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Master of Science in Criminal Justice & Public Safety
33 Credits
The online MS in Criminal Justice and Public Safety focuses on the intersection of these two exciting fields. The program will appeal to individuals interested in the fields of policing, homeland security, and emergency management. Students may complete coursework in a variety of special topics, including crime mapping, geographic information systems, and cybersecurity, among others. The flexible online program also meets the needs of individuals currently working in criminal justice and security careers.
As a student in the program, you:
- Examine criminal justice and public safety system actors, agencies, and processes
- Explore the underlying operations of police, emergency management, courts, and corrections agencies
- Identify the major policy issues in criminal justice and public safety systems
- Learn to communicate effectively with individuals working in the complex and diverse criminal justice or public safety sectors
- Explore the philosophical underpinnings and development of law, and critically evaluate how criminal justice and public safety policies balance individual rights and public order
- Analyze criminal justice and public safety policies using a variety of tools, including quantitative research methods and statistical techniques, to improve criminal justice and public safety agencies
- Identify and critically analyze current criminal justice and public safety policies using available research and empirical evidence to discuss the strengths and limitations of various approaches
The program allows you to choose from one of two concentrations: public safety or criminal justice.
Public Safety Concentration
As a student in this concentration, you assess public safety risks using various analysis tools and develop plans to prepare, manage, and mitigate natural and human-made crises.
Criminal Justice Concentration
As a student in this concentration, you analyze the nature and extent of crime, critically evaluate major theories of crime, and assess the effectiveness of criminal justice systems, non-criminal justice programs, and other policies and practices that respond to crime.
Your online MS in Criminal Justice and Public Safety prepares you for such careers as:
- Correctional officer supervisor
- Police and detective supervisor
- Criminal investigator
- Emergency management director
- Security manager
- Public safety officer
This program is part of the School of Humanities & Social Sciences.
Degree Requirements
To graduate with the MS in Criminal Justice and Public Safety, you must complete 33 credit hours.
Requirements are broken down as follows:
- Core courses (15 credit hours)
- Concentration courses (18 credit hours)
Admissions
To be accepted to this program, you must have:
- A bachelor's degree
- 2.7 GPA or above on a 4.0 scale
NOTE: This program is authorized, exempt, or not subject to state regulatory compliance and may enroll students from all 50 states
To apply to this program:
Complete an online application that includes:
- Official transcripts
- GRE scores
- 250-word personal statement explaining background and goals for entering the program
- TOEFL scores (international students only)
- Supplementary materials such as letters of recommendation, writing samples, and related materials may also be submitted but are not required
Courses
Core courses:
- Theory Requirement (3 Credits)
- Criminal Justice Concentration: Choose SPEA-J 501 Evolution of Criminological Thought and Policy I -OR- CJUS-P 502 Proseminar: Criminal Justice II
- Public Safety Concentration: SPEA-J 528 Risk Analysis for Public Safety
- CJUS-P 501 -OR- SPEA-J 582 Proseminar: Criminal Justice I -OR- Criminal Justice Systems (3 Credits)
- CJUS-P 619 -OR- SPEA-J 666 Crime and Public Policy -OR- Criminal Justice Policy and Evaluation (3 Credits)
- SPEA-J 502 -OR- CJUS-P 594 Research Methods in Criminal Justice and Public Safety -OR- Introduction to Research Methods (3 Credits)
- SPEA-J 586 Public Safety in the U.S. (3 Credits)
- SPEA-V 506 -OR- CJUS-P 595 Statistical Analysis for Effective Decision Making -OR- Data Analysis in Criminal Justice (3 Credits)
Elective courses:
- CJUS-P 512 Corrections (3 Credits)
- CJUS-P 515 Police in Society (3 Credits)
- CJUS-P 517 Juvenile Justice (3 Credits)
- CJUS-P 519 Probation and Parole (3 Credits)
- CJUS-P 602 Courts and Criminal Justice (3 Credits)
- CJUS-P 623 Violent Behavior (3 Credits)
- CJUS-P 627 White-Collar Crime (3 Credits)
- CJUS-P 629 Victimization (3 Credits)
- CJUS-P 634 Sentencing Theory and Practice (3 Credits)
- CJUS-P 671 Comparative Criminal Justice Systems (3 Credits)
- CJUS-P 680 Seminar: Issues in Criminal Justice and Public Safety (3 Credits)
- CJUS-P 680 Seminar: Issues in Criminal Justice and Public Safety (3 Credits)
- CJUS-P 682 Seminar on Law Enforcement and Minorities (3 Credits)
- SPEA-J 520 Mapping and Analysis (3 Credits)
- SPEA-J 520 Mapping and Analysis for Public Safety (3 Credits)
- SPEA-J 524 Crisis Management for Public Safety (3 Credits)
- SPEA-J 531 National and Homeland Security in America (3 Credits)
- SPEA-J 550 Topics in Criminal Justice and Public Safety (1-3 Credits)
- SPEA-J 581 Public Safety Law (3 Credits)
- SPEA-J 587 Criminal Violation: Problems and Characteristics (3 Credits)
- SPEA-J 588 Law and Control in Society (3 Credits)
- SPEA-J 682 Planning and Management (3 Credits)
- SPEA-V 560 Public Budgeting and Finance (3 Credits)
- SPEA-V 561 Public Human Resources Management (3 Credits)