The Master of Arts in Criminal Justice
John Penny, Ph.D., Th.D., Associate Professor
Office: Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences Bldg., Room 313
Phone: (504) 284-5478
Email: jpenny@suno.edu
Associate Professor: John Penny, Ph.D.
Assistant Professors: Darren Gil, Ph.D.; Raymond M. Delaney, DM; Darryl Roberts, Ph.D.
The University offers a Master of Arts degree in Criminal Justice. The Criminal Justice Graduate Program is designed to serve as a stepping stone to further graduate work, law school, or administrative research and management careers in the criminal justice system or the private sector. The Criminal Justice Graduate Program has three primary concentrations: Law Enforcement, Corrections, and Juvenile Justice. The program is responsive to the criminal justice needs in the public sector in specialized areas such as corrections, police administration, and Juvenile Justice.
The Graduate Program is designed to serve the following students:
- Those seeking intermediate level administrative or research positions.
- Those gainfully employed in the criminal justice system who wish to broaden their perspective and advance in the system.
- Those pursuing a teaching career at the community college level.
- Those who plan to continue in a doctoral program, specifically in one of the cognate areas (criminology, criminal justice, corrections, and law enforcement).
- Those preparing to enter law school.
The Master of Arts in Criminal Justice requires a total of thirty-six (36) credit hours of graduate work.
Master’s with Thesis Option: The thesis option is recommended for those students wishing to conduct original research and those who wish to pursue law school or a doctoral degree in the future. This option requires students to take at least thirty (30) credit hours of approved graduate course work in addition to six (6) thesis hours for a total of thirty-six (36) credit hours for graduation. An oral defense of the thesis is required.
Master’s without Thesis Option: This option is intended for students and/or working professionals who elect additional hours of course work. Students who choose this option must take at least thirty-six (36) credit hours of graduate course work, approved by his or her advisor, along with a Comprehensive Examination in the final semester before graduation. The comprehensive must be registered for but offers no credit.
Criminal Justice graduate students are encouraged to join professional associations, and to attend conferences and meetings. Student participation in research presentations and round table discussions during regional and national conferences is encouraged.
First year, first semester graduate students must enroll in CRMJ-500N Criminal Justice Systems and CRMJ-505N Writing for Research. Graduate students must successfully complete each course with a B average or above during their first semester into the program. This requirement is to ensure that graduates learn critical, analytical, and technical skills for building competencies as a criminologist.
First year, first semester graduate students admitted under special consideration (e.g., have no experience working in the justice system, or do not possess an undergraduate or minor degree in criminal justice) must successfully complete CRMJ-500N Criminal Justice Systems, CRMJ-505N Writing for Research, and CRMJ-510N Research Methods and successfully complete each course with a B average or above before enrollment into CRMJ-520N Criminology and above. Successful matriculation and completion of the Masters of Criminal Justice program within 18 months and 2 years will help facilitate the goal of improving the retention rates of each new cohort.
Specific Requirements
- Law Enforcement Administration
Graduate Level Criminal Justice Courses 12 hours: CRMJ-600N, 610N and 615N. From the following elective courses, nine hours (9 hrs.) must be taken: 555N, 556N, 565N, 572N, 575N, 590N, 640N, 645N, 655N, 660N, and 699N.
- Corrections
Graduate Level Criminal Justice Courses 12 hours: CRMJ-625N, 635N, 680N, and 685N. From the following elective courses, nine hours (9 hrs.) must be taken: 555N, 556N, 560N, 565N, 572N, 575N, 590N, 605N, 655N, 660N, 665N, 675N, and 699N.
- Juvenile Justice
Graduate level Criminal Justice Courses 12 hours: CRMJ-705N, 710N, 715N, and 720N. From the following elective courses, nine hours (9 hrs.) must be taken: 555N, 565N, 590N, 660N, 665N and 699N.
- Thesis Option: CRMJ-690N and CRMJ-695N
- Non-Thesis Option: Comprehensive Examination
Admission Requirements
A completed application includes:
- Application form
- Official Transcript(s)
- GRE score
- Three (3) letters of recommendation (Two of which must come from people in the position to evaluate applicant’s potential for graduate work, i.e. former professors)
- Letter of intent
- SUNO Health Form
- Application Fee ($25.00), International students ($35.00)
In case of an international student, official results of a TOEFL examination or other evidence of English proficiency is required. Such student must possess the appropriate student Visa status to be able to enroll in classes.
Core Courses - Required 18 Credit Hours
Law Enforcement Concentration - Required 12 Credit Hours
Required Courses
Electives
Corrections Concentration - Required 12 Credit Hours
Required Courses
Electives
Juvenile Justice Concentration - Required 12 Credit Hours
Required Courses
Electives
General Electives
Master of Criminal Justice Curriculum
Three Areas of Concentration: (A) Law Enforcement, (B) Corrections, and (C) Juvenile Justice
First Semester (Fall)
Second Semester (Spring)
Summer Session
Third Semester (Fall)
| CRMJ-540N | Criminal Justice Statistics | 3 |
-
| Remaining Core and Concentration Courses | |
Fourth Semester (Spring)
-
| Remaining Core and Concentration Courses | |
-
| Comprehensive Examination | 0 |
Full-Time Student Credit-Hour Load Per Semester
| First Semester |
9 |
| Second Semester |
9 |
| Third Semester |
9 |
| Fourth Semester |
9 |
| (Required for Graduation) |
36 Total |
In addition, the following course will be required for all persons admitted to the program whose baccalaureate degree is not in Criminal Justice and/or who does not have previous research background:
CRMJ-590GN Special Topics: Criminal Law and Criminal Procedure
Note: It is recommended that students take only nine (9) credit hours per semester. A maximum of twelve (12) credit hours may be taken per semester with special approval of the student’s advisor only.
Financial Aid
A limited number of assistantships are available to qualified applicants. Financial need, Academic standing and full time student status are some of the criteria considered in awarding all financial assistance. The Financial Aid office at SUNO also provides assistance to graduate students, such as college work study and Guaranteed Student Loans. Inquiries regarding availability of assistance and application procedures should be made directly to SUNO Financial Aid Office.