The purpose of the program is to prepare students for careers in federal, state, county, and local criminal justice agencies, including management and administration; careers in public or private criminal justice research and analysis; teaching positions at community and state colleges; and/or continued education at the doctoral level.

The Master of Science in Criminal Justice (MSCJ) has two options: an internship option (Option 1) and an area research paper option (Option 2). Each option requires a minimum of 33 credit hours, including 24 credit hours of criminal justice coursework. The internship option (Option 1) requires 15 credit hours of required coursework, a 3-credit hour internship, plus an additional 6 credit hours minimum of criminal justice electives and 9 credit hours of criminal justice or noncriminal justice electives. The area paper option (Option 2) requires 15 credit hours of required coursework, a 3-credit hour area paper, plus an additional 6 credit hours minimum of criminal justice electives and 9 credit hours of criminal justice or noncriminal justice electives.

An accelerated bachelor's to master's (ABM) program is available for exceptionally well-qualified students.  Please see the requirements for this program in the Undergraduate Criminal Justice Program.

Admission Requirements

In addition to the University graduate admission requirements described in the Admissions section of the catalog, the department bases decisions for regular admission on a holistic review of credentials in which the following criteria are used to assess the potential success of each applicant:

• Undergraduate institutional GPA.
• Academic preparation as demonstrated by quality and relevance of undergraduate degree major.
• Submission of a personal statement written by the applicant, which outlines the applicant's future career goals in criminal justice and how the degree will help them to achieve the goals. Additional contents of the statement include the applicant’s academic preparation, work history, volunteer experience, activities, and honors or awards received.
• Submission of one letter of recommendation from a current/past professor of the applicant OR two letters of recommendation from supervisors or professional colleagues familiar with the applicant’s ability to succeed in a graduate program.
• Submission of a resume or a CV.

Degree Requirements

• Earning a grade point average of 3.0 or higher in the core, earning no less than a “C+” in any core course.
• Maintenance of an overall graduate GPA of 3.0 or higher.

Criminal Justice Course Requirements

Major Courses