New graduate program in Criminal Justice to launch at USI in Fall 2021

A new Master of Arts in Criminal Justice (MACJ) degree program to be offered through the University of Southern Indiana College of Liberal Arts is now accepting applications for classes beginning in the Fall 2021 Semester.

"We are very excited the Indiana Commission for Higher Education and the USI Board of Trustees have approved this new opportunity to pursue a graduate degree in criminal justice," said Dr. James Beeby, Dean of USI's 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 preparing 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 officers, 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. The USI Board of Trustees approved the new degree program in November 2019.

"This program is designed for those who want to advance their career and move forward in the criminal justice industry, whether you are looking to enter it for the first time or take steps into leadership positions," said Dr. Todd Schroer, Chair of the USI Criminal Justice department. "We have designed the program to accommodate learners to work at their desired pace without sacrificing our academic quality or the accessibility of faculty members to students."

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 reached record highs in each of the past five 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.

For more information about the MACJ program and to apply, visit the USI Online Learning website.