Master of Science in Criminal Justice (M.S.)
Purpose
The purpose of the Master of Science in Criminal Justice program is to develop leaders and researchers from a Christian worldview perspective in the dynamic world of criminal justice. Students will develop an appreciation of the practice and policy interplay of court, corrections, and law enforcement.Program Specific Admission Requirements
In addition to the general admission requirements, specific requirements for admission to the Master of Science in Criminal Justice (M.S.) are as follows:
- Earned baccalaureate degree or its equivalent from an institution accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education (e.g., SACSCOC, TRACS, ABHE, etc.).
- An undergraduate cumulative GPA of 3.00 or above (on a 4.00 scale).
- TOEFL Scores for students who speak English as a second language (score of 600 paper-based test; 250 computer-based test, 80 internet-based test)
Students who do not meet the minimum GPA requirement may be admitted on Academic Caution status. Applicants who hold a cumulative undergraduate GPA of 2.00 to 2.99 on a 4.00 scale may be eligible for admission on Academic Caution.
Transfer of Credit
Students may transfer up to 18 hours of graduate-level credit from an accredited institution. In order to transfer credit, students must have earned the minimum grade of B-, and courses must have been completed within 10 years of the start date of the student’s program at Liberty University. Credits from a prior degree on the same academic level earned through Liberty University are considered transfer credits.
Public safety professionals who graduate from a national or regional command college and who have received graduate credit from a regionally accredited sponsoring university, and who have not previously used such credit for a degree, may transfer up to 12 hours of graduate credit associated with the command college to the Master of Science in Criminal Justice as Experiential Learning credit.
Program Learning Outcomes
The student will be able to:
- Synthesize best practices and knowledge of Criminal Justice organization literature.
- Integrate solid Christian Worldview principles into ethical and legal decision making in a criminal justice context.
- Apply solutions to leadership challenges in the justice organization context.
- Evaluate theoretical and applied research in the context of Criminal Justice Organizations.