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Criminal Justice Administration - MS

Program Codes: MSCJA
Master of Science

Availability: online

Introduction
The Criminal Justice Administration (CJA) program’s philosophy is to provide students with knowledge, skills, and abilities that will allow them to effectively lead criminal justice and social service agencies. The CJA program prepares students to have a solid foundation in criminological theory, social science research, and criminal justice policy. Competency in these areas allows our students to become educated, sensitive, and ethical leaders who want to make a positive difference in the criminal justice and social service fields. This program is fully online.

The CJA program is a completely online, 30 credit, thesis optional, graduate program. Our extensive curriculum covers many significant criminal justice issues, including victimology, women and crime, crime prevention, and crime policy. The core content of the program emphasizes developing research and critical thinking skills through courses on quantitative and qualitative analysis, research methods, and professional ethics. Additionally, students are also introduced to management courses in administration; organizational and interpersonal dynamics; and planning and program evaluation.

Mission Statement
The Criminal Justice Administration program is dedicated to developing critical thinking, diversity appreciation, civic responsibility, and leadership in our students. We prepare students for careers in the helping professions, for leadership in criminal justice and community affairs, and for the pursuit of advanced degrees. Engaging students in sustained and civil conversations about the relationship between individual and community well-being is both an objective and a means for realizing other objectives.

Admission Requirements
Prospective applicants for the Master of Science in Criminal Justice Administration must fulfill the following admission requirements:

  • A completed application form, which can be found online at apply.mercyhurst.edu.
  • A bachelor’s degree in any discipline from an accredited college or university with a minimum overall GPA of 3.0
  • All official transcripts from accredited higher education institutions. (All documents and credentials submitted must be translated into English; Mercyhurst recommends that international students contact World Education Services at www.wes.org, the foremost organization specializing in transcript and credential evaluation, to provide such translations.)
  • Three letters of recommendation from persons with whom you have a professional or academic relationship (ex. employer, professor, or volunteer coordinator) who can attest to your ability to succeed in a graduate level program. Preferably, two letters will be from faculty at your undergraduate institution.
  • A current résumé or curriculum vitae
  • A 500-750 word personal statement specifically discussing:
    • Your reason for choosing this program
    • Your short- and long-term professional goals
    • The strengths you bring as an applicant to this program
    • The skills you hope to develop while in this program
  • A professional or academic writing sample may be requested after initial review of your application and required supplemental materials.
  • A personal interview may be requested after initial review of your application and required supplemental materials.

International students from countries where English is not a native language must submit an official score report from the TOEFL or IELTS examination Completed applications are reviewed and the admissions decision is based on the “whole student profile.” Strong emphasis is placed on the applicant’s reading, writing, and research skills. At the discretion of the director of the criminal justice administration graduate program, acceptance may be granted to applicants who have not fulfilled all the admission requirements provided they agree to the conditions of the acceptance prescribed by the director.


Entry Points
Students may begin the program in the fall or in the spring semesters. Students can register for part time or full time study. The Criminal Justice Administration graduate program has a preferred admission deadline of August 1st. After August 1st, applications will be considered until the class is full. International students should submit their applications by July 1st

Program Outcomes:

Upon completion of the Master of Science degree in Criminal Justice Administration, the graduate will possess knowledge, skills and abilities in the following competencies:

  • Understand the history and current state of affairs in criminology and criminal justice.
  • Analyze research, evaluate methodologies, and examine criminological theories in the discipline.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the relationship between theory, research, and practice in the field and the interrelations between each of these concepts.
  • Demonstrate proficiency in oral, written, and electronic communication skills.
  • Demonstrate ethical leadership in the criminal justice and social services professions.
Program Requirements:

The minimum requirements for the award of a master’s degree are:

  • Completion of the course requirements designated by each graduate program
  • An overall GPA of 3.0.
  • A completed “Application for Degree” form filed with the Registrar’s office by Feb. 1 of the year of intended degree completion.

The department shall conduct an annual review of the academic progress of all students enrolled in the program. Students whose GPA falls below a 3.0 or who might otherwise exhibit behavior that is not conducive to ensuring employment in this field will be placed on probation or dismissed from the program, depending on the outcome of the review. 

To obtain a master’s degree in Criminal Justice Administration, the student must complete 30 graduate hours of study, including six core courses and four electives. Two elective courses may be taken in lieu of the thesis.

