Master’s in Criminal Justice Programs in Louisiana

What Can I Do With My Master’s in Criminal Justice in Louisiana?

There are always ways to make Louisiana safer, make the system more cost-efficient, and help agencies make more evidence-based decisions. Find out how you can become part of these efforts by contacting criminal justice master’s programs in Louisiana.

One of the most significant changes in Louisiana’s criminal justice process is the Louisiana Access to Justice Commission. This newly established commission was opened to the public via a Louisiana judge (Louisiana Record, 2015).

Leaders in this industry may have to come up with tough solutions to problems that seem insurmountable. For example, look at Louisiana’s shortage of qualified professionals who can perform autopsies. Because of this, law enforcement agencies must send bodies out of state to be autopsied (Shreveport Times, 2015).

If you already work in criminal justice, you may be interested in advancing your career with a graduate degree. For some people, this leads to an increase in income potential. Correctional officer supervisors in Louisiana earn an average of $51,200 per year, and police supervisors earn an average of $56,400 per year (O*Net, 2015). The job outlook is promising in both fields; through 2022, job openings for correctional supervisors may expand 10% and job openings for police supervisors may increase 9% (O*Net, 2015).

What Will It Take to Earn My Criminal Justice Graduate Degree in Louisiana?

Earning a criminal justice master’s degree in Louisiana requires a Bachelor’s degree. No matter what you have studied at the undergraduate level, the multifaceted education gained in a four-year degree is essential to a master’s in criminal justice. You may have a bit of an advantage if you’ve worked in criminal justice or studied it before, so consider getting relevant volunteer experience before applying.

To successfully graduate with your master’s degree, you’ll need to complete between 30 and 40 credits in the state of Louisiana. The courses you take ask tough questions and look at how the system of criminal justice functions. You may take courses like:

• Criminal Justice Administration and Operation: Responsibilities of managing a criminal justice agency or department; using your previous experience to prepare for this type of position
• Special Topics in Criminal Justice: Topics in this course change from semester to semester to reflect the most up-to-date challenges facing the criminal justice industry
• Seminar in Juvenile Justice: How juvenile justice differs from adult justice, the goals of juvenile justice agencies, and special considerations
• Collaborative Models for Change in Juvenile Justice: Changes that have been made in juvenile justice in recent years, the long-term goals of this field, and what you must know to make a difference
• Inequality, Crime and Justice: A look at how gender, racial, and socioeconomic disparities affect criminal justice and what can be done to offset these disparities
• Program Assessment and Evaluation Research: Tools for developing criminal justice programs, projects, and departments; factors to keep in mind when assessing the failure or success of a program

Financial aid is a major consideration for most students. In addition to applying for aid through your school, you can apply for aid through groups like the Louisiana Emergency Preparedness Association.

If you’re ready to set some new career goals and improve society, contact criminal justice graduate programs in Louisiana to get started.