The Master of Arts in Criminal Justice Administration is specifically designed for working professionals in the Criminal Justice System and related fields. The foundation of the program is a Leadership Certificate that will provide students with core knowledge and skills to be effective leaders at any organizational level. Upon completion of the Leadership Certificate, students can then choose from the remaining certificate and elective courses geared toward their professional area of expertise to complete requirements for the master’s degree.
To complete the M.A. in Criminal Justice Administration, students must complete the Criminal Justice Leadership certificate (12 credits), and 18 additional credits of electives to reach 30 credits in total. A comprehensive exam is required.
The program is offered in a fully online format.
The foundation of the program is a Criminal Justice Leadership Certificate that will provide students with core knowledge and skills to be effective leaders at any organizational level.
Admissions Requirements
Applicants must hold a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution of higher learning. In addition to the standard University graduate admissions requirements, the department requires:
- Students must have a minimum of 3 years of full-time work experience in Criminal Justice or a related field, or currently serve in a verifiable leadership role/position within a criminal justice agency with no less than 2 years of CJ experience.
- A minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 on a 4.00 scale. Applicants may also be considered for conditional admission if they have a 2.70 to 2.99 GPA and/or commensurate work experience.
- Resume
Master's Degree (30 Credits)
Leadership Certificate Core (3 Credits)
Leadership Certificate Electives (9 Credits)
CJ 573 Managing Criminal Justice Employees 3 Credits
CJ 575 Developing Criminal Justice Organizations 3 Credits
CJ 574 Effective Criminal Justice Leadership 3 Credits
CJ 580 Criminal Justice Policy Implementation and Effectiveness 3 Credits
Choose from the courses listed above
Electives (18 Credits)
Advanced Detective Certificate
CRM 480 Death Investigations 3 Credits
CJ 581 Sexual Assault Investigation 3 Credits
CJ 582 Police Involved Shootings & Crime Scene Investigations 3 Credits
CJ 583 Interview & Interrogation 3 Credits
Select 12 credits from the courses listed above to earn the Advanced Detective Certificate. These courses will also count as electives for the Master of Arts in Criminal Justice Administration.
Victim’s Advocacy Certificate
CJ 531 Women and Criminal Behavior 3 Credits
CJ 532 Domestic Violence 3 Credits
CJ 537 Mental Health and the Criminal Justice System 3 Credits
CJ 538 Victimization & The Criminal Justice System 3 Credits
Select 12 credits from the courses listed above to earn the Victim’s Advocacy Certificate. These courses will also count as electives for the Master of Arts in Criminal Justice Administration.
Forensic Counseling Certificate
CJ 530 Offender Profiles 3 Credits
CJ 535 Forensic Counseling 3 Credits
CJ 539 Delinquency: Causation and Intervention 3 Credits
CJ 560 Sexual Offending 3 Credits
Select 12 credits from the courses listed above to earn the Forensic Counseling Certificate. These courses will also count as electives for the Master of Arts in Criminal Justice Administration.
Total Credit Hours: 30