Master of Science
Justice Studies
Are you interested in developing a more just world? The Masters of Science in Justice Studies at WOU recognizes that all of us want to live in a just world but we have different ways of defining and tackling the problems. Justice studies examine injustice and encourage interdisciplinary solutions that bring stakeholders together rather than drive them apart. Whether through advocacy, policy, education, or research, our diverse faculty invites you to become innovators of change.
MSJS allows applicants to start their program anytime through out the year.
credits required
Program Details
Overview
Where this degree can take you:
- Become a change agent seeking to positively impact social service arenas
- Leadership careers in community organizing and advocacy, criminal justice, research and policy centers
- Non-profit leadership
- Preparation for doctoral programs
To start, you need:
- A bachelor’s degree
- Desire to further your professional career
Begin your Online Master of Science in Justice Studies program:
- You may apply to start the program fall, winter, or spring terms.
Finishing will take:
- 45 credits
- A capstone project
Where you will take classes:
- Online/distance fall, winter, spring
Technology you will need:
- Computer with internet connection
- Video conferencing capability (e.g., Skype)
What you will learn:
The new Master of Science in Justice Studies (MSJS) provides an interdisciplinary approach to social justice issues (including and beyond criminal justice) for students who wish to focus to on advocacy, policy, and research in the administration of justice. This new degree broadens the current Criminal Justice Sciences Division’s graduate program offerings to meet the diverse and evolving needs of students.
Learning outcomes:
Combining elements of criminal justice, sociology, and political science students will:
- Gain knowledge of complex social justice issues and how different systems interact around and within these realms.
- Analyze interdisciplinary theories and approaches to complex social justice challenges and concerns.
- Employ appropriate methods of social science research to investigate targeted problems and questions of justice.
- Demonstrate an understanding of strategies for addressing complex social justice issues through activism, policy, practice, and intervention.
Application Requirements
Program Start Dates:
You may apply to start the program in the fall, winter, or spring terms.
Application Deadlines:
- Fall Term: September 1st
- Winter Term: December 10th
- Spring Term: March 10th
Graduate Student Assistant Positions:
Graduate Student Assistant Positions offer a valuable opportunity for student employment, providing a compensation package comprising both salary and tuition remission. These positions involve the performance of research or teaching services to the University, contributing to students’ academic and professional training and development.
Application Deadline for Graduate Assistant Positions:
If you’re interested in applying for a Graduate Assistant Position, please ensure to submit your application no later than March 1st for priority processing. However, applications will continue to be accepted until the position is filled.
Detailed application requirements:
Application materials required for WOU Graduate admission:
- Application Fee $60
- Transcripts
- You can upload an unofficial copy of your transcript to complete your application for admission. Save as a PDF with your first and last name in time from all previous colleges. We will require an official transcript from the Colleges or Universities you have attended for formal admission.
- Transcripts are used as Evidence of completion of a four-year baccalaureate degree (or international equivalent) from a regionally accredited institution as defined by the American Association of Collegiate Registrars, with a cumulative B average (equivalent 3.00 on a U.S. 4.00 grading scale) on the most recent baccalaureate degree. Applicants who hold a master’s degree will have the 3.0 GPA requirement waived. Students with less than 3.0 can also provide passing MAT/GRE scores to be fully admitted.
- Current Resume
- Save as a PDF with your first and last name in the title. Applicant’s resume must include 3 references that can vouch for your ability to be successful in the program.
- Biographical Letter
- Please provide a biographical letter explaining why you are seeking a graduate degree and how it meets your professional and academic goals.
- Writing Sample
- Your ability to write well is an important factor in your success in a graduate program. Please submit a writing sample that demonstrates your writing abilities. This should be an academic or professional writing sample written within the last three years. This can be a paper you submitted for a class, a report you wrote at work, etc. The writing sample should be 4 pages of text at minimum. Alternatively, you may write an essay on a criminal justice topic of your choice. Ideally, this should be academic and contain sources to support your points (4 pages minimum).
Process: Applications will be reviewed once all application materials have been submitted. Please refer to the Application Checklist in your Graduate Application Portal to confirm the status of your submitted materials. The Graduate Application Portal will also provide additional details about the checklist items for further clarification. You will be notified via email regarding changes in the status of your application or if you are missing any application components.
