Criminology and Criminal Justice, M.A.

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The graduate program in Criminology and Criminal Justice leads to the Master of Arts (M.A.) degree. This degree requires 36 hours for students completing a thesis, and 33 hours for students selecting the internship or additional coursework option. Undergraduate courses may not be used to fulfill degree requirements.

The academic goal of the program is to provide students with a comprehensive, in-depth understanding of crime: why it occurs, how it is measured, and how it might be controlled. Students will also develop the knowledge and skills needed to attain successful careers in the criminal justice system or to advance in their current careers and/or pursue further education.

Applicants with a last 60-hour GPA of 3.0 or higher or for those who have completed advanced degrees will be automatically admitted. Those with a last 60-hour GPA below 3.0 and without an advanced degree will be required to take the GRE.

Degree Requirements

Required Courses (15 hours)

CRIM 5036 - Criminological Research and Statistics I Credit Hours: 3
CRIM 5037 - Criminological Research and Statistics II Credit Hours: 3
CRIM 5136 - Race and Crime Credit Hours: 3
CRIM 5331 - Advanced Criminology Credit Hours: 3
CRIM 5532 - Criminal Justice Leadership and Management Credit Hours:

Select THREE from the following core courses (9 hours):

CRIM 5133 - Advanced Juvenile Delinquency Credit Hours: 3
CRIM 5139 - Correctional Institutions Credit Hours: 3
CRIM 5336 - Law and Society Credit Hours: 3
CRIM 5533 - Issues in Policing Credit Hours:
CRIM 5531 - Victimology Credit Hours:

Master’s Option

Students may select the Coursework or Internship Option (3 hours + 6 hours electives) or the Master’s Thesis Research Option (6 hours + 6 hours electives).

Master’s Options Courses

Choose ONE of the following courses.

CRIM 6735 - Seminar in Criminology Credit Hours: 3
CRIM 6739 - Graduate Internship Credit Hours: 3
CRIM 6939 - Master’s Thesis Research Credit Hours: 3

Additional Information

Students choosing CRIM 6735 and CRIM 6739 will complete one semester for a total of three hours. Students choosing CRIM 6735 and CRIM 6739 must also select an additional six hours of electives from Criminology or Criminal Justice and/or other relevant disciplines with prior written authorization from a Criminology faculty academic adviser. These classes will result in a total of 33 degree hours.

Students may not enroll in CRIM 6735 or CRIM 6739 until they have completed at least 21 hours of their degree plan.

Master’s Thesis Research Option

Students may choose the option below in place of the Coursework option or graduate internship. Students choosing this option must complete 3 hours per semester for two consecutive semesters for a total of 6 hours.

Master’s Thesis Research Option (6 hours + 6 hours Elective Courses)

CRIM 6939 - Master’s Thesis Research Credit Hours: 3

Additional Information

Students selecting the thesis option must take two semesters of CRIM 6939 (3 credits each) and an additional 6 hours of electives from Criminology and Criminal Justice and/or other relevant disciplines with prior written authorization from a Criminology faculty academic adviser. This option of classes will result in a total of 36 hours.

Students may not enroll in CRIM 6939 until they have completed at least 21 hours of their degree plan.

Available Criminology and Criminal Justice Electives

Criminology and Criminal Justice Electives:

CRIM 5135 - The Death Penalty Credit Hours: 3
CRIM 5138 - Homeland Security Credit Hours: 3
CRIM 5335 - Criminal Justice and the Mass Media Credit Hours: 3
CRIM 5338 - Criminal Law Credit Hours: 3
CRIM 5339 - Comparative Criminology Credit Hours: 3
CRIM 5431 - Domestic Violence Credit Hours: 3
CRIM 5432 - Culture of Law Enforcement Credit Hours: 3
CRIM 5433 - Serial Murder Credit Hours: 3
CRIM 6734 - Future of Crime and Justice Credit Hours: 3

Additional Information

Courses from the core course list not utilized to fulfill the core requirement may be used as electives.