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2019-2020 Graduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]
Criminal Justice MCJ
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 Return to: School of Public Affairs
Introduction
► Graduate School Policies and Procedures apply to this program
The Master of Criminal Justice (MCJ) program is designed for students interested in comprehensive professional graduate education in criminology and criminal justice. It is intended to provide an in-depth understanding of existing structures, practices, and challenges within this field of study.
Part of an academic and professional field of study, the MCJ program prepares students to administer, analyze, evaluate, and facilitate improvements in the rationality and responsiveness of the criminal and juvenile justice systems. Research design capability is emphasized alongside skills required for analyzing empirical data and innovating in crime control and prevention. Students who advance through the program acquire strategies and skills necessary for promoting individual, organizational, and social change.
To learn more about our renowned faculty, please visit our website to view our faculty bios.
Program Director: Lorine Hughes, PhD
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SPA Admission Requirements
- Applicants must have a baccalaureate degree from a college or university of accredited standing, with a minimum GPA of 3.0. Two sets of official transcripts are required from all higher education institutions attended.
- Applicants must provide three recommendations from qualified references. Recommendations may be from professors, employers and/or others acquainted with the prospective student’s professional and/or academic work.
- Applicants are required to take the GRE, the GMAT or the LSAT unless they meet the requirements for waiver. Standard graduate admission test scores are normally waived when the candidate already has a graduate degree in another field from an accredited institution. Other applicants may have test scores waived if they have an undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or better and they have significant post-baccalaureate professional employment in management or policymaking positions for a minimum of 7 years or the equivalent.
- A current resume highlighting professional accomplishments and community involvement, a short essay stating educational and career goals, a declaration of program form, and an application fee are also required.
- International applicants may have different admission requirements and should check with the Office of International Affairs. In particular, international students whose first language is not English are required to take the TOEFL or IELTS. A composite score of 6.5 on the IELTS, or a composite score of 80 on the TOEFL, with accompanying minimum IELTS or TOEFL subscores of 20 or greater, is required.
All application material and test scores should be sent to:
School of Public Affairs
University of Colorado Denver
Campus Box 142, P.O. Box 173364
Denver, CO 80217-3364.
Application Deadlines
| Admit Term |
Preferred Deadline |
Final Deadline |
| Fall |
March 1 |
August 1 |
| Spring |
October 15 |
December 1 |
| Summer |
March 1 |
May 1 |
SPA will review applications as soon as they are complete. Master-level applicants generally receive notification of their admission status three weeks after all materials have been received in the office. The preferred deadlines listed below allow students to receive best consideration for scholarships, financial aid and course selection. Students who do not meet the preferred deadline may still submit application materials until approximately one month before the start of classes and will be considered on a space-available basis.
Provisional Admission
In exceptional cases, a student who does not otherwise meet the minimum requirements for admission may be admitted on provisional status if elements of their application suggest they may be able to succeed in the program. Students admitted on a provisional basis take two core courses in their first semester, and must earn at least a B in each course.
Under provisional admission, students may select two of the following for their first semester:
MCJ students:
MPA students:
Based on their performance in these courses, a formal decision will be made concerning their admission into the program. Provisionally-admitted students may not take any other courses at SPA until they have been formally admitted to the program.
Nondegree Admissions
Students may register as nondegree students while developing their application packet. However, students are discouraged from taking multiple courses as a nondegree student if they hope to pursue a degree. No more than nine semester hours taken in the program as a nondegree student may be applied to the master’s degree programs, with approval of an advisor. Taking courses as a nondegree student does not guarantee later admittance into the MCJ program. Nondegree student application forms are available in the Office of Admissions or online.
Transfer of Credit to SPA
Up to 9.00 credit hours of appropriate graduate work from an accredited college or university may transfer, if such credit was not applied to a completed degree.
Limitation of Course Load
To be considered for full-time status for Financial Aid determination, graduate students must be enrolled in 5 credit hours of graduate coursework per semester. A student who is employed full-time is strongly advised not to carry more than 6 credit hours in graduate coursework per semester. Students who wish to carry a graduate course load above 9 credit hours per semester must consult their Academic Advisor prior to enrollment.
Financial Assistance
For information regarding Financial Aid and Scholarship opportunities, please visit the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships website.
SPA specific financial aid options, please the scholarships page on our website.
MCJ Degree Requirements
- Students must successfully complete 36 credit hours of approved coursework.
- Of these 36 credit hours, students must complete a minimum of 27 credits hours of coursework within Criminal Justice (CRJU).
- Students must maintain at least a 3.00 (B avg) cumulative GPA in this program.
- Students must earn at least a B- in alll coursework to be accepted for graduate credit towards the degree.
- No more than 6 credit hours of Independent Study may be applied toward the degree.
- This program must be completed within 7 years.
Required Coursework
Student must complete the following five required core courses as well as an additional 18 credit hours of elective coursework and 3 credit hours of either Capstone Seminar or Master’s Thesis.