Curriculum
MS Justice Studies curriculum overview:
The Master of Science in Justice Studies (MSJS) provides an interdisciplinary approach to social justice issues (both including and beyond criminal justice) for students who wish to focus on advocacy, policy, and research in the administration of justice. Students will learn strategies for conducting consequential research, evaluating and shaping policies and practices, and seeking and affecting change by addressing complex social challenges. The curriculum will expose students to a variety of social justice components and issues, while helping them progress toward scholarly work that allows them to focus on their individual areas of concern and passion.
Your plan of study:
Once admitted to your MS Justice Studies program, you will work with an advisor to plan the courses you will take and how you will complete the academic requirements of the program. By filling this Program Plan (PDF form), you have a road map for completing your degree and clarity on what to expect.
Core Courses
- CJ 608 Workshop Credits: 1-15 Credits: 1
- CJ 612 Research in Criminal Justice Credits: 4
- CJ 619 Ethics and Leadership in Criminal Justice Organizations Credits: 4
- CJ 627 Quantitative Methods in Social Science Credits: 4
- JS 629 Social Movement and Community Organization Credits: 4
- JS 658 Justice and Social Theory Credits: 4
- JS 659 Social Problems Credits: 4
Capstone Sequence
- CJ 623 Criminal Justice Research: Explore and Initiate Credits: 4
- CJ 624 Criminal Justice Research: Construct and Compile Credits: 4
- CJ 625 Criminal Justice Research: Compose and Complete Credits: 4
Elective Credits: 8
- CJ 545 Race and Justice Credits: 4
- JS 655 Convict Criminology Credits: 4
- PS 579 American Constitutional Law Credits: 4
- PS 594 Human Rights Credits: 4
- SOC 537 Sociology of Race/Ethnic Relations Credits: 3
- SOC 554 Sociology of Deviant Behavior Credits: 3
- or choose any two 500 or 600-level CJ or JS classes for 8 credits
Course Descriptions
CJ 545 Race and Justice (4 credits)
This course engages students in contemporary issues of race and social justice. We start with operationalizing key concepts of race, ethnicity, racism and social justice. We then investigate the historical evolution of race and racism emphasizing a criminological perspective. Finally, we explore today’s most pressing issues surrounding equality, inclusion, civil rights and criminal justice reform. Topics include: eugenics, housing, forensics and medicine, environment, law enforcement and corrections, to name a few.
CJ 608 Graduate Studies Workshop (1 credit)
Students must take CJ-608, “Graduate Studies Workshop,” during their first term. This one-unit course (which is offered each term) introduces students to the methods, theories, and strategies of graduate study, to the online resources available at Hamersly Library, and to our online delivery platform-Mood le. It also serves as a point of initial academic advising wherein students will decide on an exit strategy, write a preliminary exit proposal, and begin the process of selecting a graduate advisor/committee.
CJ 612 Research in Criminal Justice (4 credits)
Course examines research techniques and methods necessary for a comprehensive understanding of crime, criminal justice, and their relationship to policy construction and implementation. Course will explore quantitative and qualitative social research methodologies, and examine their application in the study of crime and criminal justice in a variety of geographic environments (e.g. rural and/or urban settings).
CJ 623 Criminal Justice Research: Explore and Initiate (4 credits)
This course is designed to lay the groundwork for developing a successful capstone project by shepherding students through the process of planning and conducting applied research. In this course students will develop a research topic, complete a literature review, and research proposal.
CJ 624 Criminal Justice Research: Construct and Compile (4 credits)
Building upon the previous capstone course, in this course students will conduct research, analyze and interpret data, and report findings.
CJ 625 Criminal Justice Research: Compose and Complete (4 credits)
Part III of the Capstone coursework series is designed to enhance students’ professional writing by producing a final, polished draft of their capstone project that represents the culmination of their Master’s Degree work. Additionally, they will create summaries of the implications of their project for both specialized and general audiences in formats appropriate to either an academic or a workplace setting.
CJ 627 Quantitative Methods in Social Science (4 credits)
This is a graduate level course that aims to provide an understanding of the concepts of probability, common distributions, statistical methods, and analyses of data. Students will master a software package and learn how to interpret and present ideas from their fields of study using these acquired statistical technological skills.
JS 629 Social Movement, and Community Organization (4 credits)
This course examines community organizing and social movements for transformation and reform. Discusses the concepts of social justice, human rights, and informed citizens.
