Master of Science in Justice, Law & Criminology
Washington, USA
DURATION
2 Years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
01 May 2025
EARLIEST START DATE
Aug 2025
TUITION FEES
USD 2,000 / per credit
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
Key Summary
Introduction
At the Intersection of Justice and Society
The Master of Science in Justice, Law & Criminology at AU’s School of Public Affairs encourages you to examine the theories behind foundational institutions of justice and the rule of law. You will focus on the practical, academic, and strategic areas of law, criminology, criminal justice, and security.
Interdisciplinary
This degree blends the work of scholars from many disciplines, including the social sciences, law, and the humanities, which allows our students to gain a holistic understanding of issues and institutions. You will join a cohort of exceptional students from various academic backgrounds and build relationships with other passionate individuals to facilitate a collaborative and interdisciplinary educational experience.
Customize Your Program
Our core curriculum will help you build solid skills in research design, qualitative and quantitative methods, and evaluation techniques. The three concentrations allow you to focus your studies in your area of interest. Concentrations are an ideal way for students to build upon areas of expertise.
Gain Breadth & Depth
Our students have many advantages in the job market—the breadth and depth of courses in the program; the opportunity to learn from some of the country's leading scholars in criminology, criminal justice, terrorism and homeland security, and law and society; extensive research opportunities; and challenging and rewarding internship and job opportunities in our nation's capital and beyond.
Next Generation Expert
If you want to be part of the next generation of policymakers and experts in the field, the MS in Justice, Law & Criminology at AU’s School of Public Affairs is for you.
Curriculum
The MS in Justice, Law & Criminology requires 33 credit hours of approved graduate work for students entering the program with a bachelor's degree. At least 18 of these credit hours must be in 600-level courses. A minimum grade point average of 3.0 in all coursework is required to remain in good standing and to earn the degree. Full-time status is considered to be nine credit hours per semester. Students are expected to complete the degree within two years.
The program requires one three-hour written comprehensive examination in your selected concentration area. You must complete foundational seminars, two research courses, and four concentration courses prior to taking the examination.
Concentrations
Justice & Public Policy
This concentration considers theories of cause and prevention of crime and delinquency, giving our students both a theoretical and an applied grounding in criminology and criminal justice issues. It prepares you for a variety of positions—whether in research or practice—in criminal justice or for advanced graduate work in the field.
Law & Society
This concentration focuses on the relationship between the law and other social institutions. It covers the theoretical foundations of law, the relationship between law and the social sciences, and broad issues of social justice. It equips you for positions in legal organizations and provides a foundation for continued studies in law and society.
Jurisprudence & Social Thought
This concentration explores the intersection between global law and sociology relative to human rights, punishment theory, ethics and morality, race, religion, and gender. It emphasizes philosophical and comparative perspectives on law, providing you with an appreciation of the nature and structural foundations of law, grounded in analytical thought. This focus serves students who have a background in the liberal arts or law and who are interested in combining the two.
Career Opportunities
We Know Success
Six months after graduation, AU Masters with a degree in Justice, Law, and Criminology from the School of Public Affairs:
94% of Graduates are now working, in grad school, or both
Admissions
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Program Tuition Fee
English Language Requirements
Certify your English proficiency with PTE. The faster, fairer, simpler English test, accepted by thousands of universities around the world. PTE, Do it worry-free!
Program Admission Requirements
Demonstrate your commitment and readiness to succeed in business school by taking the GMAT exam – the most widely used exam for admissions that measures your critical thinking and reasoning skills.
Download the GMAT mini quiz to get a flavour of the questions you’ll find in the exam.