharmacy schools in the country

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Student Life:

Extracurricular Activities:

Over 200 student clubs and organizations, including academic, cultural, social, and recreational groups

Clubs:

Examples include the Student Government Association, the Black Student Union, and the International Student Association

Sports Teams:

NCAA Division I athletics in 16 sports, including basketball, football, and soccer

• Student Support Services:

  • Academic Advising
  • Career Counseling
  • Health and Wellness Center
  • Counseling and Psychological Services

• Campus Facilities:

  • Modern academic buildings
  • State-of-the-art athletic facilities
  • Student centers with dining, recreation, and study spaces
  • On-campus housing available at most campuses

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Academics:

• Academic Resources:

  • Over 100 undergraduate and graduate programs
  • Faculty of over 1,000 full-time and part-time professors
  • Research centers and institutes in various fields

• Teaching Methodologies:

  • Traditional lectures
  • Small group discussions
  • Hands-on learning experiences
  • Online and hybrid courses

• Academic Support Services:

  • Tutoring
  • Writing Center
  • Math Lab

• Unique Academic Programs or Initiatives:

  • Honors College
  • Global Studies Program
  • Experiential Learning Program

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Top Reasons to Study Here:

Reputation:

Ranked among the top 200 universities in the U.S. by U.S. News & World Report

Specialized Facilities:

State-of-the-art facilities for health sciences, business, and education

Industry Connections:

Partnerships with leading companies and organizations

Notable Alumni:

Includes politicians, business leaders, and entertainers, such as former New York City Mayor David Dinkins and actor Alec Baldwin

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Services:

Counseling:

Counseling and Psychological Services provides individual and group counseling, as well as crisis intervention

Health:

Health and Wellness Center offers medical care, vaccinations, and health education

Housing:

On-campus housing available at most campuses, including traditional dorms, apartments, and townhouses

Library Resources:

Over 1 million volumes in the university libraries, as well as access to online databases and research tools

Technology Support:

IT Help Desk provides technical assistance and support for students

Career Development:

Career Services offers resume writing, interview preparation, and job search assistance