M.A. in Criminal Justice
The Master of Arts in Criminal Justice (MACJ) Program at Stockton University provides a quality graduate program that promotes advanced inquiry and application of new knowledge to foster advanced-level career opportunities.
The program aims to serve criminal justice educational and research needs in the southern New Jersey area. The program faculty participates in research and services that will benefit criminal justice and social service agencies locally, statewide, and nationally.
The faculty's involvement in research and community affairs enhances the classroom
experience, as faculty members are able to engage students in discussions of current
dilemmas and controversies in the field of criminal justice. The program provides
students with the education needed to advance in the practitioner realm of criminal
justice, and it also prepares those who want to continue with their education by giving
them the research and analytic skills needed to pursue those goals.
Click here to register for our Master of Arts in Criminal Justice Virtual Information Session, Wednesday, October 23, at 12:00pm.
Actively employed criminal justice & law enforcement professionals receive 20% tuition discount.
About the Program
The M.A. in Criminal Justice program emphasizes dialogue, critical thinking, policy evaluation, and clear and effective written and oral communication of ideas. Specifically, students in the program will:
- Gain knowledge, insight, and sensitivity to occupy professional positions in public and private criminal justice agencies or prepare for continuation of graduate work in Criminal Justice or related field.
- Apply criminal justice theories, concepts, or principles to criminological problems.
- Use relevant data, information sources, and applied principles of data analysis to enhance understanding of the criminal justice system.
- Gain greater understanding of all branches of the criminal justice system and issues confronting these branches.
- Learn theoretical and practical issues related to the administration and management of criminal justice organizations.
- Appreciate political and ethical dilemmas confronting the process of designing or evaluating effective criminal justice policy.
- Learn how the scholarly community contributes to understandings of current issues facing the criminal justice system.
Richard Barber
Chief
Galloway Township Police Department
Marquis Barron
Senior Parole Officer
New Jersey Parole Board
Howard H. Berchtold, Jr.
Trial Court Administrator (Ret.)
Superior Court of New Jersey
Atlantic and Cape May Counties
Gregory K. Ciambrone
Chief of Police
Township of Hamilton Police Department
Mikalah Daniels '12 (B.A. in Criminal Justice)
Detective
New Jersey Division of Criminal Justice
Christine Egizi
Director of Atlantic Homeless Alliance and Justice Involved Services
Jewish Family Service of Atlantic & Cape May Counties
Christopher DeSantis '09 (M.A. in Criminal Justice)
Assistant Chief Probation Officer
New Jersey Judiciary
Gregory Jackson
Deputy Director
Cape May County Police Academy
Eric Johnson
Supervisory Federal Air Marshal
Federal Air Marshals
Michael Kane
Vice President of Security
Caesars
Amanda Leese, '08 (M.A. in Criminal Justice)
Senior Vice President
Volunteers of America Delaware Valley
Mitchell A. Little '86 (B.A. in Criminal Justice)
Chief of Police
Toms River Police Departmet
Edwin Moore
Administrative Officer
Investigation Bureau
NJ Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness
Steven Naum
Supervisory Agent
Federal Bureau of Invstigation
Claudia Ratzlaff
CEO
Avanzar
James Sarkos
Chief
Atlantic City Police Department
Stacy Schlachter
Captain
Pleasantville Police Department
Bradford N. Slutsky, ‘01 (B.A. in Criminal Justice)
Director, CPB Watch
Customs and Border Protection
Frederick Spano
Chief of Police
Egg Harbor Township Police Department
Tracy Stuart
Lieutenant
Stockton University Police Department
Dean Wyks, J.D.
Assistant Professor, Criminal Justice
Atlantic Cape Community College
School of Social and Behavioral Sciences MACJ Faculty
Visit the School of Social and Behavioral Sciences for a complete listing of program faculty.
Curriculum
The M.A. program in Criminal Justice is a 36 credit program that includes a combination of core courses and electives. The program is designed to offer students a broad and multidisciplinary perspective on the criminal justice system. The work of criminal justice practitioners is complex and 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.
Students may choose from three academic tracks: Forensic Psychology, Homeland Security, and Justice Studies. Our program offers students the option to do an internship to gain first-hand experience working in criminal justice. The program welcomes both full-time and part-time students. Most of our courses are offered during the evening, so students with full-time jobs may complete the program.
