Criminal Justice

The Department of Criminal Justice offers a broad-based graduate program leading to the Master of Arts degree. The program addresses issues of crime and criminal justice within an analytical framework and emphasizes theory and research and their implications for social policy. The curriculum is grounded in the social and behavioral sciences and in legal approaches to crime and social control. It draws from contemporary research and theoretical developments across a spectrum of academic disciplines.

The graduate program in criminal justice offers two degree options. The Traditional Master of Arts degree is designed to prepare students for doctoral studies in the field and in related areas of the social and behavioral sciences. Those who obtain this degree may also assume teaching positions at the community college level. The Professional Master’s degree is designed to serve the needs of professionals currently working in justice-related agencies by providing the knowledge and skills to enhance their performance in current positions and/or prepare them for career advancement. Both degrees require a minimum of 36 semester hours of study. Students enrolled in the Traditional Master of Arts degree track are required to complete a scholarly thesis. Students seeking the Professional Master’s degree must pass a comprehensive examination. 

Joel Lieberman, Ph.D., Chair
Hong Lu, Ph.D., Graduate Coordinator  

Program Information 

Criminal Justice Faculty 

Criminal Justice Courses 

Department Website

Plan 

Master of Arts - Criminal Justice