Is it ethical to list a Master of Arts in Criminology as a "MCJ"?

Is it ethical to list a Master of Arts in Criminology as a "MCJ"? For example:

John Doe, MCJ

Or should it be listed as:

John Doe, MA

I see no ethical issues with listing it as a "MCJ" on a business card or on a resume. Do you?

Listing it as a MA doesn't show what the degree is in, but listing it as a MCJ lets the reader know that it's in the CJ field.

There are so many different kinds of CJ degrees, to include:

• Master of Arts in Criminology (MA)
• Master of Science in Criminology (MS)
• Master of Arts in Criminal Justice (MA)
• Master of Criminal Justice (MCJ)
• Master of Science in Criminal Justice (MS)
• Master of Arts in Criminal Justice Administration (MA)
• Master of Science in Criminal Justice Administration (MS)
• Etc.

What are your thoughts?

 

I list my AS as ASCJ...I think MCJ is fine.

 

I think you should use M.A.C.J.
My masters in education is actually an M.A.Ed. (that' show the university listed it) rather than an M.Ed. so M.A.C.J. makes sense to me.

 

You should list it as MA, Criminology.

List the degrees as they are named.

 

I agree with Stefan.

 

List it as MA, Criminology. That's the degree title.

 

Thank you for the replies.

Having two degrees (or more) makes it difficult to list the full degree. For example:

John Doe, DBA, MA Criminology, MPA

As Hokiephile noted, maybe it could be listed as:

John Doe, DBA, MACJ, MPA

To get even more ethically technical, the degree is actually in criminology and not criminal justice, although there is little to no difference between the two.

 

Okay, I misread (or misremembered). I thought you said it was in CJ. If it's not, then don't do what I said.

 

Is criminology thee same as criminal justice?

Ask your school if it is acceptable. Many schools have recommended styles in which a degree can be represented.

 

Technically, they are different. Criminology is supposed to be the study of the theory of crime, whereas criminal justice is supposed to be the practical application of CJ for those in the field, such as those in law enforcement, the courts, probation and parole, corrections, etc. But the curriculum of most criminology and criminal justice programs are pretty much the same. They both explore theory, as well as exploration of the practical side of the house.

Good point. I'll probably just use "MA" because "MACJ" might confuse people. Oh well, I tried to simplify it!!!

 

Yeah, just think of all those ink cartridges...

 

Just list what it is, that is the right thing to do. You should not take liberty with the title or degree. I have seen someone list their PhD in Business Admin / Computer Science Concentration as a PhD in Computer Science. That is completly misrepresenting themslef.

Here is my question, if I had finished the MS in Pharmacy with a concentration in Healthcare Risk Management from UF, would listing an MS in Pharmacy be wrong? The degree was all about healthcare and risk management. It was an MS in Pharmacy because it was awarded by the school of pharmacy. Would an MS in Healthcare Risk Management be a better representation of the knowledge / degree? Would this be a case of being honest appear to be misleading?

 

It doesn't matter, though. Convenience doesn't give anyone the authority to adjust the name of the degree.

 

Regarding the MS, you could list it as MS in Pharmacy without ethical qualms. It would not necessarily be the most informational description, though. I would not list it as an MS in Healthcare Risk Management.

I can relate regarding the first example. I have an MA in Human Services with a business concentration. I can list it as MA, Human Services or MA Human Services, Business concentration, but I cannot list it as MA, Business. I certainly could not list it as MBA.

 

MA, Criminology

With multiple degrees, the amount of information given depends on the situation/setting. Further, often only the highest degree earned is listed (one of my profs lists PhD, PhD without anything junior to that; in some situations he gives more). But convenience, or space, is no basis for incorrectly (i.e as not specified by the granting institution) listing the degree. imho.

 

Listing a your degree as an MCJ is appropriate. I have two adjunct professors that list MCJ after their name and it is common practice.

 

But do they have MAs in Criminology? MCJ is fine if you have a Master's in Criminal Justice.

 

CJ and Criminology are so similar (Some would argue they are one in the same), and for listing purposes, you'd be slitting hairs IMO but again that is just my opinion and I could be wrong.

 

Splitting hairs, maybe, but you can get into trouble by claiming a degree you do not possess.

Saying, "I have a degree in criminal justice" is not the same as "I have a Master of Criminal Justice." You could arguably say the former without issue, but the latter could be problematic.

In other fields, the distinctions can even be more vast. For example, in the study of theology and religion, one finds the following degrees:

Master of Arts in Religion (45-60 hours)
Master of Arts in Theological Studies (generally 30-50 hours)
Master of Arts in Theology (generally the same as the MATS above)
Master of Theological Studies (Generally the same as the previous two)
Master of Divinity (75-90 hours, the standard professional degree for ordination)
Master of Theology (30 hours post-MDiv or approximately 120 hours)
Master of Sacred Theology (same as the the ThM above)

All of these nomenclatures reflect study within the same field, but they have different requirements.

While I recognize that the MCJ and the MA-Crim may be similar, it is important in general to preserve the nomenclature of the degrees.