Input on Master's Degree Programs in Criminal Justice

Hello Everyone

I work in a state's Court System in its Probation Division and will have an opportunity to teach a course in CJ at a local community college as an adjunct. The hitch is that I need a Master's degree in order to take advantage of this opportunity.

Can anyone advise me as to which schools' Master's programs in CJ would be the quickest and least rigorous to obtain.

Yes, I know that most of you will disagree with my desire to obtain a degree in this manner but I hope you will not take offense and help me find a program that will fullfill my needs (obtaining a Master's in CJ as quickly as possible)


Thanks
Alex

 

Sorry, I didn't mention that I also need this degree from an RA school.

 

If you came here because you equate distance learning with ease or speed, you've come to the wrong place. Obtaining a masters degree via distance learning is not quicker or easier than doing it in a more traditional way... except that the distance learning modality lets you stay at home and not sit in traffic to get to school; and it may let you study completely on your own schedule, depending on the program's structure.

Distance learning is not a shortcut. It's just a different course delivery method which happens to have a couple of advantages that translate into time/energy saved, and greater flexibility so that one may still hold down a job and keep family obligations, etc.

As for a masters in criminal justice via distance education that will allow you to teach at a local community college...

• It will almost certainly need to be regionally-accredited (not nationally- or professionally-accredited, but "regionally" accredited). Make sure it's that; and,
  
• Most masters degrees which will qualify one to teach at the college level should be made-up of at least 50% to 60% coursework that's directly and unambiguously related to the very specific area in which one wants to teach. With most masters, that comes out to around 18 semester hours... and some states and/or colleges/universities have actually codified the 18-hour requirement.

Keep those two things in mind.

As to specific masters in criminal justice programs, though I can certainly name a few, I'm not one of the resident experts in that area. I'm sure (or at least I hope) that others who are will chime in.

But, please, AlexC, don't assume that distance learning is a quickie way to get what you're looking for. A distance learning masters program is exactly the same as a brick & mortar program, except for the method of delivery; and that method of delivery brings with it more flexibility for you, but little or not true time savings. You'll work just as hard, and it will take you just as long to get your masters via distance learning. There are no shortcuts here.

 

What's your definition of "as quickly as possible?"

I am currently trying to decide on a Master's CJ program. The "quickest" I have seen is Boston University's program at 18 months, but I don't think I would classify it as easy.

Here is BU's link (so DesElms doesn't get angry ) :

http://www.cjdegree.info/

Any reputable CJ program will take much longer.

You might want to check out Bruce's list of accredited CJ schools:

national accredited:

http://www.angelfire.com/ma4/cjdegrees/nadegrees.html

regional accredited:

http://www.angelfire.com/ma4/cjdegrees/degrees.html

 

The Tiffin University program can be done in a year. I did it, but it was a hard year. I did nothing but work, read and write. I had absolutely no time for recreation or relaxation. Still, it has worked out well and I have been able to teach some online classes and had opportunities to teach at a local commmunity college. For me, teaching online courses is a better option and doesn't clash with my police jobs. I have also found that if you have cj work experience AND a master's degree in cj it's not too hard to find teaching work.

Link

 

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Any reputable CJ program will take much longer. 

I should of said most take longer. As anthonym pointed out, a program can be completed in 1 year, albeit a very intense year that I don't think would fit your definition of easy.

 

Like I said above, adjunct work is usually not too difficult to find, doesn't pay too much, and to me is not worth the effort of a concentrated master's program. Chances are that a local school will always need someone to teach a class, especially someone who works in a local probation office. I my case I hurried through the program to be qualified for promotions at my regular job and to ease the pressure on my family, which had tolerated my long undergraduate career. It was a major sacrifice.

I'm not certain I made the right choice, and think I should have taken a more balanced approach and not sacrificed an entire year of my life. With part-time study you can still work, go on vacation, watch tv, go to the movies, read a magazine or novel etc. For the entire year of 2003, other than the one or two week breaks between semesters, I worked at a police department and off-duty police jobs, and spent my free time studying criminal justice. I'm finding that I am only now regaining an interest in the subject. So, to me, unless there is a really big payoff and a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, I'd take the slower route. And like JH50 said, there won't be an easy way to handle it.

 

Why would someone who would want a "quickie" masters then want to turn around and teach traditional students???

Sounds a lot like: "Teacher, heal thyself."

Put in the time first!

 

If you want to be in a position to educate/advise the next generation of CJ practitioners, you should have impeccable credentials yourself.

"Quickest" and "least rigorous" should never apply to someone who is looking for a graduate degree, solely for a teaching position.