Political Science & Criminal Justice

School of Arts and Letters

 

Master of Science in Criminal Justice

Notice: Graduate Assistant wanted [Description] [Application]

 Tentative Course Schedule

Introduction
The Master’s of Science in Criminal Justice program at North Georgia College & State University is designed for practitioners already in the field or in military service and others that are seeking to improve their credentials and knowledge base for professional advancement. The focus of the program is on international crime and justice. Additionally, the program facilitates an academic understanding of the intricate links between political and social systems and criminal behavior.

The Master’s of Science in Criminal Justice (MSCJ) is a 36 semester hour graduate program at North Georgia.  All program instruction is delivered on-line.  Students may apply for admission and begin studies in the program during fall, spring or summer semesters, as long as the student begins graduate studies within one year of acceptance to the program.

For additional program information, call the Master of Science in Criminal Justice Program, Department of Political Science and Criminal Justice, 706-864-1904, or write to Master of Science in Criminal Justice, Department of Political Science and Criminal Justice, Hansford Hall, North Georgia College & State University, Dahlonega, Georgia 30597-1001.

Application materials may be obtained from the Office of Graduate Admissions (706-864-1543) or from the North Georgia website at http://www.northgeorgia.edu/graduate/. Applicants must pay a one-time, non-refundable application fee. Admission requirements are listed below. When all application materials have been received by the Office of Graduate Admission, notification will be sent to the applicant and a copy of all materials will be forwarded to the program. After review, notification by mail will be sent from the Criminal Justice program to the applicant verifying acceptance or denial.  

Students who are admitted, but do not enroll within one year of acceptance must reapply through the Office of Graduate Admissions. Students who were previously enrolled but have not been in attendance within the last three terms must also reapply. All documents and materials submitted become the property of the university and will not be returned. These materials are kept for one year for incomplete application files and three years for completed and accepted, but not enrolled, files.

Master of Science in Criminal Justice General Admission Requirements

The following documents must be received prior to admission:

  1. North Georgia Graduate Admissions application and application fee.
  2. Official transcripts from all institution of higher education previously attended. Official international transcripts must have a foreign course by course credential evaluation by an independent evaluation service that is a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services, Inc. (NACES). Evaluations must include certification that the applicant has received a baccalaureate from a regionally accredited institution and state a cumulative calculated grade point average.
  3. Completion of at least 15 credit hours in criminal justice, criminology, and/or related discipline as approved by the MSCJ program co-ordinator.
  4. Three completed North Georgia recommendation forms.
  5. a 1-2 page single spaced letter of intent specifying the applicant's interest in the program, professional motivation to advance in the field of criminal justice, and the applicant's academic background.
  6. Current professional resume.
 

The following documents must be received prior to the first day of the term:

  1. North Georgia Immunization Certification form in accordance with Board of Regents' policy. Applicants seeking admission for an online program are required to submit the North Georgia Immunization Certificate form by checking the exemption for distance learning/online. If at any time students choose to take a class on the Dahlonega campus, or any other designated campus site, they are required to submit complete immunization documentation according to Boardof Regents' policy.
  2. If applying for in-state tuition, proof of lawful presence in the U.S.

Note: Field, military, POST or outside certifications cannot be used to meet admission requirements or as course credit.

Regular Admission:

To qualify for regular admission, applicants must:

  1. Hold a baccalaureate from a regionally accredited four-year institution with at least a cumulative grade point average of at least a 2.75 (4.0 scale) calculated in accordance with North Georgia Graduate Admission procedures OR hold a baccalaureate from a regionally accredited four-year institution and a minimum GRE score of 800 (verbal and quantitative combined).
  2. Meet all other program admission requirements.

Provisional Admission

To qualify for provisional admission, individuals must:

  1. Hold a baccalaureate from a regionally-accredited, four-year institution with at least a cumulative grade point average of 2.50 (4.0 scale) calculated in accordance with North Georgia Graduate Admission procedures OR hold a baccalaureate from a regionally-accredited, four-year institution and a minimum GRE score of 700 (verbal and quantitative combined).
  2. Meet all other program admission requirements.

Students admitted provisionally may register for no more than a cumulative total of nine hours of graduate credit while enrolled with this status.  Once nine credit hours are completed with the student’s status will be reviewed to determine eligibility for regular admission. Provisionally admitted students who earn a grade less than a B in any graduate criminal justice course taken during the provisional period will not be allowed to continue in the MSCJ program. Students who have been removed because of a deficient grade may apply for readmission by submitting a new application and a letter to the MSCJ program coordinator after a period of one calendar year from the date the student was removed.

Non-Degree Admission

Students who do not wish to pursue a degree but who are eligible for graduate study may take up to nine hours of course work for graduate credit as a non-degree graduate student.  All course work must result in a grade of B or higher.  Individuals must receive pre-approval from the MSCJ program coordinator before enrolling in courses. 

The following documents must be received prior to admission:

  1. North Georgia Graduate Admissions application and application fee.
  2. Official transcripts from all institutions of higher education previously attended. Official international transcripts must have a foreign course-by-course credential evaluation by an independent evaluation service that is a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services, Inc. (NACES). Evaluations must include certification that the applicant has received a baccalaureate from a regionally-accredited institution and state a cumulative calculated grade point average.
  3. Completion of at least 15 credit hours in criminal justice, criminology, and/or related discipline as approved by the MSCJ program coordinator.
  4. Three completed North Georgia recommendation forms.
  5. A 1-2 page single-spaced letter of intent specifying the applicant’s interest in the program, professional motivation to advance in the field of criminal justice, and the applicant’s academic background.
  6. Current professional resume.
 

The following documents must be received prior to the first day of the term:

  1. North Georgia Immunization Certification form in accordance with Board of Regents’ policy.  Applicants seeking admission for an online program are required to submit the North Georgia Immunization Certificate form by checking the exemption for distance learning/online. If at any time students choose to take a class on the Dahlonega campus, or any other designated campus site, they are required to submit complete immunization documentation according to Board of Regents' policy.
  2. If applying for in-state tuition, proof of lawful presence in the U.S.
 

To qualify for non-degree admission, applicants must:

  1. Hold a baccalaureate from a regionally accredited four-year institution with at least a cumulative grade point average of at least a 2.75 (4.0 scale) calculated in accordance with North Georgia Graduate Admission procedures OR hold a baccalaureate from a regionally accredited four-year institution and a minimum GRE score of 800 (verbal and quantitative combined)
  2. Meet all other program admission requirements.
If a non-degree student wishes to apply for degree-seeking admission to the Criminal Justice graduate program, the student must notify the program coordinator, submit a new application, and meet all program admission requirements. 

Transient Student Admission

An individual currently enrolled at a regionally-accredited college or university as a graduate student in good standing may apply to North Georgia as a transient student. Individuals must receive pre-approval from the MSCJ program coordinator before enrolling in courses. Requests will be considered on a space-available basis.

The following documents must be received prior to admission:

  1. North Georgia Graduate Admissions application and non-refundable application fee.
  2. North Georgia Immunization Certificate form in accordance with Board of Regents’ policy.
  3. Transient Permission Form documenting that the student is not on academic probation or suspension or on disciplinary suspension at the student’s home institution.  The letter or form should state that the student is in good standing and should indicate the course(s) the student is being allowed to take at North Georgia.
  4. Official transcript from the home institution in order to verify adequate prerequisite knowledge/skills.
  5. If applying for in-state tuition, proof of lawful presence in the U.S.
Transient admission is for one term only. Individuals who wish to return to North Georgia as a transient student for a subsequent term must re-apply to North Georgia.

Appeal of Graduate Admission

A candidate whose application is denied because the graduate admission cumulative grade point average is below the minimum requirement for the program or because an acceptable test score for an appropriate entrance exam was not earned has the right to appeal the decision.  Appeals must be made in written form to the Master in Science in Criminal Justice Program, Department of Political Science and Criminal Justice, 82 College Circle, North Georgia College & State University, Dahlonega, GA 30597-1001.  The letter should clearly state the grounds for the appeal. Students whose appeals are accepted will be admitted with provisional status and must complete nine hours with a grade no less than B to be considered for regular admission.  Provisional students are not eligible for financial aid.  Applicants may not appeal for regular admission.

Masters of Science in Criminal Justice Academic Policies

Incomplete Grades

No student carrying two incomplete grades may enroll in additional course work without the written consent of the MSCJ program coordinator.  Incompletes must be finished by the beginning of the second term after which the incomplete was awarded.  There are three terms within the academic year – fall, spring and summer.  Incompletes which are not finished by the beginning of the second term will automatically become an F grade.  No degree will be conferred on a student who has an unresolved incomplete.

Repeated Courses

No student enrolled in the MSCJ program and no non-degree student taking MSCJ courses may repeat courses for credit in an attempt to improve a grade.

Academic Standing Policy

Graduate MSCJ students whose academic performance is unsatisfactory will be subject to the following:

 

  1. Probation — Student will be placed on probation for any of the following reasons:
    a.     Student's cumulative grade point average falls below 3.00.
    b.     Student earns two grades of C.
    c.     Student earns a grade below C.
    No student may be a candidate for the degree while on probation due to a GPA below a 3.00.  Probation will be removed when the student's GPA reaches 3.0 or higher.  Students who are on probation may not register until advised.
  2. Suspension — Student will be placed on suspension for any of the following reasons:
    a.     Student has already served three consecutive terms on academic probation.
    No student may enroll in graduate courses at North Georgia while on suspension.  Courses taken at another institution during the period of suspension will not be recognized for transfer credit.  If suspended, a student must wait one academic year before applying to the North Georgia's Office of Graduate Admissions for readmission.  Students seeking reinstatement in the MSCJ program must petition the MSCJ program coordinator in writing presenting a rationale for their reinstatement.  They will be readmitted only upon approval of the Dean of the School of Arts and Letters and the MSCJ program coordinator.
 

Academic and Professional Conduct Policy

At the end of each term, the program faculty or MSCJ program coordinator may intervene to establish a plan of action for any student in the program whose competency is in question, for reasons including unprofessional, disruptive, or unethical behavior in the classroom or applied setting.  The plan will be signed by the student and the program coordinator with copies forwarded to the Department Chair of Political Science and Criminal Justice and the Dean of the School of Arts and Letters.

Academic Regulations

Students are expected to perform in accordance with the regulations stated in the Academic Regulations section of this bulletin.  All of the rules, regulations, and standards published in the "Regulations of the Master’s of Science in Criminal Justice Program" are incorporated by reference in this bulletin.  Each student is responsible for obtaining a copy of this document and for adhering to its contents.

Transfer Residency Requirement

To be awarded a Master’s of Science in Criminal Justice, students must earn a minimum of 30 hours of credit applicable to the degree in residence. In addition, no more than six hours of transfer credit may be applied toward meeting North Georgia's Master’s of Science in Criminal Justice degree requirements.  All course requirements, including transfer credits, must be completed within a six-year period.  Transfer credit will not be given for any course in which a grade of less than a B was earned.

Master’s in Criminal Justice Degree Requirements

The Master’s in Criminal Justice program at North Georgia is an online program. All courses necessary for the degree will be offered online.  All courses for the degree will be offered within a two-year cycle.

Degree Requirements
Graduation requirements for the Master of Science in Criminal Justice student include:

  1. Completion of 36 credit hours (15 hours of core courses, 18 hours of electives, and three hours of a capstone course).
  2. Cumulative grade point average of 3.0.
  3. Completion of at least 30 hours of graduate degree requirements in residence, with no more than six hours of transfer credit.
  4. Completion of all degree-related course requirements, including transfer credit, within a six-year period.
  5. Good standing in the Master’s of Science in Criminal Justice program.
Program Outline (36 semester hours)

Core Required Courses (15 hours)
CRJU 7001:  Criminological Theory
CRJU 7002:  Research Methodology in Criminal Justice
CRJU 7003:  Statistics for Criminal Justice
CRJU 7005:  Global Crime and Justice (prerequisite for POLS 7201, 7230 & 7244)
CRJU 7010:  Criminal Justice Policy
Elective Courses – Choose 6 of the 8 courses (18 hours)
CRJU 7112:  Police and Society
CRJU 7115:  Corrections and Penology
CRJU 7117:  Legal Liabilities of Criminal Justice Personnel
CRJU 7120:  Forensic Behavior Analysis
CRJU 6440:  Criminal Justice Administration*
POLS 7201:  International Security Issues**
POLS 7230:  National Security Policy of the United States**
POLS 7244:  International Political Violence**
Capstone Seminar (3 hours)
CRJU 7500:  Comprehensive Seminar in Criminal Justice
* Course exists as part of the MPA program
**Courses exist as part of the MAIA program

Course Descriptions:

Core Courses – 15 hours

CRJU 7001 – Criminal Justice Theory – (3 hours) – This course is an analysis and investigation of criminological theory with an emphasis on understanding theoretical principles in application in criminal justice policy, treatment, and practice.  Prerequisite: an undergraduate course in criminology or theory.

