The MS in criminal justice prepares graduates for leadership in management positions in criminal justice and social service agencies, or entry into doctoral study. The program places emphasis on the development of skills in critical thinking, communication, and applied research.
Our program consists of 36 hours: 12 hours of required courses and 18 to 24 hours of electives (18 hours if students complete a thesis, 24 if students take comprehensive exams). Classes are diverse and include courses in corrections, policing, courts, comparative/cross cultural issues, minorities and gender issues, victimology, white collar crime, terrorism, ethics, and popular culture. Required courses focus on the system as a whole, theory, research methods, and professional development. Students may complete the program in two years if they attend full-time. Part-time students are welcome. All courses are offered in the evening and some are available online and/or in the summer.
Criminal Justice is an exciting major allowing for a wide range of employment opportunities following graduation. UTC’s Criminal Justice program is no exception. With classes in subjects including Criminology, Policing, Courts, and Corrections, students will build a solid footing in the core of the criminal justice system. Outside of the core, students will be able to explore courses on Drugs and Crime, Serial Murder, Media and Crime, Victimology, and many other more specific topics. The Criminal Justice program also maintains a robust internship program that allows students to experience many of the agencies involved in the criminal justice system. These internships allow for a unique opportunity to interact with criminal justice professionals as they perform their daily duties and help students gain experience in the field.
Jobs in the criminal justice field are predicted to be steady or growing through 2024 according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, while many other fields are in decline. This means that our graduates have good opportunities for employment as they enter the job market. Some of the careers available to our graduates include law enforcement on the state, local, and federal levels, positions in the field of corrections, positions within the court system, and positions in probation and parole. In addition to immediately entering the job market our students receive a foundational education that allows them to apply for law school or graduate program admission. We offer a graduate program where students may choose to work toward their MSCJ degree to continue their education.
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:
To see a complete list of possible career options, click here.
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.
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)
Specialty Concentrations (12 Credits)
Students must choose one concentration below and complete 12 credits within the concentration. (The concentrations remain the same)
Electives (3 Credits)
Students must choose one or a combination of electives below to obtain a total of 3 credit hours.
