The Master of Science (MS) in Criminal Justice is designed to equip advanced practitioners and future leaders with a well-balanced foundation of knowledge, skills, and critical thinking ability. An optional emphasis in Campus, Event, and Organizational Safety (CEOS) is also available.

Students completing the program without the CEOS emphasis must complete all three courses from each of the following four categories:

  • Ethics, Decision-Making, and Leadership

  • Contemporary Social Problems and Solutions

  • Investigations

  • Constitutional Law

Students completing the program with the CEOS emphasis must complete all four emphasis courses and will choose the remainder of the 24 credit hours from the 36 hours of courses required for the MS without the emphasis. The CEOS emphasis builds on the knowledge, skills, and critical thinking ability gained in the criminal justice master's program. Four courses are necessary to meet the emphasis requirement: Psychology of the Mass Shooter, Campus Safety and Mass Violence, Event Safety and Mass Violence, and Organizational Safety and Mass Violence. Students will acquire theoretical and practical expertise on this ever-worsening issue of violence in American society. Students are equipped to offer best-practice preventive and response measures to maximize public safety. Those who complete the emphasis may receive advancement opportunities or consulting roles within the criminal justice/public safety field.           

This format is intended to meet the educational needs of a broad mixture of students who are interested in a wide range of potential career paths.

 Admission to the Master of Science in Criminal Justice

Admission to the Master of Science (MS) in Criminal Justice program is selective. Applicants are evaluated on the basis of previous academic performance, personal and professional accomplishments and goals, and strength of character. A strong desire to complete graduate-level work in a Christ-centered, biblically based community is important. All MS Criminal Justice admissions decisions are made by and only by Colorado Christian University.

  • Completed online application form (including essay, transcripts, and fees) at www.ccu.edu/ccu/grad/.

  • Valid state-issued driver’s license or state-issued ID card or passport.

  • Earned Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution.

  • A minimum undergraduate grade point average of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale. Applicants with an undergraduate grade point average between 2.0 and 2.49 may be admitted on a conditional admit (CAD) basis for the first semester. CAD students must maintain a 3.0 GPA or better in their first nine (9) credits to remain in the program.

Transfer of Courses

Students may transfer up to six semester hours of graduate credit from a regionally accredited college or university. The coursework must be comparable to that offered at CCU and fulfill the CCU MS Criminal Justice degree requirements.

Time Limitation

The Master of Science in Criminal Justice program is a two-year, 36-credit-hour degree designed to be completed in as few as 15 months of intensive accelerated adult graduate study by persons who work or are otherwise occupied by the equivalent of a full-time job.

All work applied toward a master’s degree must be completed within a four-year period from the date of enrollment. After the four-year period, an MS Criminal Justice student who has not completed the requirements to graduate will be withdrawn from the program. Students who go beyond the four-year period and wish to complete their Master of Science in Criminal Justice degree will be required to apply for reconsideration by completing a Petition for Exception to Academic Policy. Readmitted students will be required to adhere to the degree plans and academic policies in place at the time they are readmitted.