Master of Professional Studies in Criminal Justice
Many professionals like you are eager to take on a leadership role or take their careers to the next level, but the responsibilities of a full-time career and other obligations (to their families and/or communities) make it hard to fully commit to furthering their education.
Recognizing that life's demands often make it hard to return to school, FHSU designed the Master of Professional Studies (MPS) in Criminal Justice Program so you can earn a graduate degree while managing your career.
The MPS is a fully accredited, interdisciplinary program that requires 30 credit hours. All criminal justice courses are also available online through FHSU Online.
MPS in Criminal Justice Handbook
Application Deadlines
Spring-November 1
Fall-April 1
For more information:
Admissions Requirements
Meet the minimum GPA requirement of 3.0 on your last 60 undergraduate credit hours
- Submit an application for admission
- Submit an official transcript of all undergraduate and graduate courses using our Transcript Request Form (PDF)
- Submit two letters of recommendation
- Submit a personal statement
- Submit the application fee
Master of Professional Studies, Concentration in Criminal Justice
Program of Study Summary
MPS Core Curriculum: 9 Credit Hours
Major Concentration: 9 Credit Hours
Major Electives: 9 Credit Hours
Culminating Experience: 3 Credit Hours
TOTAL : 30 Credit Hours
Core Curriculum (9 Credit Hours)
- CRJ 815 Advanced Criminological Theory (3 Credit Hours)
- CRJ 820 Advanced Criminal Justice Research Methods (3 Credit Hours)
- SOC 621 Advanced Sociological Research (3 Credit Hours)
Major Concentration (9 Credit Hours)
- CRJ 810 Criminal Justice Systems, Policies, and Practices (3 Credit Hours)
- CRJ 830 Advanced Administrative Practices (3 Credit Hours)
- CRJ 855 Situational Ethics (3 Credit Hours)
Major Electives (9 Credit Hours)
Choose three:
- CRJ 600 Internship in Criminal Justice (3 Credit Hours)
- CRJ 605 Crime and Mental Health (3 Credit Hours)
- CRJ 650 Crime and Media (3 Credit Hours)
- CRJ 655 Correctional Administration (3 Credit Hours)
- CRJ 660 Police Administration (3 Credit Hours)
- CRJ 665 Corporate Crime (3 Credit Hours)
- CRJ 670 Independent Study (3 Credit Hours)
- CRJ 675 Seminar in Criminal Justice (3 Credit Hours)
- CRJ 680 Violence in Society (3 Credit Hours)
With approval from your advisor, you may take selected Political Science, Information Networking and Telecommunications, Leadership Studies, Psychology, and Sociology courses within your area of concentration.
Culminating Experience
In your last semester, you'll complete a research project, individualized project, or thesis as a capstone to your curriculum. Prior to beginning the culminating experience, you'll meet with your advisor to choose the option that best suits your personal and professional goals. All options are subject to approval or disapproval as required to meet the academic rigor for graduate study.
- CRJ 885 Advanced Research Project (3 Credit Hours)
- IDS 820 Projects in Liberal or Professional Studies (3 Credit Hours)
Comprehensive Examination
During the final semester of the graduate program, students will take a comprehensive examination. The exam consists of questions related to program curriculum. Students will have forty-eight hours to complete the exam, which typically requires 25 – 30 typed pages of content.