Curriculum

Hyoungah Park, Director, Master of Arts in Criminal Justice Program

https://www.saintpeters.edu/academics/graduate-programs/master-of-arts-criminal-justice/ 

The MACJ program emphasizes a balance between theoretical knowledge, practical application, and advanced research, equipping students with the skills required to lead and innovate in various criminal justice roles. With 36 credits, students will engage in rigorous coursework, hands-on experiences, and a capstone project or comprehensive exam, preparing them for real-world challenges and leadership positions within criminal justice agencies, government, nonprofit organizations, and private sectors.

PROGRAM AVAILABILITY
The courses are offered on a trimester calendar and during the summer at the Jersey City Campus.

DEGREE REQUIREMENTS
The degree requires 36 semester-hour credits. There are two tracks: the thesis MACJ Program and the Non-thesis MACJ program. The thesis program requires 21 credits for core courses, 12 credits for elective concentration courses, and a thesis (3 credits). The non-thesis MACJ program requires 21 credits for core courses, 15 credits for elective concentration courses, and a comprehensive examination.

TIME LIMITATION
Students are expected to enroll continuously until their programs are completed. Students are required to maintain satisfactory academic progress by maintaining the required grade point average and accumulating sufficient credits within five years. By federal regulation, F-1 International students must enroll as full-time students, so their time to completion will be considerably shorter.

CURRICULUM – MASTER OF ARTS IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE
Students in the Masters in Public Administration program take classes with their cohort, allowing them to develop relationships while learning and growing with their peers. The 36-credit program focuses on the skills and knowledge needed for professionals in Criminal Justice.

Core Curriculum (21 credits)
All students complete a core curriculum focusing on constitutional law, advanced criminological theories, policy analysis, ethical issues, and research methods. This solid foundation prepares graduates to critically assess and address complex challenges within the criminal justice system.

Specializations (12 credits for the Thesis MACJ Program, 15 credits for the non-thesis MACJ Program)
To provide targeted expertise, the program offers three unique specializations:

Criminal Justice Administration Specialization: This track focuses on leadership in law enforcement and criminal justice management. It includes courses on human resources, multicultural law enforcement, and community policing, culminating in practical experiences through an internship.

Global Criminal Justice Specialization: Ideal for those interested in the international dimensions of criminal justice, this specialization covers terrorism, transnational crimes, multicultural perspectives, and comparative criminal justice systems, offering students a global understanding of justice issues and solutions.

Cybercrime Investigation and Cybersecurity Specialization: This track focuses on the advanced skills and knowledge needed to address the increasing complexity of cyber threats and digital crimes. As technology rapidly evolves, so do cybercriminals methods and sophistication. This specialization prepares graduates to investigate, prevent, and respond to cybercrimes while also understanding the broader cybersecurity landscape, making it ideal for those pursuing careers in law enforcement, corporate security, intelligence, or cybersecurity consulting.