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Less debt, more career opportunity. Graduate programs from UTRGV are some of the most affordable in the U.S.

With fast-paced, 7-week mini semesters, you'll be able to earn your degree in as few as 12 months.

Learn from anywhere in the world at any time of day that is convenient for you. Fully online equals flexible.

Affordable Graduate Education is within Reach

Cost per Credit

Credits in Program

Estimated Total Tuition

$444

$16,000

36

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Scholarships and financial aid may be available.

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Whether preparing for a promotion in your current career, starting a career in justice administration, or becoming an academic authority on our justice system — our Master of Science in Criminal Justice helps you advance in your career!

Our 100% accelerated online program teaches you the history, theories, laws, and research methods behind our criminal justice system. In just 12 months, you will understand past circumstances which formed our system, master current approaches in the field, and gain the ability to shape future criminal justice outcomes in your community.


Improve justice outcomes in your community

Get Started Today

Comprehend the content, theories, principles, and methods of criminal justice.

Prepare for

Administrative and management positions in federal, state, and local criminal justice agencies.

Positions requiring graduate degrees, such as federal probation, parole, and law enforcement agencies.

Academic study beyond your master's degree.

Develop a  criminal justice knowledge base concerning issues unique to the region, including Mexico, and Central and South America.

Provide a resource for federal, state, and local criminal justice agencies in need of administrative assistance in policy analysis, development, and program evaluation.

Enjoy a career protecting others through equitable justice outcomes.  Learn more about how you can become a powerful force of positive change in your community's criminal justice system today!

Start on the path to a better career today.

Master of Science in Criminal Justice

Fill out the form below to learn more about our MS in Criminal Justice. You'll receive helpful information, including tips for applying, career outlook, and admission requirements.

Help Protect the Order of Society

Request More Information

100% Online

Low Cost

Complete in 1 Year

Less debt, more career opportunity. Graduate programs from UTRGV are some of the most affordable in the U.S.

With fast-paced, 7-week mini semesters, you'll be able to earn your degree in as few as 12 months.

Learn from anywhere in the world at any time of day that is convenient for you. Fully online equals flexible.

The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley Full Name Logo
Request Information Today

Master of Science in Criminal Justice

Help Protect the Order of Society

Improve Justice Outcomes in Your Community

Get Started Today

Our 100% accelerated online Master of Science in Criminal Justice teaches you the history, theories, laws, and research methods behind our criminal justice system. In just 12 months, you will understand past circumstances which formed our system, master current approaches in the field, and gain the ability to shape future criminal justice outcomes in your community.

Sonia Figueredo

Criminal Justice Graduate Student

 

"The program is essentially what I was looking for in a graduate program.  It's been very hands-on, I've learned so much and highly recommend it for anyone that wants an intensive, yet gratifying experience of taking your education to another level."

Affordable Graduate Education Is Within Reach

Cost per Credit

Credits in Program

Estimated Total Tuition

$444

$16,000

36

Learn About our Program

Scholarships and financial aid may be available.

We believe in opportunity.

Start on the path to a better career today.

Program Voices

We make it possible

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About UTRGV
Required Courses
Courses marked with * must be included in degree plan
CRIJ 6301: Theories of Criminal Justice *
Historical overview of the philosophies and theories of justice that have impacted the American mind, the Constitution, and criminal law; federal and state criminal justice systems, and the processing of the accused and the convicted leading to correctional placement and punishment; critical examination of the criminal justice system in the context of justice needs and reforms.
CRIJ 6302: Advanced Criminology *
A comprehensive overview of the classical and contemporary theories in criminology; theory construction and testing; the nature of criminological research; the impact of ideology, politics and social structure on criminological thought; extent, volume, distribution, types and trends of crime in America.
CRIJ 6303: Policing in a Democracy
The democratic foundation of law enforcement in America with focus on issues and challenges confronting federal, state and local police; social resistance to police authority; the course will cover such police issues as legitimacy; lawfulness; role conflict; interagency and international relationships.
CRIJ 6304: Criminal Law and Procedure
Functions and powers of the courts and court‐ related entities at the federal state and local level; case disposition by plea bargaining and trial; criminal trial and post‐conviction procedures; federal and state constitutional rights and liberties in the criminal context including landmark court decisions; how the US judicial system is impacted by international law and conventions.
CRIJ 6305: Correctional Theories and Issues
Theories and purposes of correction, punishment, and rehabilitation; seriousness of crime, punishment, and sentencing; issues and challenges confronting the federal, state, and local institutions; making corrections work; planning and reorganizing the correctional system for the 21st century.
CRIJ 6306: Criminal Justice Policy Analysis
Dynamics and politics of public policymaking and policy analysis, application, evaluation, and improvement in criminal justice; defining criminal justice issues for policy‐making; the policy‐making process; understanding and becoming sensitive to political and sectional interests, and justice needs; examination of current issues in criminal justice, with a focus on policy‐making and application.
CRIJ 6307: Criminal Justice Organizations: Theory and Behavior
Organizational theories that apply to the management of criminal justice organizations; current management practices in law enforcement agencies, courts and correctional institutions; introducing innovations in criminal justice organizations by creating appropriate management and leadership styles, and organizational cultures.
CRIJ 6308: Criminal Justice Research Methods *
Basic qualitative and quantitative research methods and techniques; research ethics; identifying variables; research design, structuring criminal justice inquiry; participant observation/ethnography; overview of basic statistics; introduction to SPSS; writing the research paper. Should be taken in sequence, before CRIJ 6309.
CRIJ 6309: Criminal Justice Research Methods and Statistics *
Advanced criminal justice research and statistics; probability sampling and hypothesis testing; parametric and non‐parametric statistical techniques; multivariate statistics; experiment and quasi‐experiment; survey research; survey research project and paper involving data collections, entry, and analysis using SPSS; use of data from documentary and historical records; evaluative and predictive research.

Prerequisite: CRIJ 6308.
Criminal Justice Electives
CRIJ 6310: Theories of Juvenile Delinquency and Justice
The incidence, volume, extent, distribution, types, trends in juvenile crime; theories that explain individual and group forms of juvenile delinquency as they relate to individual, family, school, community, and societal causes; an overview of juvenile cases and matters; victimization of juveniles and protective services available for them; correctional institutions, punishment, and rehabilitation programs for juveniles; critical evaluation of current practices in juvenile corrections; needed changes in the juvenile correctional system to rehabilitate offenders and help prevent juvenile delinquency.
CRIJ 6311: World Criminal Justice Systems and International Crimes
Historical evolution of the major world legal systems; their social foundations and philosophies; overview of the four major legal systems of the world and their hybrids; evolving convergences and divergences in the legal systems; social change and emerging justice views; international crimes including terrorism, organized crime; genocide; civil wars and refugees; the global drug problems, smuggling; human trafficking and human rights issues; the Interpol, Europol; the UNO, international courts – the World Court and other International Courts; Amnesty International and other human rights watchdog groups, NGO’s.
CRIJ 6315: Victimology
Patterns of crime and victimization, especially as they relate to homicide, assault, rape, robbery, and hate crimes. Crime and victimization in domestic, known, and stranger contexts. Distribution of crime and victimization in terms of demographic characteristics (age, gender, class, and ethnicity), and geographical areas (national, regional, city, and other community contexts). Offender‐victim interaction; theories of victimization; prevention of victimization.
CRIJ 6316: Environmental Crime and Justice
Examines environmental problems, crimes, and justice; bodily and property harms and crimes from local, regional, and global environmental problems; point source and non‐point source pollution; structural violence; environmental victimology; governmental and non‐ governmental responses; environmental laws and regulations; environmental justice and racism, at risk populations (poor, minorities, women, working men); anti‐environmental backlash to regulations and laws.
CRIJ 6318: Law in Culture and Society
Differing conceptions of law and justice; law as a cultural institution reflecting the cultural values and ideals of society; law as an instrument of social change; law as an oppressive and liberating instrument; the cultural foundations of law and their operation in North and South America, Europe, Asia, Africa, capitalistic, socialistic, and simple, emerging and modern societies; examination of how laws function in societies and their consequence for conformity and violation.
CRIJ 6322: Terrorism
Causes and forms of terrorism at the domestic and international levels; political, economic, religious, social and national differences among people and their implications for terrorism; a review of major terrorist incidents and groups; their underpinning means and what can be done to contain terrorism.
CRIJ 6325: Social Justice and Human Rights
An inquiry into the “criminal justice” and “social justice” nexus; creating a “good” and “just” society reducing crime and promoting justice, and social well‐being; understanding of crime and justice issues in the context of political, economic, socio‐cultural, and legal changes for creating a good and just society to guide social action to control crime and promote justice.
CRIJ 6331: Independent Study
Supervised intensive readings under the supervision of a graduate faculty member in the faculty members’ specialty and/or areas of interest related to the student’s program. Students may opt under this to study in‐depth theoretical/empirical readings in a substantive area not normally covered in standard courses. Writing intensive assessment of the central issues and emerging trends in criminal justice provides an opportunity for students to pursue research and/or participate with graduate faculty in research for potential publication and presentation at professional conferences. May be repeated once if new topic.
CRIJ 6333: Selected Topics
Under the supervision of graduate faculty, the student will pursue a study of contemporary issues in crime and criminal justice, including, but not limited to the area(s) of faculty specialization. May be repeated twice if new topic.
Capstone Requirement
CRIJ 7300: Master’s Thesis I
The student is required to begin an individual research project under the direction and supervision of a graduate thesis committee.

