359 I PROGRAM Master of Criminal Justice Program Director: Dr. L. Kay Gillespie Telephone Contact: 801-626-6369 Who Should Apply The program is designed for criminal justice and social service professionals who wish to continue their education. Program Description The Master of Science Degree in Criminal Justice is designed to provide post-baccalaureate education to criminal justice professionals and traditional students who have not yet begun a career in criminal justice. The primary goal of the program is to develop in graduates the ability to analyze, comprehend, and explore the complex problems confronting the criminal justice system. The program emphasizes theory, research and administration in the criminal justice system. Students will be able to conceptualize the problems of crime and justice from social, cultural, economic, and political perspectives. In addition, the successful graduate will understand research methods and design as well as statistical strategies used to analyze social science research. Course work will also provide a foundation for those students desiring to pursue doctoral studies. About the Faculty The graduate faculty brings diverse backgrounds both in terms of education and professional experience. Faculty graduate degrees include Public Administration, Sociology, Education, Criminal Justice, Political Science, and the Law. Past professional experiences among the faculty include law enforcement administration, prosecuting attorney, criminal defense attorney, probation officer, and parole board members. Faculty research interests cross the full spectrum of the justice system and include issues related to the police, courts, criminal procedures, adult and youth corrections. About the Program Classes will be held in the late afternoon and evening to allow for attendance by the non-traditional student who may have a full time work obligation. Initially, most classes will be held on the Weber State University campus in Ogden, Utah. Depending on the time and commitment, students will be able to complete all of the course work in two years. Master of Criminal Justice (MSCJ) Admission Requirements Admission to the master's program will be competitive and entrance restricted to a limited number of well qualified applicants. Applicants should possess an undergraduate degree in Criminal Justice or a related social or behavioral science area. Each candidate will be evaluated on (1) past academic performance, (2) score on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE), and (3) overall experience and progression in the criminal justice field or other areas of experience. Specific admissions criteria include: • Completion of the WSU admissions application form • Completion of the Department Master's Degree application form • Submission of official transcripts from all colleges/universities attended • Submission of a current resume • Submission of a written personal statement explaining interest in the program • Submission of GRE scores Each applicant will be considered on an individual basis, and those whose undergraduate work does not reflect a basic foundation in criminal justice study, or who do not meet the specific admission requirements, may be admitted on a provisional basis. Students applying without undergraduate competency in Criminal Justice may be required to take basic undergraduate criminal justice classes before being admitted to full candidacy. Graduation Requirements The Master of Science degree in Criminal Justice requires the completion of 36 semester hours. Four core courses totaling 12 semester hours are required. These courses are: MCJ 6100 Contemporary Criminal Justice (3) MCJ 620 Theories of Crime and Delinquency (3) MCJ 6110 Research Methods in Criminal Justice (3) MCJ 6150 Diversity Issues in Criminal Justice (3) No "C" grade is allowed in core courses. The remaining hours will be chosen from elective courses of interest to the student. More than one "C" grade in these courses will not count toward completion of the degree. Students must choose between completing a Master's Project, or taking additional course work in lieu of the project. The requirements for each option are identified below. Regardless of the option chosen, the student must complete all degree requirements within four years of entry into the program. Project Option 1. Complete 12 core credit hours. 2. Complete 21 elective credit hours. 3. Complete three project credit hours. Non-Project Option 1. Complete 12 core credit hours. 2. Complete 24 elective credit hours. Master of Science Degree Criminal Justice Courses Required Courses MCJ 6100* MCJ 6120* MCJ 6110** MCJ 6150** * Core course that must be taken during first (Fall) semester as prerequisite to other courses. Contemporary Criminal Justice (3) Theories of Crime and Delinquency (3) Research Methods in Criminal Justice (3) Diversity Issues in Criminal Justice (3) * Core course must be taken during second (Spring) semester as prerequisite to other courses. Elective Courses MCJ 6130 MCJ 6140 MCJ MCJ 6170 MCJ 6180 MCJ 6210 MCJ 6220 MCJ 6230 MCJ 6240 MCJ 6250 MCJ 6255* MCJ 6260 MCJ 6270* MCJ 6810 MCJ 6920 Law and Social Control (3) Technology and Innovation in Criminal Justice (3) Seminar: Criminal Justice Policy Analysis (3) Seminar: Juvenile Justice (3) Seminar: Contemporary Legal Issues (3) Seminar: The American Criminal Court (3) Seminar: Contemporary Law Enforcement (3) Seminar: Contemporary Corrections (3) Criminal Justice Planning, Budgeting, and Evaluation (3) Topics in Criminal Justice (1-3) Great Thoughts in Criminal Justice (3) Graduate Readings (3) Project (3) Experimental Course (1-3) Workshops and Conferences (1-3) ' May be taken twice for a total of 6 credit hours. '* Students wishing to do a project must complete a project proposal prior to the end of thdr first year of coursework. General PROFILE ENROLLMENT STUDENT AFFAIRS ACADEMIC INFO DEGREE REQ GENED Engaged Learning 8 Interdisciplinary OUR/CBL HNRS BIS LIBS INTRD MINORS Applied Science 8 Technology AUSV/ATTC CEET CS MFET/ETM MET CMT DGET ENGR IDT SST TBE Arts 8 Humanities MENG COMM ENGL FL DANC MUSC THEA ART/ARTH Business 8 Econ MBA MACC/ACTG BSAD FIN MGMT MKTG SCM ECON/QUAN 1ST Education MSAT/MED CHF AT/HLTH NUTR/PEP/REC HPHP COURSES ATHL/PE EDUC Heaifh Professions MHA/MSN MSRS CLS DENT PAR HTHS HAS/HIM NRSG RADT DMS/NUCM RATH REST Science BTNY CHEM GEO MATH/MTHE MICR PHYS/ASTR ZOOL Social & Behavioral Sciences MCJ/CJ ECON GEOG HIST POLS/PHIL PSY SW/GERT SOC/ANTH AERO MILS NAVS Continuing Ed Davis Campus Weber State University 2010-2011 Catalog