Master of Criminal Justice (MCJ)

MCJ

Master of Criminal Justice (MCJ)

Criminal Justice Pic

 

The Master of Criminal Justice (MCJ) program is designed for students interested in comprehensive professional graduate education in the field of criminal justice. It is intended to develop in the student a fundamental understanding of the basic fields within criminal justice and of background material from supporting disciplines which would enable the student to adapt to many operational specializations.

As an academic and professional field of study, this program is dedicated to preparing men and women not only to administer the system as it presently exists but also to evaluate, to analyze and to change--to become pioneers in accelerating the shaping of a rational and responsive criminal justice system. The program's balanced theoretical and practical mix fully prepares individuals for the complex challenges facing today's public leaders in the state, region, and nation.

The MCJ program provides an interdisciplinary perspective on crime and the criminal justice system. It focuses on law enforcement, the judiciary, correctional systems, juvenile justice, and the formulation of laws and codes. Individual courses focus on personnel and financial administration, systems analysis, policy analysis, organizational theory and behavior, and program development within the criminal justice system.

Students pursuing professional careers will gain a deep understanding of theory and its applications. Students aspiring to research careers or doctoral work will acquire a strong foundation in criminology and criminal justice research.

The MCJ program is flexible, allowing students to design an individualized course of study.

MCJ Mission Statement

The MCJ program provides an interdisciplinary perspective on the study of crime and the criminal justice system. It focuses on criminal offending and victimization, law enforcement, the judiciary, correctional systems, juvenile justice, and the formulation of laws and codes. Individual courses explore the dynamic of criminality and victimization, systems analysis, policy analysis, organizational theory and behavior, and program development within the criminal justice system. Students pursuing professional careers will gain an understanding of theory and its applications in practices. Students aspiring to research careers or doctoral work will acquire a strong foundation in criminology and criminal justice research.

 

MCJ Alumn Profile: Whittington, Commander, CSPD
U.S. News and World Report Rankings 2021-2022

Our Master of Criminal Justice program was recently ranked by the 2021-2022 US News & World Report as #16 for "Best Online Program" and #11 for "Best Online Program for Veterans". See more information on the U.S. News website. 

 

Master of Criminal Justice Goals

  1. The MCJ program is designed for students interested in comprehensive professional graduate education in the fields of criminology and criminal justice.
  2. The MCJ provides students with a fundamental understanding of the basic fields within criminology and criminal justice. Students also gain knowledge of supporting disciplines and a variety of operational specializations.
  3. As an academic and professional field of study, this program is dedicated to preparing students not only to administer the system as it presently exists but also to evaluate, to analyze, and to change

Resources for MCJ Students

A Message from the MCJ Director

Henriikka Weir
MCJ Program Director
“Graduate studies in Criminal Justice at the UCCS provide students a unique opportunity for an interdisciplinary study of crime with faculty research heavily rooted in social sciences such as criminal justice & criminology, law, sociology, psychology, and public health; while also increasingly deriving influences from fields considered traditionally “hard sciences” such as statistics, and other advanced mathematical applications, as well as biology and genetics. The Master’s degree in Criminal Justice (MCJ) provides students an excellent understanding of the current key theoretical, methodical, and policy issues in the field of criminal justice. As such, it is ideal for those interested in academia (and planning on continuing to doctoral studies); as well as for those students who are wishing to advance their already existing careers by obtaining a graduate degree."
The MCJ program is flexible, allowing students to design an individualized course of study.
Students pursuing professional careers will gain a deep understanding of theory and its applications. Students aspiring to research careers or doctoral work will acquire a strong foundation in criminology and criminal justice research.

 

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