Program Details

Master of Science in Criminal Justice with an Emphasis in Legal Studies

Offered By: College of Humanities and Social Sciences

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Total Program Credits & Course Length:

Total Program Credits: 38

Online: 8 weeks [ More Info ]

Transfer Credits:

Up to 12 credits or 1/3 of the program

Program Tuition Rate:

Online: $515 per credit. [ More Info ]

As part of our commitment to keeping tuition rates competitive, GCU has kept campus tuition costs frozen since 2009. While the cost per credits are listed below, the average campus student pays only $8,600 per year* in tuition after institutional scholarships and grants. Speak with your university counselor for more information about estimating the costs of attending GCU.

Tuition	Credits	2018-19
Traditional Undergraduate	1-11	$687.50 per credit
Traditional Undergraduate	12-18 (block tuition)	$8,250 per semester
Traditional Undergraduate	19+ (semester rate +)	$8,250 + $687.50 per credit above 18 credits
Summer Traditional Undergraduate (Except pre-licensure nursing cohorts)*		$310 per credit

*Tuition rates for all courses beginning July 1, 2018

*No in-state/out-of-state rates

*Traditional campus undergraduate students taking courses in the online format will be charged the regular tuition rates.

*Traditional campus undergraduate students are required to take a minimum of nine (9) credits in the traditional campus format.

It is the policy of GCU 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. Regulations vary by student location. 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 4.712 percent. Students residing in other Hawaii districts will be charged 4.1666 percent.

*Fees subject to change.

GCU's non-traditional tuition rates are for students who are interested in pursuing an online degree program or taking evening classes. Speak with your university counselor to learn more about your opportunities for scholarships off tuition through GCU's educational alliances or to find out about options for continuing education for teachers.

Undergraduate Tuition	2018-19
Education Programs	$440 per credit
Theology Programs	$395 per credit
Applied Business Analytics / Applied Business Information Systems/ Business Information Systems/ Computer Programming / Information Technology Programs	$449 per credit
Business Administration with an Emphasis in Business Intelligence	$470 per credit
Online and Professional Studies (all programs other than those listed above)	$470 per credit
Active Duty and Active Reserve (online and professional studies)	$250 per credit

Graduate Tuition	2018-19
Education Programs	$530 per credit
Master of Divinity	$340 per credit
IT Programs	$505 per credit
Business Programs (Excludes Business Analytics / Information Systems and Technology Management)	$575 per credit
Nursing Programs	$500 per credit
Advanced Practice Nursing Programs	$670 per credit
Business Analytics / Information Systems and Technology Management Programs	$505 per credit
Online and Professional Studies (all programs other than those listed above)	$515 per credit
Active Duty and Active Reserve (online and professional studies)	$400 per credit
Doctoral Programs (includes DIS-966 through DIS-970)	$650 per credit
Doctoral Programs – Active Duty and Active Reserve (online and professional studies)	$617.50 per credit

Continuing Education (CTE) Tuition	2018-19
Online	$150 per credit

*Fees subject to change.

2018-19

Residence Hall Rates Students are required to carry at least a Canyon $1,350 meal plan.
Prescott / Camelback / Sedona / Chaparral / Saguaro / Ocotillo	Triple Occupancy	$3,550 per academic year
The Grove: Acacia / Ironwood / Juniper / Willow	Triple Occupancy	$3,550 per academic year
Cypress	Double Occupancy	$4,400 per academic year
Prescott / Camelback / Sedona / Chaparral / Saguaro / Ocotillo	Double Occupancy	$5,000 per academic year
The Grove: Acacia / Ironwood / Juniper / Willow	Double Occupancy	$5,000 per academic year

Apartment Rates Students are required to carry at least a Canyon $750 meal plan.
North Rim	Double Occupancy	$5,500 per academic year
North Rim	Single Occupancy	$6,000 per academic year
Papago Studio (two bedrooms, one bathroom, no kitchen or living room)	Single Occupancy	$5,500 per academic year
Papago / Agave / Roadrunner / Diamondback / Encanto (four bedrooms, two bathrooms, with kitchen and living room)	Single Occupancy	$6,100 per academic year

Summer Room Rates
Active student (actively enrolled in at least one course)		$1,200
Working student (on-campus job, but not taking courses)		$1,600

All residents (including all on-campus and remote housing residents) commit to housing reservations as an academic year-long lease (both fall and spring semesters) and are charged for housing by the academic year (both fall and spring semesters).
All housing charges, including room and board, are billed to the student's account.
For payment methods and deadlines contact your university counselor or student services counselor.
All rates include parking (summer only), rent, water, electricity, basic cable and Internet. Rates above DO NOT include tax.

