COURSE CURRICULUM

The Master of Science in Criminology with a concentration in Global Criminology at San José State University is a 30-unit graduate program offered through the Department of Justice Studies and delivered in an online format. The program is designed to provide students with an advanced understanding of crime, justice systems, and legal responses from a global and comparative perspective. It combines criminological theory with applied research methods to help students analyze crime trends, justice policies, and law enforcement practices across different countries and cultural contexts.The curriculum is structured around three main components: core courses, concentration courses, and a culminating experience. The core coursework (15 units) builds foundational knowledge in comparative criminal justice systems, research methods and statistics, international human rights, global policing practices, and international criminology, including juvenile delinquency. These courses emphasize both theoretical understanding and quantitative and qualitative research skills, preparing students to critically evaluate global justice systems.The concentration requirements (12 units) allow students to explore specialized topics such as crime and gender in a global context, immigration and international law, cyber forensics, and global terrorism. These courses strengthen students’ understanding of emerging transnational crime issues and the policy responses used to address them. They also develop applied analytical skills relevant to modern criminal justice challenges.The program concludes with a 3-unit applied project, where students demonstrate their ability to apply criminological theories and research methods to a real-world issue in global justice. This culminating experience serves as an integration of theoretical knowledge and practical skills gained throughout the program.Overall, the MS in Criminology (Global Criminology) prepares graduates for careers in law enforcement, international organizations, policy analysis, research institutions, and related justice fields. It equips students with strong analytical abilities, a global perspective on crime, and practical skills for addressing complex international justice challenges.