Master of Science in Criminology and Criminal Justice
Course descriptionThe Master of Science in Criminology and Criminal Justice (MSCCJ) degree program is designed to provide students with a high level of theoretical and empirical knowledge about crime and criminal justice. The program also is designed to provide students with the advanced research skills needed to prepare them for careers as criminal justice researchers and/or continued study in doctoral programs in criminology and/or criminal justice.
A student pursuing the Master of Science in Criminology and Criminal Justice will take courses in two core areas:
Theory and research on crime and the criminal justice system and
Research methods and analytical techniques. In consultation with the supervisory committee, the student will select elective course work related to his/her areas of interest. Each student will write a thesis that reflects original research and scholarship, makes a contribution to knowledge in the field, and demonstrates his/her ability to design and carry out an independent research project.
A minimum of 30 semester hours of graduate credit beyond the baccalaureate degree is required for the MSCCJ. This includes 24 hours of course work and 6 hours of thesis. Together with his/her supervisory committee, each student designs a Program of Study that incorporates course work in the core curriculum, elective course work, and the thesis. The Program of Study should be submitted no later than the second semester of enrollment in the MSCCJ program.
The program consists of two core areas. The first core area focuses on theory and research on crime and the criminal justice system; the second emphasizes research methods and analytical techniques. All students must demonstrate proficiency in research and methodological skills. There is no language requirement.