Graduate
Degree Programs
Master of Science in Criminal Justice and Public Safety
The M.S.C.J.P.S. is a course of study that requires the completion of (1) the core, (2) the electives, (3) the experiential requirement or mid-career option credit to total 36 credit hours.
EXPERIENTIAL COMPONENT: In order to be awarded the M.S.C.J.P.S. degree, students must obtain professionally relevant experience through an internship in SPEA-V 585. This requirement is automatically satisfied if a student is granted Mid-Career Option credit.
Core Requirements (24 credit hours)
- FOR CRIMINAL JUSTICE TRACK - SPEA-J 501 Evolution of Criminological Thought and Policy (3 cr.) OR
- FOR PUBLIC SAFETY TRACK - SPEA-J 528 Risk Analysis for Public Safety (3 cr.)
- SPEA-J 502 Research Methods in Criminal Justice and Public Affairs (3 cr.)
- SPEA-J 582 Criminal Justice Systems (3 cr.)
- SPEA-J 682 Planing and Management for Crimnal Justice and Public Safety (3 cr.)
- SPEA-V 506 Statistical Analysis for Effective Decision Making (3 cr.)
- SPEA-V 581 Public Safety Law (3 cr.)
- SPEA-V 586 Public Safety in the United States (3 cr.)
- SPEA-V 600 Capstone in Public and Environmental Affairs (3 cr.)
*NOTE: V600 cannot be taken until all M.S.C.J.P.S. core courses are completed. V600 is only offered as an in-person class and cannot be substituted or transferred in from another university. Plan your schedule accordingly!
- SPEA-V 585 Internship or Mid Career Option Credit (1-6 cr.)
Those with mid-career credit should consult with their faculty advisor to determine how this alters their course plans.
Electives (12 credit hours)
4 courses (12 credits) from one of the following groups:
Criminal Justice
- SPEA-J 520 Mapping and Analysis for Public Safety (3 cr.)
- SPEA-J 524 Crisis Management for Public Safety (3 cr.)
- SPEA-J 528 Risk Analysis for Public Safety (3 cr.)
- SPEA-J 550 Topics in Criminal Justice and Public Safety (3 cr.)
- SPEA-J 587 Criminal Violation: Problems and Characteristics (3 cr.)
- SPEA-J 588 Law and Control in Society (3 cr.)
- SPEA-J 666 Criminal Justice Policy and Evaluation (3 cr.)
- SPEA-V 509 Administrative Ethics in the Public Sector (3 cr.)
- SPEA-V 539 Management Science (3 cr.)
- SPEA-V 560 Public Finance and Budgeting (3 cr.)
- SPEA-V 561 Public Human Resourece Management (3 cr.)
- SPEA-V 562 Public Program Evaluation (3 cr.)
- SPEA-V 585 Practicum in Public Affairs (1-6 cr.)
- SPEA-V 639 Manageing Government Operations (3 cr.)
Public Safety
- SPEA-E 520 Environmental Toxicology (3 cr.)
- SPEA-E 542 Hazardous Materials (3 cr.)
- SPEA-E 560 Environmental Risk Analysis (3 cr.)
- SPEA-J 501 Evolution of Criminilogical Thought and Policy (3 cr.)
- SPEA-J 520 Mapping and Analysis for Public Safety (3 cr.)
- SPEA-J 524 Crisis Management for Public Safety (3 cr.)
- SPEA-J 550 Topics in Criminal Justice and Public Safety (3 cr.)
- SPEA-V 509 Administrative Ethics in the Public Sector (3 cr.)
- SPEA-V 539 Management Science (3 cr.)
- SPEA-V 560 Public Finance and Budgeting (3 cr.)
- SPEA-V 561 Public Human Resourece Management (3 cr.)
- SPEA-V 562 Public Program Evaluation (3 cr.)
- SPEA-V 585 Practicum in Public Affairs (1-6 cr.)
- SPEA-V 639 Manageing Government Operations (3 cr.)
Up to 3 credit hours of the concentration coursework may be taken in SPEA-V 585 Practicum in Public Affairs if approved in advance by the faculty advisor.
TO GRADUATE STUDENTS MUST MEET THE MINIMUM DEGREE REQUIREMENT OF 36 CREDIT HOURS WITH A 3.0 CUMULATIVE GRADE AVERAGE.
NOTE: Please note that the course rotation is subject to change. Please see your faculty advisor.
Sample Plan of Study
Criminal Justice Track
| Fall 1 | Spring 1 | Fall 2 | Spring 2 |
| J582 | J502 | J501 | V600 |
| V586 | J682 | V506 | V585 |
| elective | V581 | elective | elective |
Public Safety Track
| Fall 1 | Spring 1 | Fall 2 | Spring 2 |
| J582 | J502 | J528 | V600 |
| V586 | J682 | V506 | V585 |
| elective | V581 | elective | elective |