Master of Science in Criminal Justice
701-858-3303 / 1-800-777-0750 ext.3303
Website: www.minotstateu.edu/cjgrad
Overview
The primary objectives of the MCJ Program are to prepare
students for advanced graduate study in criminal justice/
criminology; to pursue supervisory and management careers
and professional opportunities in criminal justice agencies,
departments and institutions; to become better informed
consumers of criminal justice research and policy analysis;
and to pursue entry level college teaching or agency training
opportunities.
The program helps students to expand their knowledge and competencies in criminal justice research, policy analysis and program evaluation; crime control and causation theory; adult and juvenile justice agency administration, management and law; and better informed potential leaders. Students are provided the opportunity to cultivate their specialized interests in the many substantive areas of criminal justice research and practice. Coursework provides students with advanced knowledge and skill sets, expected of Master level CJ graduates, while providing students the flexibility of pursuing personal goals and interests. Graduate level internships afford students the chance of observing and participating in organizational management and administration. Research assistantships allow students to work closely with faculty and staff researchers, often in connection with the Rural Crime and Justice Center. Teaching and training opportunities are also sometimes available.
Department Admission Standards
- Completion of bachelor’s degree or minor in Criminal Justice or closely related discipline.
- Completion of all admission requirements of the Graduate School at Minot State University.
- Applicants to the MCJ degree must have an acceptable
Overall GPA (or last 60 hours of coursework) on a 4.0
scale, plus an acceptable GRE Score (Verbal + Quantitative)
as determined by the following sliding scale:
GPA 2.75 to 3.0 3.10 to 3.6 3.61 to 3.75 3.76+ GRE 1000 950 850 800 - All applicants are required to submit a statement outlining the goals and objectives for graduate work in Criminal Justice, and a vita.
- It is recommended that all applicants for the MCJ Program have completed CJ 480 or an equivalent research methods course and a statistics course, prior to enrollment in the program.
- Complete applications to Graduate School by July 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 be also 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.
Comprehensive Examination
At the conclusion of graduate study, each student must pass
a written comprehensive examination. Dates are set by the
Graduate School once each semester.
Thesis and CJ Project Options
Upon successful completion of the written comprehension
exam, a student must write and orally defend either a Thesis or a Graduate Justice Project.
Thesis Option: After successfully passing the comprehensive exam a student selects a committee chair. Then enrolls in from 1 to 3 Thesis Credit hours. The student must form a committee and have a thesis topic approved before enrolling in any more thesis credit hours. Check the Graduate School web page for semester due dates and also check the handbook for complete details and procedures.
Graduate Justice Project Option: After successfully passing the comprehensive exam and completing one additional 3SH Elective, a student selects committee chair and committee, enrolls in CJ 598, and completes a project agreed upon by committee. See handbook for complete details.
Master of Education Program
The Master of Science in Criminal Justice Course of Study: Thesis Option (30 SH)
Required (18 SH)
CJ 501 Research Methods 1 3 SH
CJ 503 Research Methods 2 3 SH
CJ 505 Criminology Theory 3 SH
CJ 520 Criminal Justice Administration OR
CJ 560 Management Issues in Criminal Justice 3 SH
CJ 550 Law and Society OR
CJ 580 Occupational/Organizational Crime 3 SH
CJ 540 Criminal Justice Policy Evaluation 3 SH
ELECTIVES (6 SH)
CJ 520 Criminal Justice Administration OR
CJ 560 Management Issues in Criminal Justice 3 SH
CJ 530 Women and Crime 3 SH
CJ 550 Law and Society OR
CJ 580 Occupational/Organizational Crime 3 SH
CJ 570 Internship 3-6 SH
CJ 590 Seminar 3 SH
CJ 592 Independent Research 3 SH
CJ 597 Independent Study 3 SH
CJ 600 Level Classes OR Other Out of Department
Grad Class with Permission of Dept. Chair 3-6 SH
CJ 599 Thesis 6 SH
Minimum Total Graduate Program Credits Required 30 SH
The Master of Science in Criminal Justice Course of Study: Project Option (30 SH)
Required (15 SH)
CJ 501 Research Methods 1 3 SH
CJ 505 Criminology Theory 3 SH
CJ 520 Criminal Justice Administration OR
CJ 560 Management Issues in Criminal Justice 3 SH
CJ 550 Law and Society OR
CJ 580 Occupational/Organizational Crime 3 SH
CJ 540 Criminal Justice Policy Evaluation 3 SH
ELECTIVES (12 SH)
CJ 503 Research Methods 2 3 SH
CJ 520 Criminal Justice Administration OR
CJ 560 Management Issues in Criminal Justice 3 SH
CJ 530 Women and Crime 3 SH
CJ 550 Law and Society OR
CJ 580 Occupational/Organizational Crime 3 SH
CJ 570 Internship 3-6 SH
CJ 590 Seminar 3 SH
CJ 592 Independent Research 3 SH
CJ 597 Independent Study 3 SH
CJ 600 Level Classes OR Other Out of Department
Grad Class with Permission of Dept. Chair 3-6 SH
CJ 598 CJ Project 3 SH
Minimum Total Graduate Program Credits Required 30 SH
Doctoral Program
The Departments of Criminal Justice at Minot State
University and the University of North Dakota jointly offer 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.