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Dec 04, 2024
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2014-2015 Undergraduate and Graduate Academic Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]
Criminal Justice, M.S.
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 Return to: College of Liberal Arts Departments and Degree Programs
| CIP Code: |
430104 |
| Degree Awarded: |
Master of Science |
Our interdisciplinary program is designed to build individual, agency and community capacity to understand, prevent, intervene and respond innovatively to juvenile delinquency and crime, using evidence bases practices and policies, in ways that ensure justice. Through intensive study, students will be prepared for a wide range of positions requiring an advanced degree. Upon completion of our program you will be prepared to enter administration, management and leadership positions as well as to facilitate program development, implementation and analysis within various government, private-for-profit and non-profit agencies that comprise our complex justice system. Additionally, our emphasis on juvenile justice ensures that you will be prepared to work on collaborative interagency projects aimed at preventing juvenile delinquency and responding effectively to intervene and rehabilitate juvenile offenders. Our program also provides advanced theoretical knowledge and research skills and experience necessary for entering instructor level positions in criminal justice within institutions of higher education or for entering a doctoral program.
Students will choose between two tracks toward earning their advanced degree in Criminal Justice: (1) Administration and (2) Program and Public Policy.
Track Descriptions
Administration
Our Administration track is designed to prepare students for administrative positions within justice or justice related agencies. It provides students with advanced theoretical and empirical knowledge of crime and delinquency, program and policy analyses, management and information systems, organizational and individual behavior, and administration of criminal justice systems. It also provides knowledge and skills in leadership, personnel administration and communication necessary for serving as effective administrators and managers. This track offers a thesis or non-thesis option. Those individuals interested in doctoral studies are required to take the thesis option.
Program and Public Policy
Our program and public policy track is designed to meet the needs of students pursuing various management positions within justice or justice related agencies. This program provides advanced knowledge and skills necessary to serve as leaders in development, implementation, management and assessment of crime/delinquency prevention, intervention and rehabilitative programs as well as knowledge and skills necessary to engage in effective and efficient management of justice or justice related agencies and programs. Both thesis and non-thesis options are available within this track. Those individuals interested in doctoral studies are required to take the thesis option.
Admissions
A Student applying for acceptance into the M.S. program in Criminal Justice should note the following requirements:
- Admittance into the University of Louisiana at Lafayette’s, Graduate School.
- Baccalaureate or higher degree from an accredited institution of higher education and a minimum GPA of 2.75 in all courses taken and 3.0 on the last 60 hours taken.
- Successful completion of an undergraduate research methods course within a social science discipline (criminal justice, sociology, political science, psychology or the equivalent). If admitted without this, you will be required to enroll in and complete CJUS 301 during your first semester of graduate study. This course will not be counted toward you M.S. degree.
- Submit Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores. Admissions will not be based solely on this score, but rather upon complete examination of all application materials.
- Submit a personal statement and three letters of recommendation.
- If native language is not English, minimum TOEFL score as specified by the Graduate School.
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Administrative/Management
Communications
To be chosen from: Non-thesis Option
To be chosen from graduate level courses in CJUS, SOCI, POLS or PSYCH.
Total Non-thesis: 39 hours
Total with Thesis: 36 Hours
Program and Public Policy
Communications
To be chosen from: Non-thesis Option
To be chosen from graduate level courses in CJUS, SOCI, POLS, PSYCH, MBA or MGMT
- CJSU Electives 6 Credits.
Total Non-thesis: 39 hours
Thesis Option
To be chosen from graduate level courses in CJUS, SOCI, POLS, PSYCH, MBA or MGMT
- CJSU Electives 3 Credits.
Total with Thesis: 36 Hours
Note for Students in All Tracks
- You can receive credit for up to 6 hours of 4XX G coursework.
- You must obtain permission from the instructor to enroll in a 4XX G course for graduate credit. You will be expected to complete additional readings and/or assignments/projects to be determined by the instructor, in order to receive graduate credit for a 4XX course.
- You are only allowed to enroll in courses for which you have not previously received credit at the undergraduate or graduate level.
- CJUS 501 is a rotating topics course that may be taken multiple times, but a specific 501 course topic should only be taken once.
- You can receive credit for up to 6 hours of CJUS 597.
- If in non-thesis option, consider taking a summer course in our first or second year of study in order to lessen the workload in your final semester.
Procedures
Upon admission into the Criminal Justice M.S. program, students will consult with our Director of Graduate Studies in Criminal Justice regarding scheduling of courses. This person will assist students in choosing the most appropriate track of study and developing a course plan based on the student’s career aspirations and goals. Students should choose a committee chair no later than the end of your first semester of study. The chair of the student’s committee and the Director of Graduate Studies in Criminal Justice will select the other members of the students committee. If you are in the management track, one committee member must be from the M.B.A. program. The chair of the student’s committee will assume the functions of comprehensive long-range planning and advise the student regarding each semester’s registration. The Director of Graduate Studies will continue to advise the student each semester.
The maximum course load for a graduate student in this program is 12 hours during a regular semester and 9 during a summer semester. We strongly advise that students take no more than 9 hours per semester, if possible. It is expected that full-time students will complete all requirements for the M.S. degree in two years. All course credit toward completion of this degree must have been earned within the six years proceeding completion of the program. Course credits completed more than six year prior to earning your degree, will not be counted toward the completion of the M.S. degree. Comprehensive Examination
Upon completion of all coursework, all students in the M.S. program in Criminal Justice are required to complete a comprehensive examination that includes written and oral components. This exam assesses student theoretical and empirical knowledge on the core areas within our M.S. program as well as within their chosen track of study. The written section must be passed prior to taking the oral component of the exam. Students who have chosen the thesis option will be required to pass an oral defense of their thesis upon completion of their thesis. The thesis must be submitted to each committee member well in advance of the oral defense. |
Return to: College of Liberal Arts Departments and Degree Programs
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