JS 655 Convict Criminology (4 credits)
This course will examine the experience of the criminal justice system from those who have experienced it firsthand. Students will discuss research from scholars who are currently and formerly incarcerated or otherwise impacted by the criminal or juvenile justice system.
JS 658 Justice and Social Theory (4 credits)
This course will examine theories of justice from social, legal, and criminological perspectives with their application to current and historical social justice issues.
JS 659 Social Problems (4 credits)
This course will examine complex social issues, causes, symptoms, and reactions with a focus on how each relates to the notion of justice. Focuses on contemporary issues of social justice.
PS 579 American Constitutional Law (4 credits)
An introduction to the study of American constitutional law that involves a detailed case-study approach in which the students prepare briefs on case law.
PS 594 Human Rights (4 credits)
Introduction to the historical, substantive and theoretical evolution of human rights, the actors involved in producing, implementing and enforcing human rights and several human rights cases.
SOC 537 Sociology of Race/Ethnic Relations (3 credits)
Introduction to the history of problems that racial and ethnic groups have confronted in the U.S., including immigration. Analysis will include an overview of the social movements that have emerged to confront forms of oppression and discrimination.
SOC 507 Seminar in Social Policy (3-4 credits)
A topical seminar on current issues in social policy. Special attention will be given to readings and discussion that focuses on social problems and policy evaluation.
Faculty
OMAR MELCHOR-AYALA
Associate Professor
503-838-9219 | ayalao@wou.edu | MA 217
MISTY WEITZEL
Professor & Division Chair
503-838-8520 | weitzelm@wou.edu | MA 203
TERRY GINGERICH
NTT Assistant Professor
503-838-8854 | gingert@wou.edu | MA 201
TARYN VANDERPYL
Associate Professor
503-838-8356 | vanderpylt@wou.edu | MA 215
MARI SAKIYAMA
Associate Professor
503-751-4215 | sakiyamam@wou.edu | MA 211
JENNIFER MORENO
NTT Assistant Professor/Adjunct Instructor
503-838-9711 | morenoj@wou.edu | MA 204
KEVIN JONES
NTT Instructor
503-838-8733 | jonesk@wou.edu | MA 214
GREG WILLEFORD
NTT Instructor
503-838-9617 | willefog@wou.edu | MA 224
Where this degree can take you:
- Become a change agent seeking to positively impact social service arenas
- Leadership careers in community organizing and advocacy, criminal justice, research and policy centers
- Non-profit leadership
- Preparation for doctoral programs
To start, you need:
- A bachelor’s degree
- Desire to further your professional career
Begin your Online Master of Science in Justice Studies program:
- You may apply to start the program fall, winter, or spring terms.
Finishing will take:
- 45 credits
- A capstone project
Where you will take classes:
- Online/distance fall, winter, spring
Technology you will need:
- Computer with internet connection
- Video conferencing capability (e.g., Skype)
What you will learn:
The new Master of Science in Justice Studies (MSJS) provides an interdisciplinary approach to social justice issues (including and beyond criminal justice) for students who wish to focus to on advocacy, policy, and research in the administration of justice. This new degree broadens the current Criminal Justice Sciences Division’s graduate program offerings to meet the diverse and evolving needs of students.
Learning outcomes:
Combining elements of criminal justice, sociology, and political science students will:
- Gain knowledge of complex social justice issues and how different systems interact around and within these realms.
- Analyze interdisciplinary theories and approaches to complex social justice challenges and concerns.
- Employ appropriate methods of social science research to investigate targeted problems and questions of justice.
- Demonstrate an understanding of strategies for addressing complex social justice issues through activism, policy, practice, and intervention.
Program Start Dates:
You may apply to start the program in the fall, winter, or spring terms.
Application Deadlines:
- Fall Term: September 1st
- Winter Term: December 10th
- Spring Term: March 10th
Graduate Student Assistant Positions:
Graduate Student Assistant Positions offer a valuable opportunity for student employment, providing a compensation package comprising both salary and tuition remission. These positions involve the performance of research or teaching services to the University, contributing to students’ academic and professional training and development.
Application Deadline for Graduate Assistant Positions:
If you’re interested in applying for a Graduate Assistant Position, please ensure to submit your application no later than March 1st for priority processing. However, applications will continue to be accepted until the position is filled.
