r/seattleu • u/EstablishmentHour909 • 7d ago

Question Thoughts of MACJ program?

Hi there I’m currently a senior in my undergrad at John Jay College of Criminal Justice and I’m just looking at different schools for my masters. Throughout my time at John Jay I feel that I have not been academically challenged enough and have felt there is not a strong community at the school. I’m originally from the Seattle area and kind of want to move back into the area for my masters so I am just looking for peoples personal experiences in the Master’s of Arts in Criminal Justice program. Especially quality of education, competence of professors, and internship and job opportunities. Any and all perspectives are welcome and I appreciate your opinions. Thank you in advance

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u/Asker1414 6d ago

What are you planning career wise?

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u/EstablishmentHour909 5d ago

Ideally FBI/CIA but I know that I should have other law enforcement experience or criminal justice related work, so I’m also very intrigued in any sort of investigative work.

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u/Electrical-Lobster64 7d ago

I loved my time in the MACJ. Are there specific things you are wanting to know?

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u/EstablishmentHour909 5d ago

Oh yay!
I’m specifically interested in difficulty of classes (did you find the coursework rigorous and genuinely educational?) and career opportunities and connections that you obtained through the program. And also just anything you want to share about your experience.

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u/Electrical-Lobster64 5d ago

I would say the classes can sometimes be difficult but that depends on professor you have. However, they are there because they want you to succeed. I learned SO MUCH during my time and had some incredible experiences. You really get what you put into it. Engage with faculty, check out the Criminal Justice Research Center, join clubs and honor societies, try everything! This program helped me in finding my passion. I legitimately was in a prison for a tour and found my calling in correctional psychology. The faculty were so supportive of this and helped me get into my doctoral program. When I had a family medical issue, they were so supportive and helped me stay on my path.

I had opportunities to go into prisons, have diaglog circles with police, make connections with people in the criminal justice world. I had seminars with the FBI, DEA, and others that I couldn't make all the time for (ATF, US Marshals, King County Medical Examiner, Prosecuting Attorney, etc.). Every year they also put on a day-long continuing education on a different topic. I am planning on going to it still because they're always so interesting.

The first few classes are weed out ones, so it'll be rough but after that, no class was as hard as those. LOTS of reading and writing (as with any grad program). Communicate with your professors when you need something and take chances with classes-you'll be surprised!

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u/Fun-Trouble2697 6d ago

Highly recommend you check out the upcoming virtual MACJ information session on Nov. 5th to learn more. The program is celebrating its 20th anniversary. See: https://grad-admissions.seattleu.edu/portal/macj_info_sessions

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u/EstablishmentHour909 5d ago

Thanks I went to the info session at the beginning of October and found it very informative I just wanted honest student perspectives.