Criminal Justice

The Criminal Justice, Master of Science is a 30-credit program designed for working professionals in the field of Criminal Justice. The program builds on the training and objectives of both the military and civilian criminal justice agencies and organizations. Graduates are equipped to carry out the changing mission of US local, state, federal, and military agents and to work collaboratively with foreign military and other agencies on transnational crime issues such as international human trafficking and cybercrime.

Mission

The Master of Science in Criminal Justice program prepares visionary criminal justice leaders who demonstrate advanced critical thinking, communication, and ethical decision making skills to ensure the security and protection of our nation and global interests. Masters prepared criminal justice leaders utilize this knowledge base integrated with theories from Criminal Justice and related disciplines to create and implement ethical practices and policies to improve the environment in which they operate.

The Masters prepared criminal justice professional engages in an expanded scope of practice that is characterized by critical analysis of problems and creative problem solving, and application of theories in the decision making process. The graduate manages change effectively and utilizes effective communication skills and technologies to create collaborative partnerships within the Criminal Justice system and across multiple disciplines. Graduate education prepares the criminal justice professional to identify and evaluate personal and organization values and to implement ethical decisions and strategies to improve outcomes.

This program offers an optional, add-on concentration in cybersecurity. This concentration provides individuals in the management field with the baseline knowledge to be able to interpret and assess situations that involve cybersecurity and to communicate effectively between the cyber technical component and the c-suite component. Furthermore, individuals in the criminal justice field will be able to assess how cybersecurity impacts the investigative process and will gain the skills needed to communicate effectively with the technical forensics examiners.

• A bachelor's degree from an accredited institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, or an equivalent degree from a foreign institution, as evaluated by WES, IERF, SpanTran, or CED.

  • Undergraduate GPA of 2.75 or higher

• If English is not your first language, proof of English language proficiency is required. This can be demonstrated in one of three ways:

  • TOEFL - a minimum score of 550 (paper-based test) or 80 (Internet-based test) is required.

  • IELTS – a minimum composite score of 6.5 is required.

  • The applicant holds a baccalaureate or master’s degree from a college/university/institution in which the primary language of instruction was English.

All eligibility requirements are expected to be met unless noted in specific articulation agreements or memoranda of understanding (MOUs).

Up to 12-semester graduate credits for study conducted elsewhere may be awarded. Norwich complies with VA regulations and guidelines as it pertains to transfer credits.