Program Description
The Justice Studies Program at Fort Hays State University is an interdisciplinary liberal arts program which emphasizes cognitive skill, while preparing the student for promotions, transfers and basic careers in law enforcement, corrections, courts, juvenile justice, and security. Criminal justice, as a field of inquiry, focuses on the philosophical, theoretical and practical applications of justice and on the resolution of conflict within society. The program offers a broad liberal arts education which focuses on the cultivation of analytical and creative thought, and the ability to communicate effectively in a 21st century workplace and social environment.
Within the mission of the Justice Studies Program, it is our goal for students to create, acquire and transfer knowledge for purposes of growth and responsibility as vested citizens and workers in their respective communities. We also feel it is important to integrate adult learners, at any stage in their lives or careers, into the FHSU student-community. Faculty and students in the Justice Studies Program are central to this growth and positively share experiences, working together to foster team building and reaching out to each other to develop unique, innovative experiences that lead to lifelong learning. We welcome you to Fort Hays State University and invite you to become part of the “Justice Studies community!”
Admittance Requirements
Those applying for admittance to the MLS concentration in Criminal Justice must have a minimum of 12 hours of undergraduate or graduate level coursework in criminal Justice. Acceptance into the Criminal Justice concentration is competitive. Consideration of an application will be based on a number of factors, including GPA, hours taken in the discipline, and previous coursework. The applicant must also meet the admittance requirements for the MLS degree.
Program Curriculum
Students completing their MLS degree in this concentration will have the following notation on their transcripts: "Liberal Studies (Criminal Justice)"
Every student is required to take the 10 hours of Core Classes. These include:

• IDS 801 Introduction to Graduate Liberal Studies
• IDS 802 Ways of Knowing in Comparative Perspective
• IDS 803 Origins and Implications of the Knowledge Society
• IDS 804 Information Literacy

Every student completing a concentration in Justice Studies will take 18 credit hours from the following list of courses (or other substitutions as deemed appropriate by advisor):

• JUS 610 Criminal Justice Organizational Structures
• JUS 615 Contemporary Criminological Theory
• JUS 620 Advanced Criminal Justice Research Methods
• JUS 640 Workplace Violence
• JUS 670 Independent Study in Justice Studies
• JUS 675 Seminar: Justice Leadership Pro-Seminar
• JUS 675 Seminar: World Criminal Justice Systems
• JUS 675 Seminar: Critical Issues in Justice Studies

Additionally, every student shall take a 3 hour culminating experience (one of the following):

• JUS 600 Internship in Criminal Justice
• JUS 675 Seminar: Advanced Research Project
• IDS 899 Thesis in Liberal Studies

Finally, every student will complete a comprehensive examination in the final semester of his or her course of study. No attendance will be required for the examination. The examination will be given as an independent, comprehensive paper encompassing at least eight hours of study and writing on specific questions given to the student. These questions will cover the field of criminal justice.
Contact Andria Cooper now to see if the Master of Liberal Studies concentration in criminal justice could be right for you. Once you have been admitted to the MLS concentration in criminal justice, please follow the MLS Checklist and carefully read The MLS Student Handbook.