With its focus on the intersection of current research with policy debates and organizational challenges, the MS in Criminal Justice and Public Safety appeal to individuals who seek to sharpen their skills and develop new strategies and approaches to the fair and effective administration of justice and promotion of public safety. Graduates of the program will be well-positioned to attain leadership roles in a variety of public and private organizations that will allow them to apply and implement many of the skills and ideas required to greater efficiency and real reform.

The online mode of instruction and collaborative model of pooled resources will offer students increased flexibility in terms of scheduling and course selection, which will making it easier to balance the demands of advanced graduate study with work and family obligations. Highly-motivated full-time students to complete the degree in 15 months (Fall/Spring/Summer/12-12-9 credit loads); part-time students can complete the degree in two-three years depending upon their enrollment patterns.

Core Coureses (15 cr.)

Complete the following course   

• SPEA-J 586 Public Safety in the U.S.

Complete one of the following courses   

• CJUS-P 501 Proseminar: Criminal Justice I
• SPEA-J 582 Criminal Justice Systems

Complete one of the following courses  

• SPEA-J 502 Research Methods in Criminal Justice and Public Safety
• CJUS-P 594 Introduction to Research Methods

Complete one of the following courses  

• SPEA-V 506 Statistical Analysis for Effective Decision Making
• CJUS-P 595 Data Analysis in Criminal Justice

Complete one of the following courses  

• CJUS-P 619 Crime and Public Policy
• SPEA-J 666 Criminal Justice Policy and Evaluation

Choose a concentration and complete the courses specified

Criminal Justice Concentration (18 cr.)

Complete one of the following courses    

• SPEA-J 501 Evolution of Criminological Thought and Policy I
• CJUS-P 502 Proseminar: Criminal Justice II

Complete five of the following courses   

• CJUS-P 512 Corrections
• CJUS-P 515 Police in Society
• CJUS-P 517 Juvenile Justice
• CJUS-P 519 Probation and Parole
• CJUS-P 602 Courts and Criminal Justice
• CJUS-P 623 Violent Behavior
• CJUS-P 627 White-collar Crime
• CJUS-P 629 Victimization
• CJUS-P 634 Sentencing Theory and Practice
• CJUS-P 671 Comparative Criminal Justice Systems
• CJUS-P 680 Seminar: Issues in Criminal Justice and Public Safety
• CJUS-P 682 Seminar on Law Enforcement and Minorities
• SPEA-J 520 Mapping and Analysis for Public Safety
• SPEA-J 550 Topics in Criminal Justice and Public Safety
• SPEA-J 588 Law and Control in Society
• SPEA-J 587 Criminal Violation: Problems and Characteristics
• SPEA-J 682 Planning and Management

Public Safety Concentration (18 cr.)

Complete the following course   

• SPEA-J 528 Risk Analysis for Public Safety

Complete five of the following courses  

• CJUS-P 680 Seminar: Issues in Criminal Justice and Public Safety
• SPEA-J 581 Public Safety Law
• SPEA-J 520 Mapping and Analysis for Public Safety
• SPEA-J 524 Crisis Management for Public Safety
• SPEA-J 531 National and Homeland Security in America
• SPEA-J 550 Topics in Criminal Justice and Public Safety
• SPEA-V 560 Public Budgeting and Finance
• SPEA-V 561 Public Human Resources Management