Internet Masters program
Criminal Justice Internet
General Information
In 1998, the School of Criminal Justice began offering its Masters of Science in Criminal Justice program on the Internet – the first online degree program offered by MSU.
The program is designed to add new dimensions to the skills of career people in various areas of criminal justice and security. A number of online support services are available to assist students as they progress through the program.
Students enrolled in the program may choose to follow the general requirements for the Masters in Criminal Justice, specialize in Security Management or follow an international focus. Please see Program Requirements for more information.
Courses are offered entirely online, and are taught by the same faculty members that are involved in the on-campus program. Students can complete their degree within two years if they begin their studies in the fall of an even year, provided attention is paid to when courses are offered and whether there are prerequisites. This requires taking two courses for four of the six semesters. It is common for students to take three years to complete the program due to work and personal commitments.
If you have questions about the program, please contact Administrative Assistant Peg Kowalk at kowalkm@msu.edu or (517) 353-5272.
Minimum Equipment Requirements
To participate in the Criminal Justice Internet Masters program, students must have access to and be comfortable with a computer with an Internet connection. See the Virtual University Home Page and the appropriate course previews for current minimum equipment requirements for specific courses.
At a minimum, each student needs access to:
- A browser that meets the ANGEL minimum requirements.
- Minimum screen resolution of 800x600 (1024x768 recommended).
- 56K modem or direct connection to the Internet. A broadband (high-speed) Internet connection is recommended (and required for some courses).
- Adequate responsiveness and performance from your computer. Most computers manufactured within the last four years will meet your needs.
Every MSU Virtual University student will receive an MSU NetID and password. MSU Mail is an MSU information technology resource used by all MSU students.
Program Cost
The total cost of the program (not including books) is approximately $15,600, or $1560 per course. Tuition rates and billing information may be found at the Controller's Office website under Online Program Rates.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is a typical course like?
- Online courses are very similar to the on-campus program except for the method of delivery. Students get a syllabus outlining course requirements, be assigned weekly readings and required to post their evaluation of the readings in discussion rooms. Classmates then comment on the input of other students. Case problems may be required and the class may be broken into small groups with a team leader who is required to post the group's solution to the case. Research papers may be required with an executive summary being posted for review by students and a complete paper submitted to the professor. If the topic appears of interest to other students, they may request a copy by contacting the author. You may wish to view the online CJ demo course for a sample of how an online course in the program is structured.
- Should I be concerned about taking the GRE since I have been out of school for several years?
- Some students express concern about the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) and their scores since they may have been out of college for a number of years. Remember this is only one area considered by the graduate review committee when making admissions decisions. Letters of reference, personal statement, prior grades, and success on the job are other factors considered. GRE practice exams, a list of testing centers and other information may be found at www.gre.com.
- If the course is on the Internet, why do I have to order course books?
- Volumes of written material on the Internet become difficult for students to manage. When supplemented with reading packs or books, students are able to do reading away from the computer. It is also important for students to acquire a professional library.
- What university services are available to me?
- Library access, a writing center, financial aid, bookstore and other university resources are available to virtual students. For example, students may order course books via e-mail from campus bookstores. Books and documents needed for course projects can be obtained from library via e-mail at no costs.
- What type of financial aid is available?
Since most students are working, they may not qualify for financial aid. Students are eligible for loans if they are taking at least six credits. Loans are also available for computer equipment required for the program. For more information, contact the financial aid office at (517) 353-5940 or finaid@msu.edu.
Since this is a degree-granting program, veteran benefits may be applicable. Students eligible for veteran benefits must submit the required certificate to the VA Office on campus. Contact the Veteran benefit office at (517) 432-3952.
- How many credits can I transfer into the program?
- You may transfer up to nine graduate level credits from an accredited institution into the program. You must have received at least a 3.0 in each of the courses and we will need to review course descriptions and syllabi to determine if the courses meet the requirements of this program. Transfer credits are most often applied toward elective requirements. The department chair or dean has final approval.