Criminal Justice, M.S.
Dr. Karin Brown, Program Director
The Master of Science in Criminal Justice (MSCJ), an interdisciplinary study of the justice system in an environment enlightened by faith, begins with an understanding of the foundational role practitioners play in facilitating ethical and just responses at all levels. The integrity of the system is heavily reliant upon the character of the individuals serving within it. Equal treatment under the law is a core principle within this framework. Students will be provided opportunities to master competencies necessary for service in this dynamic and demanding field. Evidence-based research and real-life experiences will be used to assist practitioner/students with advancement opportunities within their current agency; prepare students to more closely identify and compete for optimal employment opportunities; and/or prepare them for future educational pursuits.
There is an ever-increasing need for advances in the following areas: forensic science, criminal behavioral analysis, including an understanding of criminal psychopathology and victimology, and administration of rapidly changing criminal justice systems and agencies, with an emphasis upon administration, management and crime policy. A MSCJ from Hardin Simmons University (HSU) offers students a multidisciplinary, research-based, fluid transition and continuation of study from existing undergraduate emphases or practitioner positions to the graduate level to address these critical areas. The Criminal Justice Graduate Program offers a General MS in Criminal Justice or the option to choose from the following areas of specialization/tracks: Forensic Science, Criminal Behavioral Analysis, and Justice Administration and Management.
Students may select a General MS in Criminal Justice (12 required hours and 18 selected from courses on any of the three tracks) or they may select a particular track to emphasize during their graduate studies. This program uniquely offers the opportunity for students to select courses taught by faculty from various disciplines throughout the HSU campus and beyond. This distinction is designed to optimally prepare graduates to assume laboratory, analyst, and/or leadership and management positions within the criminal justice system. Thesis and non-thesis tracks will be offered with either the General MSCJ or with any of the three tracks selected.
This degree requires a minimum of 30 (36 for a thesis track) credits for completion and is delivered in online, resident, and hybrid formats. Students taking 6 hours are considered full time.
Post-Graduate Career Opportunities
Job growth has been projected to occur in law enforcement, crime and criminal behavioral analysis, victimology and victim services, correctional, probation, and parole officers, forensic science technicians, forensic interviewers, organization and management of justice systems, and developing social policy. Graduates will be prepared for employment in these areas.
Admission Criteria
All applicants for the Master of Science degree must hold a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university. All candidates are evaluated on an individual basis. The evaluation criteria include but are not limited to undergraduate academic record, an academic writing sample, two professional recommendations, a Professional and Academic Statement, and GRE Scores (as needed).
Admission to the program requires the Program Director’s approval, which will be based upon the following criteria:
1. Prior academic performance evaluated as follows: 1) overall GPA of 3.0 (Full Admission) or 2) GPA in the last 60 hours of 2.7 or higher (Provisional Admission).
2. An academic writing sample which demonstrates the applicant’s writing style.
3. Two professional recommendations. Once the applicant selects two individuals, forms will be electronically provided to recommenders for completion and submission.
4. A Professional and Academic Statement outlining the applicant’s professional goals as well as how the applicant anticipates obtaining the MSCJ will serve those goals.
5. GRE Scores (only if requested by the Program Director).
6. An in person or phone interview with the Program Director.
Applicants who do not meet admission criteria may still be eligible for provisional admission. Those admitted as provisional status may be limited to taking 6 hours. Students admitted under Provisional Admission based upon Criterion #1 will be evaluated at the end of the first semester and may be granted Full Admission status based upon successful academic progress.
Official notification of admission (or denial of admission) will be communicated by the Office of Admissions. Upon approval and recommendation of the Program Director, students who do not completely meet the criteria above may be assigned additional hours to take, above and beyond the minimum required for degree completion. These semester-hours must be determined and approved by the Program Director.
Early Admission Option (Combined BS/MS Degrees)
This option is for undergraduate students at HSU who are enrolled in the Criminal Justice Undergraduate Program and desire to pursue the Master of Science degree in Criminal Justice (MSCJ). Students may acquire both a Bachelor’s and MSCJ degrees within five years.
