USI Trustees approve new graduate program in criminal justice

At its regular meeting on Thursday, November 7, the University of Southern Indiana Board of Trustees approved a Master of Arts in Criminal Justice (MACJ) degree program to be offered through the College of Liberal Arts beginning in 2020. The proposed degree program moves next to the Indiana Commission for Higher Education for approval.

"We are very excited the Board of Trustees has approved this new opportunity to pursue a graduate degree in criminal justice," said Dr. James Beeby, dean of the College of Liberal Arts. "As the need for trained law enforcement officers continues to increase, this program, taught by exceptional and highly credentialed faculty, will provide a flexible path to a master's degree for all learners interested in entering and advancing in the criminal justice system."

The MACJ program will be offered online and will require 36 credit hours for completion. Classes will be eight weeks in length, with six terms offered per year and rolling admission to allow students to begin at any time. Students completing the program will gain a solid understanding of the criminal justice system, crime-related theories and research and data analysis techniques enabling them to apply evidence-based practices and policies to their work in the field, and prepare them for professional careers in law enforcement, corrections and courts.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics and Indiana Department of Workforce Development both predict employment growth, both nationally and within the state, for police, detectives, probation and parole officers, private detectives and private investigators. The MACJ will be taught by the USI Criminal Justice Department, which offers a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice and minors in criminal justice.

Students will be able to choose between a two-year track and an accelerated, one-year track based on their schedule. Graduate enrollment at USI has been at a record high over the last several years, in part due to accelerated and flexible online programs like the MACJ, which are meeting the needs of students balancing school, work and life responsibilities.

In other business, the Board of Trustees approved the conferral of master, bachelor's and associate degrees to the Class of 2019, which will be given at the fall Commencement ceremonies on Saturday, December 7. The Board also heard reports on student financial aid and insurance renewals and authorized the start of the Health Professions Building classroom renovation and expansion project approved by the 2019 Indiana General Assembly.