M.A. in Counseling: Addiction
The M.A. in Counseling: Addiction is a 60-semester hour program that prepares individua...
Master of Public Administration - Criminal Justice
Kutztown, Pennsylvania
INTAKE: Jan & Aug
Program Overview
The MPA with a Criminal Justice concentration at Kutztown University is a 36-semester-hour graduate program that typically takes two to three years to complete. Its core purpose is to equip students with specialized knowledge and technical skills crucial for administrative roles in criminal justice. This includes expertise in budgeting, planning, personnel administration, legal issues specific to criminal justice, police strategies, and social policymaking within the context of the justice system. The program emphasizes applied problem-solving, making it highly relevant for those looking to advance their careers in federal, state, and local law enforcement, corrections, probation and parole, juvenile justice, and related fields. An accelerated BA/MPA program is also available for qualified undergraduates, enabling them to pursue graduate coursework earlier.
Curriculum: The 36-credit curriculum for the MPA with a Criminal Justice concentration is structured to provide a strong foundation in public administration while integrating specialized criminal justice topics. It comprises 21 required core MPA credits, 3-6 research credits, and 9-12 criminal justice elective credits. Required core courses cover essential public administration concepts such as "Administrative Law," "Approaches and Methods in Political Science," "Principles and Problems of Public Administration," "Administrative and Organizational Theory," "Public Personnel and Strategic Human Resources Management," "Budgeting and Decision Making," and "Program and Policy Evaluation." The criminal justice specialization is deepened through electives like "Theoretical Foundations of Crime and Crime Prevention," "Legal Issues in Criminal Justice," "Police Strategies, Administration and Social Policy-Making," and "Seminar on Criminal Justice System Policy." Students must select between a 6-credit "Thesis" (POLI 503) or a 3-credit "Professional Seminar" (POLI 581) for their research requirement, offering flexibility based on their academic and career goals.
Research Focus: The MPA with a Criminal Justice concentration at Kutztown University places a strong emphasis on research and analytical skills, particularly as they apply to criminal justice contexts. The program aims to provide students with the ability to "evaluate programs using qualitative and quantitative data with SPSS, EXCEL and survey research" and to "analyze survey data and data sets from state agencies, such as Education Revenue, Center for Rural Pennsylvania, census data and municipal data." The research component includes required courses like "Approaches and Methods in Political Science" and "Program and Policy Evaluation." The option to complete a 6-credit thesis (POLI 503) further highlights the program's commitment to fostering in-depth scholarly inquiry. Students who choose the thesis option engage in substantial independent research on a relevant criminal justice administration topic, demonstrating their capacity for original analysis and contribution to the field. This research emphasis prepares graduates for evidence-based decision-making and policy development within criminal justice.
Industry Engagement: Kutztown University's MPA with a Criminal Justice concentration is highly attuned to the practical demands of the criminal justice sector. The curriculum is designed to equip students with in-demand technical skills in budgeting, planning, personnel administration, and legal issues specific to criminal justice, which are directly applicable in law enforcement, corrections, and public safety organizations. The collaborative nature of the program, involving both Political Science & Public Administration and Criminal Justice departments, ensures a balanced approach that covers both administrative theory and criminal justice specifics. While a dedicated internship requirement is not explicitly stated for the MPA-CJ, the general MPA program and its focus on "applied problem-solving skills" imply a strong connection to professional practice. Faculty members often bring real-world experience to the classroom, and the program prepares graduates for direct career advancement or entry into various criminal justice positions.
Global Perspective: The Master of Public Administration program at Kutztown University, including its Criminal Justice concentration, incorporates a global perspective by encouraging a broader understanding of political systems and international interactions. The core MPA curriculum includes learning outcomes such as developing an "appreciation of the diversity of global political systems" and an "understanding of other political systems around the world and their different institutions and political culture." For criminal justice, this translates to an awareness of how global trends, international cooperation, and comparative justice systems can influence domestic policy and practice. While the primary focus remains on the American criminal justice system, the program's broader commitment to understanding diverse political and social contexts equips graduates to navigate an increasingly interconnected world, where criminal justice issues often have transnational dimensions.
Location
Kutztown, Pennsylvania
Score
IELTS 6.5
Tuition Fee
USD 16793
Postgraduate Entry Requirements
Academic Qualifications: Applicants for postgraduate programs typically require a minimum academic achievement of 70% or above in their bachelor's degree.
English Language Proficiency:
- IELTS: Overall band score of 6.5 or 7.0 with a minimum of 6.0 in each component.
- TOEFL: Overall score of 79 or higher.
- PTE: Overall score of 53 or higher.
- DET (Duolingo English Test): Minimum score of 110.
Kutztown University is dedicated to supporting international students by offering scholarship opportunities that help reduce the financial burden of studying in the United States. These scholarships recognize academic excellence and encourage talented students from around the world to join the university community.
Merit-Based Scholarships: New international undergraduate students are automatically considered for a 40% out-of-state tuition reduction, which significantly lowers tuition costs. In addition, Kutztown University offers limited merit-based scholarships for high-achieving international students based on their academic records, leadership qualities, and extracurricular involvement.
Renewable Scholarships: Many scholarships at Kutztown University are renewable, provided students maintain a minimum GPA requirement throughout their studies. This encourages sustained academic performance and rewards continued excellence.
Special Program Scholarships: Certain departments and programs may offer additional scholarships targeted at international students pursuing specific fields of study. These scholarships aim to attract diverse talents and foster specialized academic communities.
The Master of Public Administration (MPA) with a Criminal Justice concentration from Kutztown University is a specialized, 36-credit graduate program designed to prepare individuals for leadership and administrative roles within the multifaceted criminal justice system. This program equips graduates with a unique blend of public administration principles and specific knowledge of law enforcement, corrections, and criminal justice policy. The flexible hybrid format caters to both aspiring professionals and those already in the field looking to advance, fostering critical administrative, budgeting, and analytical skills necessary to effectively manage public safety and justice initiatives.
Police Administrator/Chief of Police: Graduates are prepared for senior leadership positions within local, state, or federal law enforcement agencies. This involves strategic planning, budget management, policy development, and overseeing all aspects of police operations, aiming to enhance public safety and departmental efficiency.
Correctional Administrator/Warden: These roles involve the high-level management of correctional facilities, probation, or parole systems. Graduates oversee operations, manage personnel, develop rehabilitation programs, and ensure the secure and humane functioning of correctional institutions.
Criminal Justice Policy Analyst: Working for government agencies, research institutions, or advocacy groups, these professionals analyze existing criminal justice policies, identify areas for improvement, and propose evidence-based solutions to address issues such as crime prevention, recidivism, or systemic biases.
Federal Agent (e.g., FBI, DEA, ATF, US Marshals): The MPA with a Criminal Justice concentration provides a strong foundation for administrative and analytical roles within federal law enforcement agencies. While often requiring specific entry qualifications, the advanced understanding of policy, management, and research is highly beneficial for progression in these careers.
Court Administrator: These professionals manage the non-judicial operations of court systems, ensuring efficient case flow, managing court staff, overseeing budgets, and implementing administrative policies to support judicial processes.
Emergency Management Specialist (Public Safety focus): Graduates can work in government agencies or private companies involved in preparing for, responding to, and recovering from emergencies and disasters, often with a focus on law enforcement coordination, public safety protocols, and crisis management within a justice context.
Victim Services Program Manager: These roles involve leading and overseeing programs that provide support, advocacy, and resources to victims of crime. Graduates apply their administrative and policy knowledge to ensure victims receive comprehensive assistance and their rights are protected.
Security Manager (Corporate/Institutional): While the degree has a public sector focus, the administrative, policy, and risk assessment skills are highly transferable to managing security operations in large corporations, universities, or healthcare systems, overseeing physical security, investigations, and compliance.
Intelligence Analyst (Law Enforcement/Homeland Security): Professionals in this field gather, analyze, and disseminate intelligence to support law enforcement operations, crime prevention, and national security efforts. The program's emphasis on research methods and data analysis is directly applicable here.
Criminal Justice Educator/Trainer: Graduates can pursue careers as instructors at police academies, community colleges, or as adjunct faculty in university criminal justice programs. They leverage their expertise to educate and train the next generation of criminal justice professionals.
