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Graduate Degree Programs

Master of Science in Criminal Justice

Offered through a Partnership Between Southeast Missouri State University & Missouri Southern State University

About the Program

This unique program is the product of a partnership between Southeast Missouri State University and Missouri Southern State University. Participating students will enroll in classes from both institutions in a fixed rotation covering six consecutive academic terms; four semesters with two summer terms. All courses offered in this program are available on-line.

The purpose of the Master of Science in Criminal Justice is to provide a high-quality graduate program that prepares competent individuals with the skills and knowledge necessary to meet the criminal justice needs of the region, including such aspects of criminal justice as law enforcement, courts, corrections, and crime prevention. The goals of the program are to prepare graduates who are able to:

• assess and understand criminal justice problems and issues.
• conduct basic and applied research in criminal justice, particularly evaluation research.
• use computer technology to locate information and use statistics and software to analyze problems, particularly with respect to criminal justice agencies.
• understand legal issues which affect criminal justice professionals.
• integrate the findings concerning the psychological, sociological, economic and cultural roots of crime.

Program Structure

Every graduate student is required to fill out an Initial Study Plan (ISP) with his/her advisor prior to or during the first semester of graduate study. An Application for Candidacy should be completed after 8 hours of graduate work, and before completion of the last 16 hours.

Total Credits required for graduation: 36 hours

Major requirements
Core Courses: 18 hours

CJ 600 Overview of the Criminal Justice System CJ 526 Statistical Analysis in Criminal Justice CJ 635 Civil Law and Liability

CJ 601 Research Methodology in Criminal Justice CJ 615 Criminal Justice Theory CJ 640 Ethics in Criminal Justice

Elective credits

Electives in Criminal Justice: 12 hours to be chosen from the following:

CJ 510 Comparative Criminal Justice Systems CJ 525 Crime and Criminal Justice Policy CJ 610 Seminar in Law Enforcement CJ 625 Adult Correctional Organization and Administration

CJ 630 Contemporary Juvenile Justice CJ 650 Seminar in Criminal Justice Practice CJ 693 Independent Study in Criminal Justice CJ 841 Death Penalty in America

Up to 6 hours outside of criminal justice may be applied with the approval of the department chair.

THESIS/NON-THESIS OPTIONS

Thesis, Internship, or Other Capstone. Students will have the option of either a thesis, an internship, a capstone seminar, or additional coursework.

(a) Internship

The internship will consist of 240-hour field placement and a paper describing the objectives and outcomes of the experience (6 hours). The internship paper will be prepared under the supervision of a committee that is organized and created in the same manner as a thesis committee. The student will also be required to enroll in GR 699 Master's Oral Examination in the semester the student anticipates completing the internship.

(b) The Capstone Seminar

The capstone seminar will include analysis of current issues and trends in criminal justice, and a practical program or policy review and a writing component (3 hours). The student will also be required to enroll in GR 699 Master's Oral Examination in the semester the student anticipates completing the capstone seminar. The writings prepared by the student must be approved by the professor supervising the seminar and the Department Graduate Coordinator, who will serve as a second reader.   An additional 3 hour elective course will be needed to meet the 36 hour criteria.

(c) Additional Coursework & Comprehensive Essay

Students selecting the additional coursework option will be required to take a comprehensive essay examination over their coursework.

(d) Thesis

Or, for those students who want to pursue a research interest, the thesis (6 hours) may be selected.

Additional Coursework & Comprehensive Essay

Students selecting the additional coursework option will be required to take a comprehensive essay examination over their coursework. 

Admissions Qualifications and Requirements

Applicants must meet the following minimum requirements for regular admission to the School of Graduate Studies:

• Hold a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college or university
• Have an undergraduate grade point average of at least 2.75 on a 4.0 scale.

Application Process
Students must complete the following:

• Contact Dr. Stephen W. Verrill at 417.625.9684
• or E-mail: verrill-s@mssu.edu.

The following items will be needed to complete the application process

1. Forward official copies of transcripts from all previously attended colleges and universities to the Southeast School of Graduate Studies office after online application is completed.
2. A nonrefundable transcript evaluation fee of $25.
3. Student will sign and submit a release of information form so both schools can share required academic information.
4. Student will be assigned a graduate MSSU advisor and assigned to the graduate coordinator of the Department of Criminal Justice at Southeast.

