The online Master of Science in Criminal Justice program is intended to prepare professionals to advance their careers in the field of criminal justice, law enforcement, corrections, and the courts. This program highlights the expertise that shapes accomplished criminal justice leaders. This fully online program offers students four possible specializations (Social Justice & Public Policy, Victim Studies, Executive Leadership, Homeland Security, and Intelligence Studies), allowing them to focus on an area of interest unique to their career goals. These specializations can also serve as stand-alone certificates for those interested in enhancing their educational goals and learning activities which overlap across disciplines but remain connected by a single shared subject. This program provides specialized knowledge of public policy, organizational management, and administrative processes, along with advanced graduate leadership and research training.
Graduates can apply their skills to many types of law enforcement positions. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects an 8% growth for protective service occupations between 2020 and 2030. With a master’s degree, graduates can access the most desirable and highest-paying positions in the law enforcement field.
In addition to foundational theories of criminology and criminal justice, students explore policy design and implementation alongside emerging trends in the field. The M.S. in Criminal Justice at American International College provides the skills, knowledge, and practical experience needed to protect and serve the public through a wide range of careers. The program will enable students to develop as ethical and skilled decision-makers in the various branches of criminal justice. The program also provides students with experience in leadership and management to assist them in advancing in career areas such as law enforcement, corrections, social services, and other public service-related field.
Mission statement of the program
The Master of Science in Criminal Justice program is dedicated to cultivating a community of professionals who are committed to advancing the field of criminal justice. Through rigorous academic inquiry, innovative research, and comprehensive coursework, students are equipped with the knowledge, critical thinking skills, ethical foundations, and practical insights to navigate the complex landscape of criminal justice.
Guided by a holistic approach, the mission of the program is to foster a deep understanding of the multifaceted issues with the criminal justice system, including law enforcement, legal processes, corrections, policy development, and social justice. The program seeks to produce graduates who demonstrate unwavering dedication to upholding the principles of fairness, equity, and accountability in their respective roles, and who are empowered to effect positive change in their communities and contribute to the ongoing evolution of the criminal justice field.
Ultimately, the goal is to nurture informed and proactive leaders who will drive advancements in criminal justice policy and practice. With a steadfast commitment to excellence, integrity, and social responsibility, the graduate criminal justice program aspires to shape the future of the field by producing graduates who are both visionary thinkers and dedicated agenda of positive transformation.
Additional Admission Criteria
In addition to the general admissions criteria of the Division of Graduate Studies, students can be considered for two tracks and must meet the following criteria
Direct Track: An undergraduate degree from a regionally accredited institution in Criminal Justice, Emergency Management, Finance, Fire Science, Human Resources Management, Nursing, Public Policy, Political Science or Public Administration as well as other fields. Degree Requirements/Curriculum students admitted under the Direct Track complete a total of 36 credits.
Midcareer Track: Evidence of successful completion of 4 years or more of related work experience in their chosen concentration. If accepted into the mid-career track, two CRJ courses will be waived (-6 credits). Students admitted under the mid-career track complete a total of 30 credits.
Program Requirements: Direct Entry (36 credits)
Required (18 credits)
Electives: Choose 6 electives from the following list (18 credits)
Program Requirements: Mid-Career Entry (30 credits)
Required (18 credits)
Electives: Choose 4 electives from the following list (12 credits)
This course is designed to explore various ethical dilemmas facing the criminal justice professional. The content will focus on applying various theories of moral decision making, including moral rationalism, utilitarianism, and Kant’s categorical imperative to hypothetical situations confronting the criminal justice practitioner.
The course provides an overview and foundation for understanding the roots of some of today’s most complex public management social problems. Students will learn social justice theories and research with specific attention to minoritized and oppressed groups. Students will engage in self-exploration of personal values and biases that influence our practice. They will learn about social structures of power and oppression, socio-cultural diversity. Pre-requisite: None
Learning outcomes:
Students will be able to:
Students in this course explore the data applications within criminal justice organizations, such as decision-making, data modeling, classifications and predictions, and trend forecasting.
Focuses on probability and statistics with an emphasis on data analysis, including univariate and multivariate techniques. Statistical problem solving is engaged using various data sources.
Pre-requisite: None
Learning Outcomes:
Students will be able to:
Designed to enhance students’ awareness of the fundamentals of research and research design. Students must complete work that shows their ability to conceptualize ideas in criminal justice and apply methods for exploring them. Pre-requisite: Completion of at least 18 credits in CRJ courses.
Learning Outcomes:
Students will be able to:
Critically analyze the differential impact of criminal justice policy for population groups, including women, juveniles, racial and ethnic minorities, socioeconomic classes and victims.
Serves as the final evaluation for Criminal Justice students. Requires case studies and other materials to show oral and written competence in research, professional responsibility, and management. Analyzes issues of law, policy, and society, allowing students to integrate knowledge and experience as they apply ethical principles in developing effective strategies to confront issues facing practitioners within the realm of human service and criminal justice. Pre-requisite: CRJ6880 (CR Research Methods)
Learning Outcomes:
Students will be able to:
The course is designed to give an overview of legal principles, which provide a framework for the criminal justice system. An analysis of cases and statutes, pertinent to areas under consideration, is emphasized together with instruction in fundamental aspects of legal research. Areas covered include investigation, initial appearance, arraignment, preliminary examination, trial, guilty pleas or conviction, sentence, and release.
