Criminal Justice, M.S.

Contact Us

Carly M. Hilinski, Ph.D. 
Assistant Professor and
MCJ Graduate Program Coordinator
School of Criminal Justice
Grand Valley State University
289-C DeVos Center 
Grand Rapids, MI 49504-6431

Telephone: (616) 331-7169
Fax: (616) 331-7155
Email: hilinskc@gvsu.edu
 www.gvsu.edu/cj
 

Master of Science in Criminal Justice Overview

Grand Valley State University’s Master of Science (M.S.) degree in criminal justice is offered through the School of Criminal Justice in the College of Community and Public Service. The program prepares graduate students to become highly capable criminal justice leaders, planners, activists, and academicians who will continuously improve the criminal justice system and profession.

About the M.S. in Criminal Justice

The Master of Science in criminal justice is designed to meet the needs of scholars, managers, and administrators in law enforcement, adult corrections, juvenile justice, and private security, as well as students who are planning to pursue doctoral degrees.

  • Applied knowledge process. The program provides a bridge between theory and practice, as well as between the classroom and the professional field.
  • Comprehensive. The curriculum encompasses applied concepts of ethics, political and social justice, historical analysis of institutions and policy, leadership and management, theories, and research.
  • Engaging. Students are part of a dynamic community of criminal justice professionals and scholars who work in concert to critique, challenge, and advance the study and practice of criminal justice.
  • Flexible. Available to full- or part-time students. Many classes are offered at times to accommodate working professionals.

The M.S. in criminal justice program is 36 credits including 18 hours of required courses, 15-18 hours of guided electives, and an option to choose between a three-hour project and a six-hour thesis requirement. In addition, students without work experience in criminal justice or private security are strongly encouraged to take a three-hour graduate internship course.

Related Programs

Admissions

The M.S. in criminal justice degree requirements and application for admission are available online. The $30 application fee is waived for undergraduate alumni of Grand Valley.

Cost

Grand Valley offers an excellent education at a reasonable cost and a number of ways to finance your graduate degree.