Mandatory core courses- 24 credits
Students in all tracks will complete all eight of the following core courses:
CRIM 5206 Criminological Theory
CRIM 5214 Corrections
CRIM 5222 Victimology
CRIM 5250 Law Enforcement and Policing
CRIM 5315 Crime Data and Analysis
CRIM 5316 Graduate Research and Evaluation in Criminal Justice
CRIM 5410 Criminal Justice Policy and Planning Capstone
CRIM 5420 Judicial Process
The remaining four courses (12 credits) are tailored to each student's chosen track,
and typically require two additional required track courses, an elective from the
specified track, and one additional open elective.
View the MACJ Curriculum Worksheet. For course descriptions, please visit The University's Course Catalog.
Stockton University offers a Master of Arts in Criminal Justice Program (MACJ) degree with a track in Forensic Psychology. The forensic psychology track examines the coevolution of the criminal justice system and the field of psychology. Students will explore how theory and research in the field of psychology has helped to shape our understanding of criminals and victims, definitions of crime, policing, courtroom procedures, corrections, and criminal laws, among others. The track emphasizes the importance of using research to understand how psychology can be best utilized by the criminal justice system.
There are numerous employment opportunities for those who wish to use psychology in the criminal justice system. Alumni who have taken the Forensic Psychology Track found employment in the following fields:
- Probation/Parole
- Medicolegal Investigator
- Detective in the Prosecutor's Office
- Correctional Case Manager
- Victim's Assistance Advocate
- Drug Treatment Caseworker
- Child Protective Services Specialist
Forensic Psychology Curriculum- 12 credits
In addition to the eight mandatory core courses (24 credits), students in the Forensic Psychology Track will complete two required courses, a track elective, and one additional MACJ elective from any track.
Required Courses- 6 credits |
CRIM 5208 Forensic and Legal Psychology |
Track Elective Course- 3 credits |
CRIM 5225 Criminal Psychology |
Elective Course- 3 credits Choose any other MACJ elective course from any of the four tracks or one of the following: |
CRIM 5800 Independent Study CRIM 5890 Advanced Independent Research and Publication CRIM 5990 Graduate Internship |
Stockton University offers a Master of Arts in Criminal Justice (MACJ) degree with a track in Homeland Security. 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.
Students will graduate with a holistic perspective on challenges encountered in the fields 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.
There are numerous employment opportunities for those who pursue a Master of Arts in Criminal Justice with a track in Homeland Security:
- Emergency Manager and/or Program Specialist
- Transportation Security Screener
- Analyst in Intelligence, Emergency Management, Counter-Terrorism, Cybersecurity, Risk, or Immigration Policy
- Security Policy Advocate
- U.S. Customs and Border Agent
- Law Enforcement / Police Officer
- Private Sector Security Agent
- Law Enforcement Specialist / Instructor
- Import Specialist
- Asylum Officer
- Federal Bureau of Investigation Agent
- Immigration Officer
- Non-governmental (NGO) Program Specialist
- Immigration Enforcement Agent
- Refugee Resettlement Specialist
- Criminal Investigator
- Protective Security Agent
- Civic Planner
- Emergency Mitigation Specialist
- Fraud Investigator
- Immigration Attorney
- National Security Agency Agent
- Forensic Accountant
- Secret Service Agent
- Insurance Specialist
Homeland Security Curriculum- 12 credits
In addition to the eight mandatory core courses (24 credits), students in the Homeland Security Track will complete two required courses, a track elective, and one additional MACJ elective from any track.
Required Courses- 6 credits | |
CRIM 5540 Homeland Security Policy and |
|
Track Elective Course- 3 credits |
|
CRIM 5306 Geographic Analysis and Profiling |
|
Elective Course- 3 credits |
|
CRIM 5800 Independent Study |
Stockton University offers a Master of Arts in Criminal Justice (MACJ) degree with a track in Justice Studies. The Justice Studies Track allows students to study the field of criminal justice from a broad perspective.
Justice Studies Curriculum- 12 credits
In addition to the eight mandatory core courses, students in the Justice Studies Track will complete four additional MACJ courses of their choosing and may mix and match electives from any of the MACJ tracks. They may also choose an elective course offered by other Stockton graduate programs with the MACJ Program Chair's permission.
