Criminal Justice (MA)
The Master of Arts in Criminal Justice promotes, within an interdisciplinary approach, a comprehensive education with which the graduate can effectively perform in the different scenarios related to this specialty.
The Program reaffirms in the participant the skills learned, through the acquisition of the professional skills necessary for effective performance in the different scenarios of Criminal Justice.
The Program provides the student with the skills required for research in the field of Criminal Justice.
The campuses of Aguadilla, Barranquitas, Fajardo, Metropolitano, Ponce and the Caguas University Center of the Metropolitan Campus are authorized to offer this Program. Also, the Arecibo Campus is authorized to offer this program in the distance education modality.
The Metropolitan Campus has a consortium with our Law School that would allow students who qualify to obtain the MA in Criminal Justice and the Juris Doctor (JD). Interested students should contact their academic department at the Metropolitan Campus for information and requirements.
Program goals
- Reaffirm the knowledge of the discipline, as well as the integration of new approaches in Criminal Justice.
- Promote the identification, understanding and analysis of the causes and effects of crime and the search for prevention alternatives.
- Promote research and the use of technology as means to generate the necessary knowledge to explore new prevention and intervention practices in the Criminal Justice System.
- Promote interest in the critical understanding of social problems and their impact on crime management.
- Develop an ethically committed professional in his role in the field of Criminal Justice.
Competencies Profile of Graduates
The Program is designed to develop the competencies that will enable students to:
Knowledge
- Know the philosophical foundations of the concept of Justice and the development of criminal law.
- Know the particularities of the State and Federal Justice System.
- Know the methodology of social-scientific research.
Abilities
- Apply criminological theories to the comprehensive study of the relationship between laws, individuals and society.
- Analyze the psychosocial and legal aspects of crime.
- Analyze the social, legal and economic effect of technological crimes.
- Apply the social-scientific research methodology to the development of research in the area of criminal justice and its relationship with other fields.
- Integrate knowledge of prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation strategies in the planning and creation of programs that address illegal conduct.
Attitudes
- Assume a critical attitude towards the different Criminal Justice systems.
- Demonstrate an attitude of support for diversity in the rehabilitation process.
- Recognize the importance of research as an effective means for the production and construction of knowledge in the area of criminal justice.
- Integrate ethical-professional concepts in areas related to criminal justice.
Graduation Requirements
- Have a minimum general average of 3.00.
- Approve one of the following options, as determined by the campus:
- A comprehensive examination, which those students who have approved 30 credits including the Specialization Requirements, may request. Students will graduate with a total of 33 credits.
- The course CJUS 6970 Integration Seminar results in 3 additional credits, therefore the student will graduate with a total of 36 credits*
Requirements for the Master of Arts in Criminal Justice
| Specialization Requirements |
24 credits |
| Prescribed Distributive Requirements |
9 credits |
| Elective Courses |
3 credits |
| Total |
36 credits |
Specialization Requirements - 24 credits
| CJUS 5010 | Ethics, Law and Society | 3 |
| CJUS 5060 | Methodology of Social Scientific Research | 3 |
| CJUS 5070 | Social Scientific Research Applied to Criminal Justice | 3 |
| CJUS 5080 | Public Policy, the State and Federal Justice Systems | 3 |
| CJUS 5520 | Managerial Aspects in Public and Private Security | 3 |
| CJUS 6970 | Integration Seminar | 3 |
| CJUS 5960 | Research in computer security | 3 |
Select one course from the following:
| CJUS 5310 | Criminal Justice Procedure and Evidence Law | 3 |
| CJUS 5613 | Addiction, Criminality and Rehabilitation | 3 |
Prescribed Distributive Requirements - 9 credits
Select nine (9) credits from the following courses: