Criminal Justice Masters Degree Programs

What is a Master's in Criminal Justice?

The UNT Dallas Master of Science degree in Criminal Justice (MSCJ) is an affordable 36-hour online MS degree. Our program is focused and highly immersive, combining theory, application, and experiential learning into 8-week terms. Criminal Justice studies the practices and institutions of governments directed at upholding social control, deterring crime, and sanctioning those who violate the law.

Students will delve into the social and behavioral sciences, as well as the relation of law and ethics to the phenomenon of crime. The MSCJ degree prepares you for leadership and service positions that support the administration of justice. In addition to building solid fundamentals, advanced electives provide the opportunity to explore specialized areas of interest such as justice and mental health policy.

Watch the compelling story of achievement by one of our 2024 MSCJ graduates.

Quick Facts

Total Classes: 12
Weeks per Online Course: 8
Total Credit Hours: 36
No GRE Required
Application Deadlines
Graduate Tuition Rates

Justice and Mental Health Policy Concentration

The Master of Science in Criminal Justice program offers an innovative 12-hour concentration in Justice and Mental Health Policy. The concentration is non-clinical, and policy-focused as it relates to the intersectionality of mental health and its impacts on the various components of the criminal justice system.

With the current mental health crises in America impacting the criminal justice response, such as violence, homelessness, addiction, and incarcerations, it has become abundantly clear that leaders in the criminal justice profession are in critical need of the enhanced knowledge and analytical skills.

This concentration will assist you in the development and implementation of appropriate policies, strategies, and programs to effectively deal with and manage the enormous challenges of mental illness in the administration of justice.

Program Coordinator: Dr. J. Eric Coleman, John.Coleman@untdallas.edu

What marketable skills will I learn?

Apply theory and research to real world policy problems
Critically assess data on crime and justice
Plan for a new policy development and implementation
Employ effective leadership and management strategies
Communicate successfully with stakeholders

General Option 1: Non-thesis Track

Required Core Courses, 15 hours

CJUS 5300 - Criminological Theory
CJUS 5301 - Criminal Justice Policy
CJUS 5302 - Criminal Justice Administration
CJUS 5303 - Research Methods
CJUS 5350 - Capstone Seminar

General Option 2: Non-thesis Track with Justice and Mental Health Policy Concentration

Required Core Courses, 15 hours

CJUS 5300 - Criminological Theory
CJUS 5301 - Criminal Justice Polic
CJUS 5302 - Criminal Justice Administration
CJUS 5303 - Research Methods
15 Hours of Criminal Justice Electives
CJUS 5322 - Mental Health and Criminal Justice
CJUS 5325 - Mental Health Services and Corrections
CJUS 5326 - The Police Organization and Mental Health Policy
CJUS 5327 - Justice & Community-Based Mental Health Policy
CJUS 5350 - Capstone Seminar

Option 3: Thesis Track

Required Courses, 12 hours

CJUS 5300 - Criminological Theory
CJUS 5301 - Criminal Justice Policy
CJUS 5302 - Criminal Justice Administration
CJUS 5303 - Research Methods
CJUS 5304 - Data Analysis
15 Hours of Criminal Justice Electives
CJUS 5601 - Master’s Thesis (6 credit hours)

Option 4: Thesis Track with Justice and Mental Health Policy Concentration

Required Courses, 12 hours

CJUS 5300 - Criminological Theory
CJUS 5301 - Criminal Justice Policy
CJUS 5302 - Criminal Justice Administration
CJUS 5303 - Research Methods
CJUS 5304 - Data Analysis
CJUS 5322 - Mental Health and Criminal Justice
CJUS 5325 - Mental Health Services and Corrections
CJUS 5326 - The Police Organization and Mental Health Policy
CJUS 5327 - Justice & Community-Based Mental Health Policy
3 Hour Elective
CJUS 5601 - Master’s Thesis (6 credit hours)