Criminal Justice (MS)

The Criminal Justice Master of Science degree program prepares students for 21^st century careers in criminal justice and related fields. Students are provided with with an academically rigorous learning experience based on an advanced understanding of criminal justice and criminology, with balanced coverage of crime causation, management issues, technology, research, ethics and diversity in criminal justice. The program links criminological and management theory with policy and practice, and gives students the opportunity to learn and utilize skills required for leadership positions in the criminal justice field.

Upon completion of the program, graduates are expected to:

• Demonstrate how criminological theory informs public policy and shapes the operation of the American criminal justice system.
• Use management theory to evaluate the operation of a criminal justice agency and suggest policy changes to improve the operational effectiveness of the organization.
• Articulate the importance of cultural and global diversity in creating a fair and just criminal justice system.
• Apply moral philosophy to professional and ethical decision making in the field of criminal justice.
• Utilize team leadership skills that include collaboration, problem solving, ethical awareness and appreciation of diversity to address problems faced by criminal justice agencies.
• Communicate appropriately and effectively within various organizational contexts, employing appropriate technologies to organize and present information to address a range of audiences and purposes.
• Analyze, evaluate and synthesize original criminal justice research that utilizes the scientific method and appropriate sampling, measurement and data collection techniques; evaluate proper data presentation, considering the ethics and politics of reporting.