Presents major theories of crime and criminality. Theories are analyzed by common sense, logic, evidence, policy utility and compatibility with one another. Theories will be examined through a discussion of measures, correlates and popular beliefs regarding the prevalence, causes and continuance of criminal offending. Pre-requisite: None
Learning Outcomes:
Students will be able to:
Facilitates critical thinking about the approaches to the delivery of public safety services through an examination of the processes of developing and implementing law and policies. Includes the study of the political process’s complexities and of behaviors and attitudes of individuals in various agencies to understand and assess planning decisions. Pre-requisite: None
Learning Outcomes:
Students will be able to:
This course will examine the concept of community in public service. The focus will be to explore partnership initiatives with public and private institutions and federal, state, and local agencies. Students will review the experiences of diverse agencies in developing, implementing, and maintaining partnerships within local communities. Issues, obstacles, and limitations that are involved with collaborative interventions will be explored. Pre-requisite: None
Learning Outcomes:
Students will be able to:
This course explains the history of building national security, its mission, and its role. It will cover the various aspects of terrorism and homeland security as both affect the United States today. Much of the focus will be the problems and challenges stemming from 9/11that create today’s world situation. To understand what is going on currently we will examine the historical context of terrorism, national security, emergency management and civil liberties. Pre-requisite: None
Learning outcomes:
Students will be able to:
Explores the response to crime by law enforcement, the court system, social services and victim advocates. Examines domestic violence, crime prevention, delinquency, hate crimes and substance abuse in terms of best practices from the field. The course will focus on community attitudes towards victims, the interaction of the victim with the criminal justice system and programs for psychological rehabilitation of the victim. Pre-requisite: None
Learning Outcomes:
Students will be able to:
This course investigates how the United States has gained the reputation for being the most violent nation in the industrialized world. This course will cover the patterns, ideas, and justifications of violence. Crimes under analysis include homicide, sexual assault, domestic violence, robbery, riots, and school violence. Pre-requisite: None
Learning Outcomes:
Students will be able to:
The course provides an overview and foundation for understanding the roots of some of today’s most complex public management social problems. Students will learn social justice theories and research with specific attention to minoritized and oppressed groups. Students will engage in self-exploration of personal values and biases that influence our practice. They will learn about social structures of power and oppression, socio-cultural diversity.
Learning outcomes:
Students will be able to:
Explain the developmental stages of organizational change and community organizing.
Community-based policy advocacy seeks to strengthen group solidarity to promote change. Policy analysis and interpersonal skills to mobilize groups and communities are examined. The course will provide students with an understanding of political systems and teaches the skills to affect policy in the legislative as well as administrative arenas. Pre-requisite: None
Learning Outcomes:
Students will be able to:
This course exposes participants to the key elements necessary to be successful as leaders in criminal justice. A variety of topics and techniques will be covered that will prepare participants to engage in a management style that will foster a rewarding and successful career as a police chief or head of a law enforcement or criminal justice agency. This course covers sound leadership principles necessary for an ethical high performing criminal justice organization by student self-reflection, peer feedback, and subordinate feedback. Additionally, students are challenged to create sound leadership policies necessary for a high performing criminal justice organization. Pre-requisite: None
Learning Outcomes:
Students will be able to:
This course exposes participants to the key elements necessary to be successful as leaders in criminal justice. A variety of topics and techniques will be covered that will prepare participants to engage in a management style that will foster a rewarding and successful career as a police chief or head of a law enforcement or criminal justice agency. This course covers sound leadership principles necessary for an ethical high performing criminal justice organization by student self-reflection, peer feedback, and subordinate feedback. Additionally, students are challenged to create sound leadership policies necessary for a high performing criminal justice organization. Pre-requisite: None
Learning Outcomes:
Students will be able to:
This course focuses on the study and analysis of human behavior patterns. Special consideration is given to the role of the emergency services department management team member as a leader and motivator of people. Pre-requisite: None
Learning Outcomes:
Students will be able to:
Examines planning models and techniques applicable to public administration. Topics will also include theories of administration, leadership types, group decision-making, the budget process, the role of the work environment and grant writing. Pre-requisite: None
Learning Outcomes:
Students will be able to:
This course examines, through an assessment of risk and vulnerability, various domestic groups’ culture, history, ideology and motivation, capabilities, methods, and activities within contexts of political, ethical, social, and legal issues. Included, this course examines through a risk and vulnerability assessment of the global terrorism phenomenon, various international groups’ culture, history, ideology and motivation, capabilities, methods, and activities within contexts of political, ethical, social, and legal issues. Particular attention will be focused on U.S. policy, media impact, intelligence cycles, acts and procedures at governmental, state, and community levels. Pre-requisite: None
Learning Outcomes:
Students will be able to:
This course will explore the organization and functions of the U.S. Intelligence Community, its interaction with national security policymakers, key issues about its workings, and the challenges it faces in defining its future role. It will provide a comprehensive overview of intelligence for national security for the entry-level intelligence practitioners and beginning students. The student will learn security issues, define critical terms and review the history of intelligence as practiced in the United States.
Learning Outcomes:
Students will be able to:
This course will introduce students to the business of intelligence—the form, function, purpose, and general capabilities of the US Intelligence Community (IC)—and the supporting role intelligence analysis plays in achieving US national security objectives. This course explores vulnerabilities of our national defense and private sectors, as well as the threats posed to these institutions by terrorists, man-made disasters, and natural disasters. Students will learn substantive issues regarding intelligence support of Homeland Security measures implemented by the United States and explore how the intelligence community operates. Pre-requisite: None
Learning Outcomes:
Students will be able to:
An analysis of the legal rights of victims of crime at both the state and federal levels and how these laws relate to specific victim advocacy and service-providing programs, with an in-depth treatment of the management and administration of crime victim programs. Pre-requisite: None
Learning outcomes:
Students will be able to:
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