Master in Criminal Justice (Online)

The Criminal Justice Leadership emphasis starts with a core curriculum of four essential courses. These courses aren't just theory—they're designed to immediately boost your practical knowledge in areas crucial for criminal justice leadership, management, and making critical decisions. 

Then, you'll choose at least three electives to dive deeper into your chosen emphasis. This focused track equips you with the targeted expertise you need to excel in supervisory and leadership roles. 

The program culminates in a two-course capstone project (6 credits). This project allows you to apply your knowledge to a real-world challenge in your chosen field, showcasing your critical thinking and problem-solving skills. 

Core Courses

All core courses last eight weeks each, and you’ll be expected to maintain a minimum B- average. 

• CJ 600: Criminal Justice Administration 
• CJ 601: Criminal Justice Statistics 
• CJ 602: Criminal Justice Research Methods 
• CJ 624: Theories of Criminal Behavior 

Emphasis and Electives

As part of this 30-credit, 10-course program, you’ll complete four (4) electives. All emphasis courses and electives are scheduled in eight-week blocks and are valued at three (3) credits each.

For the Criminal Justice Leadership emphasis, you’ll take at least three (3) electives in the following topics: 

• CJ 649: Independent Study* 
• CJ 671: Communications for Criminal Justice Leaders 
• CJ 672: Conflict Resolution and Decision-Making 
• CJ 673: Criminal Justice Evidence-Based Decision-Making 
• CJ 674: Budgeting and Finance 
• CJ 676: Principles of Leadership 
• CJ 678: Diversity and Inclusion 
• CJ 679: Special Topics in Criminal Justice Leadership* 
• CJ 680: Personnel Management* 

*May be taken two times with a different topic. 

Pro tip: A well-rounded education can be essential for criminal justice professionals. If you're interested in a broader understanding of the criminal justice field, you may want to choose electives in Homeland Security and Emergency Management. Expanding your knowledge base could help prepare you for a wider range of career opportunities.

Capstone

Before graduating, you'll put your knowledge to the test by tackling a real-world issue in criminal justice leadership through a capstone project. 

This project will allow you to: 

• Conduct in-depth research on a topic of your choice. 
• Analyze and interpret data to develop actionable insights. 
• Showcase your findings in a comprehensive and authoritative paper. 

This culminating experience will not only prove your mastery of the subject matter but also position you as a thought leader with a unique perspective to contribute to the field. 

• Your capstone project is your chance to make a lasting impression. To ensure its quality and rigor, you must complete this course with a grade of B- or above. This high standard ensures that our graduates are well-prepared to make a significant impact in their chosen careers. 

The Homeland Security and Emergency Management emphasis starts with a core curriculum of four essential courses, designed to equip you for success in both emergency management and homeland security. 

Once you've mastered the fundamentals, you'll choose four electives that align with your career goals in either emergency management or homeland security. This flexibility allows you to specialize in the area that most interests you. 

The program culminates in a two-course capstone project (6 credits). This project allows you to apply your knowledge to a real-world challenge in your chosen field, showcasing your critical thinking and problem-solving skills. 

Core Courses

All core courses last eight weeks each, and you’ll be expected to maintain a minimum B- average. Existing law enforcement professionals embarking on this path further find they can readily apply these concepts to their existing careers. 

• CJ 600: Criminal Justice Administration 
• CJ 601: Criminal Justice Statistics 
• CJ 602: Criminal Justice Research Methods 
• CJ 624: Theories of Criminal Behavior 

Emphasis and Electives

All emphasis courses and electives are scheduled in eight-week blocks and are valued at three (3) credits each. 

• CJ 630: Seminar in Homeland Security Operations 
• CJ 631: Seminar in Emergency Management 
• CJ 632: Seminar in Extremism and Terrorism 
• CJ 634: Emergency Response Management Policy and Planning 
• CJ 636: Critical Infrastructure Security 
• CJ 641: Transnational Crime 
• CJ 642: Cyber Crime and Cyber Security 
• CJ 649: Independent Study*  
• CJ 651: Special Topics in Emergency Management & Homeland Security*  

*May be taken two times with a different topic. 

Pro tip: A well-rounded education can be essential for criminal justice professionals. If you're interested in a broader understanding of the criminal justice field, you may want to choose electives in the Criminal Justice Leadership emphasis. Expanding your knowledge base could help prepare you for a wider range of career opportunities.

Capstone

Before graduating, you'll put your knowledge to the test by tackling a real-world issue in Homeland Security and Emergency Management through a capstone project. 

This project will allow you to: 

• Conduct in-depth research on a topic of your choice. 
• Analyze and interpret data to develop actionable insights. 
• Showcase your findings in a comprehensive and authoritative paper. 

This culminating experience will not only prove your mastery of the subject matter but also position you as a thought leader with a unique perspective to contribute to the field. 

• Your capstone project is your chance to make a lasting impression. To ensure its quality and rigor, you must complete this course with a grade of B- or above. This high standard ensures that our graduates are well-prepared to make a significant impact in their chosen careers.