Criminology and Criminal Justice M.S.

Degree requirements

All candidates for a master’s degree must complete 50-54 graduate credits distributed as follows:

1. 20 credit hours must be taken in the substantive core.
2. A minimum of four classes totaling 12-