COURSE CURRICULUM

At Fairleigh Dickinson University, the MA in Criminal Justice requires 33 total credits, structured into a 15-credit core sequence and an 18-credit elective component designed to provide both foundational knowledge and specialized professional development. The core curriculum begins with CRIM6000 Criminal Justice, which must be taken early in the program, followed by CRIM6005 Advanced Criminological Theory, CRIM6010 focusing on the U.S. Constitution, public policy, and criminal justice systems, CRIM6015 Research Methods in Criminal Justice and Criminology, and CRIM6020 Statistics and Data Analysis. Together, these courses establish a strong grounding in theory, legal frameworks, and quantitative/qualitative research skills essential for advanced study and professional practice in criminal justice fields. Students also complete CRIM8001 Qualifying Exam/Master’s Thesis, which is listed as a zero-credit requirement but serves as a key capstone evaluation component demonstrating mastery of program content and research competency.The remaining 18 credits are elective courses selected from CRIM6000- and CRIM7000-level offerings, allowing students to tailor their academic experience toward specific interests or career goals such as law enforcement, corrections, homeland security, criminal law, policy analysis, or research. This flexibility is intended to support professional specialization while maintaining academic rigor and alignment with criminal justice standards. All elective selections are made in consultation with an academic advisor, and substitutions may be approved by the program director to ensure coherence with student goals and program expectations. Overall, the structure balances a fixed core—focused on theory, policy, research methods, and statistical analysis—with customizable electives that enable deeper exploration of niche areas within the criminal justice system, preparing graduates for professional advancement, leadership roles, or further graduate or doctoral study in criminology and related disciplines.