Meal Plans Meal plans for 2017-18 are Dining Dollars only and do not include meal swipes.
Plans	Details	Price
Canyon $750 Dining Dollars	Exclusive to apartment residents or commuter students.	$1,500 per academic year
Canyon $1,350 Dining Dollars	Minimum requirement for residence hall residents.	$2,700 per academic year
Canyon $1,800 Dining Dollars		$3,500 per academic year
Canyon $2,100 Dining Dollars		$4,000 per academic year
Canyon $2,700 Dining Dollars		$5,100 per academic year

*Fees subject to change.

2018-19

Residence Hall Rates Students are required to carry at least a Canyon $1,350 meal plan.
Prescott / Camelback / Sedona / Chaparral / Saguaro / Ocotillo	Triple Occupancy	$3,550 per academic year
The Grove: Acacia / Ironwood / Juniper / Willow	Triple Occupancy	$3,550 per academic year
Canyon	Double Occupancy	$4,400 per academic year
Prescott / Camelback / Sedona / Chaparral / Saguaro / Ocotillo	Double Occupancy	$5,000 per academic year
The Grove: Acacia / Ironwood / Juniper / Willow	Double Occupancy	$5,000 per academic year

Apartment Rates Students are required to carry at least a Canyon $750 meal plan.
North Rim	Double Occupancy	$5,500 per academic year
North Rim	Single Occupancy	$6,000 per academic year
Papago Studio (two bedrooms, one bathroom, no kitchen or living room)	Single Occupancy	$5,500 per academic year
Papago / Agave / Roadrunner / Diamondback / Encanto / Jerome / Cactus (four bedrooms, two bathrooms, with kitchen and living room)	Single Occupancy	$6,100 per academic year

Summer Room Rates
Active student (actively enrolled in at least one course)		$1,200
Working student (on-campus job, but not taking courses)		$1,600

All residents (including all on-campus and remote housing residents) commit to housing reservations as an academic year-long lease (both fall and spring semesters) and are charged for housing by the academic year (both fall and spring semesters).
All housing charges, including room and board, are billed to the student's account.
For payment methods and deadlines contact your university counselor or student services counselor.
All rates include parking (summer only), rent, water, electricity, basic cable and Internet. Rates above DO NOT include tax.

Meal Plans Meal plans for 2018-19 are Dining Dollars only and do not include meal swipes.
Plans	Details	Price
Canyon $250 Dining Dollars	Exclusive to commuter students.	$500 per academic year
Canyon $750 Dining Dollars	Exclusive to apartment residents or commuter students.	$1,500 per academic year
Canyon $1,350 Dining Dollars	Minimum requirement for residence hall residents.	$2,700 per academic year
Canyon $1,800 Dining Dollars		$3,500 per academic year
Canyon $2,100 Dining Dollars		$4,000 per academic year
Canyon $2,700 Dining Dollars		$5,100 per academic year

*Fees subject to change.

Traditional On-Campus Fees

2018-19

Fees indicated are effective for all students enrolling for 2018-19 academic year. Please contact your university counselor with any questions.

Canyon Connect	Undergraduate courses	$95 per class
Registration Deposit	Non-refundable	$50
Student Activity Fee	Traditional undergraduate and graduate campus students (except those in the nursing pre-licensure program)	$275 per semester (excluding summer)
Colter Surface Parking (2018-19)	Green Lot - For campus residents only. Secure parking for student vehicles near or adjacent to campus. Limited spaces are available.	$50
Grove Garage Resident Parking (2018-19)	Red Lot - For Grove residents only. Covered parking for student vehicles near Willow, Acacia, Juniper and Ironwood residence halls.	$150 per academic year
29th Avenue Parking Garage (2018-19)	Black Lot - For campus residents only. Covered parking on the perimeter of campus on floors 2, 3, 4 and 5.	$150 per academic year
Halo Parking Garage (2018-19)	Purple Lot - For commuter students only. Covered parking on the perimeter of campus on floors 2, 3, 4 and 5.	$150 per academic year
Lot D – Formerly Missouri Avenue Surface Parking (2018-19)	Orange Lot - For commuter students only. Secure parking for student vehicles near or adjacent to campus.	$20 per academic year
Housing Application Fee	Traditional undergraduate campus students and non-refundable	$250
Housing Prepayment	Returning residents only and non-refundable	$200
Returned Check Fee	All returned checks	$25
Health Insurance		$2,439 per academic year
Transcript Fee		$5
Graduation Fee		$150
Health Fee		$70 per semester
Health Center Visit Fee		$25
Schedule Change Fee		$25
Late Payment Fee		$25
Global Studies Portfolio Fee		$90
Hospitality Management Premium		$100 per semester
Tennis Management Premium		$250 per semester
Golf Management Premium		$500 per semester
Computer Science, Computer Programming, Engineering and Information Technology Program Premium 2018-19		$800 per semester
Nursing Program Premium 2018-19 (effective summer 2018)	Pre-Licensure program	$1,000 per semester
Worship Arts Premium	Includes minors	$250 per semester
Special Course Fees		Refer to the University Policy Handbook

*Fees subject to change.

