Curriculum

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

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

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.