University of New Haven

What you'll study

The programme combines theoretical foundations, applied methods and professional practicum to give a broad but correction-focused graduate education. Core topics address criminological theory, research design and quantitative methods, corrections policy and administration, offender assessment and rehabilitation, and ethical and legal issues in custodial and community settings.

• Core modules: advanced criminological theory; research methods for criminal justice; corrections policy and administration; ethics and law in corrections.
• Correction-specialist modules: offender assessment and classification; evidence-based rehabilitation programmes; community corrections and reentry; juvenile corrections and delinquency intervention.
• Skills and methods: applied statistics for criminal justice, programme evaluation, risk/needs assessment tools, case management techniques.
• Practicum and applied learning: supervised field placements or internships with prisons, probation/parole agencies, reentry programmes or related service providers; opportunities for applied projects with local partners.
• Capstone or thesis: a final research project or practicum-based capstone that demonstrates mastery of subject matter and applied skills.

The programme typically offers a mix of classroom teaching, seminar discussion, guest lectures from practitioners, and hands-on experiences that emphasise contemporary correctional challenges such as reentry, risk reduction, trauma-informed practice and the use of data in correctional decision-making.

Entry requirements

Applicants are normally expected to hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution. While degrees in criminal justice, sociology, psychology, social work, public administration or related fields are directly relevant, applicants with other backgrounds and relevant professional experience are also considered.

• Official undergraduate transcripts demonstrating satisfactory academic preparation.
• A personal statement or statement of purpose outlining professional goals and reasons for pursuing the programme.
• Letters of recommendation, typically academic or professional, that speak to the applicant’s readiness for graduate study.
• A current résumé or curriculum vitae detailing relevant education and work experience.
• Professional experience in criminal justice, social services or related fields can strengthen an application; some applicants may be invited to interview.

The programme’s admissions office can advise on additional requirements for international applicants, language proficiency proof, or whether standardised test scores are required in specific cases.

Career prospects

Graduates move into a range of roles across corrections, community supervision and allied sectors. The programme is designed to equip students for both operational and leadership positions that require specialist knowledge of correctional systems and rehabilitative practice.

• Prison or jail staff roles, including case management and program coordination.
• Probation and parole officer positions and community supervision roles.
• Reentry and transitional services coordinator, working with formerly incarcerated individuals.
• Policy analyst, researcher or evaluator focusing on correctional programmes and criminal justice reform.
• Positions in juvenile justice agencies, non-profit organisations and community-based service providers.
• Pathways into doctoral study or specialised research roles for those interested in academia or advanced policy work.

Why study at University of New Haven

Study within the University of New Haven’s highly regarded criminal justice community, where the programme is supported by faculty with practitioner backgrounds and active research interests in corrections and forensic practice. The university’s connections with local and regional correctional agencies create applied learning and placement opportunities that complement classroom study.

• Applied focus: emphasis on practicum placements, partnerships with correctional and reentry organisations, and opportunities to work on real-world projects.
• Experienced faculty: instructors with frontline correctional, policy or research experience who bring current practice into teaching.
• Facilities and resources: access to research support, centre resources in criminal justice and networks that facilitate internships and job placement in the New Haven region and beyond.
• Career support: career services, networking events and alumni connections that help graduates transition into correctional and community supervision roles.

Overall, the Master’s in Criminal Justice and Corrections at the University of New Haven is geared toward students who want rigorous, practice-oriented training to advance in correctional systems, reform initiatives and services that support safer communities.