Master of Science in Criminal Justice (M.S.C.J.) Major in Criminal Justice

Program Overview

The School of Criminal Justice and Criminology offers a Master of Science in Criminal Justice (M.S.C.J.) degree with a major in Criminal Justice.  The M.S.C.J. degree program has a 36-hour Non-thesis Option, a 30-hour Research Concentration Thesis Option, and a 30-hour Executive Concentration Non-thesis Option. The curriculum for the 36-hour Non-thesis Option provides for a broad overview of criminal justice research and practice, allowing students to develop further knowledge and skills at the graduate level. This program is suitable for those seeking additional training in criminal justice to prepare them for an array of careers within the field. The curriculum for the Research Concentration provides for the development of theoretical, methodological, and analytical skills in order to evaluate and conduct scientific inquiry into the criminological and criminal justice issues. This Research Concentration is a competitive program specifically designed for those seeking to eventually complete a doctoral program and/or careers in research-related fields. The curriculum for the Executive Concentration provides for the development of skills in criminal justice program planning, implementation, and evaluation to ensure a meaningful contribution to this important area of community and human services. This Executive Concentration is also a competitive program targeted at full-time employed criminal justice professionals, and is completed part-time.

Application Requirements

The items listed below are required for admission consideration for applicable semesters of entry during the current academic year. Submission instructions, additional details, and changes to admission requirements for semesters other than the current academic year can be found on The Graduate College's website. International students should review the International Admission Documents page for additional requirements.

  • completed online application

  • $55 nonrefundable application fee

          or

  • $90 nonrefundable application fee for applications with international credentials
  • baccalaureate degree in criminal justice or related field from a  regionally accredited university
  • official transcripts from each institution where course credit was granted
  • minimum 3.0 GPA in the last 60 hours of undergraduate course work (plus any completed graduate courses)
  • official GRE scores with competitive scores in the verbal reasoning and quantitative reasoning sections
  • Effective Spring 2023: GRE not required
  • statement of purpose indicating career aspirations and reasons for pursuing the M.S.C.J. program
  • two letters of recommendation from persons best able to assess your ability to succeed in graduate school
  • Effective Spring 2023: curriculum vitae or resume

TOEFL, PTE, or IELTS Scores

Non-native English speakers who do not qualify for an English proficiency waiver:

  • official TOEFL iBT scores required with a 78 overall
  • official PTE scores required with a 52
  • official IELTS (academic) scores required with a 6.5 overall and minimum individual module scores of 6.0

This program does not offer admission if the scores above are not met.

Degree Requirements

The Master of Science in Criminal Justice (M.S.C.J.) degree with a major in Criminal Justice (Non-thesis Option) requires 36 semester credit hours. Any student accepted into the M.S.C.J. program may be required to take undergraduate course work course work in criminal justice as a prerequisite to graduate course work. 

Required Courses
CJ 5310Administration of Justice3
CJ 5315Advanced Research Methods in Criminal Justice3
CJ 5325Statistics for Criminal Justice3
CJ 5330Management Principles in Criminal Justice3
CJ 5335Advanced Crime Theory3
Prescribed Electives
Choose 21 hours of advisor-approved electives from the following:21
Quantitative Data Analysis
Crime Analysis
History and Philosophy of Justice
Current Legal Issues in Criminal Justice
Police in Society
Special Operation Units
Investigations
Race, Class, and Crime
Sex Offenders and the Criminal Justice System
Personnel Practices in Criminal Justice
Current Issues in Criminal Justice
Intelligence Gathering and Operational Issues As Applied to Terrorism and Counterterrorism Operation
Independent Studies in Criminal Justice
Ethics and the Criminal Justice System
Drugs in Society
Geospatial Intelligence and Geographic Profiling
Applied Research Practicum
Qualitative Research Methods and Data Analysis
Criminal Justice Policy
Criminal Justice Leadership
Crime, Criminal Justice and the Media
Criminal Justice and Security Internship
Total Hours36

Comprehensive Examination Requirement

All students must pass a comprehensive examination with both a written and an oral component. The purpose of this examination is to provide a structured situation in which the candidate can demonstrate proficiency in the core concepts covered in the program. Students must see the graduate advisor for a detailed description of the comprehensive examination procedures. If a student fails the comprehensive examination, they will be allowed to retake it at the next regularly scheduled examination date. If a student fails a second time, they may petition the MSCJ Steering Committee for permission to take the examination a third time. Students will not be allowed to take an examination more than three times.

Students who do not successfully complete the requirements for the degree within the timelines specified will be dismissed from the program.

Courses Offered

Criminal Justice (CJ)

CJ 5101. Graduate Assistant Supervision.

Prepares graduate student teaching and instructional assistants to perform effectively in diverse instructional settings and in their assigned instructional support roles. The course provides for regular and planned opportunities for continuing evaluation of instructional and assistive responsibilities. This course does not earn graduate degree credit. Repeatable with different emphasis.

1 Credit Hour. 1 Lecture Contact Hour. 0 Lab Contact Hours.
Course Attribute(s): Exclude from 3-peat Processing|Graduate Assistantship|Exclude from Graduate GPA
Grade Mode: Leveling/Assistantships

CJ 5199B. Thesis.

This course represents a student’s continuing thesis enrollment. The student continues to enroll in this course until the thesis is submitted for binding.

1 Credit Hour. 1 Lecture Contact Hour. 0 Lab Contact Hours.
Course Attribute(s): Exclude from 3-peat Processing
Grade Mode: Credit/No Credit

CJ 5299B. Thesis.

This course represents a student’s continuing thesis enrollment. The student continues to enroll in this course until the thesis is submitted for binding.

2 Credit Hours. 2 Lecture Contact Hours. 0 Lab Contact Hours.
Course Attribute(s): Exclude from 3-peat Processing
Grade Mode: Credit/No Credit

CJ 5301. Graduate Instructional Assistant Training.

This course prepares graduate instructional assistants (GIAs) to perform effectively in diverse instructional settings and in their assigned instructional support roles. In addition to familiarizing themselves with essential Texas State University policies and procedures, GIAs will learn about teaching strategies, ethical classroom behavior, and effective communication. This course is required as a condition of employment for GIAs at the School of Criminal Justice and Criminology, and does not earn graduate degree credit.

3 Credit Hours. 3 Lecture Contact Hours. 0 Lab Contact Hours.
Course Attribute(s): Graduate Assistantship|Exclude from Graduate GPA
Grade Mode: Leveling/Assistantships

CJ 5310. Administration of Justice.

Introduction to the study of crime; explanations of criminal behavior; typologies of criminal behavior; the criminal justice system; and social reaction to crime and the criminal justice system.

3 Credit Hours. 3 Lecture Contact Hours. 0 Lab Contact Hours.
Grade Mode: Standard Letter

CJ 5315. Advanced Research Methods in Criminal Justice.

The study of scientific research methods as used in the criminal justice system to include a review and critique of research on crime causation, law enforcement, courts, and corrections.

3 Credit Hours. 3 Lecture Contact Hours. 0 Lab Contact Hours.
Grade Mode: Standard Letter

CJ 5316. Quantitative Data Analysis.

This course provides an introduction to quantitative data analysis in criminal justice and makes extensive use of statistical software via command line interface. For the purposes of research and exploratory data analysis in criminal justice, topics include data construction and cleaning, variable coding, descriptive and inferential statistics, summary measures, and visual presentations of data.

3 Credit Hours. 3 Lecture Contact Hours. 0 Lab Contact Hours.
Grade Mode: Standard Letter

CJ 5319. Crime Analysis.

This course focuses on the evaluation, synthesis and dissemination of crime data to multiple audiences. Topics include the identification of local crime trends, the development of usable crime maps, and the assessment of practical police responses.

3 Credit Hours. 3 Lecture Contact Hours. 0 Lab Contact Hours.
Grade Mode: Standard Letter

CJ 5320. History and Philosophy of Justice.

An exploration of historical approaches to social control of nonconforming behavior. The principal contributions of architects and theorists of systems of social justice are examined with emphasis on major Western European schools of thought. Special emphasis given to the development of the scientific method and its role in the contemporary system of justice.

3 Credit Hours. 3 Lecture Contact Hours. 0 Lab Contact Hours.
Grade Mode: Standard Letter

CJ 5321. Current Legal Issues in Criminal Justice.

Case law and legislation, both state and federal, which have contemporary impact on practices and policies of criminal justice agencies will be examined in this course. Topics may vary to include such matters as civil rights liability, substance abuse and the law, juvenile crime, organized crime, tactics of enforcement, unionization, and other legal issues.

3 Credit Hours. 3 Lecture Contact Hours. 0 Lab Contact Hours.
Grade Mode: Standard Letter

CJ 5322. Police in Society.

This course provides an in-depth assessment of policing and the various types of community crime control. Core topics include the history of police, organizational and individual police discretion, police culture, use of force, minorities and the police, community oriented policing, and police problem-solving.

3 Credit Hours. 3 Lecture Contact Hours. 0 Lab Contact Hours.
Grade Mode: Standard Letter

CJ 5323. Special Operation Units.

A course designed to acquaint students with basic principles of Special Operation Units (SOUs) within law enforcement, including the necessity for such units in the changing nature of policing communities. The principles of crisis management, the development of SOUs, selection/training/operationalizing of personnel and other strategic planning issues are emphasized.

3 Credit Hours. 3 Lecture Contact Hours. 0 Lab Contact Hours.
Grade Mode: Standard Letter

CJ 5324. Investigations.

This course explores issues related to investigations. Topics covered include the history and state of investigations, investigative theory, interviewing, interrogation, polygraph, geographic profiling, serial crimes, and investigative failures.

3 Credit Hours. 3 Lecture Contact Hours. 0 Lab Contact Hours.
Grade Mode: Standard Letter

CJ 5325. Statistics for Criminal Justice.

The study of basic and advanced descriptive and inferential statistics, with an emphasis on applications in the criminal justice system will be taught. Focus will be given to various multivariate statistical procedures.

3 Credit Hours. 3 Lecture Contact Hours. 0 Lab Contact Hours.
Grade Mode: Standard Letter

CJ 5330. Management Principles in Criminal Justice.

The study of behavior in complex bureaucratic or administrative organizations with an emphasis on organizational behavior, group processes, and the managerial function. Concepts and practices of managing criminal justice agencies within the United States will be stressed.

3 Credit Hours. 3 Lecture Contact Hours. 0 Lab Contact Hours.
Grade Mode: Standard Letter

CJ 5333. Race, Class, and Crime.

This course addresses issues related to racial/ethnic minorities, socioeconomic status, crime trends, perceptions of crime and criminal behaviors. The social/historical constructions of race and class are covered as well as their intersectionality within the criminal justice system. Topics include racial/ethnic and socioeconomic disparities in offending, victimization, law enforcement and sentencing. (MULT).

3 Credit Hours. 3 Lecture Contact Hours. 0 Lab Contact Hours.
Course Attribute(s): Multicultural Content
Grade Mode: Standard Letter

CJ 5334. Sex Offenders and the Criminal Justice System.

This course explores sex offenders and the criminal justice system, and the issues faced by criminal justice professionals. Recent trends in assessment tools, sex offender treatment approaches, and legal responses to sex offenders are emphasized.

3 Credit Hours. 3 Lecture Contact Hours. 0 Lab Contact Hours.
Grade Mode: Standard Letter

CJ 5335. Advanced Crime Theory.

This course will develop and apply analytical skills surrounding a wide range of theoretical concepts, assumptions, propositions, and variables aimed at explaining crime-related outcomes. In the process, students will learn how social scientists empirically (i.e., quantitatively and qualitatively) access theory and how theory influences public policy.

3 Credit Hours. 3 Lecture Contact Hours. 0 Lab Contact Hours.
Grade Mode: Standard Letter

CJ 5340. Personnel Practices in Criminal Justice.

