Criminology, M.A.

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The graduate program in Criminology leads to the Master of Arts (M.A.) degree. This degree requires 36 hours for students completing a thesis, project or internship and 39 hours for students selecting the 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.

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)

For CRIM 5331 , the following may be substituted: SOCI 5331 For CRIM 5336 , the following may be substituted: SOCI 5336

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 5336 - Law and Society Credit Hours: 3

Selected TWO from the following core courses (6 hours):

For CRIM 5133 , the following may be substituted: SOCI 5133 . For CRIM 5338 , the following may be substituted: SOCI 5338.

CRIM 5133 - Advanced Juvenile Delinquency Credit Hours: 3
CRIM 5139 - Correctional Institutions Credit Hours: 3
CRIM 5338 - Criminal Law Credit Hours: 3
CRIM 5432 - Culture of Law Enforcement Credit Hours: 3

Master’s Option (6 hours + 9 hours Elective courses)

Students may select this option (6 hours + 9 hours electives) or the Coursework Master’s Option (3 hours + 15 hours electives).

Master’s Options Courses

Choose ONE of the following courses.

CRIM 6739 - Graduate Internship Credit Hours: 3
CRIM 6839 - Master’s Project Research Credit Hours: 3
CRIM 6939 - Master’s Thesis Research Credit Hours: 3

Additional Information

Students choosing one these three options must complete 3 hours per semester for two consecutive semesters for a total of 6 hours. Students choosing one of these options must also select an additional 9 hours of electives from Criminology and/or other relevant disciplines with approval of an academic adviser for a total of 36 degree hours.

Coursework Option

Students may choose the option below in place of a master’s thesis, project or internship.

Coursework Master’s Option courses (3 hours + 15 hours Elective Courses)

CRIM 6735 - Seminar in Criminology Credit Hours: 3

Additional Information

Students selecting the coursework option must take an additional 15 hours of electives from Criminology and/or other relevant disciplines for a total of 39 hours.

Students may not enroll in CRIM 6735 until they have completed at least 24 hours of their degree plan.

Available Criminology Electives

Criminology Electives:

For CRIM 5135 , the following may be substituted: SOCI 5135. For CRIM 5335 , the following may be substituted: SOCI 5335.

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 5339 - Comparative Criminology Credit Hours: 3
CRIM 5431 - Domestic Violence 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.