Core Requirements

RESEARCH METH IN CRIM JUSTICE
Course Code:
CJA 501
Active Term:
Fall
/ Odd
Course Description:

This course deals with scientific research methodology applicable to the field of criminal justice. The course will focus upon formulation, model construction, research designs and data gathering strategies including survey sampling, data analysis, proposal writing and data presentation. Completion of the course will provide the student with basic skills necessary to undertake supervised thesis work and independent research in the area of criminal justice systems.

Credit:
3
Instruction methods:
Lecture
Total hours: 45
x
CJA 501
RESEARCH METH IN CRIM JUSTICE
3
ORGANIZATIONAL & HUMAN BEHAVIOR
Course Code:
CJA 502
Active Term:
Fall
/ Odd
Course Description:
This course explores organizational behavior based upon research and theory from the behavioral sciences. The course focuses on an analysis of the expected organizational effects of a variety of individual, team and group behaviors. Among the topics discussed are performance evaluation, creative and innovative leadership, group decision making, cooperation, competition and intergroup conflict. Communication, leadership and planned change in organizations are emphasized.
Credit:
3
Instruction methods:
Lecture
x
CJA 502
ORGANIZATIONAL & HUMAN BEHAVIOR
3
PROFESSIONAL ETHICS
Course Code:
CJA 506
Active Term:
Spring
/ Even
Course Description:
This course is designed to provide a philosophical blend of both theoretical principles and practical issues as they bear on criminal justice professionals. Special emphasis is placed on the role of professional ethics and customs as they affect and are affected by contemporary values.
Credit:
3
Instruction methods:
Lecture
Total hours: 45
x
CJA 506
PROFESSIONAL ETHICS
3
CRIM JUST PLAN & EVAL
Course Code:
CJA 604
Active Term:
Fall
/ Even
Course Description:

The objective of this course is to focus on developing new projects from inception to completion. It deals with establishing priorities, securing funding, administering programs, and designing and implementing evaluative criteria. It incorporates empirical data evaluation, including parametric and nonparametric techniques, and the use of computers in evaluation.

Credit:
3
Instruction methods:
Lecture
Total hours: 45
x
CJA 604
CRIM JUST PLAN & EVAL
3
GOVERNMENT MANAGEMENT
Course Code:
CJA 605
Active Term:
Randomly
/ Randomly
Course Description:

Emphasis in this course is placed on primary areas of personnel and fiscal administration. Personnel areas such as labor/management relations, motivation, planning, control, recruitment, selection, training and evaluation are covered. In addition, students explore basic accounting principles and procedures including budgeting, financial statements, short- and long-term sources and the uses of capital, grantsmanship and managerial control models.

Credit:
3
Instruction methods:
Lecture
Total hours: 45
x
CJA 605
GOVERNMENT MANAGEMENT
3

OR

ADVANCED RESEARCH/ANALYSIS
Course Code:
CJA 622
Active Term:
Fall
/ Even
Course Description:
This is an applied statistics graduate course that emphasizes data description and analysis using IBM SPSS Statistics software. Students learn statistical methods and concepts through hands-on experience with real data. Specifically, the course is designed to provide students with practical answers to the following questions: a) what statistical tests should be used for certain types of data? b) how should the data be set up for analysis? c) what parameters should be specified when ordering the test? and d) how should the results be interpreted? The course covers the statistical functions most frequently used in scientific publications, such as descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA, correlation, regression, chi-square, etc.
Credit:
3
Instruction methods:
Lecture
Total hours: 45
x
CJA 622
ADVANCED RESEARCH/ANALYSIS
3
SEM: ADV CRIMINOLOGY
Course Code:
CJA 621
Course Group(s):
Criminal Justice Elective
Active Term:
Spring
/ Even
Course Description:
The purpose of this seminar is to provide access to most of the significant current research and literature in the field of criminology. Through the examination and critique of contemporary works, the nexus of theory and method is addressed. Major consideration is given to typologies such as criminal behavior systems.
Credit:
3
Instruction methods:
Lecture
x
CJA 621
SEM: ADV CRIMINOLOGY
3

