Masters Degrees in Criminal Justice Management, USA

Today’s criminals are more sophisticated than those of the past, engaging the latest technologies to commit—and get away with—illegal acts.

Modern criminal justice professionals must be equally as savvy to stay at the forefront of the ever-changing landscape of domestic and international crime. In Walden’s online Master of Science (MS) in Criminal Justice program, you will study a unique blend of criminal behavior theory along with technology, homeland security, and management skills applicable to the challenges facing the law enforcement community. You will evaluate the root causes of crime and their impact on criminal justice practices and procedures and analyze how law enforcement, courts, and corrections function and interact at the local, state, and federal levels.

If you are a criminal justice professional interested in gaining the skills necessary to assume a more senior role or to transition into a second career as an educator or consultant, then an alternative master’s degree in criminal justice may be right for you. Consider Walden’s MS in Criminal Justice Leadership and Executive Management program.

Learning Outcomes

The online Master’s in Criminal Justice program helps prepare its graduates to:

1. Utilize theory and research to analyze historical trends and current perspectives in criminal justice.
2. Use research to evaluate factors related to crime and the impact of crime on criminal justice policies, practices, and procedures.
3. Evaluate the impact of U.S. constitutional policy and procedures on the criminal justice system.
4. Analyze the impact of the criminal justice process on victims and perpetrators.
5. Synthesize principles from criminal justice theories, processes, and practices to promote social justice and positive social change.
6. Compare the structural functions and interactions of law enforcement, courts, and corrections within the criminal justice system at the local, state, and federal levels.
7. Discuss how criminal justice laws and policies are adopted, implemented, and evaluated.

Find detailed information for the general specialization of this program, or all other specializations of this program, including possible occupations, completion rate, program costs, and median student loan debt.

MS in Criminal Justice Degree Specializations

Walden’s MS in Criminal Justice program offers a General Program as well as a variety of specializations to help you meet your personal and professional goals.

• General Program 
• Emergency Management 
• Global Leadership
• Homeland Security Policy and Coordination 
• Law and Public Policy 
• Policy Analysis
• Public Management and Leadership 
• Self Designed 
• Terrorism, Mediation, and Peace

Career options

Graduates of the program will be well-prepared for a number of occupations across an array of areas, including law enforcement, courts, corrections, and probation. Possible job titles include:

• Border patrol agent
• Customs agent
• Deputy sheriff
• Detective
• Gang crimes investigator
• Narcotics officer
• Private investigator
• Undercover operative
• Background investigator
• Federal probation officer
• Federal pretrial service officer
• Sentencing analyst
• Victim restitution professional
• Correctional administrator
• Parole officer
• Pre-Trial Investigator (PSI)
• Placement officer
• Probation officer
• Deputy U.S. marshal
• Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) officer
• Federal protection service officer

Learn more about the career outlook for graduates with a MS in Criminal Justice.

Career positions may require additional experience, training, or other factors beyond the successful completion of this degree program.

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Walden’s online Master of Science in Criminal Justice Leadership and Executive Management will help law enforcement professionals prepare for executive management roles in criminal justice or transition into a career in education or as a consultant. In this program, you will study management philosophies as well as the budgeting and communication skills that criminal justice professionals require in order to create and influence policy makers.

If you are a criminal justice professional interested in studying a unique blend of criminal behavioral theory, along with human services, technology, homeland security, and management skills, then consider Walden’s MS in Criminal Justiceprogram.

Learning Outcomes

Graduates of the MS in Criminal Justice Leadership and Executive Management program will be able to:

1. Utilize theory and research to analyze historical trends and current perspectives in criminal justice.
2. Use research to evaluate factors related to crime and the impact of crime on criminal justice policies, practices, and procedures.
3. Evaluate the impact of U.S. constitutional policy and procedures on the criminal justice system.
4. Analyze the impact of the criminal justice process on victims and perpetrators.
5. Synthesize principles from criminal justice theories, processes, and practices to promote social justice and positive social change.
6. Compare the structural functions and interactions of law enforcement, courts, and corrections within the criminal justice system at the local, state, and federal level.
7. Discuss how criminal justice laws and policies are adopted, implemented, and evaluated.
8. Evaluate the management philosophies used in managing human resources in criminal justice organizations.
9. Discuss the leadership skills needed for working with diverse populations.