Financial Aid

Students who wish to apply for financial aid for graduate programs offered in coordination with Southeast should complete the free application for federal student aid (FAFSA) and list the Missouri Southern University school code (002488). Students may access the FAFSA at www.fafsa.ed.gov. Following is the rate at which financial aid will be distributed:

5 to 8 hours part-time aid
9 or more hours full-time aid

For more information about financial aid, please contact the financial aid office at 417-625-9325.

Master of Science in Criminal Justice
Tuition per credit hour

Missouri residents Non-residents

$261.00 $261.00

Students will pay tuition and fees to the University in which they are enrolled in a given semester. Enrollment is subject to the drop policy of the respective University. Students with questions about payment of tuition and fees at MSSU should contact Alicia Hughes at (417) 625-9841 or hughes-a@mssu.edu.

MSSU will pay financial aid for students even in those semesters that they enroll strictly with Southeast. A consortium agreement will be used between the Universities to maintain financial aid status for the students.

Southeast students who are not in the cooperative program that take a course offered by MSSU will have their financial aid processed through Southeast and are responsible for paying MSSU for courses taken.

Students in the Cooperative Master’s Program who desire financial assistance will receive their aid through MSSU, even if they are not exclusively taking courses at MSSU each semester. To receive aid, students are required to be enrolled as a half-time student (at least 5 hours) each semester. If they are exclusively at Southeast for any semester, they will use a consortium agreement to ensure financial aid is applied accordingly. For information, students are encouraged to contact the MSSU financial aid office at 417-625-9325.

Missouri Southern / Southeast Online: Online classes are ready when and where you are, day or night, providing you with maximum flexibility so you can get that much-needed education. You can access our online classes any place you have access to an Internet connection. If you experience any technical difficulties associated with your online course, for a Southeast Missouri State University course you can contact the Southeast Online office for assistance by (573) 651-2298 or e-mail. For a Missouri Southern course you can contact the MSSU Help Desk by calling (417)625-9885 or e-mail: blackboardhelp@mssu.edu. If you live outside our local calling area, we have a toll free number: 1-(866) 727-4108.

Course Rotation Schedule Current Course Rotation Schedule: (Based on 6 hours every semester)
1st Year Fall
	CJ 615 - Criminal Justice Theory	SEMO
	CJ 510 - Comparative Criminal Justice Systems	MSSU
1st Year Spring
	CJ 635 Civil Law and Liability	SEMO
	CJ 525 Crime and Criminal Justice Policy	MSSU
1st Year Summer
	CJ 600 Overview of the Criminal Justice System	SEMO
	CJ 626 Statistical Analysis in Criminal Justice	MSSU
2nd Year Fall
	CJ 640 Ethics in Criminal Justice	SEMO
	CJ 630 Contemporary Juvenile Justice	MSSU
2nd Year Spring
	CJ 601 Research Methodologies in Criminal Justice	SEMO
	CJ 625 Adult Correctional Organization	MSSU
2nd Year Summer
	CJ 841 Death Penalty in America	SEMO
	CJ 610 Seminar in Law Enforcement	MSSU
*Spring/Fall
	CJ 650 Seminar in Criminal Justice Practice
Off-Schedule
	CJ 693 Independent Studies	SEMO
	CJ 694-95 Thesis	SEMO
	CJ 699 Internship	SEMO
	*Capstone seminar to be taken in final semester

• Advising procedures/information: All admitted students are advised by the Criminal Justice Department. Contact the Department Head, Dr. Stephen W. Verrill for information by calling 417.625.9684 or e-mailing verrill-s@mssu.edu.
• Extended Career Opportunities: Graduates of the program possess the skills and expertise to compete for high-level positions. Current practitioners find themselves more competitive for promotion and assignment. Graduates without previous professional experience compete with veteran professional for prestigious state and federal positions. The public’s concern for crime and safety generates interests and ensures a future for graduates.
• Real-World Experience: Students may complete graduate internships where they will work with the agency of their choice. Graduates have completed internships with United States Probation, the Federal Defenders and the United Nations. All participants must complete a major project as a requirement of the internship.
• Research Opportunities: All Criminal Justice students must complete a thesis on their primary interest of study or a graduate-level internship and write and defend an internship paper. In addition, the department is consistently involved in grants and serves the region by providing research assistance to many criminal justice agencies. Faculty and students work cooperatively to present research papers at major conferences and to later hone those projects for publication.
• Missouri Southern / Southeast Online: Online classes are ready when and where you are, day or night, providing you with maximum flexibility so you can get that much-needed education. You can access our online classes any place you have access to an Internet connection. If you experience any technical difficulties associated with your online course, for a Southeast Missouri State University course you can contact the Southeast Online office for assistance by (573) 651-2298 or e-mail. For a Missouri Southern course you can contact the MSSU Help Desk by calling (417)625-9885 or e-mail: blackboardhelp@mssu.edu. If you live outside our local calling area, we have a toll free number: 1-(866) 727-4108.