Non-Traditional Online and Evening Fees

2018-19

Fees indicated are effective for all students enrolling starting on July 1, 2018, unless otherwise specified.

Canyon Connect	Undergraduate courses	$95
Canyon Connect	Graduate courses	$105
Canyon Connect	Doctoral courses	$115
RN to BSN Program Course Material Fee	5-week courses with an NRS- prefix and HLT-362V	$120 per course
Course Material Fee	NUR-634	Refer to the University Policy Handbook
Learning Management Service Fee	New online and professional studies students	$400
Doctoral Residencies	Including MDiv	$795-$1,195 per Residency
Doctoral Programs	Dissertation continuation - optional zero-credit course	$500
Accordance Bible Software	New MDiv students only	$285
Credential Evaluation (International)	Basic evaluation	$175
Credential Evaluation (International)	Course-by-course evaluation	$250
Returned Check Fee	All returned checks	$25
Transcript Fee		$5
Graduation Fee		$150
Special Course Fees		Refer to the University Policy Handbook

*Fees subject to change.

Overview

Gain Real-World Preparation for Career Advancement

Legal experts hold an important role in every society; established crime prevention, punishment and restorative justice systems are essential for a healthy community to preserve a sense of safety and security. Grand Canyon University’s (GCU) application-based Master of Science in Criminal Justice with an Emphasis in Legal Studies program focuses on building legal-related contemporary and practical skills in crime analysis and strategic planning to meet current community demands. Students develop skills necessary to consult in criminal justice organizations with an emphasis on real-world preparation, which may lead to networking, internship and career opportunities.

The College of Humanities and Social Sciences offers this advanced masters in legal studies degree program to help professionals in law enforcement and other decision makers address issues in public policy, social research and justice administration in the public sphere. Expand your specialized skills in order to move into positions of greater responsibilities and leadership, or gain essential information if you are law school-bound.

A capstone class concludes this masters in legal studies online degree and focuses on professional portfolio development and a final written proposal. The portfolio contains your curriculum vitae, examples of writing from graduate courses, a statement of criminal justice philosophy, a five-year plan for professional goals and a research topic paper and written proposal.

Degree Outcomes

Gain Expertise in Contemporary Legal Issues

As a student in this masters in legal studies degree, you will examine current legal topics, including research and methodological evaluation of criminal justice policy; historical and contemporary questions of constitutional criminal law; legal research; organization behavior; leadership; and law and public policy.

What You Will Learn

Serve Your Community as a Legal Expert

Students in the masters in legal studies online program will delve further into crime analysis, statistical analysis, critical reasoning and practical application beyond theory. Throughout learning experiences, students create artifacts to serve as a writing or analytical sample in preparation for career advancement. The highly rigorous curriculum also covers community correctional and legal program development, locating funding, grant writing and driving resources in different ways for diverse sectors.

Areas of study include:

Relationship between psychology and the criminal justice system
Interrelatedness of law and socioeconomic concerns
Ethics in context of criminal justice settings and situations
Criminal justice-related analysis of research and methodological evaluation
Contemporary law enforcement management
Comprehensive study of the constitutional system
Legal research and communication

Career Outcomes

Lead in a Legal Career

Since legal issues are encountered in nearly every profession, the masters degree in criminal justice may help you seek employment in a variety of fields. Law enforcement officers and individuals in government positions may pursue this degree in order to gain the skills necessary for management or leadership positions. The curriculum and coursework in this legal studies degree also helps prepare you for law school or expand your career with the independence to pursue self-employment or entrepreneurial goals.

Program Domains

Course List

The programs offered at Grand Canyon University may vary by content and course length. You are currently viewing the program version available in Arizona. For information about specific course content, credit length and VA approval in your state, please contact a counselor at 1-855-GCU-LOPE or click here to request more information.

Major:

38 credits

Total Degree Requirements:

38 credits

Program Core Courses

UNV-503: Introduction to Graduate Studies in the Liberal Arts Total Credits: 2 credits

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.

JUS-506: Criminal Behavior Analysis Total Credits: 4 credits

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.

JUS-620: Exploration of Law and Public Policy Total Credits: 4 credits

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.

JUS-522: Ethics and Decision Making Total Credits: 4 credits

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.

JUS-510: Research Methods Total Credits: 4 credits

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.

JUS-515: Organizational Behavior and Leadership Total Credits: 4 credits

Course Description

This course explores contemporary law enforcement management by examining personality, values, groups, power dimensions, decision making, conflict management, change, and organization development.

