Program Overview

Criminal Justice Master of Science Degree

Overview

The Master of Science in Criminal Justice at RIT emphasizes a multidisciplinary approach to urban studies with a focus on public safety. The program stresses training in policy analysis and practice, particularly as it is relevant to the community and urban issues.

Why Pursue an MS in Criminal Justice at RIT?

• Multidisciplinary Approach: RIT's MS in criminal justice emphasizes the study of urban issues, public safety, and training in policy analysis and practice.
• Career Readiness: Recent graduates have entered careers in prosecutorial investigation, criminal justice program evaluation, and crime analysis.
• Preparation for Advanced Study: Students are well-prepared to pursue law degrees and doctoral degrees if they should choose to do so.

Curriculum

Criminal Justice (thesis option), MS degree, typical course sequence

• First Year
  • CRIM-700: Pro-Seminar In Criminal Justice Theory (3)
  • CRIM-701: Statistics (3)
  • CRIM-702: Pro-Seminar in Research Methods (3)
  • CRIM-703: Advanced Criminology (3)
  • CRIM-704: Crime, Justice and Community (3)
  • CRIM-705: Interventions and Change in Criminal Justice (3)
  • Electives (6)
• Second Year
  • CRIM-800: Thesis in Criminal Justice (6)

Criminal Justice (project option), MS degree, typical course sequence

• First Year
  • CRIM-700: Pro-Seminar In Criminal Justice Theory (3)
  • CRIM-701: Statistics (3)
  • CRIM-702: Pro-Seminar in Research Methods (3)
  • CRIM-703: Advanced Criminology (3)
  • CRIM-704: Crime, Justice, and Community (3)
  • CRIM-705: Interventions and Change in Criminal Justice (3)
  • Electives (6)
• Second Year
  • CRIM-775: Criminal Justice Capstone (3)
  • Elective (3)

Graduate Program Electives

• COMM-605: Social Media Analytics and Research
• COMM-704: Medial Law and Ethics
• COMM-717: Artificial Intelligence and Communication
• IGME-770: Spatial Data Science
• IGME-771: Introduction to Geographic Information Systems
• IGME-772: Geographic Visualization
• MGIS-650: Introduction to Data Analytics and Business Intelligence
• MGIS-725: Data Management and Analytics
• PSYC-716: Graduate Social Psychology
• PSYC-717: Advanced Graduate Statistics
• PUBL-610: Technological Innovation and Public Policy
• PUBL-700: Readings in Public Policy
• PUBL-701: Graduate Policy Analysis
• PUBL-702: Graduate Decision Analysis
• PUBL-609: Public Management and Governance
• STSO-750: Graduate Sustainable Communities

Graduate Elective Tracks

Spatial Data Analytics

• IGME-770: Spatial Data Science
• IGME-771: Introduction to Geographic Information Systems
• IGME-772: Geographic Visualization

Emerging Technology, Security, and Policy

• COMM-717: Artificial Intelligence and Communication
• CRIM-650: AI, Policy, and Law
• PUBL-610: Technological Innovation and Public Policy

Public Policy

• PUBL-689: Public Policy Graduate Topics
• PUBL-700: Readings in Public Policy
• PUBL-701: Graduate Policy Analysis
• PUBL-702: Graduate Decision Analysis
• PUBL-609: Public Management and Governance

Admissions and Financial Aid

• Admit Term(s): Fall or Spring
• Application Deadline: Rolling
• STEM Designated: No

Application Details

• Complete an online graduate application.
• Submit copies of official transcript(s) (in English) of all previously completed undergraduate and graduate course work, including any transfer credit earned.
• Hold a baccalaureate degree (or US equivalent) from an accredited university or college. A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 (or equivalent) is recommended.
• Submit a current resume or curriculum vitae.
• Submit a personal statement of educational objectives.
• Submit two letters of recommendation.
• Entrance exam requirements: None
• Submit one writing sample. This may be an example of your research, publications, project, or other scholarly written work.
• Submit English language test scores (TOEFL, IELTS, PTE Academic), if required.

Cost and Financial Aid

• An RIT graduate degree is an investment with lifelong returns. Graduate tuition varies by degree, the number of credits taken per semester, and delivery method.
• A combination of sources can help fund your graduate degree. Learn how to fund your degree.

Faculty

• Jason Scott, Department Chair
• Tony Smith, Associate Professor

Facilities

• Reporting Lab, a CPSI CoLAB
• Technology and Policy Lab and Crime and Digital Assets Clinic, a CPSI CoLAB
• Family Health and Justice Lab, a CPSI CoLAB

Events

• Donuts with the Dean in the College of Liberal Arts (August 29, September 25, October 24)

Related News

• Why DC Remains One Of The Nation’s Most Dangerous Cities (April 30, 2025)
• RIT researchers use AI to uncover surprising trends in media coverage of police (March 28, 2025)
• Crime Analysis Centers Managed by RIT’s CPSI Helped Reduce Gun Violence, Earned Award (December 10, 2024)