Dual-Degree Program

Dual Degree Program: M.A./M.P.A.

The graduate programs in criminal justice and public policy and administration offer a 48-credit dual curriculum leading to the master of arts (M.A.) and master of public administration (M.P.A.) degrees. Special application procedures apply: students apply separately and independently to the graduate programs in criminal justice and in public policy and administration, and must be accepted into both programs. For course selection, admitted students must consult with the directors of each program.

Criminal Justice Core Courses (9 credits)
56:202:500 Policy Analysis in Criminal Justice (3)
56:202:600 Research Methods in Criminal Justice (3)
56:202:601 Data Analysis in Criminal Justice (3)

Criminal Justice Elective Courses (12 credits from approved courses, including the following)
56:202:510 Criminal Justice Issues and Trends (3)
56:202:513 Criminology (3)
56:202:520 Systems of Criminal Justice (3)
56:202:522 Juvenile Justice (3)
56:202:529 Law and Society (3)
56:202:540 Victimology (3)
56:202:552 Community Corrections (3)
56:202:573 Violent Crime (3)
56:202:605 Gender, Crime, and Justice (3)

Public Administration Core Courses (15 credits)

56:834:505 Organizational Behavior (3)
56:834:515 Introduction to Public Budgeting and Finance (3)
56:834:525 Public and Nonprofit Management (3)
56:834:536 Public Information Systems (3)
56:834:553 Financial Management of Public Program (3)

Public Administration Electives (12 credits from the following)

56:834:503 Law and Public Policy (3)
56:834:557 Human Resources Management (3)
56:834:558 Executive Leadership and Communication Skills (3)
56:834:559 Ethics in the Public Sector (3)
56:834:570 Labor-Management Relations in the Private and Public Sectors (3)

In addition to completing 48 credits, dual-degree students must also write and successfully defend a thesis or pass comprehensive examinations in criminal justice policy analysis, research methods, data analysis, and an elective area.