What will I learn?

The MA in Criminal Justice is designed to skillfully integrate theory and practice into a holistic, engaging, and challenging course of study that provides students with advanced knowledge and understanding of the United States Criminal Justice System. Designed to position graduates for success, the program focuses on developing appreciable knowledge and understanding of crime and the criminal justice system, as well as developing discernible skill sets and competencies necessary for pursuing and/or advancing one’s professional career, emphasizing the importance of critical thinking, problem-solving, decision-making, effective communications, social research, and professional development.

The 36-credit program can be completed in less than 18 months for full-time students, and 18 to 24 months for part-time students.

Program Outcomes

Knowledge and Understanding: Consistent with and in addition to the criteria established by the Academy of Criminal Justices Sciences (ACJS), students will acquire a thorough knowledge and understanding of administration of justice; U.S. Constitution, U.S. government, political system, and public policy; corrections; criminological theory; law adjudication; law enforcement; and research and analytic methods.

Critical Thinking: Students will learn and demonstrate critical thinking, skeptical inquiry, and the scientific approach to problem solving by selecting and organizing information, identifying assumptions and causal relationships, distinguish between verifiable facts and value claims, determine the credibility of sources, distinguish between warranted or unwarranted reasons or conclusions, detect biases, and evaluate appropriate problem solving strategies, their feasibility and efficacy.

Effective Communication: Students will be able to communicate effectively, in writing and verbally, the conventions of the English language in a clear, concise, articulate, literate, and professional manner consistent with those of college writing and those specific to the discipline of law and criminal justice.

Information and Technological Literacy: Students will be able to demonstrate information literacy and technological competency utilizing the most current computer-based library computer systems and academic databases, governmental resources, and other bono-fide informational resources to facilitate the study of criminal justice and criminology.

Ethical and Professional Behavior: Students will learn to identify, evaluate, assess, and employ appropriate legal, ethical, and professional behaviors and practices within all aspects of their life, including, but not limited to an academic and criminal justice environment.

Which department am I in?

Maxwell Becton College of Arts and Sciences

Study options

Full Time (36 Hours)

Tuition fees
US$30,600.00 per year
USD $850 per credit hour
Start date

September 2025

Venue

Maxwell Becton College of Arts and Sciences

1000 River Road,

TEANECK,

New Jersey,

07666, United States

Entry requirements

For international students

Applicants must have

  • A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university
  • A cumulative undergraduate grade point average of at least 3.00 on a 4.00 scale, which may be waived.

English proficiency: TOEFL IBT 60; IELTS - 5.5; ITEP - 3.5; Pearson’s PTE-A – 50.

Application Deadlines: Fall (August) Semester: July 1, Spring (January) Semester: December 1, Summer semester (limited programs): May 1.

*There may be different IELTS requirements depending on your chosen course.

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