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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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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
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.
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.
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
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.”
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