Elective Courses- 12 credits |
|
CRIM 5208 Forensic and Legal Psychology |
Certificates
Two graduate Certificates in Criminal Justice are offered at Stockton through the Master of Arts in Criminal Justice (MACJ) Program: Forensic Psychology and Homeland Security. These certificate programs were designed to serve the educational needs for criminal justice professionals looking to advance into leadership roles, mental health professionals working with victims or perpetrators of crime, law enforcement officials working with individuals with criminal backgrounds, and homeland security professionals. Each certificate is based on 15 graduate credits that includes a combination of mandatory courses and electives.
The certificate programs are ideal for individuals who want to further their education beyond their current degree but are not necessarily interested in the full master's degree. However, students who show great academic promise in the certificate program have the option to seamlessly transition into the full MA program if the students decide to continue their education. Students who decide to continue on to the MA degree will be able to apply all of their certificate credits to the MA.
Students who have completed four of the certificate courses, all with a B or better on the first attempt, and have a GPA of at least 3.5 in the certificate program may apply for direct entry to MACJ. Students who meet these criteria and receive conditional admission to MACJ through Direct Entry will need to earn a grade of B or better in the final certificate course or face having the conditional admission rescinded. Students not meeting these criteria may apply for MACJ through the traditional entry admission process.
The Forensic Psychology Certificate Program will allow professionals engaged in law enforcement and mental health to interact with one another, thus enhancing their understanding of the issues and complexities involved in both the investigation and rehabilitation process of individuals who commit crimes.
Forensic Psychology Certificate- 15 credits
Mandatory Courses- 6 credits |
CRIM 5208 Forensic and Legal Psychology CRIM 5210 Forensic Psychopathology |
Mandatory Course- 3 credits |
CRIM 5214 Corrections |
Elective Courses- 6 credits Choose two of the following: |
CRIM 5225 Criminal Psychology |
The Homeland Security Certificate Program will allow those with a current degree to become familiar with issues such as disaster preparedness, security, terrorism, and crime analysis.
Homeland Security Certificate- 15 credits
Mandatory Courses- 6 credits |
CRIM 5540 Homeland Security Policy |
Mandatory Course- 3 credits |
CRIM 5250 Law Enforcement and Policing |
Elective Courses- 6 credits Choose two of the following: |
CRIM 5306 Geographic Profiling and Analysis CRIM 5328 Cyber Crime CRIM 5505 Terrorism CRIM 5521 Borders and Displacement |
Admissions Criteria
Students may be admitted into the Master of Arts in Criminal Justice (MACJ) program either through traditional entry or direct entry.
Admission into the MACJ program through traditional entry is most appropriate for (a) Candidates with BA/BS degrees from other colleges, (b) Candidates who graduated from Stockton over a year prior to their application to the graduate program, and (c) Candidates who graduated from Stockton but do not qualify for direct entry.
Direct entry waives the admission fee and allows students to skip parts of the application process. Direct entry may be an option for applicants who are (a) current Stockton students who are majoring in Criminal Justice or Psychology with at least a 3.3 cumulative GPA or (b) Stockton Criminal Justice or Psychology alum with a 3.3 cumulative GPA who graduated within one year of application to the MACJ program. Other majors/graduates may be eligible with permission of the graduate program Chair.
To be considered for admission to the program, applicants must meet prerequisite requirements and submit the specified application materials prior to application deadlines. Application deadlines are rolling. Priority deadlines are July 1 for a Fall semester start, December 1 for a Spring semester start, and March 12 for a summer semester start.
While graduate admissions selection committees review applications until the start of the semester, by applying prior to the Priority Deadline, you can ensure that your transition to Stockton is as smooth as possible: you will be invited to the New Student Orientation Event, and have access to priority registration, which means you may have more options for monthly installments of a payment plan, as well as greater options for class selection.
Priority Deadlines:
Fall: August 1
Spring: December 1
Prerequisite Requirements for Traditional Admission
The following are prerequisite requirements for admission into the program through traditional entry:
- A minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher;
- Completion the following courses, with minimum grade requirements met:
- CRIM 1100 with a C or better;
- CRIM 2141 or equivalent research class with a C or better;
- CRIM 2145 or equivalent statistics class with a C or better;
- A social science theories class with a C or better.
- Forensic Psychology Track students must also have completed PSYC 1100 with a C or better.
