Justice Studies (M.A.)
https://cola.unh.edu/justice-studies/program/ma/justice-studies
The Master of Arts degree program in Justice Studies (MAJS) provides a broad understanding of justice, crime, and law. It provides tools for reasoned appraisal of how the justice system works and what policies underlie it. The program familiarizes students with legal and justice ideas, justice institutions, and legal processes. It draws on a variety of disciplines, subjects, and research methodologies for its core knowledge. Our students work closely with faculty with established reputations as scholars, teachers, and practitioners.
Degree Requirements
The master of arts in justice studies requires that students complete a minimum of ten courses (37 credit hours) in justice studies.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| JUST 802 | Law and Society | 4 |
| JUST 803 | Professionalism in Justice Studies | 1 |
| JUST 807 | Applied Research Methods | 4 |
| JUST 830 | Theories of Justice | 4 |
| SOC 901 | Sociological Methods I: Intermediate Social Statistics 1 | 4 |
| Select one course from the following: | 4 | |
| Criminological Theory | ||
| Sociology of Drug Use | ||
| Crime and Conflict | ||
| Special Topics | ||
| Concluding Experience | ||
| Select one of the following options: | 8 | |
| Option A: | ||
| Capstone Preparation: Internship/Thesis (4 credits ) | ||
| Culminating Project (4 credits) | ||
| Option B: | ||
| Masters Thesis (8 credits) | ||
| Electives | ||
| Select two elective courses from the approved course list below. | 8 | |
| Total Credits | 37 | |
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Approved Electives | ||
| EDUC 967 | School Law | 4 |
| EDUC 968 | Collective Bargaining in Public Education | 4 |
| HDFS 876 | Children, Adolescents and the Law | 4 |
| HDFS 894 | Families and the Law | 4 |
| JUST 801 | Graduate Seminar in Justice Studies 2 | 4 |
| PA 818 | Non-Profit Management | 3 |
| PSYC 954 | Advanced Seminar in Social Psychology (must be approved by Justice Studies) | 4 |
| SW 870 | Intimate Partner Violence | 3 |
| SW 897 | Special Topics in Social Work and Social Welfare (must be approved by Justice Studies) | 2 or 3 |
| SW 979 | Social Work and the Law | 3 |
| SOC 820 | Sociology of Drug Use | 4 |
- 1
Prerequisite: Statistics course.
- 2
Course may be repeated for different topics for a maximum of 8 credits.
Sample Degree Plan
This sample degree plan serves as a general guide; students collaborate with their academic advisor to develop a personalized degree plan to meet their academic goals and program requirements.
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| JUST 803 | Professionalism in Justice Studies | 1 |
| JUST 830 | Theories of Justice | 4 |
| SOC 901 | Sociological Methods I: Intermediate Social Statistics | 4 |
| SOC 820 or SOC 921 | Sociology of Drug Use or Crime and Conflict | 4 |
| Credits | 13 | |
| Spring | ||
| JUST 802 | Law and Society | 4 |
| JUST 807 | Applied Research Methods | 4 |
| Select one of the following options: | 8 | |
| Capstone Preparation: Internship/Thesis and Culminating Project | ||
or | ||
| Masters Thesis | ||
| Credits | 16 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| Elective course | 4 | |
| Elective course | 4 | |
| Credits | 8 | |
| Total Credits | 37 | |
Accelerated Master's Overview
Accelerated Master’s programs offer qualified University of New Hampshire undergraduate students the opportunity to begin graduate coursework in select graduate programs while completing a bachelor’s degree. Accelerated master's programs are designed to provide students with an efficient and cost-effective pathway to earn both a bachelor's and master's degree or graduate certificate, enhancing career opportunities and long-term earning potential.
Accelerated Master's Highlights
- Begin studying advanced topics while an undergraduate student with the opportunity to complete a master’s degree or graduate certificate early.
- Master’s degree program students: Earn up to 12* graduate (800-level) course credits while completing a bachelor’s degree. This coursework will count as dual-credit toward both the bachelor’s and master’s degrees.
- Graduate certificate program students: Earn up to 8* graduate (800-level) course credits while completing a bachelor’s degree. This coursework will count as dual-credit toward both the bachelor’s degree and the graduate certificate.
- Students complete the bachelor’s degree, and then officially matriculate into the master’s or graduate certificate program to complete the remaining required graduate-level coursework.
*Some exceptions apply.
Accelerated Master's Admission Requirements
- A minimum 3.2 cumulative GPA is required.*
- A minimum of 90 undergraduate credits must be completed prior to enrolling in graduate (800-level) courses.
- Streamlined Graduate School Application (two letters of recommendation; most standardized tests and application fee are waived).*
*Some exceptions apply.
Accelerated Master's Requirements
- Students must attend a mandatory orientation session.
- Students must submit a special registration form each semester for dual-credit courses and note any DegreeWorks exceptions.
- Students may defer graduate matriculation for up to one year after earning their bachelor’s degree in most programs.
- See the Accelerated Master’s Catalog Policy and Accelerated Master’s Website for additional information and a list of programs. Note that some programs have additional requirements (e.g. higher-grade expectations) compared to the general policy.
Justice Studies (M.A.) Accelerated Option
This graduate degree program is approved to be taken on an accelerated basis in articulation with the following undergraduate program(s):
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Forensic (Minor) | ||
| Justice Studies (Minor) | ||
| Justice Studies (Dual Major) | ||
| Students select from the following approved 800-level courses that can be completed in the undergraduate senior year for dual credit: | ||
| JUST 801 | Graduate Seminar in Justice Studies | 4 |
| HDFS 894 | Families and the Law | 4 |
| HDFS 876 | Children, Adolescents and the Law | 4 |
| POLT 801 | Courts and Public Policy | 4 |
| SOC 820 | Sociology of Drug Use | 4 |
Program Learning Outcomes
- Demonstrate critical thinking and analysis of justice studies concepts and literature.
- Effectively communicate Justice Studies concepts and research.
- Present and interpret quantitative and qualitative data.
- Demonstrate the technical skills and ethical skills that are appropriate for a practitioner (internship/project option) or researcher (thesis option) working in the justice field.