M.S. in Justice Studies

Program Overview

The M.S. in Justice Studies at MSSU requires 36 semester hours for completion. The program is flexible, offering both a thesis and a non-thesis track, as well as a comprehensive exam track, allowing students to choose the option that best suits their career aspirations and academic interests. It is designed to attract students from diverse undergraduate disciplines, not just criminal justice, fostering a rich, interdisciplinary learning environment. The program aims to equip graduates with the ability to use data and other information sources to draw logical conclusions about complex justice issues, preparing them for advanced roles in a variety of related professional activities.

Curriculum: The 36-semester-hour curriculum for the M.S. in Justice Studies is built on a foundation of core knowledge and offers significant flexibility through electives. Required courses (6 hours) include a choice of research methods (e.g., "Criminal Justice Research Methods" or "Social Science Research Methods") and statistics (e.g., "Statistical Analysis" or "Social Science Statistics"). Students then complete 24 hours of electives from at least two different disciplines, drawing from a broad range of courses in Criminal Justice (e.g., "International Justice Systems," "Ethics in Criminal Justice," "Victimology," "Homeland Security," "Crime and Criminal Justice Policy"), History (e.g., "The Civil Rights Movement"), Justice Studies (e.g., "Inequalities in America," "Restorative Justice"), Political Science (e.g., "Public Policy," "Constitutional Law II: Civil Rights and Civil Liberties"), Social Work (e.g., "Social Welfare Policies and Services," "Social Justice Practice"), and Sociology (e.g., "Juvenile Delinquency," "Penology Corrections," "Seminar in Race, Class, Gender, and Crime"). The capstone experience (6 hours) can be a thesis, a service project with a process paper, or a comprehensive exam.

Research Focus: The M.S. in Justice Studies at Missouri Southern State University places a strong emphasis on developing students' research and analytical capabilities. The curriculum includes required courses in both "Research Methods" and "Statistical Analysis," equipping students with the foundational skills to conduct empirical inquiry and interpret data. The program's core objective is to teach students how to "use data and other sources of information to make inferences and draw logical conclusions about questions focused on 'justice.'" For students pursuing the thesis track, a significant research project is required, involving the formulation of a research question, data collection and analysis, and the presentation of original findings. Even the non-thesis tracks emphasize critical thinking and the application of research insights to complex justice issues.

Industry Engagement: Missouri Southern State University's Justice Studies program demonstrates strong industry engagement, particularly within the criminal justice and related sectors. The university's Law Enforcement Academy, a 600-hour basic law enforcement training program, is certified by the Missouri Department of Public Safety, providing a direct pipeline to careers in policing. The Justice Studies Department also houses a "robust criminal justice center" with hands-on facilities like a CSI lab and a shooting range, offering practical, simulated experiences. Faculty often have extensive professional experience, bringing real-world perspectives into the classroom. The program prepares graduates for leadership positions in "the criminal justice system, law enforcement, politics, and related fields," suggesting strong ties to these professional communities and an understanding of their evolving needs.

Global Perspective: Missouri Southern State University's M.S. in Justice Studies explicitly incorporates a global perspective, a key element of the university's broader mission. The Justice Studies Department is "devoted to emphasizing quality teaching and learning, to providing an international perspective and to promoting the value of community service." A core elective, "JS 0511 - International Justice Systems," directly focuses on analyzing crime and criminal justice systems in selected countries and cultures, emphasizing how these societies define and respond to criminal behavior. The department actively encourages and provides opportunities for students to study and travel abroad, offering firsthand exposure to different criminal justice systems worldwide. This commitment to international education ensures graduates are prepared as "thoughtful global citizens" capable of understanding and addressing justice issues in an interconnected world.