Curriculum

The MPS consists of 36 credits.  Thirty are required and six are electives.  Generally, CJL 401 and CJL 501 should be taken toward the end of the coursework.

Core Courses: First Cluster

  • CJL 101: Police Administration in the 21st Century
  • CJL 102: Critical Issues in Correctional Administration
  • CJL 103: The U.S. Constitution and Criminal Justice Administration
  • CJL 201: Criminal Justice Policy Formation and Analysis
  • CJL 202: Public Administration and the Criminal Justice Agency
  • CJL 203: Ethical Issues in Criminal Justice Administration

Core Courses: Second Cluster

  • CJL 401: Methods of Research in Criminal Justice
  • CJL 501: Applied Research Project: The Capstone
  • MGT 232: Organizational Behavior
  • MGT 280: Organizational Development

Electives

  • CJL 301.1-301.6: Selected Topics in Criminal Justice Leadership
  • CJL 500: Seminar in Applied Leadership Practices

Admission Requirements
Applicants need to submit the following items with their admission application:

  • Evidence of a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university
  • A record of scholarly achievement with, in general, an overall undergraduate average of at least B (3.0/4.0)
  • Two letters of recommendation – one preferred from an academic who has taught and evaluated the candidate at the undergraduate level
  • An essay of approximately 300 words describing the applicant’s reason for
    applying

Program Requirements
To earn the MPS in Criminal Justice Leadership, students must complete 36 credits within a period of no more than five years.  Students also are expected to maintain a B average (3.0 GPA) or better.  Courses cover areas such as police administration, criminal justice policy formation and analysis, organizational behavior and ethical issues in criminal justice.

Students must complete a Capstone or applied research project and pass a comprehensive examination.  The Capstone project is a comprehensive analysis of a significant incident, case problem or policy issue related to a public or private agency. The objective is to produce a comprehensive analytical report that could be used to address an actual organizational or policy-related problem.

Program Benefits

  • Take courses conveniently scheduled to suit working professionals
  • Choose blended program offerings both in-class and online courses
  • Participate in classes taught by outstanding faculty and practitioners in the field
  • Attend classes with other professionals with similar interests and goals
  • Join a diverse student body
  • Attend full-or part-time
  • Receive one-on-one advisement from faculty
  • Participate in internships
  • Obtain assistance in career planning
  • Network with alumni for career development and opportunities