Criminal Justice and Public Safety Leadership, M.S.
Mercer University’s Master of Science in Criminal Justice and Public Safety Leadership is a fully online degree program that equips and positions you to meet and exceed rising professional expectations through coursework that covers a broad spectrum of converging challenges. Courses are taught by well-credentialed faculty who are experienced and accomplished in the area of public safety. Courses are offered in eight-week sessions, allowing students to complete the program in as little as 16 months.
Students are admitted to the program five times per year in August, October, January, March, and May.
Designed to meet the academic requirements of those who are new to this field of study as well as professionals already employed with public safety-related agencies, this graduate program focuses on developing advanced professional competencies.
The program places emphasis on excellence in leadership practices, effective cooperation, 
ethical behavior, critical thinking and consolidated public service. Additionally, the degree provides students with a thorough understanding of associated areas of interest in public safety operating environments.
LEARNING OUTCOMES
Mercer's M.S. in Criminal Justice and Public Safety Leadership program equips graduates with the knowledge and skills to succeed at the highest level in their professional field. Individuals who successfully complete the program can go on to work as professionals in positions including: anti-terrorism task force director, assistant chief, chief deputy sheriff, commissioner, correctional administrator, disaster relief and emergency response director, federal agent, fire chief, homeland security director, parole administrator, police chief, private security firm manager, and probation administrator.
Through the M.S. in Criminal Justice and Public Safety Leadership program, you will develop professional knowledge and skills in the following areas:
- Conflict Resolution and Negotiation
- Ethical Decision Making
- Global Perspectives of Public Safety
- Leadership
- Organizational Communication
- Organizational Theory and Behavior
- Research, Analysis, and Problem Solving
The Master of Science in Criminal Justice and Public Safety Leadership requires a total of 30 semester hours to complete.
View the Master of Science in Criminal Justice and Public Safety Leadership Program Plan >
Applicants seeking graduate admission must have a bachelor's (undergraduate) degree with an acceptable grade point average from an accredited college or university. The degree may be in any discipline.
Application Checklist
Submit all of the following items to complete your application to the program:
- Application for Admission. Begin application now >
- $35 Non-refundable Application Fee ($100 for International Applicants)
Submit the required application fee in the form of a check or money order made payable to Mercer University. Do not send cash. The application fee is nonrefundable and cannot apply toward tuition. Former or current students of Mercer University need not submit another application fee. - MAT or GRE Test Score*
All applicants must take the Millers Analogy Test (MAT) or the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) and achieve a qualifying score. Scores must be no more than five years old at the time of application. Testing information can be provided through the official MAT or GRE Website. The target score for the MAT is 397, and the target score for the GRE is 151 verbal and 143 quantitative. This is but one tool used in the decision making process.*MAT/GRE not required for applicants who meet one of the following exceptions:
(a) Have at least five years of professional experience in the field of criminal justice or public safety. Candidates must also meet the
2.75 GPA requirement to be admitted to the program, and must submit two letters of recommendation (one from an executive level public service representative and one from an academic reference).
OR
(b) Achieved a 3.0 GPA in the last 30 hours of academic work. - Unofficial MAT or GRE Test Score
If you have already taken the MAT or GRE and have the score results, we request that you include this information with the application. For example, you may submit a copy of the unofficial score report given at the time the test was taken (sometimes referred to as the "walk-out score report") or a copy of your examinees score report received through the mail. This will allow the admissions department to begin the file evaluation process. This does not replace the requirement of an official score report for those applicants who are offered admission. - Transcripts from All Previously Attended Institutions
Submit an official transcript from each college and university previously attended. Transcripts are required for both undergraduate (including summer school and studies abroad) and graduate course work, regardless of length of stay or if the grades are listed on another school's transcript. Official electronic transcripts should be submitted to penfield.admissions@mercer.edu. Former and current Mercer University students need not request a Mercer University transcript. - Letter of Recommendation
Submit one letter of recommendation/support from a person in current or past leadership structure. - Autobiography and Career Goals
Briefly discuss your background, your current occupation and future goals. Essay should be one to two pages, typed and double-spaced. -
Résumé
Applicants seeking graduate admission into the Masters of Science in Criminal Justice and Public Safety Leadership program are required to attend an interview. Interviews will be scheduled upon review of candidate's completed admissions file.
The Enterprise Learning Partnership program (formerly known as the Preferred Provider Partnership program) provides affordable opportunities for employees of partner companies to attend an approved degree program of study at Mercer University. This unique program allows Mercer to establish relationships with corporations, government agencies, and organizations that are committed to supporting their employees' educational goals and ongoing professional development. Incentives include tuition benefits, military benefits, waived application fees, convenient credit transfer policy, and a streamlined process to learn more about an employee’s program of interest.
Employees of the following Mercer partners are able to use these benefits when enrolled in the M.S. Criminal Justice and Public Safety Leadership program:
| City of Atlanta Fire Rescue Department | Gwinnett County Police Department |
| Georgia Department of Corrections | WellStar Health System |
Learn more about Mercer’s Enterprise Learning Partnership program >
We understand that you may have questions about your educational journey with Mercer University. Browse our FAQs and get answers to some of our commonly asked questions.
|
PROGRAM NAME |
PER CREDIT HR |
PER 3/HR |
PER 6/HR |
PER 9/HR |
|
M.S. CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND PUBLIC SAFETY LEADERSHIP |
$585 |
$1,755 |
$3,510 |
$5,265 |
Graduate & Professional Students:
