The MS in criminal justice prepares students to acquire jobs or advance their careers in the field of criminal justice policy and practice. Students receive the scientific foundations and practical insights required to evaluate, select, and implement criminal justice policies and practices that are effective, efficient, and fair. They also learn data analysis skills that equip them with the knowledge required for many policy-oriented and front-line operational positions. Criminal Justice, MS graduates are prepared to be leaders and change agents in the criminal justice field.
Admissions
Applicants to all graduate programs at George Mason University must meet the admission standards and application requirements for graduate study as specified in Graduate Admissions. For information specific to the MS degree in criminal justice, see Application Requirements and Deadlines on the departmental website.
Policies
For policies governing all graduate degrees, see AP.6 Graduate Policies.
Degree Requirements
Total credits: 30
Core Courses
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| CRIM 511 | Evidence-based Crime and Justice Policy | 3 |
| CRIM 512 | Implementing Crime and Justice Policy | 3 |
| CRIM 513 | Leadership in Justice Organizations | 3 |
| CRIM 514 | Legal and Ethical Issues in Criminal Justice | 3 |
| CRIM 515 | Criminal Justice Research Methods and Data Analysis | 3 |
| CRIM 516 | Evaluation of Crime and Justice Policies and Practices | 3 |
| CRIM 517 | Research Practicum in Justice Policy and Practice | 3 |
| Total Credits | 21 | |
Electives
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select three courses from the following: | 9 | |
| Justice Organizations and Processes | ||
| Policing | ||
| The Constitution, Criminal Procedure, and Security | ||
| Law and Social Control | ||
| Conduct of Justice Organizations at the Street Level | ||
| Corrections | ||
| Crime Analysis | ||
| Politics of Crime Policy | ||
| Crime and Place | ||
| Special Topics | ||
| Total Credits | 9 | |
Bachelor's Degree (any)/Criminal Justice, Accelerated MS
Overview
Highly-qualified undergraduates may be admitted to the bachelor's/accelerated master's program and obtain a BA/BS in a chosen major and an MS in Criminal Justice in an accelerated time-frame after satisfactory completion of a minimum of 138 credits.
See AP.6.7 Bachelor's/Accelerated Master's Degrees for policies related to this program.
Students in an accelerated degree program must fulfill all university requirements for the master's degree. For policies governing all graduate degrees, see AP.6 Graduate Policies.
BAM Pathway Admission Requirements
Applicants to all graduate programs at George Mason University must meet the admission standards and application requirements for graduate study as specified in Graduate Admissions Policies and Bachelor's/Accelerated Master's Degrees policies. For information specific to this degree, see the department's website.
Students will be considered for admission into the BAM Pathway after completion of a minimum of 60 credits, 15 upper-level credits completed at Mason, and a minimum overall GPA of 3.50.
Students who are accepted into the BAM Pathway will be allowed to register for graduate level courses after successful completion of a minimum of 75 undergraduate credits.
Accelerated Master's Admission Requirements
Students already admitted in the BAM Pathway will be admitted to the MS program, if they have met the following criteria, as verified on the Bachelor's/Accelerated Master's Transition form.
- Minimum overall GPA of 3.25
- Successfully meeting Mason's requirements for undergraduate degree conferral (graduation) and completing the application for graduation.
Accelerated Pathway Requirements
To maintain the integrity and quality of both the undergraduate and graduate degree programs, undergraduate students interested in taking graduate courses must choose from the following:
Advanced Standing courses (up to 12 credits)
Courses include any graduate CRIM course with the exception of CRIM 517 Research Practicum in Justice Policy and Practice. Accelerated master's students will work with undergraduate and graduate advisors to select courses for their plan of study.
Reserve Graduate Credit courses (up to 6 credits) taken while an undergraduate and will only count for the graduate degree program
Any graduate CRIM course with the exception of CRIM 517 Research Practicum in Justice Policy and Practice
For more detailed information on coursework and timeline requirements see AP 6.7 Bachelor's/Accelerated Master's Degrees policies.
Program Outcomes
- Students will demonstrate the ability to identify and apply the latest research evidence on a particular justice policy or practice relevant to a particular organization.
- Students will analyze data on a particular justice problem using appropriate techniques and translate research for practitioner and policy audiences.
- Students will demonstrate the ability to conceive of new ideas for research projects relevant to a particular organization and write reports, policy briefs and other publications using evidence-based research.
- Students will demonstrate the ability to give effective presentations applying evidence-based research to organizational policies, programs, and practices.
- Students will analyze legal, ethical, and leadership challenges relevant to translating evidence-based research into policy and practice.
- Students will develop key strategies and techniques for overcoming resistance to the translation of evidence-based policies and practices into the workplace.