Curriculum – Master’s Degree in Criminal Justice

The 30-credit curriculum requires degree candidates to take four core courses; the student selects the remainder in selected concentrations.

All students are required to take the following four core courses:

Core Courses

• SOC 4005 Research Methods
• SOC 4015 Criminological Theory
• SOC 4095 Ethics and Criminal Justice
• SOC 4585 Professional Writing for Law Enforcement

Master’s degree in Criminal Justice

Complete the four (4) core courses and six (6) electives. Electives may be chosen from any of our online course offerings.

Specialization Options

Specializations are offered in Homeland Security and Behavior Analysis. This arrangement allows you to create a unique plan of graduate study that is compatible with your interests and career objectives in the field of Criminal Justice.

Homeland Security Specialization, M.S. in Criminal Justice

Complete the four (4) core courses, three (3) specialized courses from the list below, plus two (2) additional electives. In addition, all students pursuing the Homeland Security Specialization are required to take SOC 4795 as their final capstone course.

• SOC 4375 Forensic Financial Analysis
• SOC 4425 Homeland Security
• SOC 4775 Sociology of Disasters
• SOC 4415 Terrorism
• SOC 4785 Risk Assessment
• SOC 4795 Integrated Capstone Course in Homeland Security

Behavior Analysis Specialization, M.S. in Criminal Justice

Complete four (4) core courses, five (5) specialization courses, and one (1) elective.

• SOC 4605 Basic Principles of Behavior Analysis
• SOC 4615 Applied Behavior Analysis
• SOC 4625 Behavior Analysis: Consultation
• SOC 4635 Behavioral Development
• SOC 4645 Clinical Behavior Analysis

Choose one of these two electives:

• SOC 4055 Criminal Justice System
• SOC 4245 Juvenile Justice and Delinquency
• SOC 4515 Multiculturalism and Diversity in Criminal Justice

The Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) has approved courses SOC 4605 through SOC 4645 as meeting the coursework requirement for taking the Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) Examination. Applicants will have to meet additional internship requirements outside of the online program to qualify. Those taking the BACB examination at that time or later, will need five courses for 15 credits with 225 contact hours including courses SOC 4605, 4615, 4625, 4635, and 4645.

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