Master of Science in Criminal Justice

Associate Dean of Graduate Programs: James M. Ehrman
Program Manager: Allison Crowson

The Master of Science in Criminal Justice (MSCJ) is a 30 credit program for military police personnel from all uniformed branches who have successfully completed the U.S. Army Military Police School Career Captain’s Course (MPCCC). The MSCJ builds on the training and experience of military police personnel through graduate-level coursework focusing on international law enforcement and the challenges of working with non-U.S. military and civilian criminal justice agencies and organizations. Graduates are equipped to carry out the changing mission of U.S. military police and to work collaboratively with foreign military and law enforcement personnel on transnational crime issues. Highly qualified candidates with civilian/federal law enforcement experience might also find the program meets their educational and career aspirations and are encouraged to apply.

Mission

The Master of Science in Criminal Justice program prepares visionary criminal justice leaders who demonstrate advanced critical thinking, communication, and ethical decision making skills to ensure the security and protection of our nation and global interests. Masters prepared criminal justice leaders utilize this knowledge base integrated with theories from Criminal Justice and related disciplines to create and implement ethical practices and policies to improve the environment in which they operate.

The Masters prepared criminal justice professional engages in an expanded scope of practice that is characterized by critical analysis of problems and creative problem solving, and application of theories in the decision making process. The graduate manages change effectively and utilizes effective communication skills and technologies to create collaborative partnerships within the Criminal Justice system and across multiple disciplines. Graduate education prepares the criminal justice professional to identify and evaluate personal and organization values and to implement ethical decisions and strategies to improve outcomes.

Program Outcomes

• Initiate and effectively utilize research findings to improve outcomes across the spectrum of Criminal Justice environments.
• Integrate theories from Criminal Justice and related disciplines to create and implement ethical practices and policies to improve Criminal Justice practice.
• Critically analyze problems and demonstrate theory based problem solving in addressing the threats of terrorism from home, abroad, state and non-state actors
• Plan and manage change effectively.
• Incorporate the knowledge and skills related to informatics and technology to effectively improve the Criminal Justice field.
• Implement effective communication skills to create collaborative partnerships within Criminal Justice and other support agencies.  
• Apply the principles of international law as it relates to national security and security abroad.

Curriculum Map/Plan of Study

One-Week Residency 

All degree candidates of the Master of Science in Criminal Justice are required to attend a one-week Residency Conference on the Norwich University campus, during which they may attend professional presentations, participate in roundtable discussions with faculty, and present papers. The one-week residency is a degree requirement.