OR

HISTORICAL & COMPARATIVE CRIM JUSTICE
Course Code:
CJA 511
Course Group(s):
Criminal Justice Elective
Active Term:
Randomly
/ Randomly
Course Description:
This course is a survey of the origins and development of the criminal justice system in the United States. Emphasis is placed on studying the evolution of the law enforcement and corrections components of this system. Comparisons are drawn with the British and some continental European criminal justice systems.
Credit:
3
Instruction methods:
Lecture
x
CJA 511
HISTORICAL & COMPARATIVE CRIM JUSTICE
3
ANTHROPOLOGICAL ETHICS
Course Code:
ANTH 547
Active Term:
Randomly
/ Randomly
Course Description:
This course explores the ethical, legal and practical dimensions of contemporary anthropology and its sub-disciplines through a consideration of topics such as anthropology as a profession, ethics and codes of conduct, national and international approaches to cultural/heritage management, the relationship between anthropology and diverse publics, and anthropology of education. Students will be exposed to the myriad ethical issues that arise during a career in anthropology (or the social sciences generally), and will prepare them to engage with them productively. Emphasis is placed on developing the skill necessary to formulate, discuss, and defend one?s own set of anthropological values through critical analysis and examination of case studies, ethical principles, and codes of conduct.
Credit:
3
Instruction methods:
Lecture
Total hours: 45
x
__ __
Criminal Justice Elective
12

12 credits are required 

ISSUES IN CORRECTIONAL ADMINISTRATION

Course Code : CJA 503

Course Description :

This course focuses on the structure, function and operation of modern correctionaladministration, both institutional and community based. Target issues relevant toinherent systematic problems are explored in detail.3

  • Credit : 3
x
HISTORICAL & COMPARATIVE CRIM JUSTICE

Short Title : Hist & Comparative Crjs

Active Term : Randomly / Randomly

Course Code : CJA 511

Course Description : This course is a survey of the origins and development of the criminal justice system in the United States. Emphasis is placed on studying the evolution of the law enforcement and corrections components of this system. Comparisons are drawn with the British and some continental European criminal justice systems.

  • Credit : 3
x
SEM:ORG&WHITE COLLAR CRIME

Short Title : Sem:Org&White Collar Crime

Active Term : Randomly / Randomly

Course Code : CJA 515

Course Description :

This course examines corporate, occupational, professional and organized crime, the biggest growth area of crime and law enforcement activity today. Through analysis of cases, students explore recent legal developments and literature and emerging trends in the criminal justice system's reaction to these types of crimes

  • Credit : 3
x
SEMINAR: VICTIMOLOGY

Short Title : Seminar: Victimology

Active Term : Fall / Even

Course Code : CJA 519

Course Description :

This course focuses upon a recent and rapidly developing branch of criminology which is designed to study the crime victim. Included will be victim vulnerability the susceptibility of certain groups of people to victimization  and culpability the actions on the part of individuals which, under certain circumstances, suggest victims may be partly responsible for their own victimization. Recently enacted laws pertaining to the rights of victims will be examined, as well as programs that aid victims in their plight.

  • Credit : 3
x
ISSUES IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE

Short Title : Issues In Crim Justice

Active Term : Randomly / Randomly

Course Code : CJA 520

Course Description :

This course offers a concentrated study of selected critical issues in the criminal justice system. The issues are timely and of concern to both academicians and practitioners of law enforcement and corrections.

  • Credit : 3
x
PUBLIC LAW AND PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION

Course Code : CJA 532

  • Credit : 3
x
SEMINAR: POLITICS OF CRIME

Course Code : CJA 550

Course Description :

This seminar studies the ideological, theoretical, and conceptual perspectives ofsocial organization, criminality, public policy, and the mechanics of social control.Topics include the use of power and position in the development of criminal justicepolicies and the rhetoric and symbolic aspects of crime control. The seminar alsocovers public perceptions and reactions to crime and criminal justice issues. 

  • Credit : 3
x
SEMINAR: WOMEN & CRIME

Short Title : Seminar: Women & Crime

Active Term : Fall / Odd

Course Code : CJA 595

Course Description : This seminar provides a study of the female offender with emphasis on the different treatment received by male and female offenders. Attention is given to female criminality, special problems in supervising female offenders and women in prison. Through a critique of contemporary research and literature, the myths surrounding women and crime are examined.

