Degree Requirements
The program consists of a total of 33 credit hours: 12 required course credits; 15 electives; and 6 exit requirements (thesis or non-thesis options). Some courses are delivered on-site, others are completely on-line, and still others are a hybrid combination.
Core Requirements (12 credits):
Required:
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| CCJ 6902 | Criminal Justice Research and Policy Foundations | 3 credits |
| CCJ 6056 | Understanding Criminal Behavior | 3 credits |
| CCJ 6704 | Research Methods and Data Analysis | 3 credits |
| CCJ 6669 | Class, Race, and Gender in Criminal Justice | 3 credits |
Electives (15 credits):
Students can take any five of the following:
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| CJC 6021 | Corrections Research, Policy, and Practice | 3 credits |
| CJE 6426 | Police Research, Policy, and Practice | 3 credits |
| CJE 6688 | Computer Crime Research and Policy | 3 credits |
| CCJ 6063 | Social Disorganization and Crime Prevention | 3 credits |
| CCJ 6079 | Crime Analysis in Policing | 3 credits |
| CCJ 6142 | Restorative Justice Research, Policy, and Practice | 3 credits |
| CCJ 6295 | Courts, Sentencing, and the Judicial Process | 3 credits |
| CCJ 6335 | Prisoner Re-entry Policy and Practice | 3 credits |
| CCJ 6475 | Leadership and Organizational Culture in Criminal Justice Agencies | 3 credits |
| CCJ 6485 | Applying Criminal Justice Theory, Policy, and Research | 3 credits |
| CCJ 6619 | Crime and Everyday Life | 3 credits |
| CCJ 6624 | Violence Research and Policy | 3 credits |
| CCJ 6699 | Sex Offender Research and Policy | 3 credits |
| CCJ 6675 | Victims and the Justice Process | 3 credits |
| CCJ 6712 | Advanced Research and Evaluation | 3 credits |
| CJJ 6046 | Juvenile Justice Research, Policy, and Practice | 3 credits |
| CCJ 6905 | Directed Independent Study | 1-3 credits |
| CCJ 6934 | Special Topics | 3 credits |
With approval of the program coordinator, students may take one to three graduate courses (3-9 credits) from outside the MSCCJ program that are relevant to their study concentration and/or career plans. To apply toward graduation, any outside courses must be approved by the program coordinatorbefore registration.
Exit Requirements (6 credits): Two Options
Non-Thesis Option
This option is for students who do not wish to continue with their graduate education or research-related employment. In addition to fulfilling core and elective requirements (27 credits), students in the non-thesis option are required to take CCJ 6485 Applying Criminal Justice Theory, Policy, and Research (3 credits) and one additional elective (3 credits). CCJ 6485 guides students through a project that comprehensively applies the theoretical concepts learned throughout the program. This course will be taken in either the last or next to last semester before graduation, provided that all required core courses have been completed. Students must complete CCJ 6902, CCJ 6056, and CCJ 6704 before enrolling in CCJ 6485.
Thesis Option
This option is for students who anticipate continuing on to doctoral-level studies and/or who seek research positions within the criminal justice system. Thesis students will take the three core courses (9 credits); 18 hours of electives; and CCJ 6971 Master’s Thesis (6 credits) to complete a thesis according to policies of the university’s Graduate School of Criminology and Criminal Justice. Thesis credits will be taken in either the last or next to last semester before graduation, provided that all required core courses have been completed. NOTE: Students opting to complete a thesis may take CCJ 6485 Applying Criminal Justice Theory, Policy, and Research as one of their electives.
Graduate Thesis and Dissertation Guidelines
For more information on Graduate Thesis and Dissertation Guidelines, click here.
Academic Standing
Continuation in the program requires satisfactory progress toward degree completion. Evidence of such progress includes maintenance of an overall 3.0 cumulative GPA. Additionally, for each course, no grade lower than “C ”is acceptable to fulfill program requirements. (Thus, a “C-”would not be acceptable). Students who do not maintain the required 3.0 cumulative GPA are placed on academic probation during the semester immediately following the one in which their cumulative GPA dropped below 3.0. Failure to regain a 3.0 cumulative GPA within two successive semesters thereafter results in dismissal from the program. Students may also be dismissed at any time that they are not making satisfactory progress toward completion of the degree, or for serious violations of academic integrity.
Plan of Study (POS)
The College of Social Work and Criminal Justice requires all graduate students in the college to have an approved Plan of Study (POS) on file by the end of the second semester in the graduate program. This deadline is different than the Graduate College’s recommendation of submission by mid-program, but no later than the semester before graduation. Individual academic colleges reserve the right to enforce stricter deadlines for this university-wide graduate student requirement.
For any questions regarding the Master of Science in Criminology & Criminal Justice degree program, please contact Dr. Lincoln Sloas (Graduate Coordinator) at msccj@haok9.com.
For questions about the application and admission process, please contact Academic Advising at swcjgradvising@haok9.com or (561) 297-2316.