CRJU 7002 – Research Methodology in Criminal Justice – (3 hours) – This course consists of an examination of research methods, including research paradigms and methodologies across criminal justice, research question formulation, research project design, and research ethics. Prerequisite: an undergraduate course in statistics or methods.

CRJU 7003 – Statistical Analysis in Criminal Justice – (3 hours) -- This course provides a foundation for the use of statistical methods in criminal justice. Contemporary race, gender, and other diversity issues, and their relevance to criminal offenders, crime victims, and the criminal justice system are explored using statistical techniques on data from a variety of criminal justice resources.  Prerequisite: an undergraduate course in statistics or methods.

CRJU 7005 – Global Crime and Justice – (3 hours) – This course studies crime and criminal justice from a global perspective. The course will examine issues surrounding the definitions, incidence, and trends in transnational crime. 

CRJU 7010 – Criminal Justice Policy – (3 hours) – This course is a survey of program evaluation and policy analysis techniques relating to the philosophical and practical administration of criminal justice. The focus is on how policy in criminal justice is created, analyzed and changed.  The student will be introduced to critical issues in criminal justice and policymaking at the local, state, and federal levels as well as effective and ineffective policies and strategies used in the criminal justice system. 
 
Elective Courses – Choose 6 of the 8 courses (18 hours)

CRJU 7112 – Police and Society – (3 hours) – The course examines the development and role of police in modern society by exploring such topics as the history of policing, police recruitment, police misconduct, police discretion, police culture, crime prevention strategies, and patterns of police-community relations.

CRJU 7115 – Corrections and Penology – (3 hours) – This course will examine the current research in corrections and penology.  It will address specific issues such as public perception and reaction to the criminal justice system's methods of punishment and treatment of criminal offenders, the effectiveness of sentencing options and policies and the various theoretical and methodological approaches to the study of community-based corrections, intermediate sanctions, and prisons. 

CRJU 6550 – Legal Liabilities of Criminal Justice Personnel – (3 hours) – This course examines the liability issues that challenge criminal justice professionals in the performance of their duties.

CRJU 6310 – Forensic Behavioral Analysis – (3 hours) – This course examines criminal behavior through a psychological perspective.  The course will also familiarize students with the various techniques for analyzing and understanding criminal behavior though crime scene analysis.

*CRJU 6440 – Criminal Justice Administration – (3 hours) – This course includes an overview of management and administration in criminal justice agencies.  The course examines organizational structure, communication, leadership, motivation, employee evaluation and supervision as well as external environmental demands and situations.  There is an emphasis on the role of the criminal justice administrator in policy formation and program development.  Graduate students will be researching and writing grant applications.

*POLS 7201- International Security Issues – (3 hours) – This course is an examination of both traditional and non-traditional security concerns for international entities. Issues such as military security, environmental security, and resource security will be covered.  Prerequisite: CRJU 7005 – Global Crime and Justice.

*POLS 7230 – National Security Policy of the United States – (3 hours) – A study of the organization of the U.S. Intelligence Community and selected other national intelligence services, including the People Republic of China, Russia, and Israel. Efforts to coordinate and share information regarding security operations between international entities will be examined in detail.  Prerequisite: CRJU 7005 – Global Crime and Justice.

*POLS 7244 – International Political Violence – (3 hours) – This course examines the evolution of terrorism and political violence with emphasis on the new dimensions of terrorism. Risks to U.S. national security interests, topics covered will include: weapons of mass destruction, information-based terrorism, homeland defense, and terrorism as a transnational phenomenon.  Prerequisite: CRJU 7005 – Global Crime and Justice.

Capstone Course – (3 hours)
CRJU 7500 - Comprehensive Seminar in Criminal Justice – (3 hours) - A capstone course designed to strengthen the analysis and comparison of various theories and methodological models as they pertain to criminal justice issues in a global society. Emphasis is on critical examination of current trends and research in criminal justice as well as design and implementation of criminal justice research.  Students should enroll in the capstone course during their last semester of enrollment.  Prerequisites: CRJU 7001, CRJU 7002, CRJU 7003, CRJU 7005, CRJU 7010 (must have all core courses completed prior to enrollment).

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Anna Rulska

arulskaAssistant Professor of Political Science  

International Relations,
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