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Advance your criminal justice career at Columbia College
The Master of Science in Criminal Justice from Columbia College builds administrative skills specifically designed for the criminal justice field. Graduates are better prepared to take on leadership roles. Students may select a management emphasis in Law Enforcement Administration based on their specific career goals.
Analyze criminal justice
The master's degree in criminal justice at Columbia College provides a strong foundation for handling critical issues confronting today's criminal justice administrator. The program emphasizes four foundational areas: trends, policy development and analysis, research design and ethics. Take courses in crisis intervention, budgeting and planning and emergent issues. You can also focus on law enforcement management with an emphasis.
Bachelor's vs. Master's: What's the difference?
A master's degree furthers your education upon completion of a bachelor's degree. A master's program requires a shorter period of study with a more concentrated focus on a specific subject matter. Oftentimes, a master's degree provides additional leadership opportunities and may increase earning potential.
Columbia College Global offers traditional classroom instruction for many courses at nationwide locations. Students at nationwide locations are expected to engage with multiple learning methods, including online and virtual while completing their degree. Columbia College offers on-campus programs with traditional classroom instruction at the Residential Campus in Columbia, Missouri.
Barry Langford
"[Students will] know how to write and express themselves verbally. They’ll know how to think critically about issues. They’ll be aware of what’s going on currently in the field."
Read about BarryView more faculty profiles
Find your path
Submit this form to get information about applying to Columbia College.
Questions about admissions? Call the main line.
Main line: (573) 875-8700
Want to know more about our programs? Contact the department.
Department phone: 573-875-7484
Office: STC 207
Email: HASS@CCIS.edu
Your degree starts here Take these courses
Available program formats
- Core requirements 15 credit hours
- Total degree requirements 36 credit hours
Some courses you may take
Examination of public sector budgeting from the perspective of agency and departmental managers. Analysis of the issues involved in planning, developing, tracking and implementing an agency or departmental budget. Prerequisite: Graduate standing.
Examination of the development, implementation and analysis of public policy. Students identify and evaluate public policies as they relate to the criminal justice system. Prerequisite: Graduate standing.
Examination of criminal justice systems worldwide. Includes exploration of means of establishing cooperation toward mutual goals despite structural, historical and ideological differences. Prerequisite: Graduate standing.
Examination of the organizational human resource function and contemporary techniques for managing human resources. Discussions focus on EEO law, work force diversity, managing change, staffing, training and development, compensation and benefits, EEO/AA and other human resource topics. Cross-listed as MSCJ 526.