内华达里诺大学

The Master of Arts degree program in criminal justice provides students with skills necessary to examine and analyze the major areas of the field, focusing on the nature of crime, law and social control, as well as the process of planning change in a system as complex as the criminal justice system.

The program emphasizes the understanding of the ways in which theory, research and social policy interact, and the utilization of critical thinking skills to better understand this information. Students will be expected to acquire knowledge of the theories and research methods necessary for analysis of issues relevant to the field. Within this general framework, students will have an opportunity to pursue special interests in criminal justice that are consistent with the philosophy of the program.

For both the thesis and non-thesis tracks, 33 credits are required. For thesis students, this includes six credits of CRJ 797 (Thesis). Non-thesis students also receive two credits of CRJ 795 (Comprehensive Exam) in addition to the 33 credits. Students complete both required and elective courses. At least one three-credit elective class must be an in-person class (i.e., not independent study) with a CRJ or SRJS prefix.

Program Objectives

• To educate students about their responsibilities as scholars and practitioners of criminal justice, and as citizens in a pluralistic society;
• To maintain an academic environment where all graduate students are encouraged to develop themselves personally and intellectually and where graduate students feel free to engage in teaching, research and community service in the spirit of academic and personal freedom;
• To build a graduate student cohort that is an example of cooperation, teamwork and dedication to University and community needs;
• To expose students to current research and theories and to teach students the skills needed to understand and evaluate the quality of research and its methodologies;
• To teach students how to critically analyze problems related to crime and criminal justice by emphasizing theory, research, ethics, problem-solving and policy analysis.

Student Learning Outcomes

• Students will learn about criminal justice from both academic and professional perspectives in order to prepare for careers as scholars and/or practitioners. Students will learn how to address critical issues in criminal justice and administration by developing analytical, problem-solving and leadership skills.
• Students will learn how to analyze and apply research and statistics to a variety of justice issues and settings.
• Students will learn how criminal justice interacts with other fields of study including, but not limited to, addiction, mental health, community well-being and family.
• Students will demonstrate understanding of theory and ability in professional writing by successfully completing their theses or comprehensive exams.
• Students will progress and graduate in a "reasonable" time frame.