Justice Studies (JUST)

http://cola.unh.edu/justice-studies/graduate-programs

Degree Offered: M.A.

This program is offered in Durham.

The goal of the master of arts degree program in justice studies is to produce graduates who have a high level of knowledge about law and justice in American society and worldwide. Upon completion, graduates will be able to enhance their careers in the justice system, enter new careers in the justice system, or continue their graduate training in law, social sciences, or humanities.

The program addresses issues of justice that are not necessarily criminal in nature. It will familiarize students with legal and justice ideas, legal institutions, and the legal process. It will provide tools for a reasoned appraisal of how the law works and of the policies that underlie it. The courses address a wide variety of subjects, including philosophy of law, American legal history, psychological aspects of the law, social control, criminology, juvenile delinquency, law and literature, and family law. Courses are taught by faculty with backgrounds in both the social sciences and humanities.

Special Note on Tuition

The justice studies masters of arts degree program has a different pricing structure. You can find the most current pricing for this program on the business services website.

Admission Requirements

Three academic letters of recommendation; personal statement and college transcripts.
     * Application fee waiver for the first 20 applicants. 

Students are admitted in the summer term, with classes beginning the third week in July.

There is also an accelerated masters of arts option in Justice Studies. Please contact the department for further details.

Justice Studies (JUST) 

JUST 801 - Graduate Seminar in Justice Studies

Credits: 4

Seminar on advanced material in which the instructor has specialized knowledge through research and study. Topics may include the death penalty, terrorism, psychology of the jury, immigration, history of the law. Content of specific sections will vary by section of the course. Course may be repeated for different topics.

Repeat Rule: May be repeated for a maximum of 8 credits.

Grade Mode: Letter Grading

JUST 830 - Theories of Justice

Credits: 4

The idea of justice is central to social, political, and legal theory. Considerations of justice are appealed to in assessing the legitimacy of governments, the fair distributions of goods and opportunities both with nation-states and globally, and to address specific social concerns such as racial or gender discrimination or access to health care. Course examines both historical sources and contemporary debates about the nature of justice.

Grade Mode: Letter Grading

JUST 850 - Capstone Preparation: Internship/Thesis

Credits: 4

Experience in research and/or a variety of justice settings including courts, law enforcement and victim services. Includes weekly seminar.

Prerequisite(s): JUST 901 with a minimum grade of B-.

Grade Mode: Letter Grading

JUST 865 - Special Topics

Credits: 4

New or specialized courses are presented under this listing. Staff present material not normally covered by the course offerings. Cross-listed courses. May be repeated but not duplicate content.

Repeat Rule: May be repeated for a maximum of 8 credits.

Grade Mode: Letter Grading

JUST 897 - Culminating Project

Credits: 4

Students conduct a project related to their internship under the supervision of a faculty member. Projects might include an evaluation of a community policing program, interviews with battered women in a shelter, or a survey of corporal punishment. Prereq: JUST 901, 905 or 906, 907. May be repeated up to a maximum of 4 credits. Cr/F.

Grade Mode: Graduate Credit/Fail grading

JUST 899 - Masters Thesis

Credits: 1-8

Students conduct a masters thesis under the supervision of three graduate faculty members. Thesis projects might include an intervention study to reduce delinquency, a study of immigration law in the 1920s, or a survey of hate crimes. Prereq: JUST 901, 905 or 906, 907. Cr/F.

Repeat Rule: May be repeated for a maximum of 8 credits.

Grade Mode: Graduate Credit/Fail grading

JUST 901 - Pro-seminar: Introduction to Justice Studies

Credits: 4

Provides students with an introduction to Justice Studies and its faculty. Interdisciplinary study of informal and formal social organization and conflict resolution. Emphasis on law in practice and how individuals operate within and against the system of law. Topics include social order, crime and punishment, security and surveillance, and sharing/assessing risk.

Grade Mode: Letter Grading

JUST 905 - Quantitative Research Methods

Credits: 4

Introduction to the major quantitative methods used by criminologists and justice researchers. Focuses on methods which illuminate causes of crime and justice. Covers all aspects of the research process including conceptualization, design, sampling, data analysis, and dissemination of results. Does not assume prior statistical knowledge.

Grade Mode: Letter Grading

JUST 907 - Applied Research Methods

Credits: 4

This is the second course in the Justice Studies graduate program sequence on research methods and it focuses on how to conduct applied research in the Justice Studies field including how to use quantitative methods in more applied settings and specific research tools frequently used in applied settings (e.g. qualitative methods and program evaluation). Students will work on a class research project as well as their own individual projects.

Grade Mode: Letter Grading

JUST 995 - Reading and Research

Credits: 1-4

A) Criminology; B) Law and Society; C) Law and Psychology; D) Philosophy of Law; E) Courts. The students does independent work under the supervision of a faculty member. The student may plan (1) broad reading in an area; (2) intensive investigation of a special problem; or 3) empirical testing on a particular question. May be taken for 1-4 credits. This course is by permission only and requires a signed agreement/proposal prior to registration.

Prerequisite(s): JUST 901 with a minimum grade of D-.

Repeat Rule: May be repeated for a maximum of 8 credits.

Grade Mode: Letter Grading