Online Master's in Criminal Justice

Master of Science in Criminal Justice

Colorado Technical University offers a Master of Science in Criminal Justice degree program designed to provide you with the opportunity to develop an in-depth foundation of knowledge essential for policy development, planning and decision-making roles in the criminal justice system.

Choose from a Master of Science in Criminal Justice general track or homeland security concentration. In this program you will have the opportunity to analyze issues of law, policy, and society—and work to develop effective strategies to confront issues facing criminal justice practitioners in the real world. Discuss current trends in criminal justice, explore terrorism and Homeland Security management—and examine issues related to victimology, crime prevention and juvenile justice.

Employment in protective service occupations is projected to grow, reports the Bureau of Labor Statistics.¹

Program Credits

5 Weeks

Course Length

Online Colorado Springs

Location

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Program Overview

Effective February 2023, this program is no longer available for future enrollments at the Aurora Campus.

The Master of Science in Criminal Justice (MSCJ) is a 48-credit-hour program that is offered online and at the Colorado campuses. The program is designed to help criminal justice practitioners explore current trends in the areas of corrections, law enforcement, and criminology in order to advance their policy development, planning, and decision making skills in the criminal justice field.

This program does not lead to additional licensure or certification. As such, CTU has made no determination regarding prerequisites for licensure or certification in any state or jurisdiction.

The mission of the College of Security Studies is to provide engaging instruction and knowledge through public service programs that align with industry relevant standards and cultivate professional competencies, critical-thinking, ethical decision-making, and cultural awareness to promote social justice.

For the ninth consecutive year, CTU’s online Master of Science in Criminal Justice degree programs are ranked among the Best Online Master's in Criminal Justice Programs by U.S. News & World Report.

* CTU programs are ranked among U.S. News & World Report’s 2023 Best Online Programs.

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Courses

Courses: Core		Credits
INTD670 The course analyzes the concepts of leadership versus managerial roles and responsibilities relative to societal expectations for ethical behavior and regulatory scrutiny affecting both leaders and managers in an organization setting. This course also differentiates among ethical decision-making processes and decision problems with ethical implications. Students examine a variety of complex ethical issues confronting industry leaders and professionals as they work with various stakeholders of an organization. Additionally, students explore the code of conduct at work, methods to implement a code of conduct, and issues related to managing conflicts of interest within a decision making process.	Leadership and Ethical Decision-Making	4
CJUS600 This course provides a thorough review of the primary components of criminal justice: law enforcement, courts and corrections. The focus is on analyzing the primary components of the criminal justice system, their relationship to one another, and to the policy-making process.	Advanced Review of Criminal Justice	4
CJUS615 This course examines the current discipline of criminology based on current research and its applications, in a variety of contexts such as Victimology, crime prevention, juvenile justice, and other issues. Students will analyze crime policy and synthesize existing and emerging criminological theory affecting the development of criminal justice policy. Students will utilize contemporary criminological theory and research to inform and develop public policy designed to address the causes and concerns of contemporary crime.	Criminology and Public Policy	4
CJUS625 Regardless of age, race, gender, sexual orientation, political or cultural affinity, crime has an impact on all of our lives. Today’s criminal justice practitioner must understand the reality of a globally connected world, and appreciate how our differences can affect the way we deal with crime and criminal justice. The focus of this course is to analyze how issues of diversity influence all aspects of the criminal justice system, and to develop ways to effectively and ethically address issues of diversity to achieve positive outcomes in a variety of criminal justice settings.	Issues of Diversity in Criminal Justice	4
CJUS650 This course covers security management, including risk assessment, planning and program administration, and explores the intergovernmental system relationships in homeland security. The course will provide the student with an interdisciplinary approach in defining the various threats facing the U.S. criminal justice system and its strategies for preparedness, response, and recovery.	Terrorism and Homeland Security Management	4
CJUS675 This course addresses topics of current interest in the field of criminal justice, with an emphasis on research, and the application of research results to drive policy. The course content will vary based on the evolution of the discipline. The syllabus for a particular session will announce the topics for the course.	Special Topics in Criminal Justice	4
PA605 This course will provide a working knowledge of quantitative, qualitative, mixed, and action research approaches. It covers the entire research process for each of these methods to include: formulating research questions; developing research proposals; performing a literature search and analysis; sampling and measurement; research design; data analysis; and writing and presenting the research report will be analyzed.	Graduate Research Methods for Public Administration	4
	Total Credit Hours:	28

