Master of Arts in Criminal Justice Administration and Leadership

Take the next step in your career with a Master of Arts in Criminal Justice Administration and Leadership (CJAL) degree from UIW. The CJAL is a graduate criminal justice program of applied instruction designed to teach students leadership skills relevant to criminal justice organizations. The coursework in critical operations, policy analysis and emergency response will provide the knowledge and skills necessary to advance a career in the many fields of criminal justice.

Degree Requirements

To fulfill the CJAL degree program requirements, each student must complete 30 hours of graduate coursework and a significant research project. A minimum of 24 credit hours of courses for the master’s degree must be taken at the University of the Incarnate Word.

Major Curriculum (30 hours)

  • CRIJ 6301 The Psychology of Criminal Justice Leadership
  • CRIJ 6302 Managing Controversies: The Courage to Lead
  • CRIJ 6303 Ethical Decision Making: Understanding Biases and Public Perception
  • CRIJ 6304 Assessing Crime, Criminal Justice and the Community
  • CRIJ 6305 Public Personnel Management and Practices
  • CRIJ 6306 Crisis Communication in Critical Operations
  • CRIJ 6307 Leadership Coaching: Principles and Practices
  • ORGD 6355 Organizational Change
  • ADMN 6375 Strategic Planning and Policy
  • CRIJ 63CS Leadership Capstone Project

Recommended Program Sequence

Students in the CJAL may choose to pursue their degree at a less than two courses per term. However, the program does enable highly driven and motivated students to complete their degree in five 8-week sessions by following the recommended schedule.

First eight-week termcriminal justice photo with books pen and paper

  • CRIJ 6301: The Psychology of Criminal Justice Leadership
  • CRIJ 6302: Managing Controversies: The Courage to Lead

Second eight-week term

  • CRIJ 6303: Ethical Decision Making: Understanding Biases and Public Perception
  • CRIJ 6304: Assessing Crime, Criminal Justice and the Community

Third eight-week term

  • CRIJ 6305 Public Personnel Management and Practices
  • CRIJ 6306 Crisis Communication in Critical Operations

Fourth eight-week term

  • CRIJ 6307 Leadership Coaching: Principles and Practices
  • ORGD 6355 Organizational Change

Fifth eight-week term

  • ADMN 6375 Strategic Planning and Policy
  • CRIJ 63CS Leadership Capstone Project

Admissions Criteria

Find out more about requirements, standards and processes to begin your journey as a student in the Master of Arts in Criminal Justice Administration and Leadership.

Graduate Admission Requirements