Overview & Career Outcomes

The Master of Science in Criminal Justice: Self-Designed Option gives you the flexibility to design your own concentration, providing an opportunity to identify your passion and develop related expertise within the broad and relevant field of Criminal Justice.

A convenient, flexible approach

  • 36 credits of coursework: 21 credits in the core program curriculum; 9 credits of concentration-specific courses; 6 credits of electives; Capstone project
  • Affordable 8 or 16-week modules
  • Quinn bill certified

Choose your own adventure 
Students designing their own concentration customize their learning experience, combining subjects they are passionate about with their previous professional experience in order to meet their goals. Students who pursue the self-designed option can select any elective within the department of Criminal Justice or attain approval to take courses that interest them in other departments.

Boldly determine your future
Graduate students in Criminal Justice at Lasell are deeply committed to their work and to making a difference in the world. The self-designed concentration option will provide you with the opportunity to turn your passion into a satisfying career or an advancement in your field while leveraging your interests and experience. Full-time faculty with rich and varied professional experience are on hand to provide guidance along the way, ensuring that your self-designed concentration positions you for success in the field of your choice.

Evaluate your passions and enhance your education
At Lasell, you will find that your existing experience and expertise are respected, and you will encounter opportunities to expand your professional network and put your learning into practice. Students who pursue the self-designed concentration in Criminal Justice explore their interests and deepen their knowledge through internships, coursework, and group projects, and design and complete a Capstone project. Perhaps you’ll choose to combine elements of two existing concentrations – such as Homeland Security and Violence Prevention – or supplement your studies of Crises Management with a leadership course within the Management program. No matter which direction you choose, Lasell will support you and help you achieve success.

Career advancement
Thanks to a vibrant community of working professionals and a wide range of available services, graduate students are positioned to develop their expertise and advance their careers. As a Lasell graduate student you will have the opportunity to:

  • Benefit from the experience of your faculty and peers, who bring deep expertise and a unique point of view to every class discussion and group project
  • Expand your network and learn to position yourself as a leader in your field
  • Participate in career services programs that include resume-building workshops and webinars on how to develop a career plan
  • Engage with an active alumni community

Your passion. Your pathway.
Graduates who design their own concentration pursue work in a variety of fields related to criminal justice, law, security, and other pertinent areas. Our graduates are passionate, well-rounded, and well-versed in their chosen field, and well-positioned to succeed in a variety of roles within the career paths they choose.

Curriculum

The Master's in Criminal Justice in Self-Designed option will provide you with the skills you need to make a difference in the community and the world and become a leader in today's criminal justice field.  

The degree program is structured as follows:

  • 36 credits are required for the MS degree
    • 21 credits (7 courses) comprise the core offerings which includes 1 capstone (3 credits) which you can choose from two options: Research Project or Internship
    • 15 credits (5 courses) are required for the general self-designed Master's of Science Degree in Criminal Justice
      • Choose 3 courses (CJ706, CJ720, CJ721, CJ730, CJ731, CJ732, CJ740, CJ741, CJ742, CJ750, CJ751)
      • Choose 2 courses (CJ706, CJ720, CJ721, CJ730, CJ731, CJ732, CJ740, CJ741, CJ742, CJ750, CJ752, COM701, COM702, COM709, COM722, COM762, MGMT705)

Get information on our Course Schedules.

Wondering what types of classes, you will be taking? Below is a sample of the curriculum provided to get a sense of what your academic path looks like. If you want to see the full curriculum visit the academic catalog.

CJ701
The Criminal Justice System & Process
3 credits
CJ702
Critical Legal Issues in Crim Justice
3 credits
CJ703
Advanced Criminological Thought
3 credits
CJ704
Ethical Theory & Criminal Justice Policy
3 credits
CJ705
Criminal Justice Leadership & Management
3 credits
CJ709
Research Methods & Statistical Analysis
3 credits
CJ706
Advanced Applied Forensics
3 credits
CJ720
Crisis & Emergency Management
3 credits
CJ721
Risk Management & Planning
3 credits
CJ730
Terrorism & Homeland Security
3 credits
CJ731
Transnational Crime
3 credits
CJ732
Cybercrime & Data Security
3 credits
CJ740
Theories of Violence & Aggression
3 credits
CJ741
Interpersonal & Relationship Violence
3 credits
CJ742
Violence Prev, Advocacy, & Social Change
3 credits
CJ750
Global Criminal Justice Systems
3 credits
CJ751
Victimology
3 credits
CJ706
Advanced Applied Forensics
3 credits
CJ720
Crisis & Emergency Management
3 credits
CJ721
Risk Management & Planning
3 credits
CJ730
Terrorism & Homeland Security
3 credits
CJ731
Transnational Crime
3 credits
CJ732
Cybercrime & Data Security
3 credits
CJ740
Theories of Violence & Aggression
3 credits
CJ741
Interpersonal & Relationship Violence
3 credits
CJ742
Violence Prev, Advocacy, & Social Change
3 credits
CJ750
Global Criminal Justice Systems
3 credits
CJ752
Class, Race, Ethic and Gender Issues CJ
3 credits
COM701
Communication, Ethics & Society
3 credits
COM702
Organizational Communication
3 credits
COM705
Media Relations
3 credits
COM709
Negotiations & Conflict Resolution
3 credits
COM722
Crisis Communication
3 credits
COM762
Communication Strategies for Leaders
3 credits
MGMT705
Organizational Theory
3 credits
CJ798
Research Project Capstone
3 credits
CJ799
Internship
3 credits

Requirements

Candidates seeking admission to Lasell University's Criminal Justice graduate degree must hold a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution and demonstrate through academic background and/or work experience the ability to succeed in graduate studies. 

No GMAT/GRE scores are required for admission. 

The Criminal Justice program is not F-1 Visa eligible.

International Students need to submit English equivalency from one of the following: TOEFL scores: minimum required score is 80 (iBT) or IELTS, minimum required score is 6.0; or Pearson PTE Academic minimum score is 53; or Duolingo minimum required score is 105. The English equivalency scores may be waived for international applicants who have earned a bachelor's degree at an accredited college/university in the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, or Canada.

Admission Requirements Checklist:

  1. Online application
  2. Official transcripts of all college-level coursework *
  3. A one-page personal statement describing your goals, strengths, and potential for achievement in graduate school
  4. Resume

Materials can be provided through MyPortal or emailed to gradinfo@lasell.edu.

International Applicants:

This program is not F-1 eligible, international applicants can only be considered for the online curriculum option.

All International applicants need to submit English equivalency from one of the following: TOEFL scores: minimum required score is 80 (iBT) or IELTS, minimum required score is 6.0; or Pearson PTE Academic minimum score is 53; or Duolingo minimum required score is 105. The English equivalency scores may be waived for international applicants who have earned a bachelor's degree at an accredited college/university in the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, or Canada.

For additional requirements please visit our International Admission Requirement page.

Materials should be submitted through MyPortal or emailed to gradinfo@lasell.edu:
The Office of Graduate Enrollment
Lasell University
1844 Commonwealth Ave.
Newton, MA 02466

Questions about your application? Call/text us today at 617-243-2400!