Criminal Justice (M.S.)

The Master of Science degree program in Criminal Justice is designed to build a student’s individual, agency, and community capacity to understand, prevent, intervene, and respond innovatively and effectively to juvenile delinquency and crime, using evidence-based practices and policies, in ways that ensure justice. 

Our program is designed to provide students from around the world the following opportunities: 

  • An innovative curriculum that provides theoretical knowledge and skills necessary to become effective leaders in criminal and/or juvenile justice systems.  

  • Emphasis on Juvenile Justices that ensures you will be prepared to serve as leaders of reform within our juvenile justice system and/or work collaboratively toward prevention, intervention and rehabilitation of juvenile offenders. 

  • Skills to facilitate program development, implementation and assessment. 

  • Engaged learning. 

  • Collaboration with faculty and other stakeholders in the criminal and/or juvenile justice fields on academic and applied research projects in the community. 

  • Intensive study that prepares you for a wide range of administrative, management and leadership positions within public, private and non-profit criminal and/or juvenile justice agencies. 

  • Preparation for instructor level teaching positions. 

  • Preparation for doctoral studies. 

The M.S. in Criminal Justice provides both a thesis track (33 hours) and non-thesis track (36 hours). 

In addition to the minimum admission expectations established by the Graduate School, the Criminal Justice program expects the following prerequisites: 

Successful completion of an undergraduate research methods course within a social science discipline.  If not, you will be required to complete CJUS 301 during your first semester of graduate study.  This course will not count toward your graduate degree. 

 

Criminal Justice at UL Lafayette

A UL Lafayette professor works with two criminal justice students on a research project.

Research for a Reason

Explore your interests in gender, restorative justice, juvenile justice, poverty, education, and drug use and the ways in which these topics intersect with the criminal justice system. You’ll gain a deep understanding of crime policy, theory, practice, and application of evidence-based approaches to crime solutions. 

Leaders in Juvenile Justice

Our master’s program is the only one in the state emphasizing juvenile justice. From the legacy of Tallulah Prison to the treatment of 17-year-old offenders as adults, Louisiana continues to grapple with issues of juvenile justice. Our program benefits students looking for the tools to understand the complexity of today’s youth and their entanglement within the criminal justice system.

Community Partnerships

Over decades, our department has become increasingly integrated with state and local partnerships that enable us to drive reform and innovation for the public good – good that directly impacts Louisiana. Take up opportunities to network, brainstorm with working professionals, and aid in research that gives us insight into the barriers of changing our lives for the better. 

Labs and Centers

Gain experience in applied research and public policy through the SPRUCE lab, the Center for Critical Infrastructure Cybersecurity, and the Blanco Public Policy Center.