Criminal Justice Master of Science (M.S.)

Master of Science
  • 36 credits
  • School of Social and Behavioral Sciences
  • Westchester
  1. Academics
  2. Programs & Degrees
  3. Criminal Justice Master of Science (M.S.)
The Scales of Justice.

M.S. Criminal Justice Overview

Mercy University's Master of Science in Criminal Justice will prepare students for leadership roles by providing a comprehensive understanding of a wide range of relevant topics, such as criminology, research methods and critical thinking.

Students benefit from small class sizes which helps them to build a network of support for educational and professional goals.

Our criminal justice faculty have years of practical and academic experience that will help enhance students' understanding of coursework content and context. 

Career Opportunities

Criminal justice grads will be prepared for management, supervisory and leadership roles as practitioners, researchers or academics. Career opportunities include: 

Local, State & Federal Leadership/Management

  • Criminal Justice Practitioners
    • Law Enforcement
    • Corrections
    • Courts
    • Probation
    • Parole
  • Social Services
    • Children & Family Services
    • Juvenile-Focused Programs

Academia 

  • College/University Instructor
  • Researcher

Advocacy

  • Community Based Programs
  • Victim Services

Private Sector

  • Private Investigations & Security
  • Insurance Investigators
  • Research Analyst

The Mercy Advantage

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Experienced Faculty

Our diverse experienced faculty have practical experience in disciplines across the field of criminal justice. Our faculty includes attorneys, law enforcement officers, and other professionals with hands-on experience.
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One-on-One Attention

With our small class sizes, courses taught by full-time faculty and access to a faculty advisor, you'll get the one-on-one attention you need to succeed in our program and beyond.
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Flexibility

Our program is offered in-person, online or a combination of both. We know you have responsibilities and want to help you build a schedule that works for your life.

Financial Aid & Tuition

Mercy University Main Hall

A Competitive Tuition

We believe a high quality, private education should be accessible to as many people as possible. We work hard to keep our tuition as low as possible. Learn more about financial aid available to graduate students and explore our tuition and fees.

 

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Tuition Assistance Partnerships

Mercy University’s partnerships offers adult students an opportunity to receive tuition discounts and participate in tuition remission programs. Employers such as the NYPD have partnered with Mercy University to provide students with quality education at a discount. You can explore our Community Partnership page for additional details.

FAQs

Our students include police, court, and correction personnel, as well as other professionals who are already employed in the field.

Pursuing a master's degree provides students with the opportunity to deepen their knowledge in a field they love, hone their skills and pursue careers and positions with more responsibility and better pay. 

Yes, the majority of classes will be taught by experienced full-time faculty members. 

Yes, students will have the opportunity for one-on-one advisement with graduate faculty.  

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Program Outcomes

At the end of this program, students should be able to:

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Respond to questions regarding the major areas, theoretical perspectives, and academic / practical concepts involved with law enforcement, the U.S. criminal court system, corrections, and the causes of crime and delinquency. 

 

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Develop and write reports using research methods in criminal justice and criminology, including design, data analysis, and interpretation. 

 

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Analyze data and other facts to demonstrate critical thinking, skeptical inquiry, and the scientific approach to problem solving. 

 

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Analyze and synthesize different scenarios to show how they recognize, understand, and respect the complexity of contrasting interests in the criminal justice system. 

 

Program Details & Curriculum

The 36-credit Master of Science Degree in Criminal Justice is organized as follows.

Core Courses: 21 Credits
Electives: 15 Credits

Total: 36 Credits

For a full curriculum listing visit our catalog. 

  • Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college.
    • Preferred minimum 3.0 GPA
  • Official transcripts
  • Two letters of recommendation
    • Letters of recommendation should preferably be from college instructors/professors, who can speak to the applicant’s ability to think critically and write academically. 
    • Applicants that have been out of school for an extended period of time are encouraged to submit letters from professional references, such as employers/supervisors, or other (non-family member) individuals who can attest to the applicant’s intelligence and potential to do graduate-level academic work.
  • Resume
  • Personal Statement
    • Please provide a brief statement that conveys your reasons that you would like to pursue a Criminal Justice Master of Science at Mercy University. Include your academic and professional background, career interests, and any experiences that have shaped your interest in this field. 500 word maximum
  • Interview with program faculty

Download a copy of the sequence map for:

Full-Time Faculty