Master of Science in Criminal Justice

Program Overview

Xavier University's online Master of Science in Criminal Justice prepares students for leadership roles in the field, emphasizing criminal justice administration and equipping them with essential skills in management, finance, and research. The program offers flexibility for working professionals, with courses available in online or blended formats, and features experienced faculty with expertise in various areas of criminal justice. Graduates are well-prepared for careers in law enforcement, criminology, legal, and homeland security fields.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

Xavier University's online Master of Science in Criminal Justice program is designed to prepare students for leadership roles in the criminal justice field. The program emphasizes criminal justice administration, equipping students with the skills and knowledge to provide effective and efficient oversight in matters related to criminal justice and criminal justice research. This program is ideal for individuals seeking career advancement in middle and upper management positions within the criminal justice system, as well as those interested in pursuing advanced studies in a doctoral program or law school. The program's curriculum focuses on developing leadership and management skills essential for success in the justice system, including:

• Public relations
• Accounting
• Finance
• Human resources
• Policy formulation
• Budgeting
• Human interaction
• Crisis strategies
• Organizational behavior
• Writing skills

Outline:

The online Master of Science in Criminal Justice program consists of 30 credit hours, which can be completed in as little as one year (full-time enrollment). The program is structured to accommodate working professionals, with courses offered in online or online blended formats. Online blended formats involve face-to-face interactions with an instructor on selected weekends throughout the semester.

Core Courses (30 credits):

• CJUS 611: Law & Justice in America (3 credits): This course examines legal issues within the American criminal justice system, including constitutional and statutory rights and obligations, and policy considerations.
• CJUS 620: Socio of Crime & Delinquency (3 credits): This course explores the social foundations of the criminal justice system, the social causes of crime, and societal responses.
It delves into the understanding of crime within a social context, including cross-cultural, subcultural, and demographic perspectives.
• CJUS 623: Perspectives in Law Enforcement Management (3 credits): This course focuses on management issues and problems specific to law enforcement, introducing students to both theoretical and practical aspects of law enforcement administration.
It emphasizes understanding and resolving problems and issues.
• CJUS 633: Forensics & White Collar Crime (3 credits): This course examines methods of detection, investigative techniques, and the social impact of white-collar crime.
It explores theories related to the motivations behind white-collar crime, the various types of white-collar crime, and challenges in the criminal justice system's response to such crimes. The course also examines socially injurious acts by corporations and organizations against employees, consumers, the public, and the environment.
• CJUS 642: Criminal Justice Administration (3 credits): This course presents organizational and management theories and practices within criminal justice settings.
It applies management styles, objectives, total quality management, and other concepts to issues in contemporary prisons, probation, parole, and juvenile justice. Legal and ethical considerations are integrated into real-world practice situations.
• CJUS 643: Correctional Counseling (3 credits): This course provides a comprehensive overview of correctional rehabilitation.
It introduces students to various theories related to human behavior and their application to correctional programming. Students will be exposed to assessments used for offender classification and treatment, as well as common treatment modalities, their advantages and disadvantages, and holistic family and gender-responsive treatments.
• CJUS 644: Government & Non-Profit Accounting (3 credits): This course introduces the fundamental concepts and techniques of fund accounting and financial reporting for governmental and not-for-profit entities.
It covers identifying and applying appropriate accounting and reporting standards, preparing financial statements, using nonfinancial performance measures, and describing auditing requirements for these entities. Special attention is given to forensic accounting and auditing, including the audit of financial statements and methods for fraud prevention and detection.
• CJUS 647: Human Resources for Criminal Justice Administrators (3 credits): This course examines the role of Human Resource Managers in strategic planning and decision-making within their organizations.
Prerequisite: STAT500 or Statistics 500.
• CJUS 683: Research & Planning in CJUS (3 credits): This course provides students with the working knowledge of research methods necessary to complete their final master's project.
It explores topics related to causation, sampling, measurement, and data collection/analysis, applying them practically. The course aims to enable students to critically evaluate research studies and policy, and to write high-quality research projects.
• CJUS 683: Research & Planning in CJUS (3 credits): This course extends the concepts from Research and Planning in Criminal Justice through practical application.
Its primary objective is to provide individual guidance to students in conducting basic research and completing their graduate thesis. Students must pass a comprehensive examination at the end of their MS studies. Prerequisite: CJUS 683.

Online Certificate in Criminal Justice Administration Courses (9 credits):

• CJUS 642: Criminal Justice Administration (3 credits): This course is the same as the core course described above.
• CJUS 647: Human Resources for Criminal Justice Administrators (3 credits): This course is the same as the core course described above.
• Master's Project: Students must complete a research project as part of their degree requirements.
• Overall GPA: Students must maintain an overall grade point average of 2.800 to graduate.

Teaching:

• Faculty: The program features experienced faculty with expertise in various areas of criminal justice, including law enforcement, corrections, and criminology.
• Teaching Methods: The program utilizes a variety of teaching methods, including online discussions, video lectures, and interactive exercises.
• Jesuit Values: The program is grounded in Jesuit Catholic values, emphasizing service, community engagement, and a commitment to social justice.

Careers:

• Law Enforcement: Law enforcement officers, prison wardens, security managers.
• Criminology: Criminal profilers, criminologists, forensic psychologists, forensic examiners, forensic investigators, police analysts.
• Legal: Attorney General investigators, district attorneys, victim advocates, correctional caseworkers.

Other:

• Certificate Program: Xavier University also offers a 9-credit, fully-online Certificate in Criminal Justice Administration that can be completed in as little as one year.
This certificate program is designed for busy professionals with an undergraduate degree who want to advance in the criminal justice system and possibly apply credits towards a master's degree in criminal justice.
• State Authorization: Xavier University is authorized to offer this fully online degree program in all states.
• Flexibility: The program offers flexibility for working professionals, with courses offered in online or online blended formats.
• Personalized Experience: The program emphasizes personalized attention and flexibility, with invested professors and small class sizes.