The Master of Science in Criminal Justice at MSU Billings prepares students for positions of leadership and responsibility in criminal justice organizations, non-profits, and academia. It helps them become effective and ethical leaders in their communities of practice. We do this through coursework and hands-on experiences in classes on criminal justice policy, multiculturalism, ethics, theory, and data collection and analysis.

Admission Requirements

1. Undergraduate degree with a minimum 3.0 GPA (Official transcripts required)
2. Resume/Vita
3. Personal essay
4. One letter of reference (academic or professional)

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:

• Explain the American criminal justice system and its key components
• Apply theory to discuss important topics in criminal justice and criminology
• Collect and analyze data about crime and criminal justice
• Conduct and present findings from independent research on on a contemporary criminal justice issue

Required Courses

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
Our Social World
SOCL 501	Our Social World 1	3
The Criminal Justice System
CJUS 501	Criminal Justice Perspectives	3
CJUS 505	Criminal Justice Policy	3
CJUS 510	Multicultural Issues in CJUS	3
CJUS 521	Ethics and Public Policy	3
CJUS 598	Graduate Internship	3
Theory, Data, and Research
CJUS 500	Graduate Research Methods	3
CJUS 550	Data Analysis and Management	3
CJUS 580	Advanced Crime Theory and Data	3
CJUS 599	Graduate Capstone	3
Advanced Study in Criminal Justice
CJUS 591	Special Topics	3
Three additional credits of coursework at the 400- or 500-level. Must be selected in consultation with an advisor. 2		3
Total Minimum Credits		36

¹

SOCL 501 requirement will be waived for MSUB Sociology BS graduates who completed their program with a 3.0 GPA or above.

²

Requirement may be waived for MSUB Criminal Justice BS graduates. Please contact graduate program director for additional information.

Suggested Plan of Study

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
Fall
SOCL 501	Our Social World	3
CJUS 501	Criminal Justice Perspectives	3
CJUS 521	Ethics and Public Policy	3
CJUS 580	Advanced Crime Theory and Data	3
Total		12
Spring
CJUS 500	Graduate Research Methods	3
CJUS 505	Criminal Justice Policy	3
CJUS 510	Multicultural Issues in CJUS	3
CJUS 550	Data Analysis and Management	3
Total		12
Summer
CJUS 591	Special Topics	3
CJUS 598	Graduate Internship	3
CJUS 599	Graduate Capstone	3
CJUS 4xx or 5xx		3
Total		12