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Master of Science in Criminal Justice

LevelGraduate
DegreeMSCJ
CollegeCLASS | Department of Criminal Justice
LocationPaterson Hall

Criminal Justice Leadership and Management, and Correctional Leadership and Management

The Master of Science in Criminal Justice (MSCJ) at Alabama State University prepares professionals for advanced leadership and management careers across the criminal justice system through two concentrations: Criminal Justice Leadership and Management, and Correctional Leadership and Management. Offered online in both thesis (36 credit hours) and non-thesis (30 credit hours) tracks, the program provides a rigorous core curriculum in ethics, legal aspects of criminal justice management, organizational leadership, criminological theory, and research methods, followed by concentration-specific electives. The program produces proficient, ethically grounded leaders committed to advancing public safety and equitable outcomes across Alabama and beyond.

What Makes This Program Unique to ASU?

 

The proposed MSCJ program does not replace, duplicate, or compete with the existing Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice. Rather, it extends the undergraduate program's reach by offering ASU graduates, and qualified professionals from other institutions, a graduate-level pathway into leadership and management roles that the undergraduate degree alone does not prepare students to pursue. The two programs serve distinct student populations at different stages of their academic and professional development, and together they strengthen ASU's comprehensive presence in criminal justice education in Alabama.

 

Learning Outcomes

Outcome 1
Demonstrate advanced knowledge and applied competency in the major functional components of the criminal justice system—including law enforcement, courts, corrections, and juvenile justice—by analyzing organizational challenges, evaluating evidence-based practices, and applying effective leadership and management principles across both Concentration 1 (Criminal Justice Leadership and Management) and Concentration 2 (Correctional Leadership and Management).
Outcome 2
Apply advanced critical-thinking and analytical problem-solving skills to evaluate evidence, assess competing alternatives, and develop practical solutions that support effective decision-making in criminal justice and correctional leadership and management contexts.
Outcome 3
Design and implement policies and procedures that effectively address the operational needs of criminal justice agencies, including the unique needs of vulnerable populations within correctional systems, while ensuring compliance with legal, ethical, and organizational standards.
Outcome 4
Demonstrate advanced written and oral communication skills by developing clear, concise, analytically rigorous criminal justice reports, policy documents, and professional presentations that effectively support leadership and decision-making in law enforcement and correctional settings.
Outcome 5
Apply comprehensive knowledge of ethical frameworks and professional standards within the criminal justice field to identify, critically analyze, and effectively resolve complex ethical dilemmas encountered in leadership and management practice.
Outcome 6
Apply evidence-based research methods and criminological theory to evaluate criminal justice programs, inform policy development, and enhance organizational effectiveness across law enforcement and correctional settings.
Outcome 7
Demonstrate the leadership, teamwork, and collaborative competencies required to lead diverse criminal justice organizations, foster meaningful partnerships with community stakeholders, promote public safety, and contribute to evidence-informed justice reform across local, state, and national contexts.

 

 

Career Opportunities

 

The built-in Certificate in Criminal Justice Leadership and Management, awarded after completion of the six core courses (18 credits), provides a recognized professional credential that supports employment and career advancement before degree completion. Graduates of both concentrations will also be prepared to pursue Incident Command System (ICS) certification exams recognized by the National Incident Management System (NIMS), further strengthening their professional credentials.

 

Why Earn your Masters in Criminal Justice at Alabama State University

 

 

Faculty Subject Matter Experts Available for Interviews

Current doctoral-level faculty teaching at the undergraduate level possess the academic credentials and subject-matter expertise necessary to teach graduate courses at program launch. This provides continuity in instruction, leverages existing faculty resources, and supports an efficient and effective launch.
High-Quality Faculty and Student Success Stories

 

The program benefits from highly qualified faculty with relevant academic and professional expertise, as well as documented examples of faculty and student success that demonstrate the program’s capacity to support strong educational outcomes.

Industry Partnerships or Employer Affiliations 
 
Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) are pending with the City of Montgomery, the Montgomery Police Department, the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, and the Alabama Department of Corrections. These prospective partnerships are intended to strengthen connections with public-sector agencies and support opportunities for collaboration, professional engagement, and experiential learning.

 

 

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Admissions Requirement

 

Applicants must hold an undergraduate degree from an accredited four-year institution.

 

 

 

Tuititon and Fee Information

 

The MSCJ program is fully online. ASU applies a single, uniform per-credit-hour rate of $477 to all online graduate students, regardless of Alabama residency status. No differential resident/non-resident rate applies, as online delivery eliminates the geographic basis for that distinction. This is consistent with ASU's current online tuition policy.

 

 

 

 

Related Programs and Additional Resources

 

The Movement Continues


Our founders, the Marion 9, didn’t wait for opportunity to appear. In the face of resistance, they created it—transforming a vision for educating African Americans into a powerful legacy carried forward by generations of Alabama State University alumni.

 

Today, that same spirit of courage, purpose and leadership lives in our graduate students. You are the educator preparing to shape tomorrow’s classrooms. The researcher whose discoveries can help build healthier communities and advance medical therapies. The visionary following in the footsteps of distinguished business leaders, policymakers and change agents who have transformed their communities and the world around them.

 

Like those who came before us, we don’t place limits on what’s possible. We create the space, resources and community for your ambition to take flight.

 

Greatness has always been part of our story. Now, it’s your turn to discover it, define it and leave your own mark.

The movement continues—and it starts with you.

 

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Keith Ray  - Faculty Subject Matter Expert                  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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