The Master of Arts in Criminal Justice degree requires a minimum of thirty-one credit hours, including the completion of a master’s essay.
Curriculum Objectives
Through their coursework, students develop an understanding of the complexities involved in the functioning of the criminal justice system. They learn how to conduct and evaluate applied research used by policy makers and criminal justice professionals. The close association among WRICOPS, WSICOP, DGSS and the Criminal Justice program affords students the opportunity to engage in meaningful research and gain experience working with a variety of criminal justice agencies—in law enforcement, courts, and corrections.
This training prepares students to meet the primary need faced by the criminal justice system: well-educated professionals capable of making policy decisions based on up-to-date research and theory. Students earning their MA in Criminal Justice at WSU Spokane are also well prepared to continue their studies in pursuit of a PhD.
Program requirements
Pol S/Crm J 503: Introduction to Political Science Research Methods
Crm J 530: Criminal Justice: Processes and Institutions
Crm J 504: Quantitative Methods in Political Science and Criminal Justice
Crm J 555: Seminar in the nature of Crime
Two courses in the area of policing, corrections, or courts
Master's candidates round out their program with electives and with the completion of a master's essay developed in cooperation with the student's committee.
Two core and two elective courses are offered each semester, rotating such that students can complete the program in one year, if they so desire. In addition to catalog courses, we offer special topics courses every year, allowing students the opportunity to explore different aspects of the criminal justice system.
Doctoral candidates build on their master’s coursework, pursuing more in-depth and specialized studies in developing their dissertation. Students examine the criminal justice system, criminological theory, and methods of analysis. Students can begin their PhD studies at WSU Spokane; some courses must be completed at WSU Pullman.
For advising, contact
WSU Spokane Campus Academic Director
David Brody, JD, PhD
E-mail:
brody@wsu.edu
Telephone: 509.358.7952
For admissions and registration information, contact
Student Affairs, WSU Spokane
E-mail:
enroll@wsu.edu
Telephone: 509.358.7978
Students must be registered by the first day of class to avoid a late
registration fee. Students are encouraged to apply for graduate
admission as soon as possible. Acceptance to a class does not guarantee
admission to a graduate program.