Excellence in Education
Foremost we are committed to providing an excellent educational experience through our undergraduate and graduate degree programs, certificates, and specializations. At the undergraduate level we offer a bachelors of arts degree. We have made the degree more flexible so that students can pursue the rich variety of additional majors, second degrees and academic specializations offered at MSU. The School offers a security management specialization and students can pursue specializations that range from conservation and environmental law enforcement; Muslim studies; spatial information processing; women, gender, and social justice; and a variety of area studies programs. Students are encouraged to participate in internships and Study Abroad programs and two student associations assist students make connections to the professional community.
Our masters degree program is designed to support professionals seeking personal growth and to enhance their careers through continuing education as well as students preparing for doctoral study. The program is also offered in online format to better address the needs of professionals employed throughout the country and the world. The degree includes options for a security management specialization and certificates in homeland security, law enforcement intelligence analysis, and international focus. We anticipate a new professional masters degree in law enforcement intelligence and analysis to be launched in January 2007.
The School is also proud to offer a masters degree in forensic science. This degree attracts outstanding students pursuing one of three tracks: forensic anthropology, forensic biology, and forensic chemistry.
MSU is one of the three founding universities to offer a doctoral degree in criminal justice. The Ph.D. was an outgrowth of the Presidential Crime Commission of the late 1960s with the initial degree awarded in 1971. Since that time MSU Ph.D.’s in criminal justice have become leaders in academia, private research organizations, and governmental agencies. Indeed, our doctoral alumni include deans and professors in leading university programs throughout the U.S. and internationally as well as within national police organizations and the U.S. Department of Justice. We provide a challenging yet supportive academic environment and close mentoring relationships with faculty. Several studies have found recent graduates of our School to be the most productive faculty in terms of scholarly publication.