Students in their senior year who meet the entrance requirements for the MSCJ program may be admitted to the program and take MSCJ courses for graduate credit. Students may enroll in graduate level courses while also pursing their baccalaureate degree and reduce the number of hours needed to complete the MSCJ degree upon graduation with their bachelor’s degree.
Successful applicants may then attempt an additional nine semester hours of graduate course work for each long semester (fall and spring), completing the first year of the MSCJ program. Students who pursue this early admission option and are not subsequently admitted to the MSCJ program or do not complete the program, will receive their baccalaureate degree, provided that all undergraduate degree requirements are met. All graduate students must fulfill the minimum requirement of 30 graduate hours in order to complete the MSCJ.
Transfer Credit
Work completed before the student applies for admission at HSU, or completed at another institution after admission to HSU may transfer if: 1) it is graduate work from a regionally accredited institution of higher education; 2) an official transcript of the work is on file in the Office of Graduate Admission; and 3) it is approved by the Program Director.
The Program Director in consultation with the student will determine whether prerequisite course work is indicated or will be required. Substitution and/or equivalency decisions or transfer of any graduate hours must be recommended by the Program Director.
Graduation Requirements
Successful completion of 30 hours of course work (3.0 GPA), successful completion of thesis (if applicable), 80% or higher on the written comprehensive exam, and an exit interview. Any grade lower than a “C” earned in graduate level coursework will not be counted toward the completion of the degree.
Courses
Note: By action of the Graduate Council and graduate faculty, all students must have a minimum of 50% of their curriculum (including resident and transfer credits) in courses not cross listed with an undergraduate course at the 4000-level.
Curriculum
MSCJ with Specialization (non-thesis): 12 hours of Required Courses and at least 15 hours from one of the three tracks with the option to choose the additional 3 hours from the student’s Specialization or Electives.
MSCJ with Specialization (thesis): 12 hours of Required Courses, at least 15 hours from one of the three tracks with the option to choose the additional 3 hours from the student’s Specialization or Electives, and 6 thesis hours.
Required Courses
Complete the following:
MSCJ with Specialization
May select one elective course and five courses from the chosen track or no electives and six courses from the chosen track.
Electives:
Criminal Behavior Analysis
Justice Administration and Management
Thesis (Optional)
Forensic Science
Choose at least five courses in the chosen specialization (15 hours required per track, not including thesis):
Total Credits for M.S. Criminal Justice degree: 30-36
Thesis
Under close supervision, the student will complete original research of a topic to be determined jointly by the student and thesis advisor, with the approval of the Program Director. The thesis advisor will be a graduate faculty member chosen by the student and approved by the Program Director. Once the student begins work on the thesis, continuous enrollment is required for all fall and spring semesters until completion of the thesis (6 hours minimum). Summer enrollment is required if the student anticipates working on the thesis or completing his/her degree during either summer term. Note: A thesis process fee is assessed.
Time Limit
All work required for a MSCJ degree must be completed within a period of five years from semester of initial admission.
Graduation Candidacy
All MSCJ graduate students’ academic progress will be reviewed by the Program Director each semester of graduate course work. Any student found to be lacking in communication skills (oral or written) during this review may be required to take additional courses in either or both areas before final approval for candidacy and graduation. Additionally, during each review, issues related to conduct or academic performance that do not meet expectations at the graduate level may be grounds for dismissal from the program.
Written Comprehensive Exam and Exit Interview
A comprehensive written exam will be scheduled during the last semester. Questions for the written comprehensive exam will be generated from graduate courses completed by the graduate student. Exam and question format will be determined by the graduate faculty.
Students must attain a passing grade of 80% or better. If a student does not attain 80%, remedial work may be required and another attempt at the exam will be provided. The comprehensive exam process must be initiated within the first six weeks of the graduate student’s final semester. If a passing grade is not attained students may retake the exam after a three-week remedial period. Students will have one more attempt to meet the 80% passing rate. If 80% is not attained by the second attempt, the student will need to consult with the Program Director regarding the necessary steps needed to be graduated with a MSCJ. Students will also complete an exit interview with the program director and other faculty as needed. Completion of the written comprehensive written exam and exit interview must be completed two weeks prior to the end of the semester.