Criminal Justice Internship
Students who have not had one year of criminal justice experience following the awarding of their Bachelor degree will be required to complete CRJU 6910, Internship. A minimum of 240 hours of supervised work is required in order to earn 3 hours of credit. The internship requirement may only be waived with the permission of the MCJ Program Director. If required, the internship will count for 3 credits of the 18 credit hours required of elective coursework. Students must complete 18 credit hours of MCJ coursework with at least a 3.00 cumulative GPA prior to enrolling in the internship course.
Capstone
All MCJ students, except those pursuing the thesis option, must complete CRJU 5361, Capstone Seminar, during the last semester of their degree program. All core classes must be completed before taking the capstone. The capstone cannot be taken during the summer semester.
Thesis Option
In lieu of CRJU 5361 Capstone, students who have an interest in pursuing a specific topic in-depth or who are planning to pursue a career in research or academia may choose instead to complete a Masters Thesis. Students must receive approval from their faculty advisor or the MCJ Director prior to pursing this option. The thesis option can be taken for either 3 or 6 credit hours in consultation with the MCJ Director.
Elective Courses
For a list of pre-approved electives, please consult your Academic Advisor. Additional courses may qualify with advanced approval from the MCJ Program Director.
Online Option
The MCJ degree is offered in an online format. Students who are looking for a high-quality education but need an alternative to traditional classroom instruction may elect to complete one or all of their courses online. This option allows students to complete the entire degree at a distance or elect to take some courses in person while using an interactive online format for others.
MCJ Concentrations
Students may select one of the concentrations below or complete the MCJ without a specified concentration. Students completing a concentration take their electives in the area of their concentration, complete the advanced seminar project in the area of their concentration and are advised by faculty from the concentration.
Crime Analyst Concentration
A student may choose to complete a concentration in crime analysis studies as part of the MCJ degree, or the crime analyst program can be completed by non-degree students as a stand-alone graduate certificate. The concentration coursework emphasizes criminal justice and criminology related subjects, however, the analytic skills learned in this concentration are not industry-specific and easily can be transferred to non-criminal justice and criminology related fields.
Required Coursework
The Crime Analyst concentration requires a total of 15 credit hours. All students will complete the five required courses below.
Disasters, Hazards, and Emergency Management Concentration
The concentration in Disasters, Hazards, and Emergency Management (DHEM) provides advanced education in the management of emergencies, hazards, disasters, and community resilience. DHEM is designed for students who work or will work in the field of natural and man-made hazards, community resilience, and emergency management.
Required Coursework
The DHEM concentration requires a total of 12 credit hours. Of these 12 credits, all students will complete at least two of the four required courses below as well as two pre-approved electives. All students must take CRJU 5720, Public Policies for Hazards and Disasters. For a list of pre-approved electives, please consult your Academic Advisor.
Emergency Management and Homeland Security Concentration
The concentration in Emergency Management and Homeland Security (EMHS) provides advanced education in the management of emergencies, hazards, disasters, and homeland security. The EMHS program is designed to meet the needs of students who wish to work, or are currently working, in the field of emergency management and homeland security.
The EMHS program is also offered as a stand-alone Emergency Management and Homeland Security Graduate Certificate program.
Required Coursework
The EMHS concentration requires a total of 12 credit hours. Of these 12 credits, all students must complete at least two of the four required courses below as well as two pre-approved electives. All students must take CRJU 5650, Public Service in Emergency Management and Homeland Security. For a list of pre-approved electives, please consult your Academic Advisor.
Gender-Based Violence Concentration
The concentration in Gender-Based Violence (GBV) focuses on the management and policies surrounding gender-based violence, as well as grass-roots social justice work and best practices in this emerging field. Each fall, 10 to 20 students are accepted into the GBV cohort, allowing the participants to build a strong community of advocates and learners.
This program combines online courses with four intensive campus seminars spaced throughout the two-year program. Nonresident students pursuing the MPA with a concentration in Gender-Based Violence may also qualify for reduced tuition through the Western Regional Graduate Program which covers 14 western states.
The Gender-Based Violence program is also offered as a stand-alone Gender-Based Violence Graduate Certificate program.
Required Coursework
The GBV concentration requires a total of 12 credit hours. Students will complete all four of required courses below.
Nonprofit Organizations Concentration
The concentration in Nonprofit Organizations prepares students to become innovative and critical thinkers in the areas of nonprofit organizational management and public policy, with a unique approach that bridges theoretical knowledge with real-world experience. As students prepare for their careers or advancement in their current positions, they gain insight into the interdependence between the nonprofit, public, and for-profit sectors. Graduates are able to span the boundaries of these three sectors to assess community needs, navigate the realm of public policy, and strategically and effectively manage organizations that ultimately benefit society.
The Nonprofit Organizations program is also offered as a stand-alone Nonprofit Organizations Graduate Certificate program.
Required Coursework
The Nonprofit Organizations concentration requires a total of 12 credit hours. Of these 12 credits, all students will complete the two required courses below as well as two pre-approved electives. For a list of pre-approved electives, please consult your Academic Advisor.
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