The Public Administration MPA and Criminal Justice MS Dual Degree program at UCF is designed for students who want to make an impact at the intersection of public service and criminal justice. By earning two graduate degrees — a Master of Science in Criminal Justice (MS) and a Master of Public Administration (MPA) — students gain a comprehensive understanding of criminal justice policy, public administration leadership and organizational management.
This interdisciplinary program prepares students for leadership roles in public, nonprofit, social service and private sector organizations by focusing on:
- Criminal Justice and Public Policy – Learn how research, theory and data-driven decision-making shape law enforcement, corrections and judicial processes.
- Public Administration and Leadership – Develop the skills to manage public agencies, implement policy and make an impact in communities.
- Organizational Strategy and Governance – Gain expertise in managing large-scale operations within government and nonprofit sectors, ensuring efficiency and ethical governance.
By completing this dual-degree program, graduates will stand out in a competitive job market, qualifying for wide range of roles that require expertise in criminal justice, policy-making and organizational leadership.
Possible Careers
- City Manager
- Compliance Officer
- Corrections Administrator
- Criminal Justice Professor
- Fraud Investigator
- Forensic Examiner
- Intelligence Analyst
- Nonprofit Director
- Police Supervisor
- Policy Analyst
in the Nation for Online Graduate Criminal Justice Programs by U.S. News & World Report
in the Nation for Public Administration by U.S. News & World Report
Median Salary for Police and Detectives
(Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2023)
Criminal Justice Graduates Employed or in Further Education Within Six Months
(NACE, 2023)
Location
The Public Administration MPA and Criminal Justice MS Dual Degree program is offered in mixed mode (in-person and online classes) or fully online formats.
Certificates
Due to the shared credits policy, dual degree students are not eligible for graduate certificates that have any courses shared with the dual degree program requirements. Please contact your advisor before considering a certificate program.
Admission
Applicants should apply directly to the dual-degree track of either the MPA or the MSCJ program. Only one application is required. Applications are accepted in the fall and spring semesters.
For more information on admissions, please contact the Criminal Justice graduate advisor, Elexis Ritz.