Master of Science in Criminal Justice with an Emphasis in Law Enforcement
Overview
Prepare to Meet Greater Demands in Law Enforcement
Build contemporary and practical skills in crime analysis, strategic planning and funding initiatives to meet today’s complex demands of communities and justice organizations with the Master of Science in Criminal Justice with an Emphasis in Law Enforcement from Grand Canyon University. Whether you are currently working in law enforcement and wish to expand your role and opportunities within the profession, or you are seeking to join this exciting profession, this online program within the College of Humanities and Social Sciences was designed for you. This program was developed to align with the expanding professional-level needs in the field based on guidance from local, state and federal law enforcement experts.
As you immerse yourself in the masters degree in law enforcement curriculum, you examine many advanced themes, including how to justify crime prevention programs that are publicly funded and assess contemporary crime trends. Students in the Master of Science in Criminal Justice program also gain skills in leadership, public relations and risk management as it applies to policing.
Degree Outcomes
Deepen Your Knowledge Base, Expand Your Skill Set
Graduates of the masters in law enforcement program gain a comprehensive understanding of advanced, contemporary topics, such as applying theory to data and developing community correctional and legal programs. Progressive program development includes producing funding through grant writing and driving resources in various ways. During the program, students create artifacts that may include writing or analytical samples to support their qualifications during the job search.
What You Will Learn
Gain Greater Insight into Crime Prevention
Explore topics and activities that include:
- Criminal behavior analysis and case management
- Organizational behavior, leadership and strategic planning
- Research analysis and strategy
- Law and public policy
- Crime prevention and community relations
- Ethics and business operations
The masters degree in law enforcement program concludes with a financial-focused final course that encourages students to think creatively and outside of the box. Students adopt the mindset of a law consultant who assesses needs, makes decisions, creates plans and implements those plans to enhance the performance of an agency.
Career Outcomes
Influence Law Enforcement at a Higher Level
Potential career opportunities for graduates of the masters in law enforcement program include chief of police, detective sergeant, lieutenant, patrol sergeant, police captain, police chief, police lieutenant, police sergeant, sergeant, shift supervisor, commander and senior officer. Graduates may also seek opportunities for self-employment and entrepreneurship. Other career pursuits include roles as a researcher, liaison between local law enforcement/criminal justice system and agencies/associations or contractor of a self-developed business.
Course List
Program Core Courses
Course Description
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 in the liberal arts. Emphasis is placed on utilizing the tools for graduate success.
Course Description
This course provides an examination of the relationship between psychology and the criminal justice system. Students develop an understanding of crisis intervention, criminal profiling, psychopathology, personality assessment, and related research methods.
Course Description
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.
Course Description
This course explores ethics in the context of criminal justice settings and situations. Various ethical questions are engaged to improve students’ decision-making skills. The responsibility of the individual to act ethically and legally when working in the criminal justice field is emphasized. Some attention is also given to the role of Christian Ethics in criminal justice.
Course Description
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. The course focuses on the practical application of research rather than exclusively on the theoretical.
Course Description
This course explores contemporary law enforcement management by examining personality, values, groups, power dimensions, decision making, conflict management, change, and organization development.
Course Description
This course provides a comprehensive examination of the relationship between the police and the public. The course exposes students to strategies law enforcement personnel and agencies can use to develop positive relationships with the public. The relationship between greater communication, positive interactions, and crime prevention is explored.
Course Description
This course covers various aspects of crime analysis and how analysis can be used in managing cases and reducing crime. Data collection techniques as well as interpreting data for different purposes are addressed. Prerequisite: JUS-510.
Course Description
This course provides an advanced study of crime analysis techniques, trends, and uses. Finding patterns in crime data as well as communicating those patterns and trends for specific purposes is covered. This is an application based course to build useful skills in crime analysis. Prerequisite: JUS-636.
Course Description
This course provides an in-depth study of strategic analysis and organizational planning practices for law enforcement leaders. The course prepares students to assess needs, make decisions, create plans, and implement those plans to enhance agency performance.
Program Locations
Online
* The Department of Education defines how an institution must calculate a program's On-Time Completion rate for federal disclosure purposes. The On-Time Completion rate is based on a program’s published required number of months to complete all degree requirements as provided in the institution’s catalog. Completion statistics are updated every January and are based on the cohort of students who graduated between 7/1 – 6/30 of the preceding year. The On-Time Completion rate is determined by the number of students in the cohort who completed the program within the published program length divided by the number of students in the cohort who graduated.
Online and Evening program disclosures (21 month program)* Please refer to the Academic Catalog for more information. Program subject to change.