Master of Science in Criminal Justice with an Emphasis in Law Enforcement

Degree Overview
Course List
Program Location

The Master of Science in Criminal Justice with an Emphasis in Law Enforcement is designed for individuals who currently work as law enforcement, corrections or probation officer and wish to move into management or leadership roles. Students seeking a criminal justice master‛s degree are looking to expand their understanding of the law, social order, and justice.

Law enforcement officers and others who enter this program will learn how to justify crime prevention programs that are publically funded by using database software to become more efficient in covering areas, and examine crime trends. Students in the criminal justice master‛s program will also gain skills in leadership, public relations, and risk management.

The Master of Science in Criminal Justice with an Emphasis in Law Enforcement focuses on topics including: criminological theories focused through contemporary peer-reviewed resources; fundamental analysis of research and a methodological evaluation of criminal justice topics; criminal investigative procedure, collection and preservation of evidence; the many roles psychology plays in the legal system; comparisons of the traditional goals of punishment with the concepts of restorative justice; ethics and liability for policing and corrections; organizational behavior and leadership in criminal justice; exploration of law and public policy; and historical causes, strategies, and tactics of terrorism.

A capstone class concludes this criminal justice master‛s program and focuses on professional portfolio development and a final written proposal by the graduate. The portfolio contains the graduate‛s curriculum vitae, examples of writing from graduate courses, a statement of criminal justice philosophy, a 5-year plan for professional goals, and a research topic paper/written proposal.

Course List

Course #	Course Title	Course Description	Credits
UNV-503	Introduction to Graduate Studies in the Liberal Arts	This course is designed to prepare students for the graduate learning experience at Grand Canyon University. Students have opportunities to develop and strengthen the skills necessary to succeed as graduate students studying the liberal arts in the College of Arts and Sciences. Emphasis is placed on utilizing the tools for graduate success.	2
JUS-505	Critical Issues in Criminal Justice	This course expands the student‛s understanding of the scope of criminological theories focused through contemporary peer-reviewed resources.	4
JUS-521	Criminal Investigations	This course enhances students‛ understanding of criminal investigative procedure, collection and preservation of evidence, chain of custody concerns, computer forensics, investigative jurisdiction, administration, and use of information gathering techniques.	4
JUS-510	Research Methods	This course provides a fundamental analysis of research and a methodological evaluation of criminal justice topics. This course familiarizes students with aspects of statistical analysis and research design relevant to today‛s justice environment using both quantitative and qualitative methods. Additionally, coverage is provided for use of research design in community action.	4
JUS-610	Forensic Psychology	This course provides an objective study of the many roles psychology plays in the legal system, including expert witnesses, criminal profilers, and trial consultants for jury selection and child custody hearings.	4
JUS-520	Restorative Justice	This course compares and contrasts traditional goals of punishment (rehabilitation, incapacitation, retribution, and deterrence) with the concepts of restorative justice. Topics include community service, victim assistance, victim-offender mediation, and restitution. Restorative justice seeks a balance between the need to rehabilitate offenders while executing a duty to protect the public.	4
JUS-515	Organizational Behavior and Leadership in Criminal Justice	This course explores contemporary law enforcement management by examining personality, values, groups, power dimensions, decision making, conflict management, change, and organization development.	4
JUS-620	Exploration of Law and Public Policy	This course explores the interrelatedness of law and socioeconomic concerns and attempts to generate a holistic perspective of society and social control for those charged with the administration of justice.	4
JUS-524	Terrorism and Homeland Security	This course provides insight into the historical causes, strategies, and tactics of terrorism, as well as counterterrorism planning and utilization of law enforcement assets to prevent, detect, and deter acts of terrorism. Also covered are constitutional issues regarding terrorism suspects, long-term detention, financial embargoes of private funds, and other issues pertinent to the modern political climate.	4
JUS-618	Ethics and Liability for Policing and Corrections	This course explores the subcultures created by police and correctional officers. Topics include the need for building a subculture of mutual support and survival in a dangerous profession, dilemmas of new officers entering corrupt departments, and ways administrators can help police and correctional officers rediscover their community.	4
JUS-652	Capstone	This course is taken in the final term of the graduate program. It focuses on professional portfolio development and a final written proposal by the graduate. The portfolio will contain the graduate‛s curriculum vitae, exemplars of writing from graduate courses, a statement of criminal justice philosophy, a 5-year plan for professional goals, and a research topic paper/written proposal. A final written proposal must focus on how the graduate will use the totality of the learning experience to examine and improve the criminal justice system at the federal, state, county, or city level. The proposal must exhibit adequate research, coordination within the extant layers of justice policy, realistic consideration of available resources, and a reasonable timeline of benchmarks.	2
Required Course Total Credit:			40

Courses:

40 credits

This program is offered in the following formats or locations:

Main Campus

Enjoy Grand Canyon University's traditional campus experience. Nestled on over 90 acres in the heart of Phoenix, over 6,500 students live and attend class on the GCU campus. New modern classrooms, suite style dorms and a focus on creating a rich student life make GCU a top choice for high school graduates.

Online

An online education allows you the flexibility to fulfill your educational goals without distracting you from your career. Full-time faculty members support our online students while our dynamic tools allow for engaging and challenging discussions with classmates. Classes start every month.

Program Disclosure

Category	Non-Traditional	Traditional
Books & Supplies (Per Program)	$935	$1,375
Tuition & Fees (Per Program)	$20,350	$16,500
Room & Board (Per Semester, If Applicable)	$3,434
On Time Graduation Rate	95%	N/A
Median Private Loan Debt	$0	N/A
Median TIV Loan Debt	$37,554	N/A
Median Institutional Financing Plan Debt	N/A	N/A

Program SOC

Occupations

First-Line Supervisors/Managers of Police and Detectives

Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Teachers, Postsecondary

It is the policy of the University to collect and remit sales, use, excise and/or gross receipts taxes in compliance with state and local taxing jurisdiction regulations which require the University to remit tax where applicable. These regulations vary by location. Please note: It is also the policy of the University to require payment of sales, use, excise, and/or gross receipts tax. Payment of tax is ultimately the student's financial responsibility to the University regardless of financing arrangements. Per Hawaii requirements: It is hereby stated that students residing in the State of Hawaii will be charged Hawaii General Excise Tax on all transactions. Students living in the District of Oahu will be charged 4.5%. Students residing in other Hawaii districts will be charged 4.0%.
Book costs are based on an average. Costs may increase or decrease depending on electronic availability or publisher's book costs.
Room and board costs may be higher or lower depending on housing and meal plan choice. This number is based on an average for students on campus.
Some Non-Traditional programs may be offered on the ground campus or on-line.
N/A identifies that a program is not offered in that modality or that fewer than 10 students graduated within the reported timeframe.
Tuition and Fees for each program are based on current rates. Future Tuition and Fee Rates may vary. Tuition was calculated using the number of credit hours in the program times the current tuition rate and includes the Graduation Fee. Full time students enrolled at a program taken at the main campus include a Student Activity Fee, charged every semester. Online programs include a one time Learning Management Fee. Some programs may also include additional fees based on course materials.
On-time graduation rates and median loan debt are based on students who graduated in the 2011-2012 award year.
Not all GCU programs are available in all states and in all learning modalities.
Program availability is contingent on student enrollment.

Disclosure Information

* Please refer to the Academic Catalog for more information. Program subject to change.