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  • MS Applied Criminology

Contact the Graduate Director

Email:
Nancy.Wonders​@nau.edu 
Call:
928-523-6336

Criminology graduate program

Distinguish yourself with an advanced degree in Applied Criminology. Gain research skills, take advantage of flexible degree completion options, and bring justice to your community. To receive full consideration for admission and financial aid, apply by February 15th.
Get application information


Applied Criminology, Master of Science

  • Available Emphasis Areas:
  • Communities, Health, and Justice - Emphasis
  • Law, Policy and Social Change - Emphasis
  • Transnational Crime and Justice - Emphasis

This graduate degree provides coursework for a professional program focused on the social and practical problems surrounding the creation and implementation of law and justice policy in local, national and international environments. This program allows graduate students to focus their studies in the areas of communities, health, and justice, socio-legal policies and practices and transnational crime and justice. Students pursuing a graduate degree in Applied Criminology work closely with faculty mentors on research and projects that interest them. 
 

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Requirements Accordion Open

  • To receive a master’s degree at Northern Arizona University, you must complete a planned group of courses from one or more subject areas, consisting of at least 30 units of graduate-level courses. (Many master’s degree programs require more than 30 units.)

    You must additionally complete:

    • All requirements for your specific academic plan(s). This may include a thesis.
    • All graduate work with a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0.
    • All work toward the master’s degree must be completed within six consecutive years. The six years begins with the semester and year of admission to the program.
    Read the full policy.

     

Overview Accordion Closed

In addition to University Requirements:

  • Complete individual plan requirements.
Minimum Units for Completion36
Additional Admission RequirementsAdmission requirements over and above admission to NAU are required.
Emphasis Required

An emphasis is required for this degree.

Fieldwork Experience/InternshipOptional
ThesisThesis may be required by chosen emphasis or offered as an option.
Comprehensive ExamComprehensive Exam may be required by chosen emphasis or offered as an option.
Oral DefenseOral Defense may be required by chosen emphasis or offered as an option.
ResearchIndividualized research may be required by chosen emphasis or offered as an option.
Progression Plan LinkView Program of Study

Purpose Statement
 
The core of the educational mission of the Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice is to provide both undergraduate and graduate students with the theoretical, methodological, and analytical skills to think critically and systematically about the nature of crime, the meaning of justice, and the efficacy of crime control policies and practices.
 
The Master of Science in Applied Criminology is an integrated program of study designed to provide graduate students with the theoretical perspectives, substantive knowledge and practical research skills needed to engage in independent, critical investigation of social justice and criminal justice issues, problems, and policies. The MS degree prepares students for professional employment in applied local, national, and international justice contexts or to pursue further education at the doctoral level.
 
The program’s core courses are designed to ensure that students acquire a graduate-level understanding of advanced theory and methods in criminology, justice system processes, and contemporary policy debates regarding crime and crime control. The graduate curriculum examines justice-related issues from a variety of criminological, social justice, and global perspectives and emphasizes three broad substantive areas of specialization:  transnational crime and justice, communities, health, and justice, and law, policy and social change.  Throughout the curriculum, students are expected to apply their core methodological and theoretical knowledge to analyze real-world justice challenges
 
The applied nature of the MS program is particularly emphasized in the diverse completion options available to students. Depending upon their career goals, our program facilitates experiential learning and the development of subject area expertise via a student designed project focused on research, teaching, or an internship in a justice agency. The opportunity to complete an independent project offers student-centered flexibility while also preparing students for their chosen professional career within the field of criminology. Applied Criminology graduates are critically informed citizens who value diversity and social justice and apply their methodological and theoretical knowledge to advance the cause of justice. 
 
Student Learning Outcomes 

The Master of Science in Applied Criminology provides students’ with the ability to apply graduate-level knowledge of criminological theory and advanced research skills to real-world problem solving in the areas of social and criminal justice.  Our program produces criminal justice practitioners, researchers, and human rights advocates who have a broad understanding of social justice-related issues and who have the advanced theoretical and methodological skills to work toward fostering healthy and sustainable communities that prioritize harm prevention.
 
Upon completing the MS in Applied Criminology, students will be able to:

  • [Theory] Critically engage, evaluate and apply social and criminological theories.  
    • Identify and understand the influence of social, historical, political, cultural, and economic contexts on the development of criminological paradigms and their associated theories.
    • Demonstrate advanced understanding of how criminological theories shape justice-related practices and policies.
    • Appropriately select and apply criminological theory in the completion of a capstone project. 
  • [Methods] Understand, critique and apply the common methodological strategies for analyzing justice-related questions.
    • Identify and explain key aspects of the research process, ranging from concept formation and measurement, to theory application and construction, to research design and data collection and analysis.
    • Develop and apply robust methodological approaches in a capstone project, such as hypothesis testing, describing social phenomenon, and developing grounded theory.  
    • Critically assess and evaluate existing (empirical) research and justice practices.  
  • [Critical Thinking] Read, reflect and discuss justice-related issues from a variety of social justice, global, and human perspectives.
    • Assess how dynamics of power, privilege, and inequality shape law making and the administration of justice locally, regionally, nationally, and internationally.
    • Evaluate the impact of justice policies and practices for diverse groups.
    • Critically assess the ethical dilemmas associated with diverse perspectives on the meaning of justice. 
  • [Communication] Write and communicate orally at a professional and scholarly level.

