WCSU Graduate Catalog 2023-2024 : ANCELL SCHOOL OF BUSINESS

MASTER OF SCIENCE IN JUSTICE ADMINISTRATION

George Kain, Graduate Coordinator, WS 347 Phone: (203) 837-8514 
kaing@wcsu.edu
Charlene Parks, Department Secretary, WS 349 Phone: (203) 837-8340
Fax: (203) 837-8527
reidc@wcsu.edu 

The Master of Science in Justice Administration program is currently not accepting any students into the program. 

Accounting Faculty   J. Donegan (M.B.A. Coordinator); M. Ganon; T. Monks; G. Skiba.
Finance Faculty C. Huang; W. Lin; L. Vo; A. Wong.
Management Faculty P. Assenza; S. Bazan; E. Buccini; M. Chuang; M. Dugal; L.Forbes.
Management Information Systems E. Collar; J. Flynn; R. Montague; P. Nugent; T. Yoon.
Marketing J. Cronin; R. Drozdenko; X. Han; K. Koza; B Oumlil.
Division of Justice and Law Administration W. DeFeo; T. Dwyer; K. C. Jordan; G. Kain (M.S.J.A. Coordinator); K. Marino; A. Markert; C. Mullaney; D. Sharma.

Program Overview and Mission

The Master of Science (M.S.) in Justice Administration program at Western is designed to meet the needs of both practicing justice professionals and other graduate students preparing to enter this field. Most students attend this program on a part-time basis, although some pursue this degree full-time. Opportunities exist for networking with and learning from the experiences of other students. Current students and graduates of this program include correctional professionals at the federal and state levels, other offender rehabilitation specialists, law enforcement officers at all levels (from the rank of patrol officer through chief and from both federal and local agencies), other public safety and security professionals, counselors, and computer security specialists.

Learning Goals and Objectives

This program prepares students for management and leadership positions in criminal justice and allied fields. In addition, the program

  • provides preservice skills and practical experience required for placement in professional positions.
  • provides in-service foundation courses in management required for career advancement within public organizations.
  • educates students in financial/budgetary processes, quantitative methods, institutional analysis, public management, political advocacy, and leadership within the criminal justice domain.
  • offers an interdisciplinary curriculum designed to be theoretically sound, as well as skills-based, to enhance the student’s accountability, responsiveness, and ability to analyze policy problems within the field.

Admission Requirements

Admission to the M.S. in Justice Administration program requires submission of the following materials:

  • graduate admission application form and fee
  • official transcripts for all undergraduate and graduate courses and degrees
  • an entrance examination score from one of the following:
    • Miller Analogies Test (MAT)
    • Graduate Record Examination (GRE)
    • Law School Admission Test (LSAT)
    • Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT)
  • two letters of recommendation
  • current resume or curriculum vitae
  • interview with program coordinator

Criteria for admission to the program include the following:

Students are considered for admission to the program only after the above requirements have been met. Admission is based on several criteria: academic achievements, entrance examination scores, recommendations, and work experience in the field. 

Degree Requirements

The M.S. in Justice Administration degree will be awarded to graduate student candidates who complete both the M.S. program and other requirements set forth in this catalog by the Office of Graduate Studies.

Waiver/Transfer/Substitution of Courses

It is possible to substitute certain courses, or to reduce the required semester hours to complete the program if/when transfer credit of graduate courses is approved. Certain required courses may be waived for appropriate undergraduate experience.

Course Restrictions                                                                     

For a complete list of prerequisites, corequisites, and other restrictions for all courses, please consult the Course Description section of this catalog. All students must complete an online business statistics course with in the first year of matriculation. This is a noncredit course that satisfies the basic quantitative methods program requirement, previously offered as a 3-credit Finance Department course.

Master of Science in Justice Administration (36 SH)

MGT 501 Organizational Behavior 3 SH
MGT 525 Managing Public Organizations 3 SH
MGT 526 Public Financial Management 3 SH
MGT 547 Human Resource Management 3 SH
JLA 500 Legal Issues in Public Administration 3 SH
JLA 590 Research in Public Administration 3 SH
JLA 515 Policy Analysis in Justice Administration 3 SH
JLA 520 Seminar in Law Enforcement Administration 3 SH
JLA 550 Special Issues in Judicial and Correctional Administration 3 SH
  Three graduate courses (nine credits) selected with approval of faculty adviser. 9 SH 

Research project or comprehensive examination

An expanded project in JLA 590; Research in Public Administration, may be completed in lieu of the comprehensive examination. Changes in this schedule need the graduate program coordinator’s approval.

Total Semester Hours for M.S. in Justice Administration Program: 36 SH  

Information

All information and queries related to the M.S. in Justice Administration program should be directed to the graduate program coordinator.

*The M.S.J.A. does not provide preparation for careers in business.