Selected Educational Outcomes

Students completing requirements for the Master of Science degree with a major in criminal justice administration will master the following:

  1. Organizational Culture: Demonstrate and understand the principles of occupational socialization and culture.
  2. Leadership: Recognize and apply the strategies that gain compliance of subordinates and evidence of the application of transformational and transactional approaches.
  3. Management: Develop and apply strategies for personnel evaluation and supervision and develop fiduciary competencies.
  4. Ethics: Enhance the appreciation for the importance of ethical decision making and fidelity to office and professional responsibility in accordance with professional standards.
  5. Communication: Review and describe current technological innovations, barriers to communication, and both formal and informal communication networks.
  6. Liability: Recognize the scope of the legal and liability issues associated with criminal justice administration and apply legal standards to mitigate liability exposure.
  7. Research: Demonstrate competency in applying research methods and strategies to the diverse issues and challenges facing contemporary criminal justice administrators.

Outcome Assessments

Educational outcomes for the Master of Science degree with a major in criminal justice administration will be assessed in the following ways:

  1. systematic analysis of student examinations and research papers from courses;
  2. surveys of students or alumni from the program;
  3. baseline data from other comparable programs in the university will be compared to data based on students in the program;
  4. regular meetings among program faculty to assess courses and student performance;
  5. periodic review of all theses and area papers written in a given assessment period and evaluation of related student performance.

Prior to admission to any graduate program at Valdosta State University, applicants must first submit a completed application to the Graduate School. A completed application packet includes official transcripts from all institutions previously attended, official test scores (GRE), completed application packet, fee, and any additional program requirements submitted by the admission deadline. To be considered for your preferred term, all required materials must be received by the Graduate School no later than the close of business on the deadline. It is the responsibility of the applicant to allow adequate time for document submission and to ensure receipt of documents.

Admission Deadlines

  • Fall Deadline: July 15
    Spring Deadline: November 15
    Summer Deadline: April 15

Go to the Graduate School website and click on Our Programs, then click on Criminal Justice Program for information on:

  • Specific Criminal Justice Program Admission Requirements
  • Criminal Justice Program Retention, Dismissal, and Readmission Policies
  • Criminal Justice Program Graduation Requirements

To Apply Online, click here.

Requirements for the M. S. with a Major in Criminal Justice Administration

Required Core24
CRJU 7000Organizational Culture and Criminal Justice Administration3
CRJU 7020Leadership and Ethics for the Criminal Justice Executive3
CRJU 7370Liability Issues in Criminal Justice3
CRJU 7412Research Strategies for Criminal Justice Administrators3
CRJU 7413Criminal Justice Program and Policy Analysis3
CRJU 7660Personnel Management in Criminal Justice Organizations3
PADM 7140Governmental Budgeting and Finance3
CRJU 7920Criminal Justice Policy Research3
Criminal Justice Electives12
Any combination of the following courses:
CRJU 7010Advanced Comparative Criminal Justice Systems3
CRJU 7100Seminar in Law Enforcement3
CRJU 7300Seminar in Criminal Law and Procedure3
CRJU 7350Seminar in Forensic Investigation3
CRJU 7500Seminar in Criminal Behavior and Personality3
CRJU 7510Advanced Correctional Therapies3
CRJU 7600Advanced Criminological Theory3
CRJU 7610Seminar in Gang, Group, and Multiple Offender Criminality3
CRJU 7620Seminar in Criminal Victimization3
CRJU 7630Advanced Crime Prevention3
CRJU 7640Conflict Management in Criminal Justice3
CRJU 7650Risk Assessment and Risk Management in Criminal Justice Organizations3
CRJU 7670Domestic and International Terrorism3
CRJU 7700Special Topics in Criminal Justice3-6
CRJU 7710Seminar in Juvenile Justice3
CRJU 7900Directed Study in Criminal Justice1-6
CRJU 7910Criminal Justice Internship3-6
Electives12
Total Required for the Degree36

 Requirements for the M. S. with a Major in Criminal Justice Administration
for students who have completed the B.S. in Criminal Justice
Accelerated Undergraduate-to-Graduate Track

Students in the Accelerated Undergraduate-to-Graduate Track may take 12 graduate credit hours as undergraduates (CRJU 7020, CRJU 7412, and 6 hours of graduate-level electives)
Required Core18
CRJU 7000Organizational Culture and Criminal Justice Administration3
CRJU 7370Liability Issues in Criminal Justice3
CRJU 7413Criminal Justice Program and Policy Analysis3
CRJU 7660Personnel Management in Criminal Justice Organizations3
CRJU 7920Criminal Justice Policy Research3
PADM 7140Governmental Budgeting and Finance3
Criminal Justice Electives6
Take any two graduate CRJU electives
Total Hours Required for the Degree24