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Justice, Law, and Crime Policy
Graduate Program
A Program That Makes a Difference
Calendar of Events/Updates
Justice, Law, and Crime Policy (JLCP) is a multidisciplinary
graduate program for students who want to make a difference in
the development and evaluation of policy in the fields of crime,
law, and justice.
As a JLCP student, you will acquire the knowledge
and skills needed to understand what matters in the administration
of criminal and civil justice, how law affects society, and how
policies influence crime. You will become adept at speaking and
writing for both academics and policy makers. Our graduates will
make a difference in advancing knowledge and improving policy.
Innovative Curriculum
- Three core areas of study: justice and law, justice organizations and leadership, and crime and security
- Courses link theory to policy applications
- Rigorous analytic methods
- Wide range of electives to customize study to your interests
- Research practicum with a justice organization
- Studying diverse systems of justice at home and abroad
MA in Justice, Law, and Crime Policy
The 30-credit master’s degree is available to applicants with a baccalaureate degree who have not obtained a master’s degree in a relevant social science discipline. The MA curriculum fulfills many requirements for the PhD.
PhD in Justice, Law, and Crime Policy
The 72-credit curriculum includes a set of four core courses in three substantive areas and four research methods courses. You select electives in two of the following three areas of specialization:
- Justice and law
- Justice organizations, administration, and leadership
- Crime and security
You may take electives from JLCP and related fields: computational social sciences, conflict analysis, economics, government, law, philosophy, psychology, public administration, sociology, and statistics. After completing course requirements, master’s thesis, and qualifying examinations, you will complete a dissertation of original research.
The PhD in Justice, Law, and Crime Policy is the only criminal justice/criminology doctorate offered in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Cutting-Edge Research
Our graduate education begins in the classroom, but you will receive hands-on experience working closely with faculty on projects that make a difference in justice, law, and crime policy. These projects produce research in leading academic journals. The faculty advise policy makers and practitioners at all levels of government in the United States and abroad—ranging from police officers to prime ministers, corrections officers to Congress. A few of the projects include:
- Diagnosing and reducing violent crime in Trinidad and Tobago
- Wrongful convictions in capital cases
- Health and safety of incarcerated juveniles
- Impact of the war on terror on civil liberties
- Assessing the effectiveness of drug treatment programs
- Racial discrimination in the justice system
- Assessing risk and vulnerability to terrorist attacks
- Democratization of police in developing nations
- Impact of community policing and management reforms
Essential Skill Building
The JLCP program develops six key competencies:
- Theoretical grasp of different approaches to justice
- Understanding how law can advance justice and security
- Understanding what affects the practices of justice organizations and those working in them
- Knowledge of the causes and consequences of crime control and domestic security policy
- Capability to conduct independent and innovative scientific research
- Effective presentations to academic and policy audiences
Why Study Justice, Law, and Crime Policy at George Mason?
Located in Virginia only minutes from Washington, D.C., George Mason is home to a student body representing 135 countries and all 50 states. George Mason is recognized internationally for its innovation, diversity, and entrepreneurial spirit. It provides unparalleled opportunities in research, internships, and work experiences through strong alliances with business, the community, and government.
The JLCP faculty receive many research awards from governments and foundations, which provide you opportunities to participate in research that will be used to advance knowledge and improve the administration of justice. The faculty frequently meet with national and international leaders in justice, law, and crime policy, allowing you to meet some of the major figures making news in the field.
The Center for Justice Leadership and Management serves JLCP faculty and students, providing them with funds to write research proposals, conduct small projects, and present their findings to researchers and policy makers. A second center is being planned that will focus on law and society.
The JLCP program uses an Advisory Committee of distinguished leaders in the field to provide guidance to the faculty and students. Current members include a former U.S. attorney general, the director of the American Correctional Association, law enforcement leaders in Virginia and other states, and distinguished leaders from the judiciary, law, and private security fields. The Advisory Committee meets periodically to offer advice and attend student and faculty research presentations.