Prerequisite: Approval of Graduate Program Director.
CRIJ 7301: Master’s Thesis II
The student is required to complete and publicly defend the thesis under the direction and supervision of a graduate thesis committee. Passing or failing will be by a majority of the thesis committee members examining the candidate.

Prerequisite: Approval of Graduate Program Director. Consult with the UTRGV Graduate Office and/or a Catalogue for defense deadlines and other pertinent information.
Non-Thesis
Exit Exam

Exit Survey
CRIJ 7302: Applied Master’s Research Project I
The student is required to begin an individual research project under the direction and supervision of a graduate AMRP committee.

Prerequisite: Approval of Graduate Program Director.
CRIJ 7303: Applied Master’s Research Project II
The student is required to complete and publicly defend the project under the direction and supervision of a graduate AMRP committee. Passing or failing will be by a majority of the AMRP committee members examining the candidate.

Prerequisite: Approval of Graduate Program Director. Consult with the UTRGV Graduate Office and or Catalogue for AMRP defense deadlines and other pertinent information.

Courses

Criminal Justice graduate student Sonia Figueredo giving quote

"The program is essentially what I was looking for in a graduate program.  It's been very hands-on, I've learned so much and highly recommend it for anyone that wants an intensive, yet gratifying experience of taking your education to another level."

Sonia Figueredo

Criminal Justice Graduate Student

Comprehend the content, theories, principles, and methods of criminal justice.

Prepare for

Administrative and management positions in federal, state, and local criminal justice agencies.

Positions requiring graduate degrees such as federal probation, parole, and law enforcement agencies.

Academic study beyond a master's degree.

Develop a criminal  justice knowledge base concerning issues unique to the region, including Mexico, and Central and South America.

Provide a resource for federal, state, and local criminal justice agencies in need of administrative assistance in policy analysis, development, and program evaluation.

Criminal Justice graduate student Sonia Figueredo giving quote

An introduction to the healthcare system beginning with a historical overview, analysis of organizational components, and an emphasis on the interaction of delivery systems, regulation, financial concerns, regulations and alternative strategies for healthcare organizations as well as quality assurance and its role in health care organizations.

This course examines the development of U.S. helath policies and laws and how they affect health care delivery, impact health disparities, and shape population health. Special attention will be given to discussions of current national health policy debates. The course also introduces students to various international health care system models.

An exploration of qualitative and quantitative research methods and experimental designs with specific application to the Health Sciences as well as an introduction to evidence based medicine.

Overview of legal and ethical issues associated with the delivery of healthcare in todays society. Specific areas of contemporary legal and ethical concern surrounding everyday practice will be emphasized.

This course will cover the knowledge, skills, and techniques used in the preparation of professional papers and grant proposals. Students will also be introduced to methods used in the identification of funding sources as well as the principles of successful grant management.

This course provides the knowledge about fundamentals of health Information Systems and the role of Information systems in efficient operation of healthcare organizations. The course specifically focuses on: Evolution of HMIS, HMIS components and basic HMIS functions, technology infrastructure for healthcare organizations, basic concepts such as HER, HIE, CPOE, and CDSS, HMIS standards such as HIPPA, HL7, and DICOM, strategic information systems planning for healthcare organizations, systems analysis and project management, information security issues, and role of HMIS professionals in health organizations.

This course introduces students to the theory and practice in the development and implementation of innovative and traditional health science education strategies in healthcare, community, and instructional settings.

This course prepares students with the skills required in the planning, design, development and evaluation of curricula and instructional strategies in healthcare, community, and instructional settings.

This course prepares health science educators with the knowledge and skills to apply theory and practice in evaluation of health programs in healthcare, community, and instructional settings; evaluation of standardized health assessments and analysis of results.

Prepares health professionals with the knowledge and skills necessary to implement technology in the learning setting to optimize student/patient participation, motivation, assessment and engagement. The course also develops proficiency in media communication protocols and time management skills in the health field.

This course focuses on the application of current technology (software and hardware) in health science education; commercial software selection and use; database management and computer networking for communication, research, and health promotion.

This course prepares health professionals to mentor, counsel, and advise future health science professionals, current healthcare professionals and the community in the competencies and career opportunities for emerging health careers.

Courses

Online master's graduate Melissa Ipina giving quote

"It was very good with my work and time management. Completing my degree online while maintaining a work/life balance really worked out for me."

Melissa Ipina

Online Master's Graduate

Get Started Today

Make a career protecting others through equitable justice outcomes.  Learn more about how you can become a powerful force of positive change in your community's criminal justice system!

"It was very good with my work and time management. Completing my degree online while maintaining a work/life balance really worked out for me."

Online master's graduate Melissa Ipina giving quote

Melissa Ipina

Online Master's Graduate

 

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