Mission Statement
In keeping with the mission of Missouri Baptist University, the School of Social and Behavioral Sciences provides a curriculum that enables students to think critically and analytically and, in so doing, to think Christianly in the specific areas of the Social and Behavioral Sciences. Students will gain a broad understanding of theory and research in the major areas, including Behavioral Science, Criminal Justice, Forensic Psychology, History, Human Services, Psychology, and Social Sciences. Minors are offered in the areas of Behavioral Science, Criminal Justice, History, Human Services, Political Science, Psychology, Social Sciences, and Sociology. Students majoring in a Social and Behavioral Science program of study develop skills for employment in these fields and are prepared academically for graduate studies.
Master of Science in Criminal Justice
Mission Statement: In keeping with the Mission of Missouri Baptist University, the Mission of the Master of Science in Criminal Justice Degree Program is to develop students into leaders and innovators in all Criminal Justice Fields of Expertise based upon proven methods, best practices and validated research; while maintaining harmony with the Holy Scriptures, which is the ultimate Divine Authority on all matters related to justice.
Overview
The Master of Science in Criminal Justice Program is designed for career oriented students who desire to advance their expertise in ethical leadership and prepare for advancement within their profession. This online degree program promotes the development of leadership and administrative competencies to enable graduates to perform management roles in a variety of careers in Criminal Justice.
There are no prerequisite criminal justice courses for admission to the program. Students who have not had any Criminal Justice experience or Criminal Justice undergraduate classes may wish to consider taking CRJS 133 Introduction to Criminal Justice and CRPO 453 Constitutional Law I prior to beginning the master’s program. The culminating Capstone Project must be taken as the student’s last course.
Our 36 hour program is 100% online and fits into the busy and varied schedule of all Criminal Justice Professionals. Students accepted into this program are able to enroll in courses every eight (8) weeks. Students can take courses whenever their schedule allows, or complete all requirements within one year – whichever works best for them.
In addition to financial aid available for eligible students, full-time Criminal Justice Professionals may apply for a $500 Law Enforcement Grant for each semester in which they manage a full-time course load (6 Hours). To be eligible for the grant, students must submit a copy of their Law Enforcement identification card at the beginning of each academic year to the Financial Services Office.
Summary of the MSCJ Degree Process
To earn the Master of Science in Criminal Justice degree, students must complete each of the following steps:
- The student must develop a comprehensive plan of study with the Graduate Advisor.
- The student must complete all coursework included in the plan of study.
- The student must complete a capstone project.
- An Application for Graduation, signed by the student, Graduate Advisor and Vice President for Graduate Affairs and Academic Program Review, must be filed with the Graduate Office and the Records Office before the deadline. See the Academic Calendar page for deadline information.
- Students must pay the required graduation fee. All graduate candidates for graduation during an academic year – Summer (previous year) Fall/Winter, and Spring – are encouraged to attend the commencement exercises which are held at the close of the Spring Semester. Graduate students must have all work completed and a degree conferred in order to participate in the ceremony. Students must notify the Vice President for Graduate Affairs and the Director of Records if they choose not to participate. Students must pay the graduation fee whether they attend commencement or not.
- All graduate students must have a 3.0 cumulative grade point average in order to graduate from the program.
Transfer Students and Transfer Credit
Transfer credits must have been earned within the seven (7) years prior to entry into the Graduate Studies Program. Transfer credits must be approved by the Graduate advisor and the Dean or Program Director and must have grades of A, B, S, CR, or P. Students may not take courses from other graduate programs while enrolled at Missouri Baptist University without written approval from the Vice President for Graduate Studies and Academic Program Review.
Public safety professionals who have graduated from a national or regional command college and who have received graduate credit from a regionally accredited sponsoring university, and who have not previously used such credit for a degree, may transfer up to 12 hours of graduate credit associated with the command college to the Master of Science in Criminal Justice as Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) credit.
Students entering the Master of Science in Criminal Justice program who have not graduated from a national or regional command college may transfer up to six (6) graduate credits from another regionally accredited college or university. Students who have not graduated from a national or regional command college must complete at least thirty (30) hours of credit at Missouri Baptist University. All Master of Science in Criminal Justice students must complete the capstone class at MBU. The University only recognizes institutions accredited by the current edition of Accredited Institutions of Postsecondary Education published by the CHEA and the American Council on Education.
Directed Studies: Courses in the Master of Science in Criminal Justice program are not available for directed study.
Capstone Requirement: All students seeking the Master of Science in Criminal Justice degree are required to take CRJS 583 in which they will be required to complete a research project. This course may not be taken until the student has completed all other courses in the program for the Master of Science in Criminal Justice degree. Students are required to earn a grade of B or better in this course. The capstone project course must be completed through Missouri Baptist University.
Exit Exam: The Master of Science in Criminal Justice degree does not require an exit exam.
Programs of Study
Specific course requirements can be found on the corresponding program page.
Master
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