The Master of Science with a major in Criminal Justice is an accelerated degree program that provides education for both pre- and mid-career individuals serving their communities as law enforcement, corrections, court practitioners or with private agencies that deliver services in the justice arena. The curriculum is designed to prepare these professionals to assume key leadership roles within the justice system or the private sector by enhancing their ability to:
- Analyze information, identify emerging trends, and
implement solutions to crime problems
- Evaluate agency performances and plan for
increased effectiveness
- Successfully manage human and financial
resources in the public arena
We define the justice system as a continuum of interrelated processes, personnel, and agencies from prevention of crime through the reintegration of
offenders into society.
Admission Criteria
The Master of Science with a major in Criminal Justice degree program is open to persons holding bachelor's degrees in a social science field from regionally accredited colleges and universities and whose undergraduate work has been of sufficient quality and scope to enable them to successfully pursue graduate study. An undergraduate degree in criminal justice is preferred; however, if the undergraduate degree is other than criminal justice, a core of criminal justice prerequisite courses will be required. At the discretion of the SPS Director of Crimina Justice, these course prerequisites may be waived for applicants who have a significant amount of documented professional experience with a criminal justice agency.
A candidate for the master's program must have the following:
- A Bachelor of Science degree (or equivalent) with a general education component from a regionally accredited institution.
- A minimum composite undergraduate grade point averave (GPA) of 2.80 of a 4.0 scale.
- An official transcript showing a bachelor's degree awarded by an accredited college or university with an acceptable grade point average.
Conditional admission may be determined by the SPS Director of Criminal Justice.
Transfer credit will not be permitted. Graduate courses taken and applied to the Bachelor of Science degree in criminal justice will not apply to the graduate program.
Student must have a 2.8 GPA to graduate. Students who drop below a 2.5 GPA at any time in the program will be dismissed.
Classes
- Complete the degree in 12 months.
- The first cohort is scheduled to begin in January, 2008.
- Most classes will be offered at the new Public Safety Academy of Northeast Indiana.
- Specific class times will be announced after informational meetings are held in an effort to determine a schedule that will accommodate the greatest number of students.
- Credentialed instructors with professional field experience.
Costs
Financial Aid
- Stafford Loan and Grad Plus loans available. Information packets and assistance are available through TSU’s Financial Aid Office.
Criminal Justice Graduate Courses
CRJ 503 Seminar in Law and Social Control (3)
An introduction to legal theory and the moral, practical and legal implications of law as a means of maintaining social order. The course will also examine the impact of economic and political forces on social control.
CRJ 513 Criminology (3)
The study of the nature, extent, cause and control of criminal behavior. Students will examine the ways in which crime is measured, identify various crime typologies, and explore a wide range of crime causation theories.
CRJ 523 The American System of Justice (3)
An examination of the core components of the criminal justice system: courts, law enforcement, and correctional agencies. Particular emphasis will be placed on the interrelationship between the various components as they attempt to meet their individual mandates.
CRJ 533 Criminal Justice Policy Formation and
Analysis (3)
A study of the methodology behind law, statute and policy creation in the public criminal justice arena. Includes a discussion of the American political system and an evaluation of key public policies that impact the justice system.
CRJ 543 Research, Planning, & Program Evaluation (3)
An introduction to the way agencies gather, examine, and interpret information; the methods they use to evaluate that data; and the process they use to create and monitor internal programs.
CRJ 553 Applied Statistics for Criminal Justice (3)
The study of data analysis as it relates to the social sciences. Topics will include inductive and descriptive analysis, sampling, and methods of evaluation. The emphasis will be on practical application of statistics to criminal justice situations.
CRJ 593 Demonstration Project Capstone (3)
An in-depth application of the concepts contained in the core courses. Under the direction of a criminal justice faculty member, the student will design, research, and complete a project that will then be formally presented to a committee of at least two full-time or adjunct professors.
CRJ 603 Theory and Practice of Public Administration (3)
An examination of factors that impact public administration including organizational design, political relationships and the environment, with an emphasis on ethical behavior in the public arena.
CRJ 613 Public Organizational Behavioral and Human Resource Management (3)
A study of the importance of organizational planning, quality decision-making, and budget management. The course will also examine the methods and procedures necessary for managing in the public arena.
CRJ 623 Governmental Accounting, Finance and Budgeting (3)
An in-depth look at accounting, finance and budgeting practices in public administration, including fundamental concepts of accounting principles.
CRJ 633 Assessment and Strategic Planning for the Public Sector (3)
An overview of strategic planning concepts for the public administrator. The methodologies for identifying public issues, planning for them, and assessing outcomes. Attention will also be given to governmental policies as they impact strategic planning.
CRJ 693 Public Administration Demonstration Project (3)
An in-depth analysis of the concepts contained within the concentration courses. Conducted under the direction of a criminal justice faculty member, the student will design and implement a capstone project, and then present the results to a committee of at least two full-time or adjunct professors with public administration experience.