Traditional Entry is most appropriate for (1) Candidates with BA/BS degrees from other colleges, (2) Candidates who graduated from Stockton over a year prior to their application to the graduate program, and (3) Candidates who graduated from Stockton, but do not qualify for direct entry.
Application Materials for Traditional Entry Admission
To be considered for traditional entry admission into the MACJ program, applicants must submit the following materials prior to the deadline:
- Click here to start your application.
- If you are a recent Stockton graduate, check to see if you qualify for the Direct Entry Option
- A non-refundable application fee of $50, paid through the Online Application
- A graduate application essay submitted through the Online Application
- Three current letters of recommendation submitted electronically via the Online Application
- At least two of three application letters from faculty are recommended
- Strong application letters reference student motivation and competencies relevant to success in graduate school (e.g., writing, reading, speaking, critical thinking, etc.). Recommenders are encouraged to provide specific details or examples to highlight graduate-level competencies.
- Graduate Record Examination (GRE): School Code 2889
- Testing requirements are waived for students with a master's degree or GPA of 3.5 or higher
- Resume
- Official transcripts from all colleges/universities attended (including Stockton) should be mailed, emailed, or dropped off directly to Graduate Admissions:
By mail:
Office of Graduate Admissions, N-Wing 007a
101 Vera King Farris Drive
Galloway, NJ 08205-9441
Electronically:
gradschool@stockton.edu - Submission of Prerequisite Coursework Chart through the Online Application.
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To review international applicant deadlines and admission criteria, please click here.
Prerequisite Requirements for Direct Entry Admission
The following are the prerequisite admission requirements for direct entry admission into the MACJ program:
- Current student or very recent graduate (within one year of application to the graduate
program) who majored in Criminal Justice or Psychology at Stockton;
- Other Stockton majors may be eligible with permission of the graduate program Coordinator.
- A cumulative GPA of 3.3 or higher;
- Completion of the following prerequisites with minimum grade requirements met:
- CRIM 1100 with a C or better on the first attempt;
- CRIM 2141, PSYC 3242 OR equivalent research class with a B or better on the first attempt of the class;
- CRIM 2145, PSYC 2241, OR equivalent statistics class with a B or better on the first attempt of the class;
- A social science theories course with a grade of B or better on the first attempt of the class;
- CRIM 36xx capstone course OR PSYC 36xx senior seminar with a B or better on the first attempt of the class
- Forensic Psychology Track students must also have completed PSYC 1100 with a C or better on the first attempt of the class.
Students who have withdrawn from the Criminal Justice dual-degree program are not eligible for direct entry if they withdrew from a graduate course or earned a grade of B- or below in a graduate course.
Application Materials for Direct Entry Admission
To be considered for direct entry admission into the MACJ program, applicants must submit the following materials prior to the deadline:
Two graduate Certificates in Criminal Justice are offered at Stockton through the Master of Arts in Criminal Justice (MACJ) Program: Forensic Psychology and Homeland Security.
The certificate programs are ideal for individuals who want to further their education beyond their current degree, but are not necessarily interested in the full master's degree. Students who show great academic promise in the certificate program have the option to seamlessly transition into the full MA program if they decide to continue their education. Students who decide to continue on to the MA degree will be able to apply all of their certificate credits to the MA.
Prerequisite Requirements for Admission into a Certificate Program
- A minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher;
- Completion of CRIM 1100 or at least two years or relevant Criminal Justice professional experience;
- Forensic Psychology Certificate students must also have completed PSYC 1100 with a C or better.
Application Materials for Admission into a Certificate Program
To be considered for admission into a MACJ Certificate Program, applicants must submit the following materials prior to the deadline:
- Click here to start your application.
- If you are a recent Stockton graduate, check to see if you qualify for the Direct Entry Option
- A non-refundable application fee of $50, paid through the Online Application
- A graduate application essay submitted through the Online Application
- Three current letters of recommendation submitted electronically via the Online Application
- At least two of three application letters from faculty are recommended
- Strong application letters reference student motivation and competencies relevant to success in graduate school (e.g., writing, reading, speaking, critical thinking, etc.). Recommenders are encouraged to provide specific details or examples to highlight graduate-level competencies.
- Resume
- Official transcripts from all colleges/universities attended (including Stockton) mailed or dropped off directly to Office of Graduate Admissions
- Submission of Prerequisite Coursework Chart through the Online Application.
