Rising concern over homeland security and increasing emphasis on education in law enforcement agencies have led to a greater demand for qualified criminal justice administrators and instructors nationwide. If you already have bachelor's degree from a regionally or nationally accredited college and want to earn an advanced degree to further your career in criminal justice, Kaplan University's online Master of Science in Criminal Justice program offers a convenient, flexible opportunity to help achieve your goal.

 Program Highlights 

Our Master of Science in Criminal Justice program is designed to provide you with the credentials required for advancement in a rapidly changing career field. Through convenient Web-based courses, you will interact with industry professionals who are dedicated to helping you:

  • Analyze the causes of criminal behavior in various cultures around the world, with an emphasis on the causes of social deviance
  • Focus on organizational behavior, management and leadership of human resources, and design and structural processes in criminal justice organizations
  • Explore various research methods and focus on developing the skills needed to design and conduct applied research and evaluate data
  • Study recent legislation and case law at the state and federal levels in areas such as law enforcement, criminal procedure, civil and criminal liability, civil rights, employment law, and substance abuse

 Areas of Specialization for the Master of Science Criminal Justice 

In addition to developing a broad foundation in criminal justice, this master's program is designed to enhance your knowledge in the area of emphasis that best fits your career and educational goals.
    Study to further your expertise in the administrative and operational aspects of the U.S. correctional system, both institutional and community based. Confront issues such as overcrowding, alternatives to incarceration, sentencing, inmate rights, and juvenile justice. Explore challenges community-based corrections.
    Explore the challenges of rapid globalization as it pertains to the criminal justice field. Analyze transnational crime, foreign justice systems, terrorism and related homeland security issues, and other contemporary international criminal justice issues.
    Examine legal principles and doctrines associated with criminal law, criminal procedure, evidentiary issues, comparative legal and justice systems, specialized criminal statutes, and employment law as they relate to professional practice in criminal justice.
    Explore theories and practices related to justice management, fiscal issues (with an emphasis on the preparation of budgets and grant applications), human resource development, and employment and policy law.
    Analyze issues facing criminal justice professionals, including ethics and diversity, fiscal responsibilities such as preparation and management of budgets and grants, and employment-related legal issues such as discrimination and misconduct.

 Curriculum for the Master of Science in Criminal Justice 

    Courses Credits
    Critical Legal Issues in Criminal Justice 5
    Criminological Theory 5
    Research Methodology 5
    Organizational Behavior 5
    Data Analysis 5
    Research and Thesis I 5
    Research and Thesis II 5
    Courses Credits
    Specialization or general electives* 20
    Total Program Requirements 55
    Courses Credits
    Critical Legal Issues in Criminal Justice 5
    Criminological Theory 5
    Research Methodology 5
    Organizational Behavior 5
    Critical Issues in Criminal Justice 5
    Comprehensive Exam 0
    Courses Credits
    Specialization or general electives* 30
    Total Program Requirements 55
    Courses Credits
    Critical Legal Issues in Criminal Justice 5
    Criminological Theory 5
    Organizational Behavior 5
    Applied Research in Criminal Justice 5
    Applied Research Project 5
    Courses Credits
    Specialization or general electives* 30
    Total Program Requirements 55
    Courses Credits
    Critical Issues in Corrections 5
    Comparative Correctional Systems 5
    Critical Issues in Juvenile Justice 5
    Community-Based Corrections 5
    Courses Credits
    Comparative Criminal Justice Systems 5
    Transnational Crime 5
    Critical Issues in Terrorism 5
    Seminar—Contemporary International Justice Issues 5
    Courses Credits
    Select four of the following courses:
    Advanced Topics in Criminal Law 5
    Criminal Procedure and the U.S. Supreme Court 5
    Evidentiary Issues in Criminal Cases 5
    Comparative Criminal Justice Systems 5
    Specialized Criminal Statutes and Complex Investigations 5
    Employment and Policy Law 5
    Courses Credits
    Employment and Policy Law 5
    Theoretical Applications of Justice Management 5
    Fiscal Issues in Criminal Justice 5
    Human Resource Development 5
    Courses Credits
    Employment and Policy Law 5
    Fiscal Issues in Criminal Justice 5
    Critical Issues in Policing 5
    Ethics and Diversity in Policing 5
    Courses Credits
    Issues in Private Security 5
    Psychology and Law 5
    Independent Study in Criminal Justice 1–5

  

  

Tuition and Fees

Cost per credit hour$385.00
Total program requirements Thesis track55
Total cost of tuition$21,175.00

Cost per credit hour$385.00
Total program requirements Comprehensive Exam track55
Total cost of tuition$21,175.00

Cost per credit hour$385.00
Total program requirements Applied Research track55
Total cost of tuition$21,175.00

This program requires a $100 technology fee per term. Effective June 5, 2010, a minimum tuition deposit, depending on your program and as described in the Tuition and Fees Supplement, is required at the time of enrollment. The deposit will be credited toward your tuition when you begin classes. Qualifying transfer credit may reduce your total costs. Refer to the University Catalog for transfer of credit policy. We encourage you to explore the availability of financial aid and scholarships. For more information, chat live or call an Admissions Advisor at 866.527.5268 (Toll Free).

Kaplan University offers tuition discounts to active-duty military servicemembers and veterans. Call 866.583.4412 (Toll Free) to speak to a military Admissions Advisor.

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