JUS-631: Exploration of Constitutional Criminal Law Total Credits: 4 credits

Course Description

This course is designed to provide an overview of our constitutional system of criminal jurisprudence. The course provides a comprehensive study of various constitutional amendments and case law as they relate to criminal law. The importance of constitutional rights for the citizens of the United States is also explored.

JUS-635: Legal Research Total Credits: 4 credits

Course Description

This course teaches students how to do legal research using both hardcopy and electronic resources. Presented from the perspective of a law specialist working for a client, this course allows students to consider a client’s legal issues and to discover how to locate resources that address the problem, including statutes, regulations, court orders, court decisions, and secondary sources.

JUS-641: Legal Communication Total Credits: 4 credits

Course Description

This course explores a variety of legal correspondence methods used to communicate with different persons and agencies within the legal community. The course provides practical application in legal communication methods. Prerequisite: JUS-635.

JUS-655: Strategies for Effective Consulting Total Credits: 4 credits

Course Description

This course is designed to assist students in exploring the different ways consulting can be used to capitalize on the legal knowledge and skills they have obtained. Consulting opportunities in the legal field, as well as the process and procedures of consulting are addressed.

Program Locations

Online

Pursue a next-generation education with an online degree from Grand Canyon University. Earn your degree with convenience and flexibility with online courses that let you study anytime, anywhere. GCU offers the most experienced leadership in delivering online degree programs. Full-time faculty members and fully trained adjunct instructors, equipped with strong academic backgrounds and practical experience in their fields, support you every step of the way. Designed with the career-oriented professional in mind, our online classes provide an intimate environment that stimulates engaging and challenging discussions. Choose from programs across our distinct colleges, in high-demand employment areas. Classes begin frequently.

Evening

Grand Canyon University’s evening programs cater to the demands of working professionals who prefer an in-person learning environment. Our night classes meet just once per week and offer the interaction and discussion of a typical college classroom. Night classes are designed for a specific number of students, providing a warm and nurturing environment that supports an engaging experience. In an evening cohort, you will progress through your degree program with the same career-minded classmates, providing an opportunity to network and forge relationships that go beyond the classroom. Classes begin frequently at various locations, including our main campus.

* Please note that this list may contain programs that are not presently offered as program availability may vary depending on class size, enrollment and other contributing factors. If you are interested in a program listed herein please first contact your University Counselor for the most current information regarding availability of the program.

* 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 started the program in the same year and then graduated within the published program length.

Leadership, Policy, and Planning
- Analyze how principles of Christian leadership can promote adherence to ethical codes of conduct.
- Apply creative management practices to improve organizational outcomes aligned with organizational needs.
- Analyze the appropriateness of policies to address various situations.
Research, Analysis, and Strategy
- Apply the correlates of criminal behavior and theories of criminality to crime prevention initiatives.
- Identify crime patterns based on various sources of criminal data information to assist in the deployment of resources.
- Use valid and reliable data for survey construction, sampling statistics and design, and interpreting data results to inform decision makers for strategic planning.
Law
- Critique law enforcement activities and documentation to ensure they are in compliance with appropriate laws.
- Assess the level of compliance an agency has to various policies, procedures, or accreditation standards.
- Analyze how items such as legislative actions, court decisions, regulatory and statutory changes, and laws and ordinances impact department procedures, policies, and operations.
Ethics and Business Operations
- Analyze why it is essential for public servants to conduct themselves ethically and with integrity.
- Recommend strategies to build relationships and communicate ethically with various stakeholders.
- Determine departmental training needs by conducting a needs assessment.
- Use workload measurements of organizational units to allocate resources and create work schedules that will result in efficient staffing and resource deployment for an agency.
- Write a grant proposal for a specific agency need.
Legal Studies
- Assess the short- and long-term effects a statute and case may have on the community.
- Locate appropriate sources to interpret particular statutes and case law.
- Use the appropriate legal communication method for a specific situation.
- Properly communicate legal information so that the integrity of a case is not compromised.

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

1-855-GCU-LOPE

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Master of Science in Criminal Justice with an Emphasis in Legal Studies

Traditional On-Campus Tuition

Non-Traditional Tuition (Online and Evening Students)

Housing and Meal Costs

2018-19

2018-19

Other Fees

Traditional On-Campus Fees

2018-19

Non-Traditional Online and Evening Fees

2018-19

Overview

Gain Real-World Preparation for Career Advancement

Degree Outcomes

Gain Expertise in Contemporary Legal Issues

What You Will Learn

Serve Your Community as a Legal Expert

Career Outcomes

Lead in a Legal Career

Course List

Program Core Courses

Course Description

Course Description

Course Description

Course Description

Course Description

Course Description

Course Description

Course Description

Course Description

Course Description

Program Locations

Online

Evening

Program Domains