Program Overview

Program Overview

The Master of Science in Criminal Justice is designed to meet the needs of students preparing for careers in the field of criminal justice. The curriculum focuses on traditional issues such as management, administrative and criminal justice theory, as well as basic research methods and descriptive statistics.

Program Details

The Master of Science in Criminal Justice core and elective courses focus on the complex and changing world in which criminal justice systems operate in this country and abroad. This plan of study is designed to equip future criminal justice leaders to be critical consumers of criminal justice research.

Benefits of the Program

The benefits of an advanced graduate degree in criminal justice are self-evident and are being increasingly recognized by employers in central Florida and throughout the United States. Federal, state, and local criminal justice agencies benefit from an informed and innovative workforce that is aware of the complex issues and problems faced by the system regardless of geographic locale. Furthermore, graduates of the program are grounded in the latest theories and learn how these theories affect each individual or organization within the system.

Program Structure

The Master of Science in Criminal Justice requires 36 credit hours, including:

• 21 credit hours of core courses
• 6 credit hours of restricted electives
• 9 credit hours of general electives For students electing to complete a thesis, 6 credit hours of the general elective requirements will be thesis hours.

Core Requirements

• Complete the following:
  • CCJ5015 - The Nature of Crime (3)
  • CCJ5456 - The Administration of Justice (3)
  • CCJ6704 - Research Methods in Criminal Justice (3)
  • CCJ6706 - Data Analysis in Criminal Justice I (3)
  • CCJ6106 - Policy Analysis in Criminal Justice (3)
  • CCJ6118 - Criminal Justice Organizations (3)

Capstone

• Complete the following:
  • CJE6718 - Proseminar in Criminal Justice (3)

Electives

• The combined total of Restricted and Unrestricted 5000 level electives may not exceed 12 credit hours.
• Restricted Electives: Complete at least 2 of the following:
  • CJC5020 - Foundations of Corrections (3)
  • CJE5021 - Foundations of Law Enforcement (3)
  • CJJ6020 - The Juvenile Justice System (3)
  • CJL6568 - Law and Social Control (3)
  • CJL6520 - American Criminal Courts (3)
• Unrestricted Electives: Earn at least 9 credits from the following types of courses. Students should consult with the Criminal Justice adviser for approval of general electives outside of the Criminal Justice program prior to enrolling.

Thesis Option

Students electing to complete a thesis should consult the program adviser. The thesis option will consist of 6 hours of thesis credit and a successful defense of the research. Students should select a faculty adviser, form a thesis committee, and complete core/restricted elective requirements before enrolling in thesis hours. A thesis proposal must also be submitted to an approved committee before enrolling thesis hours.

Independent Learning

Independent learning is demonstrated throughout the curriculum through the process of inquiry and dialogue. Tangible projects such as advanced research projects, scholarly papers, internships, practicum, and presentations at professional conferences also contribute to the self-development of our students. The culminating experience for students is completion of the CJE 6718 - Proseminar in Criminal Justice, which serves as the capstone for the program.

Financial Information

Graduate students may receive financial assistance through fellowships, assistantships, tuition support, or loans. For more information, see the College of Graduate Studies Funding website.

Fellowship Information

Fellowships are awarded based on academic merit to highly qualified students. They are paid to students through the Office of Student Financial Assistance, based on instructions provided by the College of Graduate Studies. Fellowships are given to support a student's graduate study and do not have a work obligation.

Academic Requirements

Students must achieve a grade of a solid "B" (3.0) or higher in every course listed under core requirements and in the capstone course CJE 6718.