Find detailed information for the general specialization of this program, or all other specializations of this program, including possible occupations, completion rate, program costs, and median student loan debt.

Career options

Graduates of the program will be well-prepared for a number of occupations across an array of areas, including law enforcement, courts, corrections, and probation. Possible job titles include:

• Background investigator
• Border patrol agent
• Correctional administrator
• Customs agent
• Detective
• Deputy U.S. marshal
• Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) officer
• FBI AGENT
• Federal pretrial service officer
• Federal probation officer
• Federal protection service officer
• Gang crimes investigator
• Narcotics officer
• Parole officer / Probation Officer
• Placement officer
• Pre-Trial Investigator (PSI)
• Private investigator
• Public relations officer
• Sentencing analyst
• Secret service
• Sheriff
• U.S. Marshal
• Undercover operative
• Victim restitution professional

Career positions may require additional experience, training, or other factors beyond the successful completion of this degree program.

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The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences is a thriving center of intellectual excellence that encompasses 14 academic departments and 80 degree programs. Its more than 2,500 students are engaged in a wide variety of challenging courses and hands-on learning experiences that extend across all areas of the humanities and sciences – from the great philosophers and classic literature to the world economy and environmental sustainability.

At the core of each department are faculty members who have garnered national acclaim for their best-selling books, ground-breaking research and creative endeavors. Together, students and their professors explore globally significant subjects and work towards the goal of improving every aspect of the way in which human beings live. To learn more about a specific area of study, click on the left-hand navigation bar for a full listing of academic departments.

The department

In the Department of Criminal Justice, undergraduate and graduate programs are designed to meet the constant demand for law enforcement and criminal justice professionals. Our programs also provide an excellent pathway toward the study of law.

Our core curriculum thoroughly explores the theory and practice of the criminal justice system. But you will customize your study through elective courses that focus on a particular area of interest. Our full-time faculty is an internationally renowned group of academic professionals, and our adjunct professors are working criminal justice professionals, including attorneys, judges and law enforcement officials.

The LIU Post Department of Criminal Justice was one of the first on the East Coast to establish an internship program. All criminal justice majors intern in the field, and have access to an extraordinary network of criminal justice professionals, making it possible to be offered positions upon graduation.

Criminal Justice students may have the opportunity to spend a semester in Washington, D.C., participating in the Justice Semester at American University, or studying Forensic Psychology at George Washington University.

M.S. in Criminal Justice

The 36-credit Master of Science in Criminal Justice offers an in-depth, 21st century curriculum geared toward forensics, law and society, criminal behavior, cyber crime, terrorism and criminological theory. In addition to our core curriculum, electives are available but not limited to areas such as terrorism, law, high technology, forensics, security, and fraud. The program prepares students for modern-day careers in criminal justice, including cyberspace crime detection, law enforcement management systems and homeland security.

Courses are taught by a distinguished faculty that includes published authors, researchers and widely-consulted authorities on the American and world criminal justice systems. Adjunct faculty members are working professionals in the field and include attorneys, judges and law enforcements officials. Our professors will engage and inspire you to exceed your expectations.

Alumni of our program are employed in a wide variety of professional positions: law enforcement officers, federal agents, security officers, prosecutors, corrections counselors, judges, attorneys, private security professionals, homeland security agents, forensic technologists, crime lab technicians, emergency managers, FBI agents and social service representatives.

Forensic Psychology Semester: George Washington University, Washington, D.C.

The Department of Criminal Justice is proud to announce an articulation agreement with George Washington University concerning Forensic Psychology. Eligible criminal justice graduate students may take forensic psychology courses in Washington, D.C. for a semester. Completed credits will be applied towards the student’s plan of study. To find out more about the George Washington University Program contact the Department of Criminal Justice.

