College of Business and Public Administration
Master of Arts in Criminal Justice
Contact Information
Dr. James J. Drylie
Willis 305H
908 737 4216
jdrylie@kean.edu
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
The Kean University Master’s degree program in Criminal Justice studies the various systems within the criminal justice system, the current theoretical models explaining crime and delinquency, their practical use in addressing crime and enforcement, and the use of scientific inquiry to research and address the theoretical and practical problems facing the criminal justice system currently and in the future. The Master of Arts in Criminal Justice program is designed to ensure that students keep pace with the changing environment and are prepared to be productive, engaged contributors to the debate on policy and practice through instruction in the three major components of the system: police, courts, and corrections.
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
In addition to the University’s admission requirements:
- A baccalaureate degree in criminal justice or a related field (including political science, sociology, psychology, and legal studies) with a minimum cumulative G.P.A. of 3.0. Students without an undergraduate degree in Criminal Justice may be admitted to the program at the discretion of the Criminal Justice faculty.
- GRE examination - Minimum Analytical Writing Score 3.5
- Sample of scholarly work from undergraduate studies. Students who do not have a sample from their undergraduate studies will be assigned a topic by the graduate coordinator and will need to submit a 1250 word paper.
- Three letters of recommendation from individuals who can attest to the applicant's professional and/or academic accomplishments.
FOUNDATION COURSES
12-15 credits
| CJ 5670 | Theories of Crime and Delinquency | 3 credits |
| MATH 5500 | Statistics | 3 credits |
| CJ 5610 | Research Methods in Criminal Justice | 3 credits |
| CJ 5630 | Ethics in Criminal Justice | 3 credits |
| CJ 5620 | Foundations of Criminal Justice (waived for students with an undergraduate degree in Criminal Justice ) | 3 credits |
CORE COURSES
12 credits
| CJ 5470 | Policing in Society | 3 credits |
| CJ 5690 | Corrections | 3 credits |
| CJ 5600 | The American Legal System | 3 credits |
| CJ 5650 | Race, Class, and Gender in the Criminal Justice System | 3 credits |
ELECTIVE COURSES
Students must select 9-12 credits in electives
| CJ 5710 | Comparative Criminal Justice Systems | 3 credits |
| CJ 5680 | Victimology | 3 credits |
| CJ 5720 | Internship in Criminal Justice | 3 credits |
| CJ 5730 | Criminal Law | 3 credits |
| CJ 5640 | Constitutional Theory | 3 credits |
| ID 5801 | Thesis Option | 3 credits |
Total of 36 Credits to Complete the Program