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New Master of Science in Criminal Justice Degree Program at Metropolitan State University Begins this Fall

"Metropolitan State is in a unique position to offer this new criminal justice master's program due to our metro location, state-of-the-art new Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Education Center, strong law enforcement and criminal justice undergraduate programs, and excellent faculty who bring academic and professional expertise to the program," said Sue Hammersmith, president of Metropolitan State University."Our focus on providing high quality, affordable degree programs for working adults also makes this new program an attractive option for criminal justice professionals."

According to Ginny Lane, dean of Metropolitan State's School of Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice, the new master's program addresses the growing demand from experienced criminal justice professionals who are looking for ways to advance themselves professionally and to acquire advanced skills to help them effectively and ethically address complex issues in their field.

"The criminal justice system, like many government entities, is increasingly challenged to do more with less," Lane said. "That means leaders and managers must be more skilled in human and fiscal resource management, applied research and problem-solving, and program policy development and evaluation."

"I decided to pursue a master's degree because the entire criminal justice field is becoming more professionalized," said Penny Peterson, an identification clerk for the Hennepin County Sheriff, who will begin her Metropolitan State criminal justice master's program this fall. "This degree will help me toward my goal of working in criminal justice in an administrative capacity at the federal level."

The program will enable students to:

• Analyze criminal justice issues using scientific research methods.
• Expand professional competencies in criminal justice administration and best practices.
• Assess policies and implement change within the criminal justice system.
• Teach in the field of criminal justice.

Courses in the Master of Science in Criminal Justice program are provided in a hybrid format - a combination of online and traditional classroom instruction - at the university's Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Education Center in Brooklyn Park. "The online/on-site combination is key because it provides a variety of opportunities to develop leadership skills in communication and collaboration within and across different parts of the criminal justice system," Lane explained.

Students must have at least two years of professional experience in the criminal justice field to enroll in Metropolitan State's master's program. The degree program consists of 32 credits and takes about two years to complete.

About Metropolitan State University
Metropolitan State University (www.metrostate.edu), a member of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system, provides high-quality, affordable academic and professional degree programs at the bachelor's, master's and doctoral levels. It is the only state university in the Twin Cities metropolitan area.

Metropolitan State University
Ginny Lane, 763-657-3750
Dean, School of Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice
ginny.lane@metrostate.edu
or
Haberle Communications
Sue Haberle, 763-550-0101
susan.haberle@habcom.biz