Criminal Justice (M.S.)

College of Professional Studies


Division of Justice Studies

2009-2010 Catalog Year


The Master of Science in Criminal Justice (M.S.) is designed to prepare graduates for advancement in justice-related professions, particularly as administrative and management level officers in law enforcement, corrections and juvenile justice. The program will provide graduates with an in-depth understanding of management of criminal justice agencies as it relates to the agency, the law, the courts, and the public.

Program Admission Requirements
  • A baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution of higher learning.
  • Completion of the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) within the last five years with a combined score of quantitative and verbal sections of 900.
  • An undergraduate GPA of 3.0 (scale of 4.0).
  • A score of 550 or higher on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL for international applicants for whom English is a second language.

Required Application Materials

  • A completed FGCU Graduate Application.
  • One official transcript from each baccalaureate and/or graduate institution attended.
  • One official copy of test scores on the GRE.
  • Three completed reference rating forms/letters of recommendation from persons qualified to judge the applicant's academic and professional potential
  • An immunization history form.
  • Personal Aspiration Statement 300-500 words.
  • Interview.
Program Requirements
  1. Required Core Courses (27 hrs)
    • CCJ 5476  Seminar:  Management and Administration of Justice (3)
    • CCJ 5705  Research Methodology in Criminal Justice (3)
    • CCJ 6061 Criminal Justice Theory (3)
    • CCJ 6485  Criminal Justice Policy (3)
    • CCJ 6657 Ethics in Criminal Justice Management (3)
    • CJE  6168 Media and Community Relations for Criminal Justice Administrators (3)
    • CJL 5320 Legal Aspects of Criminal Justice Management (3)
    • PAD 6227 Public Budgeting (3)
    • PAD 6417 Public Personnel Administration (3)
  2. Additional Required Courses (9 hrs)

    1. Thesis Option
      • CCJ 6741 Data Analysis in Criminal Justice (3)
      • CCJ 6971  Thesis in Criminal Justice (3)
      • XXX xxxx  Restricted elective* (3)
    2. Integrated Project Option
      • CCJ 6974  Project in Criminal Justice (3)
      • XXX xxxx  Restricted electives* (6)
  3. Restricted Electives* 

        Select from:
    • CCJ 6407  Seminar in Law Enforcement (3)
    • CCJ 6501  Juvenile Justice Policy (3)
    • CCJ 6910  Directed Research Projects (3)
    • CCJ 6935  Special Topics in Criminal Justice (3)
    • CJC 6329  Correctional Organization & Admin. (3)
    • CJL 5085  Comparative Criminal Justice Systems (3)

TOTAL SEMESTER HOURS REQUIRED:   36 HRS

Additional Graduation Requirements
  • Apply for graduation by the deadline indicated in the University calendar.
  • Earn a minimum of 36 credit hours as required in the degree program with a minimum of a 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale.
  • A minimum of a 70% on the Core Comprehensive Examination.
  • Successful completion of the Thesis or Integrated Project paper.