(MURRAY, Ky.)-Murray State University has announced a new criminal justice concentration within its Master of Business Administration program, set to launch in spring 2026.
Program Details
The 30-credit-hour program offers multiple delivery formats to accommodate working professionals:
- In-person classes on Murray State’s main campus (day and evening options)
- Fully online coursework
- Hybrid scheduling flexibility
Target Audience and Career Benefits
According to Chris Wooldridge, Director of the Center for Economic and Entrepreneurial Development, the program serves multiple professional segments:
Current Law Enforcement Officers: The concentration helps seasoned professionals leverage their field experience while building business acumen for career advancement or transition opportunities.
Career-Stage Professionals: The program addresses different career phases:
- Undergraduate students planning criminal justice careers with leadership aspirations
- Early-career professionals seeking promotion advantages
- Veteran officers preparing for private sector transitions or consulting roles
Academic Leadership Perspective
Dr. Katy Hancock, Criminal Justice Department Chair, emphasized the program’s comprehensive appeal: “This track benefits students interested in long-term criminal justice careers, from undergraduates planning leadership roles to experienced professionals considering retirement transitions.”
Provost Dr. Tim Todd highlighted the program’s regional focus: “Through extensive needs assessments across our university footprint, Kentucky, and the broader region, we’ve identified strong market demand for this unique MBA concentration.”
Program Integration
The criminal justice concentration represents a collaborative initiative between the College of Education and Human Services and the Arthur J. Bauernfeind College of Business. It joins eight existing MBA concentrations: accounting, business analytics, cybersecurity, economic development, finance, global communications, marketing, and healthcare administration.
For more information, visit murraystate.edu/mba.