Program Overview

Master of Arts - Criminal Justice

About

The Criminal Justice Master of Arts degree is a broad-based graduate program. The program addresses issues of crime and criminal justice within an analytical framework and emphasizes theory and research and their implications for social policy. The curriculum is grounded in the social and behavioral sciences and in legal approaches to crime and social control. It draws from contemporary research and theoretical developments across a spectrum of academic disciplines. The criminal justice master’s degree is designed to prepare students for doctoral studies in the field and in related areas of the social and behavioral sciences, assume teaching positions at the community college level, and serve the needs of professionals currently working in justice-related agencies by providing the knowledge and skills to enhance their performance in current positions and/or prepare them for career advancement.

Available Options

• Thesis Track Students who complete a master’s thesis in criminal justice will conduct a research project and data analyses relating to an issue of theoretical and empirical significance. Students are expected to display the ability to integrate the elements of the core courses and related programs of study into their thesis projects.
• Comprehensive Examination Track Students who complete a master’s comprehensive examination must pass a written test designed to assess their ability to synthesize and apply the knowledge learned throughout the criminal justice M.A. program curriculum.

Accreditation

For information regarding accreditation at UNLV, please head over to Academic Program Accreditations.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the Criminal Justice Master's Degree Program, students should be able to:

• Demonstrate advanced theoretical knowledge of the nature of crime and patterns of criminal activity.
• Demonstrate advanced knowledge and understanding of the law and the legal system, as well as decision-making in the criminal justice process, the social and political context of the legal system, important constitutional issues, and how criminal law differs from other forms of law.
• Demonstrate advanced knowledge and understanding of criminal justice institutions and processes, and current criminal justice policy.
• Demonstrate advanced knowledge and understanding of research methods, statistics and program evaluation.
• Demonstrate the basic theoretical, empirical, and substantive knowledge and skills required for graduate education at the doctoral level, teaching at the community college level, and for research, social policy positions, and professional positions in criminal justice-related fields.

Career Possibilities

Individuals with a Criminal Justice background have a wide range of career opportunities.

Law enforcement

• Federal Agent (FBI, DEA, Immigration, Secret Service, Federal Air Marshal, etc.)
• State of Local Police Officer
• Park Ranger
• Private Security
• Private Investigator
• Campus Police Officer
• Military Officer
• Cooperate Loss Manager

Investigation

• Arson Investigator
• Gaming Investigator
• IRS Special Agent
• Postal Inspector
• Coroner

Courts

• Attorney
• Law Clerk
• Paralegal
• Court Administrator
• Pre-Trial Services Officer
• Forensic Psychologist
• Drug Court Coordinator
• Crime Scene Investigator

Corrections

• Correctional Officer
• Correctional Treatment Specialist
• Warden
• Parole Officer
• Juvenile Detention Officer

Technical Support and Analysis

• Crime Analyst
• Forensic Technician
• Ballistics Expert

Social Services

• Social Worker
• Youth Advocate
• Victim Advocate
• Teacher

Requirements

Plan Description

The Master of Arts degree program in Criminal Justice is designed to improve a student's understanding of the nature, causes, and consequences of crime and crime control. The program provides students with advanced knowledge of criminal justice institutions and processes, current criminal justice policy, and training in research methods, statistics, and program evaluation. Based on the tradition of the liberal arts, the program emphasizes the symbiotic relationship between crime and the structure of society and the interplay between criminal justice theory and practice. These relationships are explored through course work in criminological theory, law and social control, the administration of justice, and crime and public policy. By completing the requirements for this program, students will be prepared for teaching at the community college level, conducting evaluations of policies and programs within various agencies in the justice system, and applying for doctoral study in crime and criminal justice.

