Master of Science in Legal Studies: Criminal Justice Curriculum
The criminal justice track of the legal studies Master of Science degree serves two primary purposes:
- To allow for advanced study of the functions and processes of the American justice system.
- To prepare students for career advancement in the justice system, whether in policing, law, corrections, investigations or human service positions.
The track offers a wide range of courses and an interdisciplinary approach that prepares you for a multitude of opportunities in the criminal and civil justice systems.
Get a description of each of Cal U's online criminal justice courses from our Course Catalog.
Below is a recommended framework of courses for completing the degree.
| Core Courses: 12 Semester Hours | Credits | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| LAW | 600: | Law and Public Policy | 3 |
| LAW | 601: | Law and Ethics | 3 |
| LAW | 602: | Law, Civil Liberties and the Constitution | 3 |
| LAW | 603: | Law and Legal Method | 3 |
| Core Courses: 24-25 Semester Hours | Credits | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| PCJ | 747: | Financial Investigations | 3 |
| PCJ | 748: | Criminal Justice Organization and Management | 3 |
| PCJ | 749: | Seminar in Justice Studies | 3 |
| PCJ | 750: | Sexual Assault Investigations | 3 |
| PCJ | 751: | Executive Protection and the Law | 3 |
| PCJ | 752: | Digital Imaging, Forensic Photography and the Law | 3 |
| PCJ | 755: | Polygraph and Lie Detection | 3 |
| AST | 700: | U.S. Homeland Security | 3 |
| AST | 740: | Terrorism, Threat and Vulnerability Analysis and Protection | 3 |
| AST | 760: | Biological, Chemical, Nuclear and WMD Threats in Homeland Security | 3 |
| AST | 780: | Intelligence Practice in Homeland Security | 3 |
| LAW | 605: | Law and Police Process | 3 |
| LAW | 606: | Law, Punishment and Corrections | 3 |
| LAW | 607: | Law and Criminal Conduct | 3 |
| LAW | 702: | Law, Science and Forensic Applications | 3 |
| LAW | 730: | Independent Study in Law and Public Policy OR | 3 |
| RES | 849: | Thesis | 4 |