The study of personnel decisionmaking within the criminal justice agency. Topics emphasized will include recruitment and selection, promotion, training, performance evaluation, and human resource allocation.

3 Credit Hours. 3 Lecture Contact Hours. 0 Lab Contact Hours.
Grade Mode: Standard Letter

CJ 5350. Current Issues in Criminal Justice.

An in-depth presentation and discussion of vital contemporary issues in criminal justice, including research, process, procedure, and substance. General issues addressed remain constant and specific emphasis will vary depending on changes in contemporary issues.

3 Credit Hours. 3 Lecture Contact Hours. 0 Lab Contact Hours.
Grade Mode: Standard Letter

CJ 5355. Intelligence Gathering and Operational Issues As Applied to Terrorism and Counterterrorism Operation.

This course provides an overview of the importance of intelligence gathering in the global and domestic war of terrorism, and critically examines issues involved with the gathering of intelligence, techniques for the gathering of intelligence, methods of collecting, collating, analyzing and disseminating intelligence, and a review of current terrorist threats.

3 Credit Hours. 3 Lecture Contact Hours. 0 Lab Contact Hours.
Grade Mode: Standard Letter

CJ 5360. Independent Studies in Criminal Justice.

Student will work directly with a faculty member and develop in-depth knowledge in a specific topic area of Criminal Justice. Repeatable for credit.

3 Credit Hours. 3 Lecture Contact Hours. 0 Lab Contact Hours.
Course Attribute(s): Exclude from 3-peat Processing
Grade Mode: Credit/No Credit

CJ 5370. Professional Paper.

Students in the non-thesis option will complete their professional paper while enrolled in this course.

3 Credit Hours. 3 Lecture Contact Hours. 0 Lab Contact Hours.
Grade Mode: Standard Letter

CJ 5380A. Ethics and the Criminal Justice System.

This special topics course will explore ethical issues that are faced by criminal justice professionals, basic ethical systems, and applications to dilemmas of criminal justice professionals.

3 Credit Hours. 3 Lecture Contact Hours. 0 Lab Contact Hours.
Course Attribute(s): Exclude from 3-peat Processing|Topics
Grade Mode: Standard Letter

CJ 5380C. Drugs in Society.

This special topics course will explore issues related to the “War on Drugs.” Topics covered include theories of addiction, legal and philosophical issues of government response to drug use, and treatment strategies.

3 Credit Hours. 3 Lecture Contact Hours. 0 Lab Contact Hours.
Course Attribute(s): Exclude from 3-peat Processing|Topics
Grade Mode: Standard Letter

CJ 5380F. Police Problem-Solving Practicum.

This course applies contemporary police problem-solving tools and techniques (including SARA, COMPSTAT, crime mapping, intelligence led policing and computer enhanced problem solving) to real world problems with practicum problems derived from situations commonly facing police practitioners such as common law enforcement “problems” such as noise abatement, property offenses and traffic violations.

3 Credit Hours. 3 Lecture Contact Hours. 0 Lab Contact Hours.
Course Attribute(s): Exclude from 3-peat Processing|Topics
Grade Mode: Standard Letter

CJ 5380H. Police Problem Solving Methodologies.

This course addresses police problem solving methodologies. The course covers the history, state, and theory of police problem solving. Emphasis is placed on using problem solving methodologies to address real issues facing the community.

3 Credit Hours. 3 Lecture Contact Hours. 0 Lab Contact Hours.
Course Attribute(s): Exclude from 3-peat Processing|Topics
Grade Mode: Standard Letter

CJ 5380L. Geospatial Intelligence and Geographic Profiling.

This course addresses the use of geospatial intelligence and geographic profiling in the military and intelligence environments. The course covers the theory, concepts, methods, and analysis of human geographic information. Emphasis is placed on understanding how geospatial knowledge can inform decision making and action plans.

3 Credit Hours. 3 Lecture Contact Hours. 0 Lab Contact Hours.
Course Attribute(s): Exclude from 3-peat Processing|Topics
Grade Mode: Standard Letter

CJ 5380N. Applied Research Practicum.

