Frequently Asked Questions

What Kind of Program Is It?

Once enrolled in Walden University's M.S. in Criminal Justice Leadership and Executive Management with a specialization in Terrorism, Mediation, and Peace, you will have the opportunity to study strategies, concepts, and practices in emergency response and preparedness; public safety; anti-terrorism; and policy development. Topics of discussion in specialization classes include homeland security laws and constitutional rights and freedoms relating to this legislation, trauma theories, disaster response and relief procedures, and social and cultural factors of terroristic behavior. Study includes the review of the U.S. Patriot Act and other post-9/11 policies. The core curriculum focuses on criminal behavior theories, organizational leadership, social justice, human resource management, and communication processes in the criminal justice field.

What Are the Prerequisites?

You should hold a bachelor's degree or higher, possibly in criminal justice or a related area, and have some professional experience in security, law enforcement, or the public sector. 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 core courses, 15 credits in the area of specialization, and a one-credit foundation course. Courses are taken in the order outlined below, with two courses taken in each of the program's first six quarters and one course in the final quarter. 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

• 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 apply the skills you have developed to directorial positions in state and federal government agencies, law enforcement organizations, private security firms, corporate security departments, or legislative offices. You might also seek an academic career at a college or university. Positions you could pursue include:

• Homeland security director
• Corporate security director
• Protective security advisor
• Public policy analyst

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