MASTER OF criminal justice
{ goal } advance my career
WHY ST. AMBROSE?
Established in 1989, the St. Ambrose Master of Criminal Justice program is Iowa’s first and only MCJ program. Rooted in the university’s values-based tradition and commitment to social justice, the curriculum offers a variety of classes tailored to a student’s personal interests, from correctional counseling to comparative issues in race, class and gender. With a focus on professional development, graduates become skilled leaders in criminal justice and related fields.
The MCJ provides a theoretical basis for the processes of the criminal justice system, empowering students to analyze the world around them. Students also develop strong writing and research skills through thesis work, student-faculty research projects and classes like Research Design, offered to aid students through the completion of their thesis project.
curriculum
A full-time student can finish the
MCJ program in one academic year and a summer session, although most students finish in two years.
All students complete guided, comprehensive exams and a short, journal-length thesis project. They choose research topics that they’re passionate about, then see their work published and retained in the university library. Some students use their thesis to gain admission to a doctoral program.
{ reality } advance the institution “ I developed leadership skills that allow me to manage treatment programs, supervise counselors and ensure inmate needs are being met. You don’t have to be a caseworker to be an inspiration.” Tracy Dietsch ’08 MCJ Associate Warden of Treatment Anamosa State Penitentiary
The St. Ambrose University Master of Criminal Justice program
satellite locations in Cedar is also offered at
Rapids and Ottumwa.
OVERVIEW
> The Master of Criminal Justice program is ideal for those interested in upper-level careers in law enforcement, security, corrections and human services. The degree provides a theoretical basis for topics that apply to the field, for example, using political theories and policy analysis research techniques to improve crime policy.
> The program’s academic focus also prepares those who want to teach criminal justice or to serve as personnel and training specialists in justice-related organizations.
> The curriculum addresses social justice topics, including race, class and gender and their impact on the criminal justice system—from arrest through sentencing.
> With an average of 10 students, classes are small enough to foster deep, intellectual discussions, but large enough to capture the diverse knowledge our students and faculty bring to the table.
flexible formats
Our program is tailored for working
professionals with busy schedules and personal commitments. We offer evening classes on the Davenport campus and classes in the evenings and on Saturdays at sites in Cedar Rapids and Ottumwa. Online course offerings are also available.
We’re accommodating, too: If a class you need to graduate isn’t currently scheduled, directed reading and independent study may be offered. We also connect you with internships at local, state and federal agencies that can be completed for six hours of credit.
Financial assistance We offer scholarships and graduate assistantships that reduce tuition and pay a stipend in exchange for 15 hours of work per week.
{ take action } Attend an information session www.sau.edu/gradstudies Schedule a campus visit Graduate Student Recruitment Office Email gradprog@sau.edu or call 563/333-6354 Program Director Email mcj@sau.edu or call 563/333-6157 Explore the program in-depth and apply online www.sau.edu/mcj
value added
Personal attention, knowledgeable faculty, multi-disciplinary
courses—those are just a few of the advantages you can expect from the Master of Criminal Justice program. The MCJ is highly regarded as a valuable asset that shows professionalism and competence. A master’s degree is increasingly the minimum requirement for employment in many agencies. And with more sophisticated homeland security and law enforcement practices on the rise, advanced education is necessary for professionals to keep current and marketable.
MCJ graduates previously employed in criminal justice or related careers find their degree to be a valuable career advancement tool, successfully using it to secure promotions from entry-level to middle-management careers. Many students apply the writing and research skills they’ve developed in the MCJ program toward other advanced degrees or law school.
Maricela Guzman { goal } hands-on training { reality } diverse education “ I call Ambrose the ‘little big school.’ It feels like home, and at the same time, you’re out in the world. The coursework applies to real life. You get hands-on training and internships where you do actual work. That’s a huge advantage.” Maricela Guzman ’06, ’11 MCJ Adult Probation Officer Rock Island County Court Services
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more profiles
our community
www.sau.edu/mcj
At St. Ambrose, you don’t just get a degree; you acquire an entire
support system. Because our students come from diverse backgrounds, ages, experiences, locations and cultures, everyone has something to offer in classroom discussions. Most classes are a mix of students who have just finished their undergraduate degrees and working professionals. Many working students have law enforcement and substance-abuse counseling backgrounds. The geographic mix includes students who have lived around the world, though most have ties to the Midwest region.
Students enjoy lots of contact with faculty and fellow students and sustain their relationships long after graduation. The student network introduces graduates to fellow alumni in law enforcement and governmental departments. They exchange job leads, share career-building contacts and help each other to get a foot in the door with employers.
Only at
Ambrose
> The program’s academic focus makes it a good fit for those who want to teach criminal justice or want an in-depth understanding of the issues that impact criminal justice topics. > Students regularly submit their thesis work to conferences, for publication or as evidence for a PhD application. Recent thesis titles include: “How Virtual Visitation Effects Criminality” and “Baselines for Racial Profiling.” > Students can design their own course of study, within structured guidelines, to tailor their education to meet their career goals. > A capstone class provides a guided review of areas that will be covered on the comprehensive exams, including a review of statistics, methods, theory and practice. > Our exploration of criminal justice doesn’t stop at the U.S. border. The Women in Irish Film course looks at the subject of criminal justice—not only in a different country but also in a different time. A follow-up study trip to Ireland allows students to examine justice at work in the modern era.
{ goal } new learning { reality } new teaching read more: www.sau.edu/mcj Nick Richardson ’06, ’09 MCJ, MCJ Adjunct Faculty, St. Ambrose University An alumnus with both an undergraduate degree in forensic psychology and a Master of Criminal Justice degree, Nick is currently teaching Intro to Law Enforcement for the MCJ program. “I developed close bonds with the faculty when I was a student. They gave me good feedback and improved my writing and research skills immensely. I hope to guide my students in the same way. I have an open door policy.”
top employers
faculty expertise
St. Ambrose faculty have
> Center for Alcohol and Drug Services
professional and academic backgrounds in corrections,
> Chicago Police Department
law, criminology, sociology, education, human services and law enforcement. Professors keep current through
> Clinton County Sheriff’s Department
consulting work and have been awarded grant money
> Department of Homeland Security
to pursue their varied research interests. Departmental
> Detroit Police Department > Families of Northeast Iowa > Family Resources, Incorporated > Federal Bureau of Investigation > Illinois State Police Department
research topics include:
>H ow women are treated in criminal justice and the prison system
> Counseling and offender treatment
> The effect of alcohol prohibition in the United States on liver cirrhosis theory
> J&I Polygraph Investigation > Paradigm Investigative Solutions
> Recidivism and treatment at halfway houses
> Scott County Jail
> Gender issues and treatment
> The effect of race and gender on decision making
> Sullivan Reporting Company > U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Our Mission St. Ambrose University—independent, diocesan, and Catholic—enables its students to develop intellectually, spiritually, ethically, socially, artistically and physically to enrich their own lives and the lives of others.
518 West Locust Street Davenport, Iowa 52803 www.sau.edu/mcj