Master of Science in Justice Administration / Criminal Justice - Online

The Department of Justice Administration / Criminal Justice at the University of Louisville offers an On-line Master of Science in Justice Administration / Criminal Justice (MS-JA/CJ) degree. The degree program is designed to be completed 100% online; however, students in the Louisville area are also free to take courses on campus. The program focuses on the administration of justice through various social processes and specifically, the components, processes and procedures that constitute the criminal justice system. Initially our program was developed with the assistance of a grant from the Department of Defense.

Our online MS-JA/CJ  program provides students with advanced social and behavioral science skills as well as a detailed and thorough understanding of crime, criminal justice and related processes. Graduates of our program are prepared to continue to advanced studies in criminal justice, law or other social sciences and to assume varied positions with criminal justice programs and agencies.

• 100% online
• 36 - hour curriculum (12 classes)
• Students may transfer in 6 credit hours of graduate courses from other accredited  universities
• Students may be admitted provisionally pending receipt of all application materials
• Classes offered year round
• Degree may be completed in three intensive enrollment semesters
• Professional student advisers available to assist in degree planning
• Graduates of the Southern Police Institute, Administrators Officers Course, graduate track have completed 12 hours (33%) of this graduate degree and may have the GRE waived.

Flexible NEW Format

Our convenient new block-format allows you to take only one class every 6-week term, giving you more time to focus on class material, as well as the flexibility to spend time with family and pursue your career. You can earn your Master of Science in Justice Administration / Criminal Justice in as little as two years, taking 100% of your courses online.

The program requires a minimum of 36 credits for completion: a core of 15 credits, 18 credits of electives and 3 credits for the completion of a professional paper. The core curriculum includes an overview of the criminal justice system, theories of crime and delinquency, legal issues in criminal justice and advanced statistics and research methods. Elective courses cover specialized topics within criminal justice such as capital punishment, violent crime, domestic violence, criminal justice in media, international terrorism, substance abuse and justice policy, and issues in policing and ethics in criminal justice practice.

If you have received graduate credit from another institution, six credits may be transferred. An additional six credits may also be transferred following review and approval by the School of Interdisciplinary and Graduate Studies. To learn more about this opportunity, e-mail us and an advisor will be happy to look over your transcripts.

For a complete list of course requirements, see the graduate catalog. Course descriptions can be found in the online schedule of courses.

Admissions

Anyone seeking admission to the School of Interdisciplinary & Graduate Studies, University of Louisville, for purposes of pursuing the Master of Science in Justice Administration / Criminal Justice must provide the following:

• Transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate work completed.  The minimum requirement for admission is the Baccalaureate degree or its equivalent.
• Two letters of recommendation from individuals who can speak to the applicant's academic or professional capabilities.
• Scores on the General Test Section of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE)
• An original essay identifying the applicant's background, professional interest and goals and the applicant's motivation and potential for graduate work.
• Complete application for admission to the School of Interdisciplinary & Graduate Studies, University of Louisville
• $60.00 Application fee, check or money order made payable to the University of Louisville.

Applicants must meet the following requirements to be admitted in good standingto the program:   

• 3.0 (GPA) on a 4-point scale.

• Combined quantitative and verbal scores of 900 (former GRE) or 282 (new GRE) on the Graduate Record Exam (GRE).

For individuals who cannot meet these conditions, conditional admission is an option.  Conditional admission allows students to take graduate classes and, if they attain a 3.0 or higher grade point average in the first semester of their graduate course work, be admitted to the program.  All courses taken by students while they are in conditional admission status “count” toward completion of the Master of Science Degree.  Conditional status is determined on a case-by-case basis.  Generally, the following factors are taken into consideration:

• Grade point average in the applicant’s major and/or final 60 hours of undergraduate work.
• Amount of time that has transpired between the applicant’s undergraduate degree completion and application to the graduate program in Justice Administration / Criminal Justice.
• Applicant’s work experience and accomplishments in their profession.
• Grade point average in graduate work at other accredited academic institutions.
• A less than 3.0 grade point average that is “offset” by a combined GRE score greater than 900 (former GRE) or 282 (new GRE);  OR a combined GRE score less than 900 (former GRE) or 282 (new GRE) that is “offset” by a greater than 3.0 grade point average.

For applicants whose cumulative GPA is less than 2.5, Non-degree status may be an option.

Non-degree status is also an option for individuals who are interested in “testing the waters” or simply taking a graduate course.  Contact us if you would like more details.

The requirements for the MS-JA/CJ are completion of 36 graduate credit hours. This includes 15 credit hours of JA / CJ core courses, 18 credit hours of JA / CJ electives and a professional paper (3 credit hours).  The core curriculum includes an overview of the criminal justice system, theories of crime and delinquency, legal issues in criminal justice and advanced statistics and research methods. Elective courses address specialized topics within criminal justice such as capital punishment, violent crime, domestic violence, criminal justice in the media, international terrorism, substance abuse and justice policy, issues in policing and ethics in criminal justice practice.

A cumulative 3.0 grade point average must be maintained for all graduate coursework, grades of "D" must be repeated.  Students are advised to complete JA core courses prior to electives. Students are free to select electives specific to their area of interest within the Department of Justice Administration.  Electives outside of our department must have approval of the Graduate Program Director.

Students may only apply six (6) hours of experiential credit; i.e. internship, service learning, co-op, practicum, etc. toward their degree.

Links

On-line Course Schedule

Financial Aid (link to Student Financial Aid)

Tuition & Fees  (link to Bursar's Office at UofL)

Graduate Handbook (pdf)

For more information, contact:

Online Learning Team
Phone: (800) 871-8635 
Email: online@louisville.edu