Program Overview
The primary goal of the Master of Science in Criminal Justice (M.S.C.J.) program is to help prepare students for research, policy development, administrative and supervisory positions within the various sectors of the criminal justice field. Conditions and needs in criminal justice are always changing; therefore, the program attempts to acquaint students with the most current perspectives and substantive knowledge, technical skills and analytic methodologies.
The M.S.C.J. emphasizes analysis, critical thinking and the practical application of knowledge. Beyond completing rigorous course work, students gain practical experience through fulfilling a field placement or a shadowing experience with an upper-level manager in an approved criminal justice agency or related field. Therefore, our students are exposed to academic and professional experiences. The department is also home to two institutes: the Juvenile Justice Institute and the Institute for Homeland Security and Workforce Development, providing research opportunities.
The M.S.C.J. program at NCCU offers two program options (Traditional and Professional) in which students have the opportunity to complete a thesis for their degree or a policy analysis project. The curriculum concentrates on theories of crime and deviant behavior and on the systems that respond to crime and deviant behavior. The program also emphasizes leadership management and social justice.