M.S. in Criminal Justice Studies

Lead the future of Criminal Justice and make a social impact.

Advance your career. Make a difference

The M.S. in Criminal Justice Studies (MSCJS) at Chaminade University is designed to build a foundation in advanced issues facing the criminal justice system, practitioners and justice-involved persons.

You’ll master evidenced-based best practices across multiple facets of the system along with an ability to discern emerging research and trends. Completion of the program will prepare you to assume advanced positions in city and county, state, federal, private and non-profit agencies where you will have the knowledge and skills to make meaningful contributions and necessary changes for positive community outcomes in the field. Advance your career by earning the MSCJS in as little as one year.

Terms & Deadlines

Accelerated Fall Term Begins: October 5, 2026
Application Deadline: September 4, 2026

Accelerated Winter Term Begins: January 11, 2027
Application Deadline: December 4, 2026

Accelerated Spring Term Begins: April 12, 2027
Application Deadline: March 19, 2027

A program built around you.

The MSJCS program is designed to fit your schedule and life responsibilities. Take classes online, on campus, or both while faculty mentors guide you through a curriculum that connects theory to practice and deepens your understanding of crime, justice, and the systems that shape our communities. Build advanced knowledge and skills to analyze complex criminal justice issues, strengthen your career, and lead meaningful change in the field.

100% online, fully in person, or hybrid

30 total credit hours

Finish in 12 months

Accelerated 10-week terms, four terms per year

Individualized mentorship

WASC-accredited program

Program Details

Upon successful completion of the M.S. in Criminal Justice Studies, students will be able to:

Apply the primary concepts and assumptions of the traditional and contemporary theories of addressing crime.
Identify and critique efficient criminal justice standards while recognizing basic rights guaranteed to each individual both by state and federal constitutions and laws.
Examine the problems associated with ethical administrative decision-making.
Integrate issues of race, ethnicity, gender, age, and social class and identify how they affect the criminal justice system in terms of understanding social causes of crime.
Develop and apply research methods as used in the social or natural sciences, with a particular emphasis on the basic skills necessary to conduct (and direct) research in criminal justice agencies and related institutions.
Engage the Marianist tradition of education for service, peace, and justice as it pertains to local and national social justice, injustices, and inequities in the criminal justice field.

CURRICULUM (30 total credit hours)

Core Courses (21 credit hours)

CJA 604 Constitutional Law & Civil Rights
CJA 605 Criminology
CJA 705 Forensic Psychology
CJA 751 Contemporary Issues in Criminal Justice
CJA 766 Ethics in Criminal Justice & Public Administration
CJA 790 Research Methods & Data Analysis
CJA 791 Seminar in Criminal Justice Studies/Capstone

Elective Courses (9 credit hours)

CJA 610 Law Enforcement
CJA 630 Corrections
CJA 680 Special Topics
CJA 706 Managing Criminal Investigations
CJA 708 Terrorism & Justice
CJA 725 Cybercrime & Digital Security
CJA 735 Trauma & Crisis Intervention
CJA 795 Internship

Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)

Chaminade University has been accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, the nationally recognized agency for accreditation of post-secondary institutions in its area of the United States.

General Admission Requirements

Hold at least a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in the U.S., or an equivalent degree from a foreign institution*
Current professional resume
Three (3) references
GRE is not required

*See the Graduate Admissions Requirements website for full details on accreditation requirements

Cost of Attendance

Please visit the Graduate Cost of Attendance webpage for tuition rates and fees.

Additional Resources

NEXT STEPS

Request Information

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Start Your Application

If you have any MSJCS program questions, please contact Dr. Kelly Treece at [email protected].

For admissions questions, please contact Admissions at [email protected] or (808) 739-8524.