Master of Justice Administration

Program Objectives

1. Students will acquire an in-depth understanding and awareness of the criminal justice system and its components.
2. Students will assess competing theoretical approaches to criminology and proposed policies and interventions along with other modes of advocacy that will enhance policy and applications in criminal justice.
3. 3. Students will master regulatory knowledge to develop policies and practices for safer and stronger communities.
4. Students will develop critical thinking skills when evaluating criminology and criminal justice.
5. Students will demonstrate the mastery of core criminology and justice principles and the ability to think critically and to speak and write effectively within the field of criminal justice.
6. Students will demonstrate the ability to apply criminal justice theories, research principles and technology to assess, evaluate and address issues in the practice of criminology and criminal justice.
7. Students will demonstrate a critical understanding and fundamental commitment to ethical analysis, research and practice of core criminology and criminal justice principles to situations related to crime and criminal justice.
8. Students will effectively communicate in writing and speaking in the presentation of ideas and their application to issues and situations related to criminal justice.

Admission Requirements

Prospective students enrolling in the Master of Justice Administration program must meet the following admission requirements:

• Completed graduate application.
• A bachelor’s degree in any field from a regionally accredited institution. You may be asked to provide transcripts from all institutions attended.
• A minimum overall GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale and a minimum major GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
• If a student’s undergraduate transcript contains a 2.5 overall GPA or better, and a 3.0 or better GPA in the student’s major, no graduate entrance exam is required.
• The MAT will only be required if the transcript contains less than the required 2.5/3.0 GPA.
• For students who have less than the 2.5/3.0 GPA minimum, the following formula will be used to determine admissions to the program: (Overall GPA * 330) + MAT score must = 1,250 or above
• Three letters of recommendation with specific comments regarding the applicant’s academic work, professional experience and ability to successfully complete graduate study. The letters are usually from the applicant’s faculty members or supervisory personnel.
• A letter of intent (300 word minimum) specifying the applicant’s interest in the program plus the applicant’s academic and professional background in preparation for graduate study.
• A resume including education and work experience.

Program Design

The MJA Program has the following features:

1. Each MJA course will be five weeks in length.
2. The MJA Program will consist of 10 courses with no prerequisite course being required.
3. Students may begin the program with the next available course offered. For example, if MJA 5350 were the next course being offered, an entering student would begin with MJA 5350, complete the schedule through MJA 5395, and then take MJA 5310 through MJA 5340.
4. With MJA faculty review and approval, prior coursework successfully completed in a comparable program from an accredited institution may be considered for up to six (6) hours credit.
5. Program Summary:
   • All course work completed as distance education
   • Degree completed in one year
   • Degree consists of 10 courses
   • Each course completed in 5 weeks
   • Estimated student time per week: 10 - 20 hours

Required Computer and Internet Capabilities

The following hardware and software are minimum specifications to work with the Faulkner/Canvas application:

1. Platform: Windows 7, 8, or 10
2. Hardware: 64 MB of RAM, 1 G of free disk space, 24 X CD-ROM, Accelerated video card w/2MB RAM, 100% Sound Blaster compatible sound card w/speakers, Most recent version of Java and Flash installed
3. Software: Microsoft Word, Microsoft PowerPoint, Microsoft Outlook (or compatible email program), and Microsoft Excel
4. Adobe Acrobat Reader or equivalent
5. Browser: Firefox 55 or higher (JavaScript & Cookies must be enabled.)
6. Modem: Broadband connection only (DSL, Cable or T1)

For more information please consult the university’s website for a full description of all aspects of the program (http://www.faulkner.edu/admissions/graduate/mja). Or email us at mja.info@faulkner.edu.

Schedule of Course Offerings

The Justice Administration degree consists of 10 three-semester-hour courses offered in a five-week format according to the Adult and Evening Enrollment Schedule at Faulkner University. Once accepted, students may begin the program with the next available course.

Courses are offered according to the Master Schedule of Classes posted on the Justice Administration page of the website. Students will take the courses in the order they are presented on a one year rotating schedule.

Faulkner University reserves the right to alter the order in which courses are offered or to revise the list of faculty anticipated to teach specific courses at particular times. The information below should be viewed as a forecast of future course offerings. Enrolled students will be kept apprised of any schedule changes as their cycle of the program progresses.

Total Hours Required for Graduation 30 hours