College of Science, Technology, and Health
Criminal Justice, MS with Crisis Response Support Emphasis
Modern criminal justice demands professionals who can respond to mental health crises, de-escalate volatile situations, and connect individuals with appropriate support services鈥攐ften in high-stakes moments where traditional enforcement approaches fall short. 51福利社鈥檚 Master of Science in Criminal Justice with Crisis Response Support Emphasis prepares you to lead at the intersection of criminal justice and behavioral health, equipping you with the counseling foundations, psychological knowledge, and intervention strategies needed to transform how justice agencies serve individuals in crisis.
This specialized crisis intervention criminal justice degree integrates criminal justice leadership with graduate-level coursework in counseling, personality theories, psychopathology, and cultural foundations. Whether you鈥檙e a law enforcement officer seeking to lead crisis intervention teams, a corrections professional developing mental health programming, or a victim advocate expanding your clinical expertise, this program bridges the gap between justice systems and behavioral health services.
The Crisis Response Support Emphasis addresses one of the most pressing challenges in contemporary policing and corrections: responding appropriately to individuals experiencing mental health emergencies, substance use crises, and behavioral disorders. As agencies nationwide implement crisis intervention teams (CIT), co-responder models, and diversion programs, demand is surging for justice professionals with both operational credibility and clinical understanding. This program positions you to lead these initiatives.
Faculty in the College of Science, Technology, and Health combine criminal justice expertise with counseling and psychology backgrounds, delivering curriculum that reflects both academic rigor and real-world application. You鈥檒l graduate prepared to implement trauma-informed practices, develop crisis response protocols, and advocate for systemic changes that improve outcomes for vulnerable populations encountering the justice system.
Key Program Facts
- 33-36 total credit hours (depending on undergraduate background)
- Available in on-campus, online, and blended formats
- Crisis Response Support Emphasis: counseling foundations, personality theories, psychopathology, cultural competency
- Integrates criminal justice leadership with behavioral health coursework
- No GRE required for admission
Essential Skills & Insights
What distinguishes effective crisis responders from traditional enforcement officers? It鈥檚 the ability to recognize mental health symptoms, de-escalate volatile situations, connect individuals with appropriate services, and advocate for systemic improvements. The crisis response criminal justice degree develops five critical competency areas:
Psychological & Clinical Foundations 鈥� Understand personality theories, psychopathology, developmental disorders, and the clinical frameworks that inform effective crisis response
Crisis Intervention & De-escalation 鈥� Master verbal de-escalation techniques, crisis assessment protocols, and intervention strategies that prioritize safety while minimizing trauma
Trauma-Informed Practice 鈥� Apply trauma-informed approaches that recognize how past experiences shape behavior and inform more effective, humane responses
Cultural Competency 鈥� Navigate diverse cultural contexts, understand how social and cultural factors influence mental health and crisis presentation, and build trust across communities
Leadership & Systems Change 鈥� Develop and implement crisis response programs, train colleagues in intervention techniques, and advocate for policy changes that improve outcomes for individuals in crisis
Experiential Learning, Real-World Impact
Crisis response skills develop through application, not theory alone. The criminal justice master鈥檚 program integrates practical experience throughout your education:
- Analyze case studies involving mental health crises, substance use emergencies, and behavioral escalations in justice settings
- Develop crisis intervention protocols and training materials applicable to your current agency
- Complete a capstone project addressing a real-world challenge in crisis response or behavioral health diversion
- Examine research on crisis intervention team effectiveness, co-responder models, and mental health diversion programs
- Network with crisis intervention professionals, mental health clinicians, and justice leaders through guest speakers and professional events
Career Outlook
The integration of behavioral health and criminal justice represents one of the fastest-growing areas in public safety. Graduates with crisis response expertise pursue specialized and leadership roles such as:
- Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) Coordinator / Trainer
- Co-Responder Program Manager (Police-Mental Health Partnerships)
- Victim Services Director / Victim Advocate Supervisor
- Mental Health Diversion Program Coordinator
- Corrections Mental Health Program Administrator
- Juvenile Justice Behavioral Health Specialist
- Crisis Counselor / Crisis Intervention Specialist
- Emergency Management Behavioral Health Coordinator
- Trauma-Informed Policing Consultant / Trainer
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors is projected to grow 17% from 2024 to 2034鈥攎uch faster than average for all occupations. Mental health and substance abuse social workers earn a median annual salary of $59,190 (May 2024), while those in supervisory and program coordination roles command significantly higher compensation. First-line supervisors of police and detectives earn a median of $110,990, positioning CIT coordinators and crisis response leaders for competitive salaries that reflect both their law enforcement credentials and specialized expertise.
