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.

Required Courses
JUST 802Law and Society4
JUST 803Professionalism in Justice Studies1
JUST 805Quantitative Research Methods4
JUST 807Applied Research Methods4
JUST 830Theories of Justice4
JUST 850Capstone Preparation: Internship/Thesis4
Select one course from the following:4
Criminological Theory
Crime and Conflict
Special Topics
Concluding Experience
Select one of the following options:
Option A:4
Culminating Project
Option B:8
Masters Thesis
Electives
Select two elective courses from the approved course list below.8
Approved Electives
EDUC #897Special Topics in Education (must be approved by Justice Studies)1-4
EDUC 967School Law4
EDUC 968Collective Bargaining in Public Education4
HDFS 876Children, Adolescents and the Law4
HDFS 894Families and the Law4
HIST #809United States Legal History Special Topics (must be approved by Justice Studies)4
JUST 801Graduate Seminar in Justice Studies4
PA 818Non-Profit Management3
PSYC 954Advanced Seminar in Social Psychology (must be approved by Justice Studies)4
SW 897Special Topics in Social Work and Social Welfare (must be approved by Justice Studies)2 or 3
SW 979Social Work and the Law3
SOC 820Sociology of Drug Use4

This graduate program is approved to be taken on an accelerated basis in articulation with certain undergraduate degree programs.

General Accelerated Master's policy, note that some programs have additional requirements (e.g. higher grade expectations) compared to the policy.

Please see the Graduate School website and contact the department directly for more information.

  • 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.