CCSU to Add Master's in Criminal Justice Administration, Three Certificates in Criminal Justice Field

Criminal justice professionals are in high demand, and that trend is expected to continue through 2030, according to the U.S. Department of Labor.

Reflecting the current demand, 80 to 90 percent of Central Connecticut State University’s criminal justice graduate students are employed in the field, even before they graduate the program.

To meet the growing demand for criminal justice professionals, Central will be launching a Master of Arts in Criminal Justice Administration program along with three new certification programs this fall. Classes will be offered in online and HyFlex formats, and students may enroll full- or part-time.

The MA in Criminal Justice Administration program is one of two graduate-level options available through Central’s Criminology and Criminal Justice department. Both the MA and the Master of Science in Criminal Justice are geared toward criminal justice professionals who are ready to learn the knowledge and skills necessary for leadership positions and other professional advancement opportunities in the field.

The 30-credit MA program enhances students’ decision-making and administration skills with a focus on evidence-based practices, program development and evaluation, and effective management of employees and organizations at the local, state, and federal levels, according to school officials.

Admission requirements for the MA in Criminal Justice Administration program include a bachelor’s or master’s degree from an accredited institution and three years of work experience in criminal justice or a related field.

Forbes reported earlier this year that “Criminal justice is a broad and rapidly evolving field that offers diverse career opportunities in the public and private sectors, including law enforcement, policymaking, correctional counseling and victim advocacy. Many criminal justice careers encompass components of the law, public safety and behavioral science, such as sociology or psychology.”

New Criminal Justice Certificates at CCSU

The new 12-credit certificate programs at CCSU are stackable, which will enable students to customize their skillset and earn credits applicable to the MA in Criminal Justice Administration program. All certificate programs require a bachelor’s or master’s degree from an accredited institution and three years of work experience is criminal justice or a related field.

Criminal Justice Leadership Certificate: Students will learn relevant theories and practices related to the interpretation and evaluation of research, management of criminal justice employees, development of criminal justice organizations, and implementation of policy.

Victim’s Advocacy Certificate: Students who work with victims and in victims’ advocacy organizations will learn relevant theory and practice relating to victims’ experiences in the criminal justice system.

Forensic Counseling Certificate: This program focuses on offender counseling, risk assessment, offender profiling, and delinquency intervention.

View more information about these and other options on the program web page. For more details about admission requirements, interested individuals can contact Criminology & Criminal Justice Graduate Program Director Dr. Michelle Cubellis at macubellis@ccsu.edu or (860) 832-3011.