Criminal justice students at Valdosta State University study various theories of criminology, learn how to apply scientific research techniques and related statistical techniques to the study of crime, and examine the criminal justice systems of countries around the world.

The M.S.C.J. program prepares students to pursue a variety of careers including law enforcement, crime analysis, criminalistics, and criminal justice instruction. The M.S.C.J. program also prepares students to continue their education at other institutions (e.g., law school, foreign exchange programs, and PhD programs).

The program offers 2 tracks for students to choose a more specialized direction of study. Our Applied Criminal Justice track allows students to focus on courts, corrections, or law enforcement. The Research & Theory track allows students to explore the causes and correlations of crime theoretically and analytically.

The Master?s Degree in Criminal Justice is focused on integrating criminal justice theory with criminal justice practice. Students in this program will:

• develop an understanding of major criminological theories, their strengths and weaknesses, their role in explaining crime and delinquency, and their role in informing public policy.

• develop a familiarity with the structure and function of systems of criminal justice in the United States and in other countries.

• develop the use and application of scientific research methods to the study of crime as well as to solving crimes.

• Integrate criminal justice theory and research findings with criminal justice practice and,

• develop an understanding of the development of contemporary criminal justice issue in modern societies and how such issues may be informed by systematic research and analysis.