Program Contact
Dr. Pernell Witherspoon
Professor, Criminal Justice
Phone: (636) 949-4987
Email: [email protected]
Dr. Billi Patzius
Professor, Criminal Justice
Phone: (636) 949-4511
Email: [email protected]
Frequently Asked Questions
The Crisis Response Support Emphasis is a specialized track within the Criminal Justice MS that integrates criminal justice leadership with graduate-level counseling coursework. You鈥檒l study personality theories, psychopathology, developmental psychology, and cultural foundations of counseling鈥攅quipping you to lead crisis intervention initiatives, develop mental health diversion programs, and implement trauma-informed practices in justice settings.
The program requires 33-36 credit hours: 15 credit hours of core criminal justice coursework, 9 credit hours of crisis response emphasis courses (drawn from counseling curriculum), and 9 credit hours of electives. Students without an undergraduate criminal justice degree or significant professional experience complete an additional 3-credit prerequisite course.
Yes. The Criminal Justice MS with Crisis Response Support Emphasis is available in three formats: fully online, on-campus, and blended. The online option allows working professionals in law enforcement, corrections, victim services, or behavioral health to complete the entire degree remotely while maintaining their current positions.
No. The Crisis Response Support Emphasis provides foundational knowledge in counseling theories and psychopathology, but it is not a clinical counseling degree and does not lead to licensure as a professional counselor (LPC) or clinical social worker (LCSW). The program is designed for criminal justice professionals who want to understand behavioral health concepts and lead crisis response initiatives鈥攏ot to practice as licensed clinicians. If you鈥檙e seeking clinical licensure, Lindenwood offers separate counseling programs.
This program serves professionals who want to bridge criminal justice and behavioral health, including: law enforcement officers seeking to lead crisis intervention teams (CIT) or co-responder units; corrections professionals developing mental health programming; victim advocates expanding their clinical understanding; probation/parole officers working with mentally ill populations; and scholar-practitioners from counseling, psychology, or social work backgrounds who want to apply their expertise in justice settings.
Graduates pursue specialized roles including CIT coordinator, co-responder program manager, victim services director, mental health diversion coordinator, corrections behavioral health administrator, juvenile justice specialist, crisis counselor, and trauma-informed policing consultant. The degree positions you for leadership roles that require both criminal justice operational credibility and behavioral health expertise.
Demand is strong and growing. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 17% growth for mental health counselors from 2024鈥�2034鈥攎uch faster than average. Additionally, law enforcement agencies nationwide are expanding crisis intervention teams, co-responder programs, and mental health diversion initiatives, creating leadership opportunities for professionals with both criminal justice and behavioral health credentials.
The Crisis Response Support Emphasis focuses on behavioral health foundations鈥攃ounseling theories, psychopathology, developmental psychology, and cultural competency鈥攑reparing you for specialized roles in crisis intervention, victim services, and mental health programming. The Administration Emphasis focuses on organizational leadership鈥攑olice administration, corrections administration, and crisis management鈥攑reparing you for executive and supervisory positions in justice agencies. Choose based on whether your career goals lean toward behavioral health specialization or general agency leadership.
Begin your application at . Select Criminal Justice MS as your intended program and indicate the Crisis Response Support Emphasis. Submit official transcripts from all previously attended institutions. The graduate admissions team will guide you through any additional steps.