Program Overview
Advance your understanding of crime, justice, policy, research, and criminal justice systems with a Master of Science in Criminal Justice from the University of North Alabama. This graduate program is designed to meet the educational needs of professionals who wish to serve in federal, state, and local agencies within the criminal justice system.
Why Choose This Program?
- Prepare for advancement in criminal justice. The MSCJ is intended for professionals who want to serve in federal, state, and local criminal justice agencies.
- Choose a thesis or non-thesis pathway. Students may complete a thesis option with Advanced Statistical Applications and Thesis coursework, or a non-thesis option with a comprehensive examination.
- Customize your electives. Students complete criminal justice electives at the 500/600 level, with a maximum of 15 hours allowed at the 500 level. Up to six hours of electives may be taken outside the Department of Politics, Justice, Law, and Philosophy with prior approval.
Curriculum & Coursework
The Master of Science in Criminal Justice requires a minimum of 30 semester hours. Students complete nine hours of required core coursework, 21 hours of criminal justice electives, and either a thesis or non-thesis option. Students pursuing the thesis option must complete CJ 645 and earn a B or better before enrolling in CJ 695 Thesis.
Sample Courses:
- CJ 618 Crime in America
- CJ 640 Methods of Research in Criminal Justice
- CJ 650 Criminological Theory
- CJ 606 Contemporary Issues in Juvenile Justice
- CJ 610 Nature and Function of the American Judicial System
Career Paths & Outcomes
Graduates of the MSCJ program are prepared to pursue advancement or specialized roles in criminal justice, public safety, corrections, courts, policy, research, victim services, law enforcement, juvenile justice, and related public service settings. The program is designed for professionals interested in serving federal, state, and local criminal justice agencies.
Common Career Paths:
- Criminal justice administrator
- Law enforcement supervisor or leader
- Corrections administrator
- Court services professional
- Criminal justice policy analyst
Student Experience
MSCJ students complete graduate coursework designed to deepen their understanding of crime, justice systems, research, theory, policy, courts, corrections, victimology, and related criminal justice topics. Students work with a faculty advisor upon admission and may tailor elective coursework to support their professional goals.
Opportunities include:
- Graduate-level criminal justice electives
- Thesis or non-thesis option
- Comprehensive examination option
- Research methods coursework
Meet the Faculty
Ms. Lilia Gueorguieva Alexander
Online Adjunct – Political Science and Criminal Justice
lalexander2@una.edu
Dr. Wayne P. Bergeron
Director, North Alabama Public Service Training Center, Security and Emergency Management Program Coordinator, and Professor of Criminal Justice
wpbergeron@una.edu
Mr. Bradley Carlton Bolton
Online Adjunct – Criminal Justice
bcbolton@una.edu
Mr. Michael Dean Carney
Online Adjunct – Security and Emergency Management
mcarney@una.edu
Dr. J. Tim Collins
Associate Professor of Political Science
jtcollins@una.edu
Dr. Quinn T. Gordon
Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice
qgordon@una.edu
Chief Assistant District Attorney Angela King Hamilton
Online Adjunct of Criminal Justice and Political Science
ahamilton3@una.edu
Dr. Justin J. Joseph
Associate Professor of Criminal Justice
jjoseph@una.edu
Mr. Matthew Boyce Kelly
Online Adjunct of Criminal Justice
mkelly2@una.edu
Ms. Angela Mansell
Online Adjunct – Criminal Justice
amansell@una.edu
Judge William Isaac Powell
Online Adjunct of Criminal Justice
wpowell@una.edu
Dr. Christopher Purser
Criminal Justice Undergraduate Coordinator and Professor of Criminal Justice
cpurser@una.edu
Ms. Tammy D. Rhodes
Director of First Year Experience and Adjunct of Criminal Justice
tdrhodes@una.edu
Lieutenant Mark Jonathan Senf
Adjunct of Criminal Justice
msenf@una.edu
Ms. Tai Sullivan Sporn
Adjunct of Criminal Justice
tchristian@una.edu
Dr. Suzanna Taylor
Master of Science in Criminal Justice Program Coordinator, Forensics/Crime Scene Investigation Program Coordinator, and Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice
staylor@una.edu
Ms. Candace Dawn Treece
Online Adjunct of Criminal Justice
ctreece@una.edu
Dr. Royce B. Woodruff
Online Adjunct – Security and Emergency Management
rwoodruff@una.edu
[UNA COMMENT: Please confirm faculty copy, preferred faculty link, and the correct primary contact or program advisor for the MSCJ.]
