Criminal Justice Concentration
Criminal justice professionals work within the legal system every day, and they would benefit greatly from understanding how laws impact their work. An M.L.S. in criminal justice gives hard-working criminal justice professionals insight into the legal system. Unlike a traditional Master of Criminal Justice degree that focuses on research methods, an online M.L.S. in criminal justice provides practical legal knowledge that criminal justice professionals can use to advance in their field.
Individuals looking to enter criminal justice or advance their careers in the field can benefit from SMU Dedman School of Law’s M.L.S.
Who is this program for?
This concentration will be particularly useful for professionals who are current or aspiring:
- Federal, state and local law enforcement officers
- Probation officers
- Victim advocates
- Paralegals
- Court clerks
- Legal assistants
Criminal justice concentration course structure
Foundational course
Negotiation and Effective Communication
Electives (choose at least three)
- White Collar Crime and Internal Investigations
- Criminal Law and Procedures
- Advanced Criminal Law and Policy
- Regulatory Law
Learning outcomes
After completing this concentration, students will be able to:
- Recognize how the legal system impacts their work, and how to successfully navigate legal issues that arise.
- Partner and effectively communicate with lawyers, probation officers, law enforcement and court staff in the course of their work.
- Recognize key criminal law principles, including substantive and procedural aspects, to analyze and apply criminal statutes in the real world.
- Engage in legal decision-making to address complex issues within the criminal justice system, ensuring adherence to legal standards and the protection of individual rights.
Request information
To download a program brochure and learn more about the online Master of Legal Studies offered by Southern Methodist University, please fill out the form. You can also get in touch with an admissions counselor directly by calling us at 855-741-1818.