Criminal Justice - M.S.

The Criminal Justice Master of Science degree program prepares students for 21^st century careers in criminal justice and related fields. Students are provided with with an academically rigorous learning experience based on an advanced understanding of criminal justice and criminology, with balanced coverage of crime causation, management issues, technology, research, ethics and diversity in criminal justice. The program links criminological and management theory with policy and practice, and gives students the opportunity to learn and utilize skills required for leadership positions in the criminal justice field.

Upon completion of the program, graduates are expected to:

• Demonstrate how criminological theory informs public policy and shapes the operation of the American criminal justice system.
• Use management theory to evaluate the operation of a criminal justice agency and suggest policy changes to improve the operational effectiveness of the organization.
• Articulate the importance of cultural and global diversity in creating a fair and just criminal justice system.
• Apply moral philosophy to professional and ethical decision making in the field of criminal justice.
• Utilize team leadership skills that include collaboration, problem solving, ethical awareness and appreciation of diversity to address problems faced by criminal justice agencies.
• Communicate appropriately and effectively within various organizational contexts, employing appropriate technologies to organize and present information to address a range of audiences and purposes.
• Analyze, evaluate and synthesize original criminal justice research that utilizes the scientific method and appropriate sampling, measurement and data collection techniques; evaluate proper data presentation, considering the ethics and politics of reporting.

Criminal Justice

Master of Science 

Johnson & Wales University holistically reviews all elements of a student’s application to identify those students most likely to succeed at the university.

Prior to being considered for admission into an online JWU graduate program, the following must be submitted:

1. A completed application for admission
2. Official or certified transcripts from all institutions attended, including bachelor's and master's degree conferral (if applicable). When a graduate program application is submitted prior to completing requirements for the bachelor's degree, Admissions will consider the application and, if admissible, will offer an acceptance pending submission of final transcript verifying bachelor's degree conferral. Without such verification, students will not be allowed to register for the current semester or continue enrollment, and will be in jeopardy of losing their academic status with the university.
3. Statement of Purpose: An essay explaining your motivation, aptitude and goals related to graduate-level academic study
4. Two letters of recommendation from individuals qualified to attest to the applicant's potential for success at the graduate level of study. A Personal Reference Form may be substituted for the letters of recommendation.
5. A current résumé or CV (required for applicants for conditional acceptance; optional for other applicants)

The letters of recommendation and Statement of Purpose may be emailed.

Conditional Acceptance

Conditional acceptance to the Master of Science in Criminal Justice program may be extended to students who have a 2.41–2.84 cumulative undergraduate grade point average, and demonstrate significant evidence of professional success. Students granted conditional acceptance may take a maximum of three JWU graduate courses in their first semester (students may not enroll in two 8-week courses at the same time). If an overall GPA of 3.0 is earned in the first conditional semester, the student will be granted full admission to that program. Students who do not earn an overall GPA of 3.0 will be dismissed from the program and will not be accepted to any JWU graduate program.