Criminal Justice Administration

Program Overview

• Options: Master of Science, graduate certificate, 4+1 available to Mercyhurst undergrads
• Location(s): Online
• Credits: 30
• Duration: Minimum 21 months
• Cost: $921 per credit; $28,430 total
• Deadline: Rolling admissions
• Start terms: Fall or spring semester
• Careers: Director-level law enforcement, courts, corrections, social services, policy analysts, researchers

Criminal justice is a rapidly expanding field of academic study. Many government agencies are requiring advanced academic preparation for those in supervisory positions at criminal justice and social service agencies. The CJA program is designed to broaden the perspectives of criminal justice practitioners, to equip practitioners with administrative skills, and to prepare students for further graduate work and scholarship.

Program Highlights

• 100% online. All courses are asynchronous, allowing for student flexibility.   
• 30-credit, thesis-optional program. Students complete 10 courses—six required core courses and four elective courses (or two elective courses and six credit thesis option) in this semester-based program. 
• Solid curriculum. The program emphasizes core courses that provide an overview of government management, organizational dynamics, professional ethics, and research competency within the field of criminal justice. 
• Student-centered faculty. Students learn from full-time, terminally degreed faculty members, who provide engaged learning opportunities within the online setting. 
• Faculty advising. All students have a dedicated faculty advisor as well as a graduate academic counselor to support students throughout the program.
• Small class sizes.  Our classes typically average 15 or fewer students. The student population includes those who are continuing directly from an undergraduate program and individuals who are currently working in the field and are seeking professional advancement with a master’s degree. 
• Graduate student internships. Students can take advantage of credit-bearing, criminal justice internship opportunities.   
• Criminal Justice Advisory Board. Students have access to networking opportunities with faculty, students, alumni, and criminal justice professionals. 
• Job placement. Graduates are prepared for entry level and/or supervisory positions in law enforcement agencies, juvenile justice agencies, victim service agencies, correctional agencies, and other social service agencies.     
• Graduate assistantships and employment. Graduate Assistantships (GA) and Graduate Employment (GE) are two forms of financial aid for graduate students. A limited number of GA positions are available for students who can accept on-campus employment.

Learning Outcomes

Mercyhurst graduate programs are designed to give our students a competitive edge in the marketplace. Beginning with your first course, you will gain knowledge applicable to problem-solving in your field. Upon completion of the program, you can:

• Understand the history and current state of affairs in criminology and criminal justice
• Analyze research, evaluate methodologies, and examine criminological theories in the discipline
• Demonstrate:
  • Understanding of the relationship between theory, research, and practice in the field and interrelations between each of these concepts
  • Proficiency in oral, written, and electronic communication skills
  • Ethical leadership in the criminal justice and social services professions

Career Paths

Many students choose our program to enter into or advance in the fields of criminal justice and social services. Some choose careers as instructors or college educators. Our alumni have administrative positions in a variety of criminal justice and social service agencies including:

• Correctional institution administrators
• County jail administrators
• Directors of adult and juvenile probation departments (county, state)
• Supervisors of juvenile justice and child welfare agencies
• Adult and juvenile probation officers (county, state, and federal)
• Case managers and supervisors for criminal justice and social service agencies
• Federal and state law enforcement officers
• Research policy and intelligence analysts
• Attorneys
• University professors

Convenient Online Delivery

Our program offers flexible scheduling for both recent graduates and working professionals for either full time or part time study. All courses are housed in the university’s course management system and are designed and taught by full time faculty members using best practices in online learning.

For example, criminal justice courses typically have discussion boards, assignments, and individual or group presentations. These allow students to interact and engage with each other as well as the professor about the course content. Additionally, courses may incorporate project-based learning assignments which promotes collaborative learning on specific topic areas.

Although students are engaged in a fully online learning environment, they still have all of the benefits of being a Mercyhurst student, including access to the university’s amenities.