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Criminal Justice

School of Graduate and Continuing Studies

 

Dual Degree Program ♦ Forensic Psychology  ♦ Homeland Security  ♦ FAQ

The Master of Arts in Criminal Justice Program (MACJ) is designed to offer students a broad and multidisciplinary perspective on the criminal justice system. The work of criminal justice practitioners is complex, and it requires knowledge of how and why people engage in crime as well as an understanding of the issues faced by practitioners in the criminal justice system.

MACJ graduates are employed in all sectors of the criminal justice system, including the Secret Service, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Transportation Security  Administration, corporate security, Probation Services, the Division of Youth and Family Services, crisis intervention centers and halfway houses. 

For more information on the type of careers available for the MACJ graduate, please see our guide, “What to do with a MACJ”, created by a graduate of the MACJ program.  

The distinctiveness of the Stockton MACJ:

  • Current undergraduate students may qualify for admission to the Dual Degree program which can shorten the length of time to obtain the MACJ degree
  • Students may concentrate their studies in Forensic Psychology, Homeland Security, or the general criminal justice system
  • Students may take classes in law, homeland security, crime mapping, forensic psychology, and other topics.
  • Students have the opportunity to do graduate assistantships which help defray tuition costs and provide one-on-one research experiences with faculty
  • Students are also encouraged to do graduate internships. We have had placements at agencies such as the state police and the prosecutor's office

Our faculty:

  • Faculty members are actively involved in criminal justice research and practice
  • Individual areas of research include crime mapping, corrections, evolutionary psychology, terrorism and homeland security


MACJ Curriculum- 36 credits 
MACJ Core Courses- 18 credits
CRIM 5204 Advanced Issues in Criminal Justice
CRIM 5206 Criminological Theory
CRIM 5312 Quantitative Reasoning
CRIM 5316 Research and Evaluation
CRIM 5410 Criminal Justice Policy and Planning
   
Please choose your track. Either 15 credits and the thesis or 18 credits and the comprehensive exam.
 
Forensic Psychology Track- 15-18 credits
CRIM 5208 Forensic Psychology CRIM 5800 Thesis or Forensic Psychology elective
CRIM 5210 Forensic Psychopathology Comprehensive exam (if no thesis)
Open Elective: Take any MACJ course or choose a course from any Stockton graduate program.
Choose two electives (6 credits)
CRIM 5222 Victomology CRIM 2225 Criminal Psychology and Profiling
CRIM 5245 Introduction to Counseling in the Criminal Justice System CRIM 5306 Crime Mapping
CRIM 5282 Courtroom Psychology CRIM 5310 Forensic Investigation in the Criminal Justice System
CRIM 5348 Drugs, Crime, and Criminal Justice CRIM 5800 Independent Study or
CRIM 5990 Graduate Internship
 
Homeland Security Track (15-18 credits)
CRIM 5508 Crisis, Emergency, and Disaster Management CRIM 5880 Thesis or Homeland Security elective
CRIM 5505 Terrorism Comprehensive exam (if no thesis)
Open Elective: Take any MACJ course or choose a course from any Stockton graduate program.
Choose two electives (6 credits)
CRIM 5306 Crime Mapping CRIM 5510 Homeland Security and Information Technology
CRIM 5518 Intelligence Community and Homeland Security CRIM 5520 Legal Issues in Homeland Security
CRIM 5524 Transportation, Corporate, and Utility Security CRIM 5535 Terrorism in the United States
CRIM 5540 Homeland Security Policy CRIM 5800 Independent Study or
CRIM 5990 Graduate Internship
 
Justice Studies Track (15-18 credits)
CRIM 5880 thesis or elective Comprehensive exam (if not thesis)
Choose five electives (18 credits) from any combination of electives offered by the MACJ program
CRIM 5425 International Human Rights Law CRIM 5368 Advanced Issues in Crime Prevention
CRIM 5420 Judicial Process CRIM 5435 Comparative Criminal Justice
CRIM 5800 Independent Study or
CRIM 5990 Graduate Internship
 

For course descriptions, please visit The College's Course Catalog.

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Forensic Psychology Track

Forensic psychology explores the application of the science and the profession of psychology to questions and issues relating to crime, the law, and legal systems.

Students will gain broad knowledge of the role of psychology in the criminal justice system including:


a. Criminal psychology, including forensic assessment of criminals, civil forensic assessment, and forensic treatment
b. Eyewitness identification, police investigations, interrogations, and confessions
c. Victims of crime
d. Juries and legal decision making
e. Juveniles in the legal system
f. Police psychology
g. Crime scene reconstruction and offender profiling
h. Correctional psychology
i. Psychology, law, and public policy
j. Ethics and professional issues

For more information contact:
Joshua Duntley, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice
Phone: (609) 626-3570
Email: joshua.duntley@stockton.edu  

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Homeland Security Track

Federal, state and local government agencies, as well as private firms, are involved in protecting the United States, its people, and resources from attack or natural disaster.  The curriculum for the Homeland Security Track involves an all-hazards perspective, meaning that the program involves discussion about issues regarding the prevention of and reaction to natural and human-made disasters, including terrorist attacks.  The legal, moral and ethical issues pertaining to homeland security will be an important component of the curriculum, as will studies of agency participation and cooperation in planning for and responding to crisis. 

The track will examine issues from historical, cross-cultural, economic, psychological, and political perspectives. The track in homeland security is focused on preparing students for employment in the challenging field of emergency management and counter-terrorism. Utilizing an interdisciplinary curriculum enables students to gain crucial knowledge and critical thinking skills that are essential in this fast growing and complex field.

Graduate students in the Homeland Security Track are required to complete six core courses and two track specific courses.  For a detailed description of the courses listed in the curriculum, please consult the College's Course Catalog.

For more information contact:
Susan Fahey, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice
Phone: (609) 652-4993
Email:  Susan.Fahey@stockton.edu

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Apply today.  If you have further questions, Request More Information, view Frequently Asked Questions, visit the MACJ Program's Web site, or please call the Graduate Admissions Office at (609) 626-3640 or E-mail gradschool@stockton.edu.

 Photo of Christine TartaroSincerely,

Christine Tartaro, Ph.D.
Director of the MACJ Program

Associate Professor of Criminal Justice

 

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