Coordinator: Terry Gingerich

Mission

Equips students with academic skills necessary to successfully and competently apply advanced knowledge in social science research, methodology and theory as the academic foundation in engaging managerial and other advanced professional roles in the practical field of criminal justice. The program is also designed to enhance students’ professional writing and analytic inquiry skills and prepares individuals to teach at the community college level as well as provide preparation to those interested in furthering their education at the doctoral level.

Learning outcomes

1. Analyze the organizational structures and management challenges that define the field of criminal justice.
2. Use methods of social science research to investigate problems and questions in the field of criminal justice.
3. Apply theory-to-practice within the criminal justice environment.

Admission process

Applicants must first complete an application for admission to the university and be accepted. Then they must apply to the MACJ program.

Both applications are available on the MACJ website: http://www.wou.edu/graduate/ma-criminal-justice/application-requirements/.

Course completion

Applications are accepted year-round, however, students are encouraged to begin the program in fall term.

Exit evaluation

Students may choose one of three exit evaluation options:

• Thesis: requires weekly on-campus advising meetings, an on-campus presentation and oral defense of findings.
• Professional research project: requires current employment in or substantial work experience in, a criminal justice or social service agency, an oncampus presentation and oral defense of findings.
• Comprehensive exams: requires a comprehensive exam that focuses on (1) research methods, (2) criminological theory and (3) student’s chosen area of concentration.

Progress reports

As part of their CJ 603  or CJ 606  coursework, students must submit an academic progress report to the graduate coordinator at the end of each term.