 

Details Accordion Closed

Additional Admission Requirements
  • Admission requirements over and above admission to NAU are required.
    • NAU Graduate Online application is required for all programs. Details on admission requirements are included in the online application.
    • Undergraduate degree from a regionally accredited institution
    • Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A"), or the equivalent. 
    • Admission to many graduate programs is on a competitive basis, and programs may have higher standards than those established by the Graduate College.
    • Transcripts
    • For details on graduate admission policies, please visit the Graduate Admissions Policy
    • International applicants have additional admission requirements. Please see the International Graduate Admissions Policy 


    Individual program admission requirements include:

    • 3 letters of recommendation
    • writing sample
    • personal statement or essay
Master's Requirements
  • This Master’s degree requires 36 units distributed as follows:

    • Foundation Courses: 9 units
    • Select one of the following 21 units:
      • One Emphasis (9 units) plus 12 units of Electives
      • Two emphases (18 units) plus 3 units of Electives
    • Capstone Project: 6 units


    Take the following 36 units:

    Foundation Courses (9 units)

    • CCJ 605, CCJ 606 (6 units)
    • Select one course from (3 units):
      • CCJ 610, CCJ 614 
      • SOC 654, SOC 655
      • Other research tool approved by the Department Graduate Program Committee

  • Emphasis Requirements* (9-18 units):
    (Select one or two emphases)


    • Transnational Crime and Justice Emphasis
      • Select three from the following (9 units):
        • CCJ 515, CCJ 616, CCJ 617, CCJ 652, CCJ 654, CCJ 697 or extra-departmental course, with advisor approval

    • Communities and Justice Emphasis
      • Select three from the following (9 units):
        • CCJ 530, CCJ 532, CCJ 545, CCJ 618, CCJ 620, CCJ 628, CCJ 654, CCJ 697 or extra-departmental course, with advisor approval

    • Law, Policy and Social Change Emphasis
      • Select three from the following (9 units):
        • CCJ 566, CCJ 616, CCJ 619, CCJ 620, CCJ 625, CCJ 638, CCJ 677, CCJ 697 or extra-departmental course, with advisor approval

    • Elective Units* (3-12 units):
      • Students who complete one emphasis area must complete 12 units of additional elective coursework approved by the student's Graduate Committee.
      • Students who complete two emphasis areas must complete 3 additional units of approved elective coursework.

  • Capstone Project (6 units):
    • Select one of the three following capstone projects:
      • Thesis - original qualitative or quantitative research in criminology
      • Internship - minimum one semester full-time field placement and the completion of a written analysis of the internship project
      • Justice Education Practicum - requires completion of CCJ 688 and CCHE 580 or CCHE 640 and, with the approval of the CCJ 688 instructor, one semester of supervised college-level teaching (or other justice-education project) and the completion of a written, critical analysis of the teaching experience
  • Be aware that some courses may have prerequisites that you must also take. For prerequisite information click on the course or see your advisor.
     

Additional Information
  • Be aware that some courses may have prerequisites that you must also take. For prerequisite information click on the course or see your advisor.
     

  • Accelerated Bachelor's to Master's Program

    This program is available as an Accelerated Undergraduate/Graduate Plan. Accelerated Programs provide the opportunity for outstanding undergraduates working on their bachelor’s degree to simultaneously begin work on a master’s degree. Departments may allow students to complete both degrees in an accelerated manner by approving up to 12 units applicable toward both degrees. Students must apply to the accelerated program and the master’s program by the application deadline, and meet all requirements as listed on the Accelerated Bachelor's to Master's Programs to be considered for admission. Admission to programs is competitive and qualified applicants may be denied because of limits on the number of students admitted each year. Be sure to speak with your advisor regarding your interest in Accelerated Programs.
     

Availability Accordion Closed

  • Flagstaff

directory photo
Lynn C. Jones
Associate Dean for Personnel and Graduate Programs in the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences; Professor, Criminology and Criminal Justice
College of Social and Behavioral Sciences
Lynn.Jones@nau.edu
+1 928 523-6701
Raul H. Castro Social and Behavioral Sciences , room 245

Application deadline

Fall admission - February 15

Financial assistance and graduate assistantships

Learn more about the several sources of financial support available to you if you've been formally admitted to the Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice's Master's in Applied Criminology program.
Criminology & Criminal Justice
Location
Building #65
College of Social and Behavioral Sciences
5 E. McConnell Drive
Flagstaff, Arizona 86011
Mailing Address
PO Box: 15005
Flagstaff, Arizona 86011
Email
Criminal.Justice@nau.edu
Phone
928-523-9519
Fax
928-523-8011
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