Criminal Justice, Master's
The criminal justice field has numerous opportunities, with projected growth over the decade. And these jobs don’t always require an advanced degree. So why pursue a M.S. in Criminal Justice? Not only can a master’s degree provide broad knowledge and specialized technical training, but it can also prepare you for leadership roles and responsibilities.
We’ve designed coursework to increase individual ability and knowledge, as well as to develop analytical thought. Coursework examines contemporary issues in the administration of justice, counseling, crime control and delinquency prevention, as well as research and management challenges in criminal justice and correctional education.
Learn how to:
- Communicate effectively through oral and written formats
- Apply criminological theories, logic, and qualitative as well as quantitative analysis to criminal justice policies and issues
- Demonstrate awareness of the social, political, cultural, and historical factors that influence the field of criminal justice
- Make positive contributions to the field of law enforcement in law enforcement, court and/or correctional settings
750+ Course Options
The Coppin State University Academic Catalog has a wide variety of skill-building courses designed to inspire and prepare you to be in-demand professionals and transformational leaders.
Specialize Your Skills
The M.S. in Criminal Justice program has several areas of specialization, including:
- Administration
- Correctional counseling
- Crime control and delinquency prevention
- Criminal justice planning and research
The program complements the course curriculum through partnerships with federal, state, and local facilities, allowing graduate students to gain real world value. Coppin’s location in the Baltimore metropolitan area also allows you to take advantage of numerous field training, internship and cooperative education opportunities.
Graduate Course Load Expectations
Graduate students may enroll in the M.S. in Criminal Justice on a full- or part-time basis. A full-time course load is 9 credits per semester. Students also have an option to enroll in a part-time course load of 6 credits per semester.
Program Requirements
To graduate with a Master of Science in Criminal Justice, students must complete 33 credits in:
- Core courses (12 credits for non-thesis students or 18 credits for thesis students, not including EDUC 581 3 credits)
- Content area courses (12 credits)
- Capstone and elective courses (9 credits)
Each chart in this section explains course offerings and requirements
Core Courses (12-21 credits)
| Course | Credits | Name |
|---|---|---|
| EDUC 581 | 3 | Statistics in Social and Behavioral Sciences |
| EDUC 582 | 3 | Research Methods |
| CRJU 554 | 3 | Survey in Criminal Justice Administration |
| CRJU 559 | 3 | Review and Evaluation |
| CRJU 563 | 3 | Advanced Criminology |
| CRJU 583 | 3 | Thesis Project I |
| CRJU 584 | 3 | Thesis Project II |
EDUC 581 is only required for students who did not receive a B or better in undergraduate statistics.
CRJU 583 and 584 are only for Thesis students.
Graduate Electives
| Course | Credits | Name |
|---|---|---|
| SPED 510 | 3 | Seminar in Psychology of Exceptional Individuals |
| PSYC 511 | 3 | Advanced Abnormal Psychology |
| CRJU 515 | 3 | Information Processing and the Criminal Justice System |
| PSYC 613 | 3 | Career Development and Occupational Choice |
| PSYC 612 | 3 | Group Counseling |
| CRJU 514 | 3 | Psychiatry and the Law |
| CRJU 517 | 3 | Employment Problems of the Offender |
| CRJU 519 | 3 | Rights of the Incarcerated |
| PSYC 641 | 3 | Advanced Individual and Group Counseling, Diagnosis and Assessment of the Addicted Client |
| CRJU 564 | 3 | Criminal Justice Management |
| CRJU 565 | 3 | Field Training |
| CRJU 567 | 3 | Case Analysis in Prevention Programs |
| CRJU 569 | 3 | Counseling in the Juvenile and Adult Offender |
| CRJU 573 | 3 | Issues in Curriculum Construction in Correctional Education |
| CRJU 575 | 3 | Quantitative Research in Criminal Justice |
| CRJU 588 | 3 | Supervision and Administration of Correctional Education Programs |
| CRJU 601 | 3 | Seminar in Professional Research |
| REHB 636 | 3 | Multicultural Counseling |
Specializations
Graduate students can apply a deeper level of critical analysis of the criminal justice system by choosing a specialization.
| COURSE | CREDITS | NAME |
|---|---|---|
| CRJU 551 | 3 | Administrative Theory |
| CRJU 560 | 3 | Seminar in Criminal Justice Administration |
| CRJU 568 | 3 | Problems in the Exercise of Institution Authority |
| COURSE | CREDITS | NAME |
|---|---|---|
| CRJU 501 | 3 | Sociology of Crime and Delinquency |
| CRJU 562 | 3 | Community Corrections |
| CRJU 566 | 3 | Juvenile Delinquency and Corrections |
| COURSE | CREDITS | NAME |
|---|---|---|
| CRJU 506 | 3 | Practicum in Correctional Courts |
| CRJU 516 | 3 | Theories and Techniques of Counseling |
| CRJU 610 | 3 | Organization and Administration of Counseling |
| COURSE | CREDITS | NAME |
|---|---|---|
| CRJU 516 | 3 | Comprehensive Planning in CRJU System |
| CRJU 574 | 3 | Research for Planning |
| CRJU 577 | 3 | Planning and Evaluation |
| COURSE | CREDITS | NAME |
|---|---|---|
| CNCM 506 | 3 | Understanding and Assessing Conflict |
| CNCM 508 | 3 | Approaches to Managing Conflict and Methods of Dispute Resolution |
| CNCM 513 | 3 | Negotiations: Theory and Practice |
| CNCM 515 | 3 | Mediation: Theory and Practice |
| COURSE | CREDITS | NAME |
|---|---|---|
| REHB 504 | 3 | Psychosocial Aspects of Disability |
| REHB 513 | 3 | Introduction to Rehabilitation |
| REHB 516 | 3 | Theories and Techniques of Counseling |
| REHB 536 | 3 | Casework/Caseload Management |
| REHB 610 | 3 | Organization and Administration of Counseling and Rehabilitation Programs |
| REHB 636 | 3 | Multicultural Counseling |
| COURSE | CREDITS | NAME |
|---|---|---|
| SPED 511 | 3 | Group Dynamics: The Educator's Role |
| SPED 512 | 3 | Administration and Supervision of Special Education Programs |
| SPED 514 | 3 | Seminar in Interdisciplinary Information |
| SPED 587 | 3 | Teaching Exceptional Children in the Regular Classroom |
| SPED 700 | 3 | Legal Aspects of Special Education |
Capstone
All graduate students must complete a final capstone experience. Student can choose one of the following options:
- Comprehensive examination
- Thesis
Non-Degree Students
The master’s is a degree-seeking program, but students may also enroll in courses in a non-degree capacity. With written approval from the department chair, a non-degree student may register for courses while waiting for an acceptance decision. Keep in mind, non-degree students cannot apply more than 21 credits toward any degree-seeking program.
Regardless of course load or degree status, all students must complete initial advising with the department chair before getting an assigned faculty advisor.
Related Graduate Certificates
Policing Strategies
Investigative Sciences
Criminal Justice is in the Department of Criminal Justice in the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences.