Master of Arts

The Master of Arts in Criminal Justice (MACJ) degree program is a professional degree designed to provide criminal justice agency professionals with coursework in criminology and the operation of the criminal justice system, as well as training in research methods and statistics. The MACJ program also provides students with advanced training in program planning and management, policy analysis, and program evaluation.

Students are required to complete a capstone course, Theory and Practice in Criminal Justice, in which they write a comprehensive research paper that focuses on a criminal justice policy or practice.

The master’s program is offered to both full-time and part-time students. Full-time students can earn the degree in as few as 18 months. Part-time students will take longer to complete the degree, but all requirements for the degree must be completed within six years from the date of the first course listed on the program of study. GRE test scores are not required for entry into the MACJ program.

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT Allison Carter Major: M.S. Criminology Career Goals: ’10 M.S. Criminology Hold a Research Assistantship Position at ASU  Receive a PhD in Criminology from ASU Become a Professor at a University ....................................................................................................... "When I decided to move to Arizona and attend ASU for my  graduate work in Criminology, I learned that one of the most important things about any graduate program is having the faculty and peer support to be successful.  I feel fortunate that my decision has afforded me the opportunity to study Criminology and Criminal Justice advanced theory and practices at ASU with faculty members that work to accomodate the needs of all the students, and further prepare us to apply our knowledge for the career of our choice.  In the future, it is my goal as a University professor to provide my students with the same opportunities that I have been presented with in the Criminology department at ASU."