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MASTER OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE { goal } advance my career

St. Ambrose University Master of Criminal Justice

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The Master of Criminal Justice program is ideal for those interested in upper-level careers in law enforcement, security, corrections and human services.

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Page 1: St. Ambrose University Master of Criminal Justice

MASTER OF CRIMInAL JuSTICE

{ goal } advance my career

Page 2: St. Ambrose University Master of Criminal Justice

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.

Page 3: St. Ambrose University Master of Criminal Justice

{ 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

Page 4: St. Ambrose University Master of Criminal Justice

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.

The St. Ambrose University

Master of Criminal Justice program

is also offered at satellite locations in Cedar

Rapids and Ottumwa.

Page 5: St. Ambrose University Master of Criminal Justice

Financial assistanceWe offer scholarships and graduate

assistantships that reduce tuition and pay

a stipend in exchange for 15 hours

of work per week. Attend an information session www.sau.edu/gradstudies

Schedule a campus visit Graduate Student Recruitment Office Email [email protected] or call 563/333-6354

Program Director Email [email protected] or call 563/333-6157

Explore the program in-depth and apply online www.sau.edu/mcj

{ }take ACTION

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.

Page 6: St. Ambrose University Master of Criminal Justice

READ more profiles www.sau.edu/mcj

our community 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.

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

Page 7: St. Ambrose University Master of Criminal Justice

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.

Page 8: St. Ambrose University Master of Criminal Justice

{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.”

faculty expertise St. Ambrose faculty have

professional and academic backgrounds in corrections,

law, criminology, sociology, education, human services

and law enforcement. Professors keep current through

consulting work and have been awarded grant money

to pursue their varied research interests. Departmental

research topics include:

> How 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

> Recidivism and treatment at halfway houses

> Gender issues and treatment

> The effect of race and gender on decision making

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

top employers

> Center for Alcohol and Drug Services

> Chicago Police Department

> Clinton County Sheriff’s Department

> Department of Homeland Security

> Detroit Police Department

> Families of Northeast Iowa

> Family Resources, Incorporated

> Federal Bureau of Investigation

> Illinois State Police Department

> J&I Polygraph Investigation

> Paradigm Investigative Solutions

> Scott County Jail

> Sullivan Reporting Company

> U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs