Frequently Asked Questions

What Kind of Program Is It?

Walden University's Master of Public Policy (MPP) with a specialization in Criminal Justice focuses on helping students understand how policies are designed and implemented in various criminal justice settings while also developing managerial, organizational, and analytical skills. Topics addressed in specialization courses include roles of criminal justice leaders, public safety and crime prevention policies and strategies, collaborative methods between criminal justice professionals and organizations, leadership theories, relevant court decisions, and policing philosophies. Core coursework offers the opportunity to study social justice trends and issues, public administration and policymaking processes, organizational and change management, program evaluation methods, and influences in policy decision-making. A capstone course allows for the creation of an integrative research project that requires the application of concepts and theories studied in the program.

What Are the Prerequisites?

Career experience in law enforcement, courts, or public safety could be helpful prior to entering the program. You should also hold a bachelor's degree or higher, possibly in criminal justice or a related area. Applicants to Walden University may need to complete additional requirements for some programs.

What Are the Course Requirements?

To earn this degree, you must complete 66 quarter credits, which consist of 45 credits in the core curriculum, 15 credits in the area of specialization, a five-credit capstone, and a one-credit foundation course. Courses are taken sequentially as shown below, with two courses taken in each of the program's seven quarters. Estimated time to completion is less than two years. Time to completion may vary by student, depending on individual progress and credits transferred, if applicable.

Course Requirements

Core Courses

• Foundations for Graduate Study
• Ethics and Social Justice
• Strategic Planning: Collaboration, Cooperation, and Coordination
• Governance and Public Policy
• Finance and Budgeting for the Public Sector
• Leadership and Organizational Change
• Policy and Politics in American Political Institutions
• Program Evaluation
• Public Policy and Finance
• Advanced Public Policy Methods and Analysis

Specialization Courses

• The Nature of Crime and Criminology
• Controversies in Criminal Justice
• Technological Solutions and 21-Century Crime

Capstone

• Choose one of the following:
  • Capstone Seminar
  • Writing a Quality Prospectus

What Could I Do After I Graduate?

Career Options

As a graduate of this program, you could be prepared to assume positions in police administration, correctional management, federal law enforcement administration, or court supervision. You could work in government offices, police departments, courts, correctional facilities, juvenile detention centers, or private security firms. Positions you could pursue include:

• Law enforcement administrator
• Court administrator
• Public policy analyst
• Criminologist

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