  • Credit : 3
x
SEMINAR: LAW AND SOCIETY

Course Code : CJA 610

Course Description :

Through the examination and critique of sociological studies, this seminarfeatures various theoretical, empirical and legal approaches to understanding therelationship between law and society. This is not only a study of the legal system,but an attempt to understand the nature of social order through a study of law. 

  • Credit : 3
x
ISSUES IN JUVENILE JUSTICE

Short Title : Issues In Juvenile Justice

Active Term : Randomly / Randomly

Course Code : CJA 616

Course Description : The majority of serious adult criminals begin their deviant careers as juveniles, therefore an investigation of the origins of juvenile delinquency is simultaneously an examination of many of the origins of crime and deviance generally. Students explore juvenile crime from a variety of perspectives and contemporary theoretical approaches to the origins of delinquent youth. This entails a critical examination of the contemporary juvenile justice system and discussion of current efforts to reform the system. The seminar also includes discussions of the connections among child abuse, drug abuse, gang involvement, familial and social factors and juvenile crime.

  • Credit : 3
x
SEM: ADV CRIMINOLOGY

Short Title : Sem: Adv Criminology

Active Term : Spring / Even

Course Code : CJA 621

Course Description : The purpose of this seminar is to provide access to most of the significant current research and literature in the field of criminology. Through the examination and critique of contemporary works, the nexus of theory and method is addressed. Major consideration is given to typologies such as criminal behavior systems.

  • Credit : 3
x
SEMINAR: CRIME ANALYSIS

Course Code : CJA 628

Course Description :

This integrated lecture and application course emphasizes practical skills and theuse of computerized tools; designed to develop both basic and advanced skills incriminal analysis. 

  • Credit : 3
x
SEMINAR: DRUGS, CRIME & CULTURE

Short Title : Sem: Drugs, Crime&Culture

Active Term : Randomly / Randomly

Course Code : CJA 629

Course Description : This seminar focuses on critical issues at the nexus between drug use and the American criminal justice system. Topics include examining drug use in America from the historical, sociological and biopsychological perspectives. This seminar also reviews the American criminal justice policy as related to drug use. A variety of approaches to the problem of drug use and the treatment of drug use will be explored.

  • Credit : 3
x
SEM: POLI CRIME & TERRORISM

Short Title : Sem: Poli Crime & Terrorism

Active Term : Randomly / Randomly

Course Code : CJA 631

Course Description :

This seminar examines ideological crimes both by and against governments including human rights violations, secret police activities, genocide and crimes by police. Students also explore domestic and international terrorism, protest, assassinations and espionage.

  • Credit : 3
x
CRIMINOLOGY & CRIME POLICY

Short Title : Criminology & Crime Policy

Active Term : Spring / Odd

Course Code : CJA 634

Course Description : The seminar incorporates an academic review of prevailing criminological theories and a critique of crime policies. Conceptual and ideological perspectives are used to examine assumptions and objectives of public policy responses to crime. Seminar themes include the use of empirical information in policy decision-making the social construction of crime, and the limits of crime policy.

  • Credit : 3
x
SEMINAR: SPECIAL TOPICS

Course Code : CJA 637

Course Description :

Independent study and directed reading course is designed for second-year students withthe approval of the graduate director. This course is for preliminary thesis research.

  • Credit : 3
x
SUPERVISED CRIMINAL JUSTICE ADMIN READING

Short Title : Superv Crim Just Adm Rdng

Active Term : Randomly / Randomly

Course Code : CJA 650

Course Description :

This individualized course is designed to meet the students' special interests in an area of criminal justice administration. The course may include readings, projects, special seminars or lectures, which relate to the students' learning goals. Students are expected to meet with their professor at least 15 hours to discuss, review and evaluate their progress. No student may enroll in this course without filing a learning plan for approval by the graduate program director.

  • Credit : 3
x
CRIMINAL JUSTICE ADMIN THESIS

Short Title : Crim Justice Admin Thesis

Active Term : Fall/Spring / All

Course Code : CJA 675

Course Description :

The thesis should be planned research on a unique topic related to criminal justice administration. In the completed thesis, the student must demonstrate a knowledge of the relevant literature. The research project is executed and evaluated through a written document and an oral presentation. Thesis topics must be approved by the program director and the thesis advisor prior to beginning the research.

  • Credit : 6
x
Click here to see this course group.

Students who elect a six-credit thesis take only two criminal justice administration electives. The thesis substitutes for the third and fourth elective courses.

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