Criminal Justice (M.A.)

With threats to domestic and national security looming, the need for criminal justice professionals who can keep pace with the changing environment is real.

At Kean, our master's degree in criminal justice focuses on study of the various systems within the criminal justice system, the current theoretical models explaining crime and delinquency, and their practical use in addressing criminal acts and enforcement.

Our students take a variety of courses, from victimology to ethics, and use scientific inquiry to research and address the problems facing the criminal justice system.

Kean graduates have a firm grasp of police, courts and corrections in order to be productive contributors to the debate on policy and practice in law enforcement.

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Dr. James Drylie — James Drylie, Ph.D. ‘80, executive director of the Kean University School of Criminal Justice and Public Administration, received the Fulbright-Police Research and Criminal Justice Scholar Award in 2016.

What You Learn

You gain an advanced understanding of research and everyday issues related to criminal justice.

Explore various operations within the criminal justice system
Use current theoretical models to explain crime and delinquency
Study the American legal system, corrections and criminal law
Gain an understanding of the role of police in society
Appreciate race, class and gender issues within the system

You can also pursue a for-credit graduate internship in criminal justice.

Application Deadline:

Fall: June 30
Spring: December 1

Admission Requirements

If you have admissions questions, contact Graduate Admissions at gradadmissions@kean.edu or (908) 737-4723.

Criminal Justice (M.A.)

Course Requirements

Program Coordinator:

Thomas Lateano, JD
HYN-505J
(908)737-4285
tlateano@kean.edu

Other programs you might be interested in

After graduating from Kean, I was fortunate to be accepted into the alternate route program for police officers. Now I'm back at Kean. You could say I've come full circle being an adjunct professor, trying to be the mentor that my professors were to me."

Richard Hernandez '09, '16

Officer in the City of Elizabeth Police Department/Kean adjunct

Watch Richard's story

The Classroom and Beyond

At Kean we believe learning and job growth extends far beyond the walls of our classrooms. That's why we encourage you to take advantage of a variety of research opportunities available to you, study abroad and pursue internships that will advance your career or set the stage for another advanced degree.