The Master of Science in Criminal Justice (MSCJ) provides students with a high-quality educational experience based on critical thinking, analysis, and research. The MSCJ approaches the study of crime and justice from the perspectives of sociology, political science, psychology, and law, and stresses both theoretical and empirical analyses. The program also offers students the opportunity to network with those already working in the field and to work on original research projects with faculty mentors.
The program is designed to meet the needs of students with diverse interests and aspirations. To do this, the MSCJ program is divided into two tracks:
The GRE is no longer required for admission into the MSCJ program.
The Thesis Track (30 hours) program is designed to prepare students to pursue doctoral-level study in criminology, criminal justice, or a related field. Students selecting this option are required to complete a thesis project under a faculty adviser. This track is offered both on-campus and online.
The Applied Track (33 hours) program is geared toward working professionals and designed to provide to them advanced training in such areas as research methods, program evaluation, and policy analysis. Students selecting this option are required to complete a Demonstration Project and are strongly encouraged to complete a field placement (internship). This track is offered both on-campus and online.
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The required core curriculum for both tracks includes courses in criminological theory, research methods, statistics, criminal justice policy, and patterns in crime. The curriculum is grounded in the study of crime and justice from the perspectives of sociology, political science, psychology, and law, and stresses both theoretical and quantitative analyses.
Graduates of the program have gone on to pursue doctorates in criminal justice and criminology at some of the finest doctoral training programs in the country, or to careers in public and private-sector agencies in the criminal justice system at the federal, state, and local levels of government.
For more information, please contact Tara D. Warner, the Director of Graduate Studies.