This course provides structured assistance to students who are preparing for significant independent research projects (i.e. Thesis, Professional Paper) by exposing them to the organizational tools, processes and techniques used by productive scholars. Ideally, students should expect to complete a viable research prospectus by the end of the semester.

3 Credit Hours. 3 Lecture Contact Hours. 0 Lab Contact Hours.
Course Attribute(s): Exclude from 3-peat Processing|Topics
Grade Mode: Credit/No Credit

CJ 5380Q. Qualitative Research Methods and Data Analysis.

This course provides students with a detailed and participatory introduction to the principles and use of common qualitative methods and data analysis used in social science research with a particular focus on the field of criminal justice.

3 Credit Hours. 3 Lecture Contact Hours. 0 Lab Contact Hours.
Course Attribute(s): Exclude from 3-peat Processing|Topics
Grade Mode: Standard Letter

CJ 5380R. Criminal Justice Policy.

This course covers contemporary public policies designed to prevent and reduce crime and criminal offending. There is also an emphasis on different levels of evaluation that should be used to address specific criminal justice issues.

3 Credit Hours. 3 Lecture Contact Hours. 0 Lab Contact Hours.
Course Attribute(s): Exclude from 3-peat Processing|Topics
Grade Mode: Standard Letter

CJ 5380S. Criminal Justice Leadership.

This course provides an examination and critical analysis of the important theories, concepts, and current issues relevant to the field of public leadership in general, and criminal justice agency leadership in particular.

3 Credit Hours. 3 Lecture Contact Hours. 0 Lab Contact Hours.
Course Attribute(s): Exclude from 3-peat Processing|Topics
Grade Mode: Standard Letter

CJ 5380T. Crime, Criminal Justice and the Media.

This course focuses on the relationship between crime, the criminal justice system (CJS), and the media. The role of the media in shaping knowledge about crime- and CJS-related issues is explored in depth, using examples from current events.

3 Credit Hours. 3 Lecture Contact Hours. 0 Lab Contact Hours.
Course Attribute(s): Exclude from 3-peat Processing|Topics
Grade Mode: Standard Letter

CJ 5390. Criminal Justice and Security Internship.

This course provides students with experiential learning opportunities with selected public and private external employers in the fields of criminal justice and security. The internship promotes the integration of academic and professional experience and provides a deeper knowledge of the issues faced by criminal justice agencies, security firms, and other organizations/companies that respond to crime problems. Prerequisite: CJ 5315 and CJ 5325 and CJ 5335 all with grades of "B" or better.

3 Credit Hours. 1 Lecture Contact Hour. 10 Lab Contact Hours.
Grade Mode: Credit/No Credit

CJ 5399A. Thesis.

This course represents a student’s initial thesis enrollment. Credit is not awarded until student has completed the thesis in Criminal Justice 5399B.

3 Credit Hours. 2 Lecture Contact Hours. 0 Lab Contact Hours.
Grade Mode: Credit/No Credit

CJ 5399B. Thesis.

This course represents a student’s continuing thesis enrollment. The student continues to enroll in this course until the thesis is submitted for binding.

3 Credit Hours. 2 Lecture Contact Hours. 0 Lab Contact Hours.
Course Attribute(s): Exclude from 3-peat Processing
Grade Mode: Credit/No Credit

CJ 5599B. Thesis.

This course represents a student’s continuing thesis enrollment. The student continues to enroll in this course until the thesis is submitted for binding.

5 Credit Hours. 5 Lecture Contact Hours. 0 Lab Contact Hours.
Course Attribute(s): Exclude from 3-peat Processing
Grade Mode: Credit/No Credit

CJ 5999B. Thesis.

This course represents a student’s continuing thesis enrollment. The student continues to enroll in this course until the thesis is submitted for binding.

9 Credit Hours. 9 Lecture Contact Hours. 0 Lab Contact Hours.
Course Attribute(s): Exclude from 3-peat Processing
Grade Mode: Credit/No Credit