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:

MPA Core Courses
POL 601Budget and Financial Management and Administration3
POL 606Organizational Dynamics and Management3
POL 608Equity and Diversity in Public Administration3
POL 622Introduction to Graduate Public Administration3
POL 647Human Resource Management in Public Service3
POL 657Ethical and Managerial Issues in Government, Business, and Non-Profit Organizations3
POL 656Public Service Internship (or Practicum course in progress )3
MPA Elective
Additional Electives can be approved in consultation with program director
POL 646Public Policy Process and Implementation3
POL 660Public Program Evaluation3
MPA Elective3
MSCCJ Core Courses
SOC 670Theories in Criminology and Criminal Justice3
SOC 673The Criminal Justice System3
SOC 677Criminology and Public Policy3
SOC 609Social Statistics3
SOC 610Advanced Research Methods3
MSCCJ Electives
Approved Elective9
MSCCJ Completion Track: Non-Thesis or Thesis Option6
Graduate Internship and Paper (Comprehensive exam and preparation OR MS Thesis)
Master's Thesis
Total Credit Hours60

Sample Plan of Study

Plan of Study Grid
Year One
FallCredit 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 Hours12
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 Hours12
Summer
MSCCJ Elective 3
MSCCJ Elective 3
 Credit Hours6
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 Hours12
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 Hours12
Summer
MPA Elective 3
MSCCJ Elective 3
 Credit Hours6
 Total Credit Hours60