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Loyola U New Orleans Uses Game To Spur Interest in Online Criminal Justice Master's Program

• By Dian Schaffhauser
• 11/13/13

To generate interest in its online Master of Science in Criminal Justice Administration program, Loyola University New Orleans has launched a game that provides a taste of the criminal justice experience. The game features a series of photo puzzles and crime analyses.

The "Criminal Justice Challenge & Photo Hunt" has three segments. The first, "Curriculum in the Real World," analyzes timely events such as the Madoff Ponzi Scheme and Casey Anthony's murder trial to demonstrate how the curriculum of the online program could be applied in real life.

The second segment, "Criminal Justice Fast Facts," contains trivia about the business of criminal justice, such as information on forensic science administration and justice administration, both areas of focus within Loyola's program.

The third segment is where the game surfaces. Players tackle randomized puzzles, industry-related challenges, and quizzes. The idea is to offer insights about the industry during the experience. For example, in one photohunt, the player is shown two pictures and has 60 seconds to find the differences between the two images. Faster times score higher.

"We're seeing more criminal justice organizations encouraging employees to complete advanced degrees. To really be successful, especially in a leadership or administrative role, requires a working knowledge of resources, budgeting, and organizational management. Learning how to be that type of leader is challenging and important," said Bethany Brown, director of the online master's degree program. "Finding new, innovative ways to engage students, and promote critical thinking is one of our core values as an institution."