Criminology and Criminal Justice at Northeastern University

The Master of Science in Criminology and Criminal Justice concentrates both on the problem of crime as a form of deviant behavior, and on the criminal justice and private security systems that deal with it. The program emphasizes a systems approach to criminal justice, stressing policy development and analysis, as well as the impact these policies have on the individuals and organizations charged with delivering justice in a fair and equitable manner. Broad in concept and scope, it encompasses such related disciplines as law, sociology, political science, psychology, criminology, and public administration.

A key part of the master's education is to develop and grow intellectually and ethically in order to make communities safer and to ensure justice. Students learn the skills necessary to impact policy and practice by becoming producers and critical consumers of research and scholarship.

The master’s program is comprised of required courses that deliver both substantive and technical skills. Additionally, students choose elective courses from offerings within the graduate program in criminal justice. The course offerings afford students the flexibility to customize their own programs, which may include directed study.

Faculty members in the graduate program represent several different academic disciplines and teaching activities that vary in nature, depending on the instructors’ specific objectives. The faculty’s specialized interests help make possible a broad range of program offerings including courses on the criminal justice process, victimology, security management, criminal law, juvenile justice, law and psychology, and terrorism.