Criminal Justice MS

Goal 1: Students will demonstrate comprehension of criminological theories and/or ethical principles in criminal justice.

Outcome 1.1: (GEN)Students will evaluate criminological theories and/or ethical principles’ applicability to criminal justice issues.

Outcome 1.2: (ICA): Students will assess ethical issues or dilemmas in intelligence and crime analysis by applying ethical principles and/or criminological theories to the production and use of intelligence data.

Outcome 1.3: (FBH): Students will analyze ethical issues or dilemmas and/or apply criminological theories to therapeutic interventions with offenders experiencing behavioral health issues.

Goal 2: Students will demonstrate proficiency in criminological research methods and/or writing skills to address criminal justice issues.

Outcome 2.1: (GEN): Students will evaluate research that shapes public policy and/or draft evidence-based approaches to criminal justice issues.

Outcome 2.2: (ICA): Students will develop analytical reports or briefings that effectively communicate intelligence-driven recommendations to policymakers.

Outcome 2.3: (FBH): Students will evaluate research on evidence-based therapeutic strategies and/or write a critical analysis of the impact of these strategies on offenders experiencing behavioral health issues.

Core Requirements

A total of 30 credits for all concentrations is the minimum requirement for the degree. The graduate director serves as the students' advisor in the program.  All students must satisfactorily complete the following core courses:

The remaining coursework should be chosen to facilitate the student’s individual professional growth and/or is dependent upon concentration.

General Concentration

This concentration provides students the opportunity to enhance their theoretical foundation of criminal justice; develop cognitive skills including application of ethics, written and oral communications, critical thinking, reasoning, understanding, and conducting research; and prepare for their professional future.

Concentration in Intelligence and Crime Analysis

This concentration provides insights into the contemporary functions of law enforcement intelligence and crime analysis. The specialized courses develop the deliberative and cognitive activities and methodologies including crime mapping that produce intelligence information in support of decision-making at the strategic, tactical, and operational levels of law enforcement. Students will be prepared for the growing number of intelligence and criminal analyst positions at the federal, state, and local levels.

Concentration in Forensic Behavioral Health 

This is an excellent concentration for students and clinicians who want to learn about evidence-based and promising practices in the treatment of children, adolescents, and adults who become involved in the criminal justice system. This program focuses on the prevention, intervention, and treatment of offenders with behavioral health issues and the interface of the socio-legal and political climate that impacts these individuals. Social justice, rehabilitation, and the use of treatment modalities and interventions in correctional settings and in the community found to reduce recidivism, restore wellness and provide a holistic approach to restorative justice, will be explored in this program.  Those admitted into the concentration prior to the Fall 2021 semester will continue to have their concentration called Behavior Management and Justice. Students admitted for the Fall 2021 semester will have the concentration named Forensic Behavioral Health. Currently, only the name of the concentration has changed.