Overview
The College of Arts & Sciences’ Department of Political Science and Department of Sociology offer a dual Master of Public Administration (MPA)/Master of Science in Criminology and Criminal Justice (MSCCJ) degree. This program provides provide students with an interest in both criminal justice and public administration an opportunity to obtain two degrees in an accelerated fashion.
Masters of Public Administration (MPA) program prepares public service officials in government and nonprofit organizations, as well as develops management skills essential to public and nonprofit organizations oriented towards a diverse metropolitan environment.
The M.S. in Criminology and Criminal Justice provides training in fundamentals of the criminal justice system and criminological theory, as well as foundational training in research methods and statistics.
Admission Requirements
Admission requirements include:
- A baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited. institution
- Demonstration through undergraduate academic record the academic competence to complete a rigorous graduate program
- A cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0 and/or a GPA of 3.0 in the last 60 credits of upper division undergraduate coursework and/or 3.0 in graduate coursework
- Three letters of recommendation
International Students (in addition to the above requirements): A passing score on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or IELTS or successful completion of the Intensive English Program offered by DCIE.
Curriculum Requirements
The dual MPA/MSCCJ program requires a total of 60 credits, comprised of MPA and MSCCJ core courses, the 3-credit MPA Internship and the 6-credit MSCCJ Completion Track (either an internship with an accompanying paper, or a comprehensive exam and preparation, or Master’s thesis).
Students may elect to combine their MPA Internship (400 hours) and MSCCJ Internship (300 hours, plus writing an internship research paper) into one year-long experience that combines elements of both programs with faculty approval.
Course Requirements for the MPA/MSCCJ Dual Degree:
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| MPA Core Courses | ||
| POL 601 | Budget and Financial Management and Administration | 3 |
| POL 606 | Organizational Dynamics and Management | 3 |
| POL 608 | Equity and Diversity in Public Administration | 3 |
| POL 622 | Introduction to Graduate Public Administration | 3 |
| POL 647 | Human Resource Management in Public Service | 3 |
| POL 657 | Ethical and Managerial Issues in Government, Business, and Non-Profit Organizations | 3 |
| POL 656 | Public Service Internship (or Practicum course in progress ) | 3 |
| MPA Elective | ||
| Additional Electives can be approved in consultation with program director | ||
| POL 646 | Public Policy Process and Implementation | 3 |
| POL 660 | Public Program Evaluation | 3 |
| MPA Elective | 3 | |
| MSCCJ Core Courses | ||
| SOC 670 | Theories in Criminology and Criminal Justice | 3 |
| SOC 673 | The Criminal Justice System | 3 |
| SOC 677 | Criminology and Public Policy | 3 |
| SOC 609 | Social Statistics | 3 |
| SOC 610 | Advanced Research Methods | 3 |
| MSCCJ Electives | ||
| Approved Elective | 9 | |
| MSCCJ Completion Track: Non-Thesis or Thesis Option | 6 | |
| Graduate Internship and Paper (Comprehensive exam and preparation OR MS Thesis) | ||
| Master's Thesis | ||
| Total Credit Hours | 60 | |
Sample Plan of Study
| Year One | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credit Hours | |
| POL 601 | Budget and Financial Management and Administration | 3 |
| POL 622 | Introduction to Graduate Public Administration | 3 |
| SOC 609 | Social Statistics | 3 |
| SOC 673 | The Criminal Justice System | 3 |
| Credit Hours | 12 | |
| Spring | ||
| POL 646 | Public Policy Process and Implementation | 3 |
| POL 608 | Equity and Diversity in Public Administration | 3 |
| SOC 670 | Theories in Criminology and Criminal Justice | 3 |
| SOC 610 | Advanced Research Methods | 3 |
| Credit Hours | 12 | |
| Summer | ||
| MSCCJ Elective | 3 | |
| MSCCJ Elective | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 6 | |
| Year Two | ||
| Fall | ||
| POL 647 | Human Resource Management in Public Service | 3 |
| POL 657 | Ethical and Managerial Issues in Government, Business, and Non-Profit Organizations | 3 |
| SOC 791 or 810 | Graduate Internship and Paper or Master's Thesis | 6 |
| Credit Hours | 12 | |
| Spring | ||
| POL 606 | Organizational Dynamics and Management | 3 |
| POL 656 or PRACTICUM | Public Service Internship or | 3 |
| POL 660 | Public Program Evaluation | 3 |
| SOC 677 | Criminology and Public Policy | 3 |
| Credit Hours | 12 | |
| Summer | ||
| MPA Elective | 3 | |
| MSCCJ Elective | 3 | |
| Credit Hours | 6 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 60 | |