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The Master of Science in criminal justice offers a multidisciplinary curriculum to give students the sophisticated working knowledge of the major systems within the field.  Students will take challenging and rigorous courses rooted in history, law, philosophy, research, psychology, management, and political science that involve critical analysis of complex issues.

Faculty provide a quality education to students who have demonstrated competence and commitment to learning and growth, who desire to make a meaningful contribution to the field of criminal justice and who share the values of idealism, honesty, integrity, justice, and fairness.

Internet scheduling and evening courses make full- or part-time graduate study at WCU convenient for anyone interested in pursuing this degree.  The program is well-suited for current or future criminal justice professionals, as well as those who plan to pursue further graduate study.

Course Content

The Department of Criminal Justice offers a strong core of required courses, enhanced by an eclectic selection of electives designed to meet the interests and needs of our students. Each course is taught by a qualified faculty member who has direct experience in the particular subject matter.

Criminal Justice is very interdisciplinary in nature. Students interested in Criminal Justice may be interested in careers such as law enforcement and investigation, criminal prosecution or defense, probation and parole, juvenile treatment, corrections victims' advocacy, crime mapping, research, and more.  The program is designed to offer flexibility so that the student can tailor course selection to professional career goals. In this regard, students work closely with advisors to select courses each semester.

Course material is constantly updated to incorporate the ever-changing base of knowledge in this quickly evolving field. We offer such diverse electives as:  Victimology, crime Mapping, White Collar Crime, Terrorism, Environmental Crime, Organized Crime, Criminal Investigations, Interviewing and Assessing the Offender, Animal Cruelty,Evidence and Advocacy, Contemporary Legal Issues, and Justice Studies. 

Curriculum

• Required modules (15 semester hours)
CRJ 505, 507, 508, 509, and 600

• Optional Thesis* (3 semester hours)

• Electives (12-15 semester hours)
Chosen from among the following: CRJ 500, 503, 504, 506, 522, 524, 526, 530, 535, 555, 560, 566, 570, 582, 590, 599, *610 with departmental approval, and 999 (All courses listed are three semester hours unless otherwise noted.)

Please see the website for more information about these modules:

http://catalog.wcupa.edu/graduate/business-public-management/criminal-justice/#coursestext

Philadelphia Campus

The M.S. in Criminal Justice is also offered at the Philadelphia campus.

Curriculums for programs offered at the alternative PASSHE Center City satellite campus in Philadelphia are equivalent to those found on WCU’s main campus. With state-of-the-art classrooms, the Center City location serves the needs of degree completers and/or adult learners who are balancing work and family obligations.

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The M.S. in Criminal Justice trains individuals through an interdisciplinary focus in an online environment. The program prepares students through the core curriculum and allows for specialty training through various concentrations.

This facilitates choice for students and fosters the development of specialized expertise. Students will complete the thirty hour program that includes core courses, specialty concentrations, and electives.

Proudly Offering the Valor Award 20% Scholarship for Law Enforcement, Veterans, Military, and First Responders

This program is designed for individuals looking for careers in or as:

• Police Officer
• County Sheriff / Deputy Sheriff
• State Trooper / Highway Patrol Officer
• Game Warden / Conservation Officer
• Detective
• Canine Officer / K9 Handler
• Animal Cruelty Investigator
• Park Ranger
• FBI Special Agent
• DEA Agent
• Secret Service Special Agent
• ICE Special Agent
• Federal Air Marshal
• Correctional Officer
• Correctional Counselor
• Parole Officer
• Legal Assistant or Legal Researcher
• Bailiff
• Pre-trial Officer
• Loss Prevention Officer - Loss Prevention Manager
• Bounty Hunter - Bail Enforcement Agent
• Public Safety Officer
• Community Liaison Officer

To see a complete list of possible career options, click here.

Program Format

The master's program is offered entirely online. The online format allows for students to participate in courses from anywhere in the world where internet access is available. In addition, it allows for the flexibility of completing your master's degree without interrupting your career. For information on the online/residential bachelor's program, click here. For information on the online doctoral program, click here.

