Program Overview
Welcome to the Master of Science in Criminal Justice program at Youngstown State University (YSU). Our program, grounded in a broad understanding of social issues and criminality, is designed to equip students with the analytical skills and practical insights necessary to thrive in diverse roles across the criminal justice sector.
Youngstown State University’s Master of Science in Criminal Justice is a comprehensive, 30-credit degree program that provides in-depth knowledge of criminal justice theories, policies, and research methodologies. Core courses focus on criminal justice system administration, crime analysis, legal aspects, and ethical concerns. Students can also specialize their studies through electives that cover topics ranging from terrorism and victimology to correctional counseling and forensic psychology.
The curriculum culminates in either a master’s thesis for students with research interests or a capstone project that demands the application of learned theories to real-world criminal justice scenarios.
The MS in Criminal Justice is tailored for individuals seeking advancement in criminal justice careers — such as law enforcement, corrections, and court systems — or those aspiring to work in related legal and policy-making entities. Graduates, students, or professionals who aim to deepen their understanding of the criminal justice system and enhance their problem-solving capabilities will find this program highly beneficial.
The degree prepares graduates for leadership roles in a wide array of criminal justice positions. Career opportunities include positions as police officers, federal agents, correctional administrators, juvenile justice counselors, crime analysts, and security managers, to name just a few.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics forecasts steady growth for various occupations in the criminal justice sector. For instance, employment for forensic science technicians is projected to grow 14% from 2019 to 2029, while jobs for probation officers and correctional treatment specialists are expected to grow 4%.
Join the Master of Science in Criminal Justice program at Youngstown State University today and build the foundation for a dynamic and fulfilling career in the challenging yet rewarding field of criminal justice.
Dr. Christopher M. Bellas
Program Director
(330) 941-2167
cmbellas@ysu.edu
Nearly 11,000 students
Over $8 Million in Scholarships Given Annually
21 Average Class Size
5 University Residence Halls with plenty of nearby apartments
14:1 Student-to-Faculty Ratio
Instructional, General and Technology fees are required of all graduate students except where noted). Although the graduate bulk-rate band is from 12-18 hours, graduate students are considered full-time for academic purposes at 6 hours and above.
For a complete list of additional fees and detailed tuition information please visit the University Bursar website here.
Cost of the most popular room and meal plan combination; Your cost will depend on the plans you select. Costs in the box cover the most popular room and meal plan combination (on-campus); If you choose to live off-campus, the estimated cost of room and meals will be around $12,000 based on 12 months.
Based on average books & supply costs
Health insurance is required for international students.
Total Tuition Estimate
Total Tuition Estimate
GRE is NOT required
+1 330-941-2336
www.ysu.edu/ifs
intadm@ysu.edu
The graduate faculty members at Youngstown State University are highly qualified and successful in research, scholarly and creative works. Our programs offer the latest developments in research and technology. Most importantly the college highly values teaching. This means that the focus is on you and your professional development. Graduate programs are designed to provide you with growth in both theory and practice. Field experiences are available and encouraged. In addition, there are many opportunities to engage in research, scholarship and creative works with faculty members.
Fall 2024
application deadline is
May 1, 2024
