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    Jun 07, 2025  
Missouri Baptist University 2025-2026 Catalog 
    
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Missouri Baptist University 2025-2026 Catalog

School of Social & Behavioral Sciences

Mission Statements

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.

Behavioral Science: The Behavioral Science major is organized within the context of an interdisciplinary liberal arts approach drawing from the disciplines of Criminal Justice, Human Services, Psychology, and Sociology. Each discipline addresses different dimensions of human behavior integrated to form a comprehensive view of the human condition.

Criminal Justice: In accordance with the mission statement of Missouri Baptist University and the academic program, Criminal Justice is an area of study which seeks to provide Christ-centered quality higher education to traditional and adult students. The major provides an opportunity to prepare for careers in the various areas of the justice system at the entry level and to prepare others for advancement within an agency.

Forensic Psychology: The mission of the Forensic Psychology major is designed for students who are interested in the relationship between psychology and the criminal justice system through a Christian perspective. Where psychology and the criminal justice system may conflict with the Bible, faculty will incorporate the Christian faith into the classroom, and respectfully explain from credible academic evidence why they continue to believe unashamedly in the superior authority and accuracy of the Bible. The mission of the major is to enhance students’ understanding of individual behavior, in terms of its cognitive, social and emotional components and their interaction. Students are also expected to have a basic understanding of how the legal system is organized and how the various segments of the system interact. The major prepares students for a number of careers and graduate work in psychology, social work, law enforcement, or other criminal justice professions.

History: In accordance with the Mission Statement of Missouri Baptist University, the History major has several purposes: (1) to acquaint students with the commonly accepted factual data of human history; (2) to expose students to differing viewpoints and schools of historical interpretation; (3) to help students develop the ability to do independent research and to write competently in the field of history; (4) to encourage students to develop a Biblically-based Christian approach to historical study; and (5) to prepare History majors for careers in teaching*, or in other professional fields requiring a broad liberal arts background.

Human Services: In keeping with the mission statement of Missouri Baptist University and the Social and Behavioral Science Division, the Human Services major prepares students for employment as generalists in the field of human services. The student will gain a broad understanding of theory and practice in the field, preparing them for entry-level positions. The curriculum draws from Psychology and Sociology, with specific courses in the human service field. 

Psychology: The Mission of the Missouri Baptist University psychology program is to educate students in the breadth and depth of the discipline of psychology and its practical applications. We integrate empirical science, theory, and practice, and train students to think critically about mental processes and behavior. Where mainstream psychology and the Bible conflict, it is the privilege and responsibility of faculty to incorporate the Christian faith into the classrooms, respectfully explaining from credible academic evidence why they continue to believe unashamedly in the superior authority and accuracy of the Bible.

Social Sciences: In accordance with the mission statement of Missouri Baptist University, the Social Sciences major has several purposes: (1) to prepare students to teach secondary social studies; (2) to acquaint students with the commonly-accepted factual data of human history; (3) to expose students to differing viewpoints and schools of historical interpretation; (4) to help students develop the ability to do independent research and to write competently in the field of history; (5) to encourage students to develop a Biblically-based Christian approach to historical study; (6) to prepare History majors for careers in teaching or in other professional fields requiring a broad liberal arts background; (7) to acquaint students with a broad range of social sciences and the conclusions which social scientists have currently reached.

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. 

Summary of the MSCJ Degree Process

To earn the Master of Science in Criminal Justice degree, students must complete each of the following steps:

  1. The student must develop a comprehensive plan of study with the Graduate Advisor.
  2. The student must complete all coursework included in the plan of study.
  3. The student must complete a capstone project.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. 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
Majors
Minors

   
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