Master's students are provided NSU computer accounts including email and Blackboard, but must obtain their own Internet service providers, use their own computer systems and have a usable web camera. Online students use the web to access course materials, announcements, email, distance library services, subscription library databases, and other information, and for interaction with faculty and fellow students. Online, interactive learning methods are based on the use of Blackboard as a course management system. Online activities facilitate frequent student-to-faculty and student-to-student interaction. They are supported by threaded discussion boards, white boards, chat rooms, email, and multimedia presentations. In addition, Blackboard enables students to submit assignments online in multimedia formats and to receive their professors' reviews of assignments online in the same formats.

Curriculum

The Master's program is comprised of 30 credits. The core curriculum is comprised of five courses (15 credits) and one elective course (3 credits). The specialty concentrations are comprised of four courses (12 credits).

Core Courses (15 Credits)

• CJI 0510 Survey Issues in Criminal Justice (3 credits)
• CJI 0520 Social Administration of Criminal Justice (3 credits)
• CJI 0530 Legal Issues in Criminal Justice (3 credits)
• CJI 0540 Program Evaluation in Criminal Justice (3 credits)
• CJI 0550 Investigative Processes (3 credits)

Specialty Concentrations (12 Credits)

Students must choose one concentration below and complete 12 credits within the concentration. (The concentrations remain the same)

• Concentration 1: Legal Perspective in Criminal Justice
• Concentration 2: Behavioral Science
• Concentration 3: Business Administration
• Concentration 4: Public Administration
• Concentration 5: Substance Abuse
• Concentration 6: Strategic Community Planning
• Concentration 7: Information Systems
• Concentration 8: Conflict & Crisis Management
• Concentration 9: Child Protection and Juvenile Justice
• Concentration 10: Information Security
• Concentration 11: Investigative Forensic Technology
• Concentration 12: Emergency Preparedness Leadership

Electives (3 Credits)

Students must choose one or a combination of electives below to obtain a total of 3 credit hours.

• One, three (3) credit class
• Practicum Placement (3, 6, or 9 Credit options)
• Master's Thesis (6 Credits)

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The Master of Applied Social Science (M.A.S.S.) Program is an interdiciplinary masters program with concentrations in:

• History
• Public Administration
• Criminal Justice
• Global Security and International Affairs

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Program overview

The master of science degree in criminal justice emphasizes a multidisciplinary approach to urban studies with a focus on public safety. The program stresses training in policy analysis and practice, particularly as it is relevant to community and urban issues. The program builds on a foundation of locally relevant policy research by providing students with the critical skills to carry out such work and the experience to assure success in employment or in pursuit of further graduate studies. The program provides students with a strong foundation in criminological, criminal justice theory, and social scientific research skills, thus enabling graduates to have successful careers in the policy analysis arena or to be prepared to pursue advanced study beyond the master's degree.

Plan of study

A minimum of 30 semester credit hours is required for completion of the MS in criminal justice. Students applying to the program should have a strong undergraduate foundation in criminology and research methods. Students that do not possess these skills may be required to complete additional undergraduate course work (e.g., Criminology, Theories of Crime, and Research Methods) or demonstrate that they have equivalent skills for completion of the degree.

Curriculum

Criminal justice MS degree, typical course sequence as follows:
-Professional Seminar In Criminal Justice Theory
-Statistics
-Professional Seminar in Research Methods
-Advanced Criminology
-Crime, Justice and Community
-Interventions and Change in Criminal Justice
-Electives
-Thesis in Criminal Justice (if thesis option is selected)
-Capstone in Criminal Justice (if project option is selected)

Other admission requirements

-Submit official transcripts (in English) of all previously completed undergraduate and graduate course work.
-Submit two writing samples, one of which is a personal statement.
-Complete a personal interview.
-Have completed a statistics course (students may be required to take a data analysis or a statistics course if not taken previously).
-Submit two letters of recommendation (letters should be from faculty familiar with the applicant's academic work).
-Submit scores from the Graduate Record Examination (GRE).
-Have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale), and complete a graduate application.
-International applicants whose native language is not English must submit scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). Minimum scores of 570 (paper-based) or 88 (Internet-based) are required.

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