Curriculum

The LMU Master of Science in Criminal Justice and Criminology (MSCJ) is a fully online graduate program designed for those who wish to pursue leadership and administrative roles in the ever-expanding field of criminal justice. Earning a master's degree in criminal justice opens the doors to a wide range of careers in local law enforcement, federal and state government, public agencies, non-profit agencies and community management.

The thirty (30) credit hour curriculum of the LMU Master of Science in Criminal Justice (MSCJ) program is designed to enhance a student's academic qualifications in as few as sixteen (16) months. Required courses are offered on a consistent schedule through Fall, Spring, and Summer semesters. Elective courses are offered on a rotating basis with course preference given to student requests.

Program offerings are flexible and useful for working adults with all classes offered in an online format.

LMU MSCJ Program Tracks

Each track includes the six (6) core classes (listed below) and electives according to students’ career path.

Track 1: Administrative Track
30 Credit hours + Comprehensive Exam
The administrative track is designed for public service professionals with a specific interest in management, leadership and administration in the criminal justice system, as well as in public and private sector organizations. Course offerings include instruction on leadership roles, border patrol, homeland security, ethics, and issues in international crime.

Track 2: Applied Professional Track
30 Credit hours + Comprehensive Exam
The applied professional track allows students to concentrate on the application of their daily routine in the criminal justice field. Course offerings cover reversing criminalization, juvenile crime, the juvenile justice system, community corrections policy, offender reentry programs, roles of race, gender, and social class, and critical evaluation of criminal justice policy.

Track 3: Research Track
30 Credit hours + Comprehensive Exam
The research track is built for students with a specific interest in either pursuing their doctorate or pursuing a career in data analysis in the criminal justice field. Course offerings include instruction on quantitative and qualitative research, survey use, case studies, and emerging technologies.

Required Core Courses: 

All students in all tracks must take the following six courses:

Elective Courses: 

CRIM 605 Homeland Security and Emergency Management
CRIM 615 International Crime and Policy
CRIM 620 Victimology
CRIM 625 Juvenile Justice
CRIM 630 Community Corrections and Offender Reentry
CRIM 635 Crimes of the Powerful
CRIM 640 Race, Gender, Class, and Crime
CRIM 645 Rural Criminal Justice
CRIM 660 De-Criminalization of Mental Illness
CRIM 665 Cyber Crime
CRIM 695 Special Topics Seminar
CRIM 696 Independent Study
CRIM 698 Internship

Previous offerings of CRIM 695 Special Topics Courses: Students may request these offerings or other topics of interest. 

• Mass Incarceration
• Racial and Social Injustice
• Homicide and Serial Killers
• Restorative Justice

To apply, please visit http://applynow.lmunet.edu/.