 Related Links

Missouri Southern State University Graduate Programs Missouri Southern State University Criminal Justice Administration Department The Graduate School at Southeast Missouri State University Southeast Missouri State Univ. Department of Criminal Justice & Sociology Application for Candidacy

Guidelines for a thesis proposal for the Department of Criminal Justice Guidelines and procedures for a thesis in Criminal Justice Guidelines and procedures for an internship paper in Criminal Justice Human subjects form Orientation to Graduate School (PowerPoint presentation)

Catalogue Description of Course

510. Comparative Criminal Justice Systems. Study of the criminal justice systems of four major countries, including Great Britain, Japan and Sweden. Each country’s differing philosophical and practical approaches to criminal justice are analyzed and compared. (3)

525. Crime and Criminal Justice Public Policy. Research overview and examination of major issues in criminal justice and the policy-making process at Federal and State level. (3)

526. Statistical Analysis in Criminal Justice. The use of statistical methods and computer applications for research and program analysis in criminal justice. (3)

600. The Criminal Justice System: An Overview. Exploration of the origins and significance of key ideas influencing the rise and development of the criminal justice system. Selected issues in law enforcement, courts and corrections are examined in relationship to current criminal justice police and practices. (3)

601. Research Methodology in Criminal Justice. Study of the design and execution of criminal justice research; critical examination of current research in criminal justice (3).

610. Seminar in Law Enforcement. An analysis of contemporary issues in law enforcement as they are translated into agency policy, programs, services, and relationships with public and private agencies, institutions and the community. (3)

615. Criminal Justice Theory. Overview of research on the correlates and causes of criminal behavior. Focus on the significance of current knowledge for crime and control prevention. (3)

625. Adult Correctional Organization and Administration. Study of adult correctional institutional organization and administration in the United States. Four levels of organization and administration are explored in detail: federal, state, county and private institutions. (3)

630. Contemporary Juvenile Justice. Exploration of contemporary issues in juvenile justice, including relationships among the various components of the juvenile justice system. Survey of current research literature in the field, and analysis of current philosophy, policy, law and practice in juvenile justice. (3)

635. Civil Law and Liability. Study of the civil justice system, theories of civil liability and methods for managing civil liability in the law enforcement and corrections context. (3)

640. Ethics in Criminal Justice. An exploration of the ethical issues that confront criminal justice professionals. Ethical issues include professional conduct in policing, corrections, and courts.(3)

691. Independent Study in Criminal Justice. (1)

692. Independent Study in Criminal Justice. (2)

693. Independent Study in Criminal Justice. Independent work in a specialized area not covered by course offerings. Prerequisite: Consent of the instructor. (3)

694. Thesis. (3)

695. Thesis Second Semester. (3)

698. Master’s Final Comprehensive Examination. A four-hour examination over the degree program, required of all students who select the internship option. (0)

699. Criminal Justice Internship. Provides graduate students with a practical learning experience in a criminal justice agency. Students will gain experience in the operation and management of a criminal justice agency. For those presently employed in a criminal justice agency, internships must involve another agency or employment situation. (3)

841. Death Penalty in America.
Workshop
An exploration of the history of capital punishment, the constitutional rules related to the death penalty in the United States as well as the policy arguments for and against the practice (3)

Contact Us:

Missouri Southern State University Contact Information: Dr. Stephen W. Verrill Department of Criminal Justice Missouri Southern State University 3950 E. Newman Road Joplin, MO 64801-1595 Phone: (417) 625-9684 Fax: (417) 625-9796 E-mail: verrill-s@mssu.edu.

Southeast Missouri State University Contact Information: Dr. Andrew Fulkerson, On-line Graduate Program Coordinator Southeast Missouri State University One University Plaza, MS 8200 Cape Girardeau, MO 63701 Phone: (573)-651-2429 E-mail: afulkerson@semo.edu

3950 Newman Road
Joplin, MO 64801-1595
(417) 625-9300
Copyright © 2013 MSSU