What's the least expensiveRA MSCJ?

Anyone have any recommendations for the least expensive RA Masters of Criminal Justice?

So far I have found Troy University which sits about $10,000. Are there less expensive DL opportunities out there?

 

Go find one of moderator Bruce Tait's posts and click on the weblinks on his signature line that'll take you to sites listing dl cop degrees with weblinks to said programs.

 

Got it. I was just wondering if anyone knew off hand? Additionally there are colleges out there like Peru State College that are cheap as dirt and obscure as heck....

 

Can't say whether this is necessarily the least expensive, though it is definitely inexpensive. Fort Hays State University www.fhsu.edu offers an MLS in Criminal Justice that requires 31 semester hours at $174/hour. I think that's $5,394.

 

I checked into that one. But an MLS sounds like a "Masters of Library Studies" even though I know it means "Liberal Studies". This would be a degree that I am looking to use for a local teaching opportunity, generally this denotes an MSCJ or MACJ.

 

Because you're in Texas, you might consider Sam Houston State over Troy. It's criminal justice programs are well regarded, especially in Texas, and you might pay less because you're a state resident. Otherwise, I think the two universities are in the same price range, with Sam Houston's cj program having a better reputation.

 

Re: Re: What's the least expensiveRA MSCJ?

I gave an eyeball to Sam Houston and haven't ruled them out yet...

Edited to add: Sam Houston charges $303 per course for "on-line" students in state. So the $882+$303 is the per course rate. Puts them at about $14,220 before the admin fees, books etc. They are a respected program in Texas but I don't really see a $4,000 benefit over Troy.

Edited again to add: The $303 is built in to the $882. Making them a 10K to 11K degree. That's worth it. But dang their website sucks....the layout is horrid and confusing.

 

AFAIK, Peru State doesn't offer a graduate CJ degree. If you can't stomach the Fort Hays MLS (an incredible bargain), then Troy University would probably be the least expensive RA option.

Keep in mind that for a competitive teaching position, the reputation of the school may well come into play, so don't get too hung-up on price alone.

 

Re: Re: Re: What's the least expensiveRA MSCJ?

I have to agree with you about the website, but it is really not too important once you're a student. I'm in their history program online and I've found that dl students are pretty much lumped in with on-campus students. So, in the online courses you have both fully dl and locals who chose to take a particular class online. On the downside, there does not seem to be a central organization to service online students' needs; generally, when I've called I've dealt with the regular faculty and staff of the history department. On the plus side, I've had full professors for every course. The courses are delivered on Blackboard. Overall, it's been a good experience.

 

Well....price isn't my only consideration, but is is one of them. If price was the only thing holding me back I'd be on the next browser to Ft. Hayes.

As for school rep...Sam Houston has a stellar rep here in Tejas....I don't know diddly about Troy State though other than to say if I mention Troy State in a conversation it seems most people have heard (or think they have) of Troy.

How is their reputation?

You do this whole teaching gig, what schools would you recommend for becoming say an adjunct or part time instructor? I will of course supplement the degree with experience, but I know that the degree is really key.

BTW...I still plan on an MBA from St. Joe's...did you hear they dropped the residency requirement? Awsome stuff.

 

It is not too difficult to find teaching assignments if you have police or other cj work experience. Criminal justice is taught in both traditional academic programs and 2-year technical schools. In many cases, the tech schools want their instructors to have in-state P.O.S.T. certifications, especially instructor certification, and a familiarity with P.O.S.T. rules. Many of the 2-year programs teach both introductory courses and law enforcement training. The combination of a valid cj graduate degree, police experience and P.O.S.T. certification can open up many opportunities.

 

I've been around criminal justice programs since the early 90's and have always heard good things about Sam Houston State. I haven't heard much about Troy State. I started my college career at Central Missouri State University which has a very good criminal justice program and they had several faculty members from Sam Houston. In my opinion Sam Houston would be the better way for you to go.

 

Sam Houston has a very good reputation in the CJ community. Troy is a very respectable, although rather generic, state university. As far as prestige, the best DL CJ degrees are (in no particular order) Michigan State, U of Cincinnati, Florida State, Sam Houston, and Cal-Irvine.

 

Appreciated....thanks guys.

 

Wow! U Cincy is prestigious in the CJ field? I didn't know that and I'm an Ohioan!

 

Yep.....they're almost always in the top program lists of not only US News & WR, but the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences as well. Maryland-College Park is also highly respected, but they don't offer any DL programs.....yet.

 

I think library science degrees are now more commonly listed as MLIS (for 'library and information science')... You can just spell out the MLS degree on your resume to prevent confusion