Master of Science in Criminal Justice
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. The M.S. in Criminal Justice 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 from 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 investigative, laboratory, analyst, evaluator, 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 Statement outlining the applicant’s vocational goals; including a brief narrative of the applicant's journey to this point in their academic career and how obtaining the MSCJ will help to further their professional 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 BA, BS, or BBS/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.
Successful applicants may then attempt an additional 9 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 with a minimum 3.0 GPA, successful completion of thesis (if applicable), and a score of 80% or higher on the Written Comprehensive Exam. 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 6000-level courses which are not cross listed with an undergraduate course at the 4000-level.
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 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
A Written Comprehensive Exam will be scheduled during the student’s final semester of their graduate program. 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 in the Criminal Justice Department.
Students must attain a passing score of 80% or higher. If a student does not attain 80% on their first attempt, another attempt at the exam will be provided. If a passing grade is not attained after a second attempt, students may be required to complete remedial work as decided upon by the Program Director. Completion of the Written Comprehensive Exam must be completed prior to the end of the student’s final semester.
Requirements
Choose one of the following specialization tracks or choose the general major without specialization:
Non-thesis option (30 hours): 12 hours of Required Courses and 18 hours.
Thesis option (36 hours): 12 hours of Required Courses, 18 hours, and an additional six hours of thesis requirements (CRIJ 6300 and CRIJ 6301).
Required Courses
| CRIJ 5314 | Leadership and Management in the Justice System | 3 |
| CRIJ 5321 | Ethics in Criminal Justice | 3 |
| CRIJ 5312 | Violence and Victimology | 3 |
| BSAD 6322 | Quantitative Research Methods | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 12 |
Forensic Science
Criminal Behavior Analysis
Justice Administration and Management
General Track
Take 18 credits from courses in any of the tracks.
Thesis (Optional)