Guilford College: College Expects Growth For Master's Program

Press release from Guilford College:

November 2, 2021

Since the 2017 launch of the Guilford College Master’s in Criminal Justice,  11 students have graduated from the program. And as the program grows, the College expects to enroll at least 5 to 7 students in each cohort.

“Our students come from a wide variety of backgrounds. Their careers vary from police or probation officer to business analyst to fraud investigator,” says Will Pizio, Charles A. Dana Professor of Justice and Policy Studies, chair of the department, and director of the graduate program.

The Master's in Criminal Justice program attracts both criminal justice professionals seeking career advancement, as well as undergraduate students who want to further their education. A tuition discount is offered to all criminal justice professionals, including but not limited to uniformed officers, parole officers, probation officers, those working in the court system, and corrections officers. Undergraduate students gain valuable skills and credentials, helping them start off their professions on a stronger note and leading to higher salaries and increased opportunities for advancement. 

This is the only criminal justice graduate program in the Triad, and it offers a curriculum that’s theoretically grounded, empirically rigorous, policy oriented, and based on Guilford’s seven Core Values, especially justice and integrity. One of the unique advantages of this program is it’s only three semesters and one summer class when taken full time. The program is flexible; it can fit around the schedule of a student as well as accommodate those with full-time jobs by offering both day and evening classes. 

Through coursework, students learn about the importance of the relationship between communities and their systems of criminal justice. The program also offers a problem-solving practicum, in which students learn to identify complex problems within organizations and develop solutions that benefit both the organization and the citizens it serves.

“For example, one student wrote a policy for a police department that focused on changing the leadership philosophy from a more traditional paramilitary focus to one that is based in transformative leadership philosophies,” Will says.

A thesis option is also available for students interested in pursuing doctoral studies.

“Program graduates will bring justice and integrity, among other values, to criminal justice practice at a time when a higher level of professional service is desperately needed.”

Will Pizio
Charles A. Dana Professor of Justice and Policy Studies, chair of the department, and director of the graduate program

Graduates are proving to be criminal justice leaders who embody Guilford’s Core Values. Many have used the master’s to enhance their professional opportunities and to contribute to improving the criminal justice system.

“The program offers a unique opportunity to infuse Guilford’s values, principles, and traditions into a curriculum that prepares graduates to be leaders in the field,” Will says. “Program graduates will bring justice and integrity, among other values, to criminal justice practice at a time when a higher level of professional service is desperately needed.”

Like all of Guilford’s programs, the master’s in criminal justice offers a low faculty-to-student ratio, as well as faculty with diverse backgrounds and perspectives as scholars and practitioners in law enforcement, law, and corrections. It also emphasizes the important, transferable skills afforded by the liberal arts tradition, including advanced critical thinking, written and verbal communication, research skills, and solving ongoing problems and contemporary issues in criminal justice.

Are you interested in committing your career to solving real-world problems in the criminal justice profession? Learn more about the Master’s in Criminal Justice or apply now for the next cohort. For more information, contact CJGraduateProgram@guilford.edu. Looking to give to the College? Learn more about the support you can offer through the Office of Advancement. 

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This press release was produced by Guilford College. The views expressed here are the author’s own.