Master of Science in Criminal Justice

Curriculum

The Master of Science in Criminal Justice is awarded upon successful completion of 30 credits: 15 credits of required courses and 15 credits of electives.
With the help of an academic advisor, a student will develop an academic program plan consistent with specific goals from one of the three emphasis areas:

  • Criminal Justice Theory - This emphasis is appropriate for those who want to continue graduate education in a Ph.D. program, teach at a two-year college, or embark on a career in governmental research.
  • Criminal Justice Management - This emphasis is appropriate for those seeking promotion to supervisory or administrative positions.
  • Victim and Offender Services - This emphasis is designed for those interested in working with crime victims, juveniles, probation and parole clients, or providing services in institutional or community-based settings

All courses are three credits unless otherwise noted.  Graduate credits in which a grade lower than a "C-" has been earned will not be counted toward a degree in Criminal Justice; however, these lower grades will be reflected in the student's grade point average.

Course Title Credits
Required Courses15
Criminal Justice Systems
Criminal Justice Research and Statistical Methods
Evaluation and Program Analysis in the Criminal Justice System
Criminological Theory
Law as Social Control
Seminar Paper Research
Thesis Research
Elective Courses
Select 15 credits of the following: 115
Criminal Law
Community-Based Corrections
Criminal Procedure and Evidence
Policing in a Democratic Society
Perspectives on Child Maltreatment and Child Advocacy
Juvenile Delinquency & Justice: Race, Class, Gender and Youth
Cyber-Crime
Victimology
Civil Liabilities in Criminal Justice Agencies
Criminal Justice Administration
Emergency Operations Management
Contemporary Correctional Systems: Institutional and Community-Based Corrections
Criminal Justice Internship
Special Topics in Criminal Justice
Independent Study in Criminal Justice
Civil Liberties
Psychology in the Criminal Justice System
Crisis Intervention Theory
Theories of Personality in the Criminal Justice System
Abnormal Psychology in a Dangerous World
Independent Study in Psychology
Human Resource Management
Management, Gender and Race
Organizational Behavior
At Risk Youth
Total Credits30
1

With the help of an academic advisor, students develop an academic program plan consistent with specific goals from one of the three emphasis areas. Additional electives may be available through transfer and/or other arrangements. Contact the program coordinator for more information.

Courses are continuously being developed to provide knowledge and expertise in high demand.

Any new elective courses will apply for all catalog years unless otherwise stated.

Certificate in Child Advocacy Studies

The Child Advocacy Studies (CAST) certificate is designed to prepare students for the realities of child protection and serve the needs of learners specifically interested in professions that work directly with or among maltreated children. It’s specifically tailored for students who intend to pursue careers in law enforcement and as child protection professionals, victim witness workers, lawyers, school social workers and treatment providers.

The CAST certificate meets the mission of the National Child Protection Training Center (NCPTC), funded by the U.S. Department of Justice to end child abuse in the United States. In recognition of UW-Platteville students’ contribution to its mission, the NCPTC will recognize the UW-Platteville CAST certificate by including its logo on each awarded UW-Platteville CAST certificate.

UW-Platteville offers several graduate certificates.  These certificates are distinct from the Master's degree, but credit earned for them might be applied toward the completion of the degree.  To earn a certificate, students must complete all the required courses through the University of Wisconsin-Platteville, under the direction of the University of Wisconsin-Platteville faculty.  Transferred courses or course substitutions are not allowed.

To obtain a graduate certificate, students must:

  • Complete the certificate with a minimum GPA of 3.00
  • Achieve a minimum grade of “C” in each course from the certificate program
  • Request a certificate through their advisor within one year from completion of the final course of the certificate

To earn the certificate, students must complete the following three graduate courses:

Course Title Credits
CRIMLJUS 7310Perspectives on Child Maltreatment and Child Advocacy3
CRIMLJUS 7430Victimology3
Select one of the following:3
Criminal Justice Internship (CAST Internship)
Independent Study in Criminal Justice (CAST Project)
Total Credits9