Detailed application requirements:
Application materials required for WOU Graduate admission:
- Application Fee $60
- Transcripts
- You can upload an unofficial copy of your transcript to complete your application for admission. Save as a PDF with your first and last name in time from all previous colleges. We will require an official transcript from the Colleges or Universities you have attended for formal admission.
- Transcripts are used as Evidence of completion of a four-year baccalaureate degree (or international equivalent) from a regionally accredited institution as defined by the American Association of Collegiate Registrars, with a cumulative B average (equivalent 3.00 on a U.S. 4.00 grading scale) on the most recent baccalaureate degree. Applicants who hold a master’s degree will have the 3.0 GPA requirement waived. Students with less than 3.0 can also provide passing MAT/GRE scores to be fully admitted.
- Current Resume
- Save as a PDF with your first and last name in the title. Applicant’s resume must include 3 references that can vouch for your ability to be successful in the program.
- Biographical Letter
- Please provide a biographical letter explaining why you are seeking a graduate degree and how it meets your professional and academic goals.
- Writing Sample
- Your ability to write well is an important factor in your success in a graduate program. Please submit a writing sample that demonstrates your writing abilities. This should be an academic or professional writing sample written within the last three years. This can be a paper you submitted for a class, a report you wrote at work, etc. The writing sample should be 4 pages of text at minimum. Alternatively, you may write an essay on a criminal justice topic of your choice. Ideally, this should be academic and contain sources to support your points (4 pages minimum).
Process: Applications will be reviewed once all application materials have been submitted. Please refer to the Application Checklist in your Graduate Application Portal to confirm the status of your submitted materials. The Graduate Application Portal will also provide additional details about the checklist items for further clarification. You will be notified via email regarding changes in the status of your application or if you are missing any application components.
MS Justice Studies curriculum overview:
The Master of Science in Justice Studies (MSJS) provides an interdisciplinary approach to social justice issues (both including and beyond criminal justice) for students who wish to focus on advocacy, policy, and research in the administration of justice. Students will learn strategies for conducting consequential research, evaluating and shaping policies and practices, and seeking and affecting change by addressing complex social challenges. The curriculum will expose students to a variety of social justice components and issues, while helping them progress toward scholarly work that allows them to focus on their individual areas of concern and passion.
Your plan of study:
Once admitted to your MS Justice Studies program, you will work with an advisor to plan the courses you will take and how you will complete the academic requirements of the program. By filling this Program Plan (PDF form), you have a road map for completing your degree and clarity on what to expect.
Core Courses
- CJ 608 Workshop Credits: 1-15 Credits: 1
- CJ 612 Research in Criminal Justice Credits: 4
- CJ 619 Ethics and Leadership in Criminal Justice Organizations Credits: 4
- CJ 627 Quantitative Methods in Social Science Credits: 4
- JS 629 Social Movement and Community Organization Credits: 4
- JS 658 Justice and Social Theory Credits: 4
- JS 659 Social Problems Credits: 4
Capstone Sequence
- CJ 623 Criminal Justice Research: Explore and Initiate Credits: 4
- CJ 624 Criminal Justice Research: Construct and Compile Credits: 4
- CJ 625 Criminal Justice Research: Compose and Complete Credits: 4
Elective Credits: 8
- CJ 545 Race and Justice Credits: 4
- JS 655 Convict Criminology Credits: 4
- PS 579 American Constitutional Law Credits: 4
- PS 594 Human Rights Credits: 4
- SOC 537 Sociology of Race/Ethnic Relations Credits: 3
- SOC 554 Sociology of Deviant Behavior Credits: 3
- or choose any two 500 or 600-level CJ or JS classes for 8 credits
Exit Evaluation Requirement
Students must complete one of the following exit evaluations in order to receive their degree:
- Thesis
- Professional Project
Total Credits: 45
CJ 545 Race and Justice (4 credits)
This course engages students in contemporary issues of race and social justice. We start with operationalizing key concepts of race, ethnicity, racism and social justice. We then investigate the historical evolution of race and racism emphasizing a criminological perspective. Finally, we explore today’s most pressing issues surrounding equality, inclusion, civil rights and criminal justice reform. Topics include: eugenics, housing, forensics and medicine, environment, law enforcement and corrections, to name a few.
