Criminal Justice, Master of Science

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Purpose

The Master of Science in Criminal Justice Program is intended to prepare students for research and administrative careers in criminal justice as well as doctoral study. The program combines an advanced framework in research methods, criminological theory and criminal justice administration with a set of electives that build on the core curriculum and satisfy concentration requirements. The Geo-Information Science concentration will provide students with the technical and methodological skills to conduct sophisticated crime analysis utilizing software applications such as MapInfo and ArcView.

The Master of Science in Criminal Justice is designed to serve several constituencies: professionals presently working in the criminal justice system who desire to advance their careers, college graduates who want to enter the criminal justice field and students who wish to continue study toward a doctorate. The program is part-time and students will be able to complete their degree in two years carrying a course load of two classes per semester, including two summer terms.

Prerequisites

A Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice or a related field

Successful completion of a course in Basic Statistics

Program Requirements

The program is a 36 credit hour degree available under two plans (thesis and non-thesis). All students complete the core requirements and one of the following concentrations: Criminology, Administration of Criminal Justice, or Geo-Information Science. To complete a concentration, students must take twelve credits in related coursework as part of their electives.

Non-Thesis Option

The general plan of study for the non-thesis option is as follows: 1) five required core courses that must be passed with a grade of B or better; 2) seven elective courses, four within a concentration; and 3) satisfactory completion of the comprehensive examination.

Thesis Option

The thesis option is an alternative to the comprehensive exam. Requirements are: 1) five required core courses, with at least a B in CRJ800A, CRJ801 and CRJ802 and a B+ in CRJ810 and CRJ812; 2) approval of graduate coordinator; 3) six hours of thesis credit, CRJ813A and CRJ813B; 4) five elective courses, four within a concentration; and 5) orally defend their thesis successfully.

Core Courses

Criminology Concentration

Administration Concentration

GIS Concentration

Thesis Option

Total Credits: 36

Additional Information and Notes

This program is Quinn Bill certified.

Please note that effective Fall 2014, Salem State University will offer an accelerated program which will allow students to earn both a Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Criminal Justice in five years (based upon completion of the recommended number of credits per semester). Contact the graduate program coordinator for further details.