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MSCJ / MPA Joint Degree Pathway

The Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice and the Department of Public Policy and Administration have a joint degree pathway culminating in both a Master of Science in Criminal Justice (MSCJ) and a Master of Public Administration (MPA). The joint degree pathway prepares graduate students for overlapping careers in criminal justice and public management. It is intended to prepare students for positions in public, private, and nonprofit organizations that require both criminal justice and management knowledge. Under the joint degree pathway, a student can obtain both degrees in significantly less time than it would take to obtain both degrees if pursued consecutively.

  • Entrance Requirements
    1. Candidates in the joint degree pathway must meet the entrance requirements established by each individual program. Candidates must indicate in the application their intention to pursue the joint degree option. Students deciding to pursue the joint degree option after having been admitted to one program will indicate this intention only on their second application.
    2. Applicants for a joint degree pathway will not be accepted from candidates who have already completed either degree. MSCJ or MPA students must apply and be admitted by no later than the second to last semester in which they are expected to complete their original degree requirements.
  • Degree Requirements

    The joint degree pathway requires a total of 20 courses (60 credit hours).

    1. Nine core courses (27 credit hours) from MPA.
    2. Six core courses (18 credit hours) from MSCJ.
    3. Five electives (15 credit hours). Of the five electives, 2 (6 credits) must be from MSCJ and 2 (6 credits) must be from MPA.
  • Award of Degrees

    Joint degree pathway candidates will not receive either degree until all requirements for both programs have been satisfied. Students deciding against completing a second degree must satisfy all first-degree program requirements as if the student had never been a joint degree pathway candidate.