CJ 608 Graduate Studies Workshop (1 credit)
Students must take CJ-608, “Graduate Studies Workshop,” during their first term. This one-unit course (which is offered each term) introduces students to the methods, theories, and strategies of graduate study, to the online resources available at Hamersly Library, and to our online delivery platform-Mood le. It also serves as a point of initial academic advising wherein students will decide on an exit strategy, write a preliminary exit proposal, and begin the process of selecting a graduate advisor/committee.
CJ 612 Research in Criminal Justice (4 credits)
Course examines research techniques and methods necessary for a comprehensive understanding of crime, criminal justice, and their relationship to policy construction and implementation. Course will explore quantitative and qualitative social research methodologies, and examine their application in the study of crime and criminal justice in a variety of geographic environments (e.g. rural and/or urban settings).
CJ 623 Criminal Justice Research: Explore and Initiate (4 credits)
This course is designed to lay the groundwork for developing a successful capstone project by shepherding students through the process of planning and conducting applied research. In this course students will develop a research topic, complete a literature review, and research proposal.
CJ 624 Criminal Justice Research: Construct and Compile (4 credits)
Building upon the previous capstone course, in this course students will conduct research, analyze and interpret data, and report findings.
CJ 625 Criminal Justice Research: Compose and Complete (4 credits)
Part III of the Capstone coursework series is designed to enhance students’ professional writing by producing a final, polished draft of their capstone project that represents the culmination of their Master’s Degree work. Additionally, they will create summaries of the implications of their project for both specialized and general audiences in formats appropriate to either an academic or a workplace setting.
CJ 627 Quantitative Methods in Social Science (4 credits)
This is a graduate level course that aims to provide an understanding of the concepts of probability, common distributions, statistical methods, and analyses of data. Students will master a software package and learn how to interpret and present ideas from their fields of study using these acquired statistical technological skills.
JS 629 Social Movement and Community Organization (4 credits)
This course examines community organizing and social movements for transformation and reform. Discusses the concepts of social justice, human rights, and informed citizens.
JS 655 Convict Criminology (4 credits)
This course will examine the experience of the criminal justice system from those who have experienced it firsthand. Students will discuss research from scholars who are currently and formerly incarcerated or otherwise impacted by the criminal or juvenile justice system.
JS 658 Justice and Social Theory (4 credits)
This course will examine theories of justice from social, legal, and criminological perspectives with their application to current and historical social justice issues.
JS 659 Social Problems (4 credits)
This course will examine complex social issues, causes, symptoms, and reactions with a focus on how each relates to the notion of justice. Focuses on contemporary issues of social justice.
PS 579 American Constitutional Law (4 credits)
An introduction to the study of American constitutional law that involves a detailed case-study approach in which the students prepare briefs on case law.
PS 594 Human Rights (4 credits)
Introduction to the historical, substantive and theoretical evolution of human rights, the actors involved in producing, implementing and enforcing human rights and several human rights cases.
SOC 537 Sociology of Race/Ethnic Relations (3 credits)
Introduction to the history of problems that racial and ethnic groups have confronted in the U.S., including immigration. Analysis will include an overview of the social movements that have emerged to confront forms of oppression and discrimination.
SOC 507 Seminar in Social Policy (3-4 credits)
A topical seminar on current issues in social policy. Special attention will be given to readings and discussion that focuses on social problems and policy evaluation.
OMAR MELCHOR-AYALA
Associate Professor
503-838-9219 | ayalao@wou.edu | MA 217
MISTY WEITZEL
Professor & Division Chair
503-838-8520 | weitzelm@wou.edu | MA 203
TERRY GINGERICH
NTT Assistant Professor
503-838-8854 | gingert@wou.edu | MA 201
TARYN VANDERPYL
Associate Professor
503-838-8356 | vanderpylt@wou.edu | MA 215
MARI SAKIYAMA
Associate Professor
503-751-4215 | sakiyamam@wou.edu | MA 211
JENNIFER MORENO
NTT Assistant Professor/Adjunct Instructor
503-838-9711 | morenoj@wou.edu | MA 204
KEVIN JONES
NTT Instructor
503-838-8733 | jonesk@wou.edu | MA 214
GREG WILLEFORD
NTT Instructor
503-838-9617 | willefog@wou.edu | MA 224