Courses: Concentration		Credits
CJUS620 This course will cover the use of effective tools for case management and process analysis in the judicial system. It includes court performance standards and explores the roles and purposes of courts, the internal and external environments in which they operate and management theory as applied to courses.	Court Services Management	4
CJUS630 This course will blend law enforcement theory and practice to create a proactive approach for successful management of personnel, resources, and services to the community. The student will be involved in an in-depth study of management in law enforcement including operating principles, communication and the future of law enforcement.	Law Enforcement Management	4
CJUS640 This course provides comprehensive coverage of correctional administration. It focuses on problem solving with real-life applications of issues for correctional administrators. Students will develop or revise correctional policies that deal with the management of offenders, the prison setting, the correctional staff, and includes a look to the future of correctional administration.	Corrections Management	4
CJUS685 The course is designed to integrate and synthesize all coursework in the Criminal Justice graduate program and related areas allowing the student to demonstrate the professional competencies associated with a broad conceptual and practical understanding of the criminal justice field. Students will evaluate case studies and other materials to demonstrate written competency in the areas of research, professional responsibility, and management in the criminal justice field. Students will analyze issues of law, policy, and society, allowing students to incorporate knowledge and experience as they apply ethical principles in developing effective strategies to confront issues facing practitioners within the realm of criminal justice.	Graduate Criminal Justice Capstone	4
HRMT645 This course examines the importance of developing effective operational policies and the role of organizational decision-making in that process. It also reviews the ramifications of current laws, ethical considerations, the conflicts around decision making styles, and various aspects of organizational behavior that influence operational policy.	Operational Human Resource Management	4
	Total Credit Hours:	20

Total Credit Hours: 48

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Learning Outcomes

MSCJ Program Learning Outcomes

1. Apply knowledge of criminal justice principles to analyses and evaluations

2. Incorporate the psychological and sociological dimensions of human behavior and crime in analyses and evaluations

3. Apply advanced concepts relating to law enforcement, corrections and the courts

4. Examine and integrate the emerging trends in the criminal justice system

5. Analyze the contemporary issues facing interactions between the community and the criminal justice system that honors inclusion, diversity, and equity

Faculty

Dr. Lizabeth Jordon

University Dean

Dr. Jordan has been active in Emergency Management Services for more than two decades. She has shared this knowledge by teaching at CTU since 2007.

Clarence Moore

Executive Program Director

Clarence Moore has extensive leadership background both in the military and police department. He served his country and community for over 30 years in a leadership capacity. He embodies teaching and student support strategies and understands innovative instructional design.

For more faculty profiles please visit our Leadership and Faculty page.
For more information visit Security Studies.

Related Degrees

Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice

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Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice - Human Services

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Master of Science in Criminal Justice - Homeland Security

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FAQs

What is a Master of Science in Criminal Justice (MSCJ)?

CTU’s Master of Science in Criminal Justice (MSCJ) Degree Program is designed to provide knowledge, skills, and abilities relevant for pursuing potential opportunities in the workforce. This master’s degree program may help students prepare to be able to effectively develop policy, and plan and make decisions in the criminal justice field. Students may analyze issues of law, policy, and society, explore effective strategies to confront issues facing criminal justice practitioners in the real world, review organizational and policy challenges and critical infrastructure protection, and may work to develop insight into the structural, conceptual, and intellectual underpinnings and implications of the homeland security project.

What will I study in this MSCJ degree program?

As you work to complete your MSCJ, you will be immersed in courses where you will study these topics and much more: case management and process analysis in the judicial system; intergovernmental system relationships in homeland security; and how issues of diversity influence all aspects of the criminal justice system.

When and where can I begin my criminal justice classes?

Courses for the MSCJ degree program start online and on our Colorado Springs campuse approximately every five weeks. Completion of the CTU admissions process will depend on how quickly you complete the steps in the CTU online application process. You may complete the application process over the phone with an advisor or you may go online. Once you’ve completed the online application, you may hear from an advisor within the following 24 hours to discuss the next steps toward starting your degree program.

How many credits are required to graduate with this master's degree?

The MSCJ degree program consists of 48 credits. You may be eligible for transfer credit, which is evaluated on an individual basis. Not all credits are eligible to transfer.

Why should I pursue an MSCJ degree at CTU?

Through innovative industry-relevant curricula and technology-enabled student-centered teaching, you will study through classroom learning and hands-on experience that aligns to industry standards and helps you work to develop skills that are applicable to the needs of law enforcement roles and opportunities.

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¹ Bureau of Labor Statistics, http://www.bls.gov/ooh/protective-service/home.htm; (accessed 1/5/23). This data represents national figures and is not based on school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary.