The goals of the Department of Criminal Justice are for students to achieve a specialized understanding of the criminal justice system, criminal behavior, legal processes and the relationship of these phenomena to society. Graduate studies in the Department of Criminal Justice provide students with advanced social and behavioral science skills as well as a detailed and thorough understanding of crime, criminal justice and related processes. Graduates of this program are prepared to continue advanced studies in criminal justice or other social sciences and to assume mid and upper-level leadership positions within criminal justice programs and agencies.
The interdisciplinary nature of the program maintains the dynamic posture that allowed this crime-related discipline to emerge and to mature quickly and successfully. Graduate students are given latitude in choosing elective courses in the Master of Science in Criminal Justice. Elective courses related to the student's program of study are selected from the resources of the entire University. Courses in social work, public administration, law, business, and the various departments of the College of Arts and Sciences are possible electives that the student may consider. Electives outside the department must have the approval of the Director of Graduate Studies. With proper selection, the electives can complement the core criminal justice courses and produce a balanced, interdisciplinary program which is tailored to meet specific professional and career goals.
The combination of the degree programs and the Southern Police Institute makes the program in Criminal Justice a unique blend of theory and practice. The Southern Police Institute is one of the oldest, most respected police management and administration educational programs in the United States.
Our programs are offered in two formats:
- Evening courses on campus, and
- Online.