Plan Admission Requirements

• Application Deadlines Applications available on the UNLV Graduate College website.
• Graduate College Admission Requirements
  1. Completed application in the Grad Rebel Gateway and non-refundable application fee.
  2. Bachelor's Degree – You must hold a four-year baccalaureate from a regionally accredited institution or an approved equivalent.
  3. Grade Point Average – You must have a minimum overall grade point average of 2.75 (4.00=A) for the bachelor's degree or a minimum 3.00 (4.00=A) for the last two years (60 semester credits).
  4. All applicants are required to submit an unofficial transcript from each postsecondary institution attended, showing all degrees and coursework, the dates awarded, and grades received. Official transcripts required upon admission.

Department Admission Requirements

1. Students are encouraged to complete some undergraduate coursework related to criminal justice/criminology, and statistics in social sciences.
2. The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is optional but recommended.
3. A statement of purpose for pursuing the Master of Arts Degree, addressing the student's particular interests in the field of criminal justice and their future academic and/or professional goals, must be provided at the time of application.
4. Two letters of recommendation are required. It is preferred that both letters be from professors from whom the applicant took the classes.
5. The admissions process requires submitting all information and materials through the UNLV Graduate College Online Application. See the Criminal Justice Department website for more details.
6. During the application process, applicants will select a thesis or non-thesis option as their culminating experience for the program.

Plan Requirements

• Total Credits Required: 36
• Course Requirements
  • Required Courses – Credits: 21 Complete 21 credits by completing all of the following courses:
    • CRJ 700 - Proseminar in Criminal Justice
    • CRJ 701 - Proseminar on Theory
    • CRJ 702 - Proseminar on Research Methods
    • CRJ 703 - Proseminar on Statistics
    • CRJ 704 - Proseminar on Law and Social Control
    • CRJ 705 - Proseminar on the Administration of Justice
    • CRJ 715 - Criminal Justice Policy
  • Criminal Justice Elective Courses – Credits: 6 Complete 6 credits of 600- or 700-level Criminal Justice courses. CRJ 716 and CRJ 799 may not be used to fulfill this requirement.
  • General Elective Courses – Credits: 3 or 6 Students completing a thesis as a culminating experience must complete 3 credits of 600- or 700-level courses. Students completing a comprehensive examination as a culminating experience must complete 6 credits of 600- or 700-level courses. Courses may be from Criminal Justice or with advisor-approval of 600- or 700-level courses.
  • Culminating Experience – Credits: 3 or 6 During initial admission and enrollment to the program, students must choose between completing a thesis or comprehensive examination as a culminating experience. Students completing a thesis must complete 6 credits of CRJ 797. Students completing a comprehensive examination must complete 3 credits of CRJ 796.

Degree Requirements

• Complete a minimum of 36 credits at the 600- and 700-level with a minimum GPA of 3.00.
• A maximum of 9 credits of 600-level course work is allowed.
• Students may select up to 6 credits of approved graduate study in other social or behavioral sciences or in graduate programs formally approved by the department.
• An approved list of outside electives is available at the Criminal Justice website. Students must obtain an approval from Graduate Coordinator to take an outside elective course that is not on the approved list. All students are required to complete a culminating experience: pass a comprehensive examination or complete a thesis.

Plan Graduation Requirements

The student must successfully pass a comprehensive exam or complete a thesis.

Students may apply for graduation up to two semesters prior to completing their degree requirements. All required forms must be submitted to the graduate college via the Grad Rebel Gateway.

Documents/Downloads

• Master of Arts - Criminal Justice
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  • Graduate Handbooks
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• Thesis Track
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• Comprehensive Examination Track
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Contacts

• Graduate Coordinator
  • Seong Park, Ph.D. Associate Professor and Graduate Coordinator
    • Email
    • Phone
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• Department of Criminal Justice The Department of Criminal Justice provides undergraduate and graduate degree programs designed to give students comprehensive understanding of the nature and causes of crime. Our students also learn about the criminal justice processes, criminal justice organizations and agency practices, and the law and legal system.
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• Greenspun College of Urban Affairs The Greenspun College of Urban Affairs is committed to creating contemporary solutions for resilient communities. Our academic programs focus on making effective public policy, creating support structures to meet behavioral and mental health challenges, ensuring cities are safe and prepared to meet emergency situations, effective and ethical journalism, and interpersonal and public communication strategies.
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