Master of Science in Criminal Justice (MSCJ)
The Master of Science in Criminal Justice (MSCJ) program offers working professionals the flexible option of a fully online degree. You will learn from respected and experienced faculty as you work toward beginning or advancing your career in criminal justice, corrections, or law enforcement. You will receive a quality educational experience based on critical thinking, analysis, and research.
This graduate-level criminal justice degree is a 30-semester-hour program designed to provide you with the professional skills and knowledge essential for success in advanced placement within security and emergency management and crime scene investigation roles. University of North Alabama master’s in criminal justice graduates will be well positioned for promotion to positions of greater responsibility within their organizations or new opportunities. This on-campus or online criminal justice degree will also prepare you for continuing advanced study at the doctoral level or as you pursue teaching opportunities.
Time to Complete
Variable, but as few as 2 years
Mode Offered
Online and On-Campus
Credentials
MSCJ
Master of Science in Criminal Justice Curriculum
| Required Component | ||
| Course Number: | Course Title: | Credit Hours: |
| CJ 618 | Crime in America | 3 |
| CJ 640 | Methods of Research in Criminal Justice | 3 |
| CJ 650 | Criminological Theory | 3 |
| CJ 695 | Thesis | 6 |
| Total Required Hours | 15 | |
| Elective Component | ||
| Select 15 credits total from the following: | 15 | |
| *Each course is 3 credit hours* | ||
| CJ 505 | Criminal Investigation | |
| CJ 506 | Forensic Investigation | |
| CJ 513 | Public Organization and Bureaucratic Theory | |
| CJ 515 | Ethics in Administrative Leadership | |
| CJ 522 | PJL in TV and Film | |
| CJ 530 | Criminal Evidence | |
| CJ 534 | Criminal Procedure | |
| CJ 550 | Criminal Justice Policy and Administration | |
| CJ 580 | Psychological Dimensions of Criminal Justice Practice | |
| CJ 591 | Special Topics (can repeat this course for credit if title and topics are different) | |
| CJ 606 | Contemporary Issues in Juvenile Justice | |
| CJ 610 | Nature and Function of the American Judicial System | |
| CJ 614 | Management and Policy in Criminal Justice Organizations | |
| CJ 622 | Contemporary Issues in Corrections | |
| CJ 630 | Victimology | |
| CJ 634 | Advanced Criminal Procedure | |
| CJ 645 | Advanced Statistical Procedure | |
| CJ 660 | Comparative Criminal Justice | |
| CJ 690 | Contemporary Issues in Law Enforcement | |
| CJ 691 | Special Topics (can repeat this course for credit if title and topics are different) | |
| CJ 699 | Independent Study/Research | |
| Total Hours | 30 | |
| A maximum of 15 hours can be taken at the 500 level. Students are not permitted to receive credit for a 500-level course if they received credit for the comparable senior-level undergraduate course. Up to six hours of electives without the CJ prefix may be taken with prior approval from the Department of Politics, Justice, Law, and Philosophy. | ||
| Required Component | ||
| Course Number: | Course Title: | Credit Hours: |
| CJ 618 | Crime in America | 3 |
| CJ 640 | Methods of Research in Criminal Justice | 3 |
| CJ 650 | Criminological Theory | 3 |
| CJ 698 | Comprehensive Exam | 0 |
| Total Required Hours | 9 | |
| Elective Component | ||
| Select 21 credits total from the following: | 21 | |
| *Each course is 3 credit hours* | ||
| CJ 505 | Criminal Investigation | |
| CJ 506 | Forensic Investigation | |
| CJ 513 | Public Organization and Bureaucratic Theory | |
| CJ 515 | Ethics in Administrative Leadership | |
| CJ 522 | PJL in TV and Film | |
| CJ 530 | Criminal Evidence | |
| CJ 534 | Criminal Procedure | |
| CJ 550 | Criminal Justicy Policy and Administration | |
| CJ 580 | Psychological Dimensions of Criminal Justice Practice | |
| CJ 591 | Special Topics (can repeat this course for credit if title and topics are different) | |
| CJ 606 | Contemporary Issues in Juvenile Justice | |
| CJ 610 | Nature and Function of the American Judicial System | |
| CJ 614 | Management and Policy in Criminal Justice Organizations | |
| CJ 622 | Contemporary Issues in Corrections | |
| CJ 630 | Victimology | |
| CJ 634 | Advanced Criminal Procedure | |
| CJ 645 | Advanced Statistical Procedure | |
| CJ 660 | Comparative Criminal Justice | |
| CJ 690 | Contemporary Issues in Law Enforcement | |
| CJ 691 | Special Topics (can repeat this course for credit if title and topics are different) | |
| CJ 699 | Independent Study/Research | |
| Total Hours | 30 | |
| A maximum of 15 hours can be taken at the 500 level. Students are not permitted to receive credit for a 500-level course if they received credit for the comparable senior-level undergraduate course. Up to six hours of electives without the CJ prefix may be taken with prior approval from the Department of Politics, Justice, Law, and Philosophy. | ||
| Students choosing the Non-Thesis Option must, in the last semester in which all other course requirements are expected to be completed, register for CJ 698 (Comprehensive Examination) in order to take a written comprehensive examination prior to graduation in order to complete the program. | ||
Faculty
Recognizing the interdisciplinary nature of criminal justice, our faculty members have a broad knowledge base and extensive experience in their fields, which include forensics, criminal justice, psychology and sociology, intelligence and security, political science, and emergency response and disaster management.
The faculty dedicated to the master’s in criminal justice include:
Wayne P. Bergeron, DSc, LTC (Retired), Security and Emergency Management Program Coordinator and Director, North Alabama Public Service Training Center
Jonathan E. Coats, PhD, MSCJ Graduate Program Coordinator
Quinn T. Gordon, PhD
Christopher Purser, PhD, Criminal Justice Undergraduate Coordinator
Suzanna Taylor, MS, Forensics/Crime Scene Investigation Program Coordinator
What can I do with a graduate-level criminal justice degree?
By earning your master’s in criminal justice, you gain the professional skills and knowledge essential for success in advanced placement within security and emergency management and crime scene investigation roles. These could include, but are not limited to: FBI agent, secret service agent, criminal investigator, special agent, Deputy U.S. Marshal, local emergency management, treasury agent, criminal justice researcher, crime scene investigator, and risk management consultant.
Testimonial
“Having completed an accredited graduate degree has provided many advancement opportunities and will surely be an asset throughout my career. The faculty and staff are top-notch, eager to assist students in attaining their educational goals and highly accessible. I would certainly recommend UNA for working professionals and distance education students who seek a quality graduate program.”
-Willard C. Harrison IV
Admissions Requirements
Unconditional Admission:
- Master’s degree or higher from a regionally accredited institution. Official transcript must reflect that degree was awarded. No test scores are required.
OR
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent from a regionally accredited institution.
- GPA of 2.75 or higher on a 4.0 scale.
Conditional Admission:
Any applicant failing to meet the requirements for unconditional admission to the master’s in criminal justice program may be conditionally admitted with recommendations of the graduate faculty in the department and approval of the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. Applicants granted conditional admittance must achieve a minimum GPA of 3.0 in the first nine hours (three courses) of completed graduate coursework. Failure to make this GPA requirement will result in the student being eliminated from the program.
Tuition and Aid
On Campus and Online: $495 per credit hour + fees.
Non-resident: $990 per credit hour + fees. UNA in-state MSCJ tuition includes counties in Mississippi and Tennessee that are within 50 miles of campus.
2023-2024 Tuition Cost
Master of Science in Criminal Justice
On Campus and Online: $495 per credit hour plus fees.