The department offers a general MA degree that prepares students to excel in today's evidence-based criminal justice system.

A supportive environment accommodates the diversity of our students' lives with evening classes, option of part-time or full-time status, and flexible tailoring of electives. The department is well-connected to local and federal agencies. Graduates have been placed in all areas of the criminal justice system including state and county agencies, and federal agencies such as the FBI, Secret Service, Federal Probation, Homeland Security, Federal Pretrial Services and DEA. Graduates also have been admitted into PhD programs or law schools.

The program offers students two tracks: a thesis-only and a non-thesis option. The former is available to students who attain at least an A- in Program Evaluation and Research Methods and receive approval from the graduate committee. Students in the non-thesis option must pass a comprehensive take-home examination that assesses competency in integrating knowledge across courses