National University

What you'll study

The curriculum requires core coursework plus electives and a two-part capstone. Students must complete at least 33 semester credit hours for the degree (the program page also states a 36 semester credit hours total) and may receive up to 6 semester credit hours transfer credit for equivalent graduate work that has not been applied to a previous degree.

• Core courses (8 courses, typically 3.0 semester credit hours each): introductory criminal justice administration and history of police administration; leadership theory and applied leadership in criminal justice (covers leadership processes, ethics, 21st-century leadership forms and classroom problem-solving scenarios); legal issues and analysis of court decisions affecting criminal justice agencies (including civil and criminal liability topics); ethics and professional controversies using case-study analysis; constitutional history and rights of the accused, judicial review and case law; a survey of major criminological theories (Classical, Positivist, Trait, Social Disorganization, Differential Association, Strain, Control, Labeling, Radical Choice, Deterrence, Feminist). Capstone is two sequential courses (CJA 690A and CJA 690B): CJA 690A requires prior completion of three core MCJ courses and focuses on identifying criminal justice problems and developing solutions; CJA 690B continues the capstone work and culminates in a final presented project (CJA 690A is the prerequisite for CJA 690B).
• Electives (4 courses, typically 3.0 semester credit hours each): topics include problem-oriented and community-oriented policing (POP/COP), personnel issues (morale, motivation, recruitment, standards, training), evidence and use-of-force, victim-witness matters and community cooperation; victimization theory and responses to violent victimization; and a course on Artificial Intelligence in criminal justice that covers AI deployment across policing, courts and corrections, governance of AI systems, protecting civil rights and legitimacy, and practical exercises such as case studies and policy drafting.

Entry requirements

The program page references graduate admission requirements and indicates an application fee of $0 with no essays or exams required for application. Up to 6 semester credit hours of applicable graduate transfer credit may be applied if not previously used toward a degree. Specific transcript, GPA or prerequisite degree details are provided in the university’s graduate admissions section rather than on the program summary.

Career prospects

The curriculum is pitched toward preparing graduates for leadership and administrative roles across the criminal justice system. Typical paths indicated include law enforcement management, correctional administration, security administration, criminal justice research, and teaching or training positions within justice organizations and government at local, state and federal levels.

Scholarships & funding angle (general)

The program page does not list specific scholarships. Prospective students should consult National University’s central financial aid and scholarships office for information on institutional scholarships, federal student aid eligibility, employer tuition benefits, and options for transfer-credit reduction of program cost.