Frequently Asked Questions

What Kind of Program Is It?

Walden University's M.S. in Criminal Justice Leadership and Executive Management, program with a Self-Designed specialization combines a core education in criminal justice and management with a choice of specialization courses in areas such as homeland security, emergency management, and public policy. The curriculum focuses on building managerial, communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills that are important for leaders in the criminal justice field. Core coursework addresses criminal behavior theories, criminal justice research methods, organizational leadership, criminal profiling, social justice issues, and human resource management. Specialization courses offer study in public safety issues, homeland security administration, terroristic legislation processes, public policy development, disaster management, crisis control, and public administration. Students can choose courses from the following areas of specialization:

• Emergency Management
• Homeland Security Policy and Coordination
• Law and Public Policy
• Policy Analysis
• Public Management and Leadership
• Terrorism, Mediation, and Peace

What Are the Prerequisites?

You should hold a bachelor's degree or higher in criminal justice or a related area. Professional experience in law enforcement, law, security, or public administration is helpful. Applicants may need to complete additional requirements for some programs.

What Are the Course Requirements?

To earn this degree, you must complete 61 quarter credits, which consist of 45 credits in the core curriculum, 15 credits in specialization courses, and a one-credit foundation course. Coursework is taken sequentially as outlined below. Estimated time to completion is 21 months. Time to completion may vary by student, depending on individual progress and credits transferred, if applicable.

Course Requirements

Core Courses

• Foundations of Graduate Study
• The Nature of Crime and Criminology
• Controversies in Criminal Justice
• Organizational Management and Leadership
• Criminal Justice Research
• Ethics and Social Justice
• Strategic Planning: Collaboration, Cooperation, and Coordination
• Finance and Budgeting for the Public Sector
• Human Resource Management
• Applied Communications

Specialization Courses

• Choose three of the following:
  • Critical Issues in Emergency Management
  • Risk Assessment, Preparedness, and Hazard Mitigation
  • Disaster Response and Recovery
  • Public Policy Implications of Terrorism Legislation and Policies
  • Terrorism: A Systemic Approach for Emergency Preparedness
  • Critical Incident Planning and Leadership
  • Fundamentals of Law and Public Policy
  • Legal Research for Policy Practitioners
  • Contemporary Cases and Issues in the Courts
  • Policy and Politics in American Political Institutions
  • Program Evaluation
  • Public Policy and Finance
  • Strategic Context of Public Management and Leadership
  • Transformative Change in a Shared-Power World
  • The Language of Leadership
  • Public Policy Implications of Terrorism Legislation and Policies
  • Disaster, Crisis, and Trauma
  • Psychology of Terrorism

What Could I Do After I Graduate?

Career Options

As a graduate of this program, you could choose from various positions in the field. You could seek management positions in law enforcement agencies, courts, correctional facilities, legislative offices, private security firms, emergency response organizations, or corporate security departments. You might also act as a consultant or pursue an academic career at a college or university. Positions you could pursue include:

• Criminologist
• Police administrator
• Court administrator
• Public safety director
• Corporate security director

Career options may require additional experience, training, or other factors beyond the successful completion of this degree program.