Master of Science in Criminal Justice

Criminal Behavior

Online
Classes Start January 9 and March 5. Reserve your seat today!
Classes Start Six Times Per Year For Ultimate Flexibility

Goals and Course Topics

Change Starts with Understanding

Things aren’t always what they seem. For our society to be better, we must understand its people. You can develop expertise in the psychological causes of crime with criminal behavior classes that focus on trends, major crime problems and statistics, the nature and causes of crime, justice agencies and personnel, and the changing features of the American legal system and criminal justice agency management. Our master of science in criminal justice – criminal behavior graduates have gone on to become behavioral health specialists, mental health workers, and social services managers.

Your Criminal Behavior Classes

The master of science in criminal justice with a criminal behavior concentration is a professional practical degree program that attracts skilled managers, agents and clinicians from many components of the criminal justice and juvenile justice systems. Combined with the faculty who direct and facilitate the educational experiences in the criminal behavior classes, the school’s talented and multifaceted students complete the mixture and create an intellectual synergy that’s found in very few graduate programs.

Learn More About Our Criminal Behavior Classes

Practical Education

Our MS in criminal justice faculty bring years of executive, operations-level, clinical, academic and research experience in criminal justice to the graduate learning process in a way that sparks debate, fosters insight and elicits innovation. Joint student-faculty collaboration on learning projects is a common occurrence in our criminal behavior classes.

If you’ve been thinking about pursuing a degree in criminology but are not sure if it’s right for you, we encourage you to consider our MS in CJ degree with a focus on criminal behavior classes. Unlike traditional criminology programs which concentrate heavily on sociological theory, TU’s criminal behavior program goes beyond just studying why people commit crime and seeks to provide practical skills for those who want to work in the field of criminal justice, including law enforcement, corrections and rehabilitation, and public/private security.

Format

Online: Two terms per semester starting in January, March, May, July, August and October

Who Is This MS in Criminal Justice Program For?

The Criminal Behavior Concentration is designed for students interested in examining the relationship between psychology and the criminal justice system. Students in the criminal behavior classes will develop an understanding in mental health issues, psychopathology, personality assessment and research methods. The Criminal Behavior concentration is offered in the three-semester format and is only available online.

Note: The ability to practice as a professional psychologist or as a professional mental health counselor—is highly regulated in all states. TU programs (with the exception of the on-campus Addictions Counseling program) do not directly prepare one for practice as a counselor, psychotherapist, or psychologist.

Rankings

U.S. News and World Report ranked Tiffin University as Ohio’s third-best online master’s degree program in criminal justice.

SR Education Group Badge - Best Online Colleges- MA Criminal Justice

Tiffin University’s online Master of Science in Criminal Justice programs are ranked #6 for the 2019 Best Master’s in Criminal Justice Online Programs by SR Education Group.

 

OPTIONAL SECOND CONCENTRATIONS

You can enhance your skillset even more by adding just a few more courses for a second concentration. The MS in Criminal Justice program offers the following second concentrations:

Master of Science in Criminal Justice Criminal Behavior Concentration FAQ

What is criminal behavior?

Criminal behavior refers to the conduct of an offender that leads to the commission of an unlawful act. An unlawful act occurs when there is a motive, a mean and an opportunity.

What is a master’s in criminal behavior?

A master’s in criminal behavior provides students practical skills for those who want to work in the field of criminal justice, including law enforcement, corrections and rehabilitation, and public/private security. Students will develop an understanding in mental health issues, psychopathology, personality assessment and research methods.

What can I do with a degree in criminal behavior?

With a degree in criminal behavior, you will be qualified for a variety of career opportunities, including positions in corrections agencies, juvenile detention centers, juvenile group homes, law enforcement, domestic violence agencies and more.   

Average degree completion for a full time student
30 Credits
Average degree completion for a part time student
30 Credits

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At a Glance

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Professional Fields

  • Corrections agencies
  • Juvenile detention centers
  • Juvenile group homes
  • Pre-release programs and halfway houses
  • Law enforcement
  • Domestic violence agencies
 

Sample Course

Contemporary Criminal Justice: Issues and Trends (JUS510)

Provides a contemporary overview of the criminal justice system with a focus on current trends, major crime problems and statistics, crime control issues, the nature and causes of crime, justice agencies and personnel, key decision-making by justice agents and the changing features of the American legal system and criminal justice agency management which impact the quality of service to community residents. 

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MS in Criminal Justice - Criminal Behavior

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Watch video testimonials from our students:

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"The graduate program at Tiffin University has helped me to prepare for a new career as a Police Executive and has given me the tools and credentials needed to obtain the executive positions I desire. Fortunately, being a member of the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP), I was eligible to receive an FOP discount which assisted me greatly with tuition cost. "
Joseph Wiesman Jr., Lieutenant
Joseph Wiesman Jr., LieutenantMS in Criminal Justice Student
“I chose Tiffin University because of the curriculum and online opportunities that allowed me to work toward my goal of obtaining an MBA while working full-time. The online program was the only way I could get the degree I wanted and move into the field I love.”
John Carpenter
John CarpenterOnline MBA Graduate
“My experience with Tiffin University so far has been nothing but positive. The program and the required courses I took seemed well-constructed and challenged me both academically and creatively. I have learned with and from my fellow students, although I feel that given the fact that the program is all online, I have learned the most from the research I had to conduct for the written assignments. I look forward to applying what I have learned at Tiffin on the job.”
Holger Grimm, Correctional Officer
Holger Grimm, Correctional OfficerMS in Criminal Justice Student
“Almost without exception, everything I’ve accomplished since my time at TU, can directly be traced back to my time as a master’s student in the criminal justice (FP), graduate program here. I can’t imagine my life without that formative education.”
Claudia Vercellotti
Claudia VercellottiMS in CJ Graduate
"My time at Tiffin University allowed me to build connections in my desired industry. The flexibility of the online program allowed me to participate in an internship with a major NFL team while still being a full-time student.”
John Rini
John RiniOnline MBA Graduate
"While adjusting to balancing work, my social life, and school; my confidence in education was restored. Tiffin University not only provides convenience; the curriculum is structured to enrich the student culturally and personally."
Roney McIntyre Jr.
Roney McIntyre Jr.MS in Criminal Justice Student
"Tiffin University is one of the top rated schools for forensics. I love my classes, I love my professors, I love my curriculum. I could not speak more highly of the education I am receiving. All our professors are genuinely interested in seeing us succeed."
Jessica Hollan
Jessica HollanMS in CJ Forensic Psychology Student
"The experience offered by Tiffin University’s School of Business, led by the outstanding faculty, is capable of effectively preparing students for any and all future academic and occupational endeavors. I felt as if TU truly cared about my development, not only as a student, but as a person."
Kyle Lento
Kyle LentoOnline MBA Student
"I am utilizing skills gained from my MBA to operate a business, while also applying theoretical knowledge to daily tasks. Tiffin University gave me that extra boost I needed to move forward in accomplishing my dream of becoming a small business owner.”
Emily Miller
Emily MillerOnline MBA Graduate
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