Program Overview

Overview

The Department of Sociology & Criminology offers a Master’s of Science degree in Criminology and Criminal Justice. The program provides training in fundamentals of the criminal justice system and criminological theory, as well as foundational training in research methods and statistics. Students may tailor their programs to best fit their goals through their selected electives and choice of one of three completion options.

Academic Standing

Graduate students are expected to maintain a minimum of a 3.0 overall GPA in all coursework. Should the average fall below that minimum in a semester, the student will be notified and will work with his/her advisor to rectify the performance issues. If the student has a second consecutive semester with an average overall GPA below 3.0, he/she will be placed on academic probation. Three semesters of below average performance may result in suspension from the program in accordance with guidelines for the University’s Graduate School.

Admission Requirements

Students are evaluated for admission based on a holistic assessment of the following requirements:

• A statement of purpose.
  • In this personal statement applicants detail their reasons for pursuing the degree, both in general and in our program specifically. The statement will help evaluate applicants’ writing abilities as well as fit with our program.
• Transcripts from all academic institutions attended.
  • Official transcripts from all academic institutions attended must be submitted. Transcripts should show that students attained a minimum of 3.0 in the last 60 credits of upper division undergraduate coursework and/or 3.0 in graduate coursework. Applicants with lower averages may be admitted to the Certificate program.
• Letters of recommendation.
  • At least three letters of recommendation must be submitted. These should be positive and strongly indicate that the applicant has the aptitude and stamina necessary to successfully complete a graduate degree.

Curriculum Requirements

The curriculum consists of:

• Core Requirements (15 credits):
  • SOC 609: Social Statistics
  • SOC 610: Advanced Research Methods
  • SOC 670: Theories in Criminology and Criminal Justice
  • SOC 673: The Criminal Justice System
  • SOC 677: Criminology and Public Policy
• Electives:
  • One course from within Sociology and Criminology (3 credits)
  • Two additional elective courses from the following (or select other elective courses with an approval of the program director) (6 credits):
    • EPS 625: Program Evaluation
    • EPS 674: Lifestyle and Career Counseling
    • GEG 691: Geographic Information Systems I
    • GEG 693: Geographic Information Systems II
    • LAW 320: Substantive Criminal Law
    • LAW 332: Criminal Procedure Adjuducation
    • MGT 620: Managing Through People
    • POL 622: Introduction to Graduate Public Administration
    • POL 646: Public Policy Process and Implementation
    • POL 647: Human Resource Management in Public Service
    • PSY 633: Structural Equation Modeling
• Completion Track (6 credits):
  • Choose one of the following tracks:
    • SOC 690: Directed Studies (Comprehensive Exam)
    • SOC 791: Graduate Internship and Paper
    • SOC 810: Master's Thesis
• Total Credit Hours: 30

Sample Plan of Study

A sample plan of study is provided:

• Year One:
  • Fall: SOC 673 (The Criminal Justice System), SOC 609 (Social Statistics), SOC 674 (Seminar on Policing)
  • Spring: SOC 677 (Criminology and Public Policy), SOC 670 (Theories in Criminology and Criminal Justice), SOC 610 (Advanced Research Methods)
• Year Two:
  • Fall: Elective, Elective
  • Spring: SOC 791 (Graduate Internship and Paper)

Mission

The Master of Science in Criminology and Criminal Justice program aims to address issues related to crime and its control in the United States. For those working in or seeking to work in criminal-justice related positions, higher levels of education are increasingly required for employment and/or advancement in many professions and jobs. The program is designed to provide students with a foundation in criminal justice and criminological theory, research methods and statistics, and substantive areas.

Goals

The program objectives are to:

• Provide a Master’s degree for those currently or intending to work in research or applied settings in criminal justice agencies or community college teaching. It also provides an opportunity for interested students to explore potential further education in a doctoral program.
• Provide interdisciplinary training in criminology and criminal justice, enabling a strong and integrated knowledge of research and practice. This will enable greater understanding of both the etiology and prevention of crime as well as to better inform criminal justice policy.
• Provide a comprehensive understanding of the complexities of criminal behavior, its control, and of the criminal justice system.
• Provide the research and conceptual skills required to conduct advanced analyses and assessments of the criminal justice system.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the program, students will:

• Demonstrate advanced knowledge of classic and contemporary criminological theory.
• Have a thorough knowledge of the discipline and the theoretical foundations of the literature and be able to synthesize and apply them in well-written form.
• Have a thorough knowledge of the fundamentals of research in the social sciences and be able to synthesize and apply them in written form.