Masters of Science in Criminal Justice

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 only 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 Brochure

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 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
• Completed 18 total credits in the Social Sciences (which can include introductions, law and statistics).
• Must complete Introduction to Criminal Justice course, Criminal Law course, and a Statistics course.

Application Process
Students must complete the following:

• Contact Dr. Michael Hulderman at 417-625-9864 or hulderman-m@mssu.edu.
• The following items will be needed to complete the application process
  • Apply online at www.semo.edu/gradschool/apply.html - Application Cost is $30.  The Application for Graduate Admission may be submitted online or by mail.
  • 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.
  • Submit a letter of intent - addressing preparation for graduate study, ability to succeed at the graduate level, and professional goals and objectives.  The letter should address what the applicant expects to achieve through graduate level study.  The letter of intent should be typed and a maximum of 750 words in length.
  • Student will sign and submit a release of information form so both schools can share required academic information.
  • Student will be assigned a graduate MSSU advisor and assigned to the Graduate Coordinator of the Department of Criminal Justice at Southeast.
• All documents should be submitted directly to SEMO's Office of Admissions.  Probationary Admission Applicants with an undergraduate GPA of 2.75 to 2.999 may be admitted on probation with a GRE score of 300 or above (combined quantitative and verbal scores). Applicants must complete 9 hours of graduate-level course work in the core area of study with a grade of "B" or better to continue the program
• Applicants must have all documents submitted to SEMO's Office of Admissions by the following semester deadlines:
  • Fall - July 15th
  • Spring - December 15th
  • Summer - May 15th

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.

36 Credit Hours:

• 6 Hours Core Courses
• 24 Hours Elective Courses
• 6 Hours to complete capstone with Thesis or Non-Thesis option(s)

Core: 6 Hours

• Research Methods: Sequence before Statistics
  • CJ 0305/ JS 0503 – Criminal Justice Research Methods or
  • PSC 0340/ JS 0504 - Social Science Research Methods
• Statistics: Sequence After Research Methods
  • JS 0505 – Statistical Analysis or
  • PSC 0350/ JS 0506 - Social Science Statistics

Electives: 24 Hours – Students must take electives from at least 2 different disciplines

• JS 409/ JS 509 - Inequalities in America
• CJ 0301/ JS 0511 - International Justice Systems
• CJ 0430/ JS 0513 - Family Violence
• CJ 0432/ JS 0514 - Ethics in Criminal Justice
• CJ 0440/ JS 0515 - Victimology
• CJ 0316/ JS 0516 - Homeland Security
• CJ 0417/ JS 0517 - Serial Murderers
• COMM 0410/ JS 0520 - Crisis Communications
• JS 0521 - Crime & Criminal Justice Policy (CJ)
• JS 0522 - Seminar in Corrections (CJ)
• JS 0523 - Restorative Justice (CJ)
• HIST 0320/ JS 0540 - The Civil Rights Era
• PSC 0310/ JS 0550 - Judicial Politics and Process
• PSC 0342/ JS 0552 - Public Policy
• PSC 0432/ JS 0553 - Constitutional Law II & Civil Liberties
• PSC 0435/ JS 0554 - Philosophy of Law
• SW 0300/ JS 0570 - Social Welfare Policies and Services
• SW 0475/ JS 571 - Social justice Practice
• SOC 0302/ JS 0580 - Cults in the U.S
• SOC 0311/ JS 0581 - Social Stratification
• SOC 0312/ JS 0582 - Juvenile Delinquency
• SOC 0391/ JS 0584 - Penology and Corrections
• SOC 04XX/ CJ 04XX/ JS 0585 - Seminar in Race, Class, Gender, and Crime
• SOC/ JS 570: Globalization & Native Peoples
• KINE/HIST 0488 /JS 0588 - Wellness and Justice: A lion Co-op Experimental Learning Course
• JS 0699 - Independent Study

Capstone: 6 Hours Students must choose either the Thesis on Non-Thesis Track

• Thesis JS 0600 and JS 0601 or
• Service Project and Process Paper in Justice Studies JS 0610 and JS 0611

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 . . . . . . . . $292.00
Non-residents . . . . . . . . . . .. $292.00

Students will pay tuition 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 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.