Do you want to learn about some of the issues that criminal justice professionals face in regards to the American criminal justice system? If so, Walden University's M.P.A. program with a specialization in Criminal Justice might be right for you. Read on to learn more about the M.P.A. program with a specialization in Criminal Justice here.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What Kind of Program Is It?

    When you enroll in Walden University's online M.P.A. program with a specialization in Criminal Justice, you have an opportunity to learn about the American criminal justice system, organizational management and leadership, public policy analysis, policy analysis in the criminal justice system, and historical and contemporary issues in criminal justice. The degree program also includes a capstone seminar, which is taken towards the end of enrollment. The seminar requires the completion of a project with an accompanying research paper or written paper. The estimate time to complete the degree program is less than two years; although, this may vary according to the speed of your progress.

    What Are the Prerequisites?

    If you apply to Walden University's M.P.A. program with a specialization in Criminal Justice, you should have strong communication skills and a desire to learn about the American criminal justice system and its relationship to the field of public administration. Applicants to Walden University's programs should be at least 24 years old and have a high school diploma or GED equivalent; applicants may need to complete additional requirements for some programs.

    What Are the Course Requirements?

    The M.P.A. program with a specialization in Criminal Justice consists of 66 credits. The degree program is divided into a foundation course, core courses, specialization course, and a capstone seminar. The capstone course is offered towards the end of enrollment.

    Core Courses

    • Introduction to Public Administration
    • Foundations for Graduate Study
    • Ethics and Social Justice
    • Organizational Management and Leadership
    • Finance and Budgeting for the Public Sector
    • Human Resource Management: Building a Capable Workforce
    • Public Sector Economics
    • Strategic Planning: Collaboration, Cooperation, and Coordination
    • Public Policy Analysis
    • Applied Research and Evaluation Methods
    • Historical and Contemporary Issues in Criminal Justice
    • Policy Analysis in the Criminal Justice System
    • Leadership: Putting Theory into Practice in Criminal Justice Administration
    • Capstone Seminar

    What Could I Do After I Graduate?

    Career Opportunities

    Once you have finished Walden University's M.P.A. program with a specialization in Criminal Justice, you have an opportunity to pursue jobs in the criminal justice field. Potential employers could include policing organizations, the U.S. court system, governmental agencies, nonprofits, and security firms. Think tanks that specialize in criminal justice policy matters may also be a potential employer. There are many different types of criminal justice jobs and the skill sets are also quite varied. However, as a job candidate, you should be able to demonstrate strong leadership and interpersonal skills and an ability to solve problems and think critically about criminal justice policy issues. Some potential jobs could include:

    • Policy analyst
    • Nonprofit manager
    • Court administrator
    • Judicial services administrator

    Advanced Degrees

    When you have completed Walden University's M.P.A. program with a specialization in Criminal Justice, you have an opportunity to pursue a doctoral program in criminal justice, public policy, or some combination of these two fields. A doctoral program that focuses on criminal justice may include course on topics such as law and criminal procedure, corrections, law and social control, minorities and the criminal justice system, and theoretical criminology. A dissertation is also required and after it has been submitted, it must also be defended. Once a dissertation has been successfully defended, the doctoral degree is awarded. Degrees listed are not institution-specific but constitute a sampling of continuing education options for graduates. Degrees you could pursue include:

    • Doctor of Public Administration
    • Doctor of Philosophy in Criminal Justice
    • Doctor of Philosophy in Public Policy
    • Doctor of Philosophy in Criminology and Criminal Justice

    Walden University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission and a member of the North Central Association, www.ncahlc.org.