Dual BA/MA Degree Program in Criminal Justice
The Dual BA/MA Degree Program in Criminal Justice is designed to offer students a broad, multidisciplinary and multidimensional perspective of the criminal justice system. Students will embark on an intensive academic experience for five years. This program includes all of the liberal arts courses that all Criminal Justice students at Stockton are expected to take, plus all the undergraduate and graduate core Criminal Justice classes. Students have the choice of completing the requirements for the master’s degree in Forensic Psychology, Homeland Security, or Justice Studies tracks. Once accepted into the program, students may decide to major in something other than Criminal Justice or graduate with a B.A. degree only by notifying the dual-degree program Coordinator and the University in writing.
Fast Facts:
Program Type: Full-time, accelerated
Degree Offered: BA and MA in Criminal Justice
Program Length: 5 years (for students who enroll in freshman year); opportunities for transfer students
catch up
Total Credits: 164 credits for both degrees, with double-counting
Dual Degree Savings: 18 credits of undergraduate tuition and fees
Financial Assistance: Graduate assistantships and scholarships are available
Eligibility:
Two types of students may apply for admission to the dual degree program:
The first group consists of high school seniors who apply to Stockton. Students expressing an interest in majoring in Criminal Justice will be considered for early, conditional admission into the dual degree program if they have either:
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- Earned a 3.3 GPA in high school,
- Who are in the top 20% of their high school class, OR
- Who have good SAT scores (minimum 1170 preferred)
Applicants who meet at least one of these criteria will be issued letters of acceptance to Stockton University as undergraduate students and be given conditional admission to the dual degree program in Criminal Justice. Once enrolled at Stockton, students will have to maintain a GPA of 3.3 each semester and remain in good standing in order to maintain their eligibility in the dual degree program. Criminal Justice students who are already enrolled at Stockton but were not admitted to dual degree as incoming first year students may apply to dual degree immediately following the completion of first year if they have maintained at least a 3.3 GPA each semester.
The second group is transfer students. These students may apply for early, conditional admission if they have a GPA of at least 3.3 from their sending institution. Students will be expected to maintain a minimum GPA of 3.3 each semester in order to maintain eligibility in the dual degree program. The program will accept a maximum of 64 undergraduate transfer credits, but students with that many transfer credits will likely have to take either summer classes or an extra semester to graduate on time. (Students entering Stockton with an Associate's Degree will have 64 credits by the end of their sophomore year, but dual degree candidates will have completed or need to complete at least 68 credits by that time.) All students must complete their General Studies and non-social and behavioral science electives by the end of their junior year. By the time students begin to take graduate courses in their senior year, they should have, at most, six credits of cognates (social and behavioral science courses) remaining.
To Apply:
Students apply as undergraduates through the Office of Enrollment Management as part of the regular freshman or transfer student admission process. New undergraduate students may apply for dual-degree status by checking the box for dual degree on the admissions application. Current Stockton students should contact Dr. Kimberley Schanz, Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice, directly to determine eligibility.
Contact:
Kimberley Schanz, Ph.D.
Kimberley.Schanz@stockton.edu
Coordinator, Dual-Degree Program
Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice
Careers
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Holders of any undergraduate degree from an accredited institution can apply for this program. The only undergraduate courses that applicants must have prior to starting the program are Introduction to Criminal Justice, Research Methods, Statistics, and a social science theories course.
You may attempt up to three courses as a non-matriculated student. To register for a course as a non-matriculated student, please complete the Non-Matriculated Student Application Form.
Yes, you have three options:
- Pursue an additional Master's Degree.
- Apply to our certificate program in Forensic Psychology or Homeland Security. The certificate programs are 15-credit programs.
- You may take up to 9 credits as a non-matriculated student.
Criminal justice is a growing field in New Jersey and throughout the country. According to researchers from the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics the outlook for several criminal justice occupations through 2026 is positive. The aggregate need nationwide is great, generated by the demand for employment in state and local government. The need for police and detectives is expected to rise by over 50,000 jobs by 2026. Employment opportunities for probation officers, correctional treatment specialists, private detectives and investigators, and judges and hearing officers are also expected to increase steadily for the next ten years.
Apply today! If you have further questions, request more information or call the Office of Graduate Admissions at (609) 626-3640 or e-mail at gradschool@stockton.edu
Christine Tartaro
Christine.Tartaro@Stockton.edu
Chair, MACJ Program
Professor of Criminal Justice