Degree Requirements
Graduate Program (M.S. Degree)
*These are examples of couses needed to fulfill the requirements for the M.S. in Criminal Justice. As degree requirements are subject to change, please consult with your graduate coordinator and the UNC Charlotte Graduate Catalog for the most current requirements.
Coursework
To fulfill the requirements for the M.S. in Criminal Justice, students must complete either (1) 31 classroom credit hours and successfully pass a comprehensive examination, or (2) 25 classroom credit hours, 6 thesis credit hours, and successfully defend a thesis. A minimum of 18 credit hours must be in courses open only to graduate students (6000 level or above).
*While some courses may occasionally be offered online, the M.S. in Criminal Justice is designed to be a “brick and mortar” program with courses taught in classrooms on campus. Graduate courses are generally taught in the evenings, but several classes (primarily electives) are offered during the day. The program does not offer weekend classes.
All students must complete a core curriculum, which consists of the following courses:
CJUS 6101: Criminological Theory & Policy (3 hours)
CJUS 6102: Research Methods & Design (3 hours)
CJUS 6103: Introduction to Data Analysis (3 hours)
CJUS 6104: Legal & Ethical Issues in Crime Analytics (3 hours)
CJUS 6105: Criminal Justice Seminar (1 hour)
CJUS 6106: Intro to Crime Analytics & Informatics (3 hours)
The six core courses must be passed with a grade of “B” or better. Students may receive credit for a maximum of 9 hours of graduate courses from outside the department (for example, in public administration or sociology). Students are advised to meet with the Graduate Coordinator prior to enrolling in courses outside of the Criminal Justice and Criminology Department.
Courses for Graduate Students and Advanced Undergraduates:
CJUS 5000: Topics in Criminal Justice
CJUS 5101: Drugs, Crime and the Criminal Justice System
CJUS 5103: International Criminal Justice
CJUS 5160: Victims and the Criminal Justice System
CJUS 5161: Violence and the Violent Offender
CJUS 5162: Sexual Assault
Courses for Graduate Students Only:
CJUS 6000: Topics in Criminal Justice
CJUS 6101: Criminological Theory & Policy
CJUS 6102: Research Methods & Design
CJUS 6103: Introduction to Data Analysis
CJUS 6104: Legal & Ethical Issues in Crime Analytics
CJUS 6105: Criminal Justice Seminar
CJUS 6106: Intro to Crime Analytics & Informatics
CJUS 6120: Criminal Justice Management and Decision-Making
CJUS 6130: Law Enforcement Systems
CJUS 6131: Police Problems and Practices
CJUS 6132: Legal Issues in Law Enforcement
CJUS 6140: Prosecution and Adjudication Processes
CJUS 6151: Correctional Strategies: Rehabilitation and Reintegration
CJUS 6152: Legal Issues in Corrections
CJUS 6160: Juvenile Justice Systems
CJUS 6170: Program Planning and Evaluation in Criminal Justice
CJUS 6172: Intelligence Analysis
CJUS 6800: Directed Individual Study in Criminal Justice (a maximum of six DIS credits can be taken)
CJUS 6901: Thesis I
CJUS 6902: Thesis II
CJUS 7999: Graduate Residence
A maximum of 6 hours of coursework where the grade is “B” or above may be transferred from another institution. Such transfer courses are accepted at the discretion of the Graduate Committee and must be consistent with the student’s overall program. To receive credit for any courses taken at another institution, a student must complete a “Graduate Transfer Credit” form (found here) and have the request approved.