Masters of Public Administration Program
Department 3197 | A&S 208
1000 E. University Avenue
Laramie, WY 82071
Phone: (307)-766-6484
Email: mpa.info@uwyo.edu
The criminal justice concentration within the Master of Public Administration program (CJ-MPA) is designed for individuals who aspire to take-on the challenges of criminal justice administration and policy reform in the 21st Century. Courses are offered through a online education format, which allows students the flexibility to complete their degree in their community while working full-time and still receiving a high-quality education.
Our students come from a variety of backgrounds, ranging from traditional graduate students attending full-time on the UW campus to professionals in communities throughout the state and region, working in fields such as law enforcement, court administration, and probation and parole. While most graduates go on to leadership and management positions in the government and non-profit sectors, the CJ-MPA is also a good degree option for individuals interested in entering academia by providing the educational credentials to teach at the community college level or as an intermediary degree for those aiming to pursue a PhD or other doctoral degree.
"As a graduate of UW’s B.A. in Criminal Justice program, I knew I wanted to continue in a graduate degree program related to criminal justice. Pursuing a criminal justice concentration with my MPA gave me an opportunity to focus my graduate education in my field of interest, while continuing to work full-time. As a full time Probation/Parole Manager, my life is constantly on the move supervising staff (probation agents) in four offices around the state. The virtual/online class delivery style of the MPA program allowed for me to continue in my career, while earning my graduate degree at the same time.
The MPA program provides a platform to develop leadership, management, and professional skills for a career in public service. By adding a criminal justice concentration, I was able to better understand the administration of criminal justice agencies. Most importantly, students and professors involved in the program come from diverse backgrounds creating unique perspectives to every issue and topic. I highly recommend this program to anyone."
I have had the honor of serving the City of Cheyenne as a police officer for over 20 years. As my career progressed past first-line supervisor and into administration, I felt it was time to explore the possibility of working toward a graduate degree. I conducted extensive research in many different graduate programs available for working professionals and ultimately chose the University of Wyoming because the format appeared to fit my learning style, and I was able to take the classes while working full time and being a husband and father of three.
Every week I looked forward to my classes and the opportunity to engage in academic discussions with other students, professionals, and professors researching the challenges of public administration. The class discussions and debates helped more than I ever could have imagined in preparing me to defend my professional research to various governing bodies and in public forums. Many of the classes had projects that offered broad discretion for topics, and I was able to conduct research and prepare projects that provided direct benefit to my department and community.
I am so thankful for my time in the MPA/CJ program and the professors at the University of Wyoming. I know that it will help provide great opportunities as I continue with my career and aid me in further serving my community.
Students who enroll in the Criminal Justice Concentration are required to complete 39 credit hours. These courses include 7 required core courses in the MPA program, 2 option core MPA class, and 4 Criminal Justice Courses, including:
CRMJ 5000 Survey of Criminal Justice
CRMJ 5100 Public Policy and Crime
CRMJ 5500 Internship in Criminal Justice*
One Graduate-Level Criminal Justice Elective
Electives include:
CRMJ 5540 Gender and Crime
CRMJ 5860 Inequality, Crime, Criminal Justice, and the Law
CRMJ 5150 Crime Causation
CRMJ 5280 Comparative Criminal Justice
* Students with at least 2 years of experience working in the criminal justice system can request to substitute an additional Criminal Justice elective course for the internship requirement.
Masters of Public Administration Program
Department 3197 | A&S 208
1000 E. University Avenue
Laramie, WY 82071
Phone: (307)-766-6484
Email: mpa.info@uwyo.edu