Graduate Program
The Department of Criminal Justice offers graduate study leading to both a Master of Science (M.S) .and a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree in Criminal Justice. The M.S. degree has three tracks: Applied Criminal Justice, Criminology, and the Plan C option (which is geared toward professionals working in the criminal justice system and social service agencies). The program in Criminal Justice is designed to enhance student skills in understanding, gathering, processing, and analyzing research in the areas of criminology and criminal justice. The program is geared to understanding, critiquing, and analyzing the causes of crime and the criminal justice system's responses to it. The curriculum consists of foundation courses in theory, policy, and research methods, plus three substantive areas: 1) criminology, 2) policing, and 3) corrections. Students have their choice of specializing in one of the three. Students will also be afforded course work in learning how to teach a college course.
Listen to the experiences of alumni who graduate from the CJ Graduate programs
Graduates will find an expanding and terrific academic job market available as well as professional employment in the criminal justice policy and research sector. There are currently 42 Criminal Justice and Criminology PhD programs operating on a national level, so students graduating with a Criminal Justice Ph.D. will be competitive for the 350 positions available annually in academic units.
More specifically, the education and training of Master’s degree students in this field will (1) furnish practicing professionals with advanced knowledge of justice administration, criminal justice policy, behavioral elements of crime, and research skills; (2) provide students with conceptual and research skills that would facilitate coursework in a subsequent Ph.D. program; and (3) enhance the thinking skills of leaders in the criminal justice system by improving supervisory standards, facilitate critical thinking, and promoting ideas of social change.
Doctoral students are prepared to conduct research in the various areas of criminological theory, crime control, and correctional and police administration and to pursue teaching and/or research positions in academia or research positions within the criminal justice system itself. The curriculum will afford training to students in four areas: 1) criminological theory, 2) advanced research skills, 3) teaching in academia, and 4) specialization in one of three areas – Criminology, Corrections, and Policing.
Program resources and information
Accelerated Master's Program Requirements
For admission information, please contact:Dr. Andrew J. Myer,Associate Professor/Graduate CoordinatorContact Dr. Myer