Graduate Program - Criminal Justice

Contact

Professional Studies Building, Rm. 220
201-200-3492
Fax 201-200-3482

Dr. David Chiabi, Chairperson
Dr. William Calathes, Graduate Coordinator

Visit the Criminal Justice website for more information.

MASTER OF SCIENCE IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE
The Master of Science program in criminal justice is a practitioner-oriented and theoretically grounded course of advanced study that prepares students for professional advancement and/or advanced graduate work. It is intended for personnel working in the criminal justice system and related fields, as well as for students preparing for such careers.

The Department of Criminal Justice is a diverse learning community of educators and students in an urban setting, dedicated to a multi-disciplinary education, merging theory and practice in service to society and the dynamic nature of criminal justice.

Admission
It is the policy of the Graduate Program in Criminal Justice to admit those students who, in the opinion of the Admissions Committee, demonstrate promise of succeeding in our curriculum. Primary consideration is given to the applicant’s academic record. Additional evidence of potential for graduate study is shown by scores on appropriate entrance examinations, letters of recommendation, and applicable professional experience. The Admissions Committee seeks to make its decisions based upon a holistic view of the individual applicant. Candidates are advised that admission is competitive, and that it may not be possible to admit all qualified applicants. Candidates who fail to meet the published minimum standards of the University may be granted the opportunity to meet with the Admissions Committee to support their applications, if committee so requests.

Note: Those students admitted to the master’s program who have had neither undergraduate course work in criminal justice, nor relevant work experience in criminal justice, may be required to take preparatory academic work. This may include a sequence of readings or the undergraduate course, Introduction to Criminal Justice.

Changes in the Master of Science in Criminal Justice degree were approved by the Board of Trustees at their meeting of July 7, 2009.  The revised degree requirements call for a net reduction in the required credits by three. 

These changes became effective September 1, 2009, and specifically include the following:

• The Thesis and the Comprehensive Examination are no longer required (minus 6 credits)
• The Master’s Project is a required course (plus 3 credits)
  Graduate students who begin the program after August 31, 2009 must complete the degree under the new requirements (33 credits).

For more detailed information, students should refer to the NJCU Criminal Justice Department‘s letter to MSCJ Students, “Changes in the Master of Science in Criminal Justice Program”

Program Requirements
The program requires 33 graduate credits distributed among a core of criminal justice courses, elective work and the completion of a Master’s Project.

Master’s Project Requirement
Upon completion of 24 credits (including CJ 605 Criminal Justice Research), all students are required to enroll in CJ 671 Master’s Project. Students will choose an area of specialized study for their project with the approval of the Graduate Advisor. When the project is approved, and all requirements met, the student may qualify for graduation.