Criminal Justice, M.A.

Professors: Vivian Djokotoe, Terry Gingerich
Associate professors: Scott Tighe, Misty Weitzel
Assistant professor: Miyuki Vamadevan Arimoto, Mari Sakiyama, Taryn Vanderpyl

Coordinator: Misty Weitzel

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

Analyze the organizational structures and management challenges that define the field of criminal justice.
Use methods of social science research to investigate problems and questions in the field of criminal justice.
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 WOU Graduate website: http://www.wou.edu/graduate/admissions/how-to-apply/.

Course Structure

The 45 credit program is comprised of 21-credits of Professional Core coursework, 12-credits of Capstone coursework, and 12-credits of Elective coursework.

Capstone Sequence

As a final evaluation of their studies, all students will complete a 12-credit capstone research project comprised of three sequential courses: CJ 623 , CJ 624 , and CJ 625 . Their final evaluation can be either a thesis, professional project, or comprehensive exams and will be completed during their CJ 625 course in their last term of studies. Students must apply for graduation with the Graduate Programs office prior to their last term in order to have this exit evaluation recorded and to receive their degree.