Master of Science in Criminal Justice

701-858-3303 / 1-800-777-0750 ext.3303
Website: www.minotstateu.edu/cj

Overview
The primary objectives of the MCJ program are to prepare students for professional employment and advanced graduate study in Criminal Justice. The program produces professionals with competence in program evaluation, research, program management and administration, as well as entry level college teaching.

It also provides students with the opportunity of expanding their theoretical and methodological perspectives and to cultivate their specialized interests in substantive areas of research within Criminal Justice. Students augment a generic core by engaging in professional activities, sponsoring seminars and workshops, participating in research, and teaching under the supervision of full-time faculty. Lists of current research endeavors and interest areas of faculty members are posted at the beginning of each academic year which provide students with an overview of research, community projects, and other discipline related activities in the department.

Department Admission Standards

1. Completion of bachelor’s degree or minor in Criminal Justice or closely related discipline.
2. Completion of all admission requirements of the Graduate School at Minot State University.
3. Normally, an overall GPA of 3.0 or better (on a 4.0 scale) and a GRE score (verbal and quantitative) of 1000 or more are required for admission into the MCJ Program. However, the individual strengths and experiences of applicants not meeting these standards will be considered by the Graduate Faculty in making admission decisions.
4. All applicants are required to submit a statement outlining the goals and objectives for graduate work in Criminal Justice.
5. Complete applications to Graduate School by April 15 for fall term and November 15 for spring term.

Students who do not possess an undergraduate major or minor in Criminal Justice or a closely related field can be admitted. Practical experience in Criminal Justice may also be considered in evaluating applicants for admission. However, students may be required to take specific undergraduate courses, special seminars, and/or qualifying examinations prior to/or concurrent with enrollment in graduate level courses.

Examination and Thesis/Non-Thesis Option
At the conclusion of graduate study, each student must pass a written comprehensive examination. Upon successful completion of the written comprehensive exam, a student must write and orally defend a thesis or a Graduate Justice Project.

Thesis: After successfully passing the comprehensive exam, a student selects a major professor and enroll in from 1 to 3 Thesis Credit hours. The student must form a committee and have a thesis topic approved before enrolling in 4 or more thesis credit hours. See handbook for complete details and procedures.

Graduate Justice Project: After successfully passing the comprehensive exam, a student selects a major professor and committee, enrolls in CJ 598, and completes a project agreed upon by committee. See handbook for complete details.

Courses of Study: All Graduate Students in the MCJ Program may select either an administrative or theoretical criminology track, and complete the sequence of courses listed below.

Criminal Justice offers two courses of study:
Administration and Criminology

OPTIONS: SELECT ONE
A. Criminal Justice Administration                         30 SH
  CJ 501 Research Methods 1                                 3 SH
  CJ 503 Research Methods 2                                 3 SH
  CJ 520 Criminal Justice Administration                    3 SH
  CJ 540 Criminal Justice Policy Evaluation                 3 SH
  CJ 560 Management Issues in Criminal Justice              3 SH
  CJ 570 Internship                                         6 SH
  CJ 599 Thesis                                           1-6 SH
    OR
  CJ 598 Graduate Justice Project                           3 SH
     Plus an additional 3 SH Elective                       3 SH
     CJ Elective                                            3 SH

B. Criminology                                             30 SH
  CJ 501 Research Methods 1                                 3 SH
  CJ 503 Research Methods 2                                 3 SH
  CJ 505 Criminology Theory                                 3 SH
  CJ 530 Women and Crime                                    3 SH
  CJ 550 Law and Society                                    3 SH
  CJ 580 Occupational/Organizational Crime                  3 SH
  CJ 599 Thesis                                             6 SH
  Electives
  CJ Elective                                               3 SH
  CJ Elective                                               3 SH

Minimum Total Graduate Program
Credits Required                                           30 SH

Doctoral Program
The Department of Criminal Justice at the University of North Dakota in partnership with the Department of Criminal Justice at Minot State University offers a graduate program of study leading to the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Criminal Justice. Drawing on a broad array of multi-disciplinary resources, the program is designed to prepare students for academic teaching and research, research in government and non-profit agencies, and higher-level administrative positions in criminal justice agencies. Students entering the program, with the exception of those admitted to the J.D./ Ph.D. specialization, will be required to complete a minimum of 60 credit hours in the doctoral program.

The program retains a traditional core of theory, research methods/statistics, and study of national and international issues in the administration of criminal justice. The program places special emphasis on the operation and administration of criminal justice agencies and systems in rural and/or American Indian tribal jurisdictions. The program also offers a specialized program of study for individuals holding a Juris Doctorate and wishing to meet educational requirements for teaching and research positions in criminal justice higher education programs.

Students should apply for admission to the Ph.D. Program through established procedures of the UND Graduate School. Students will be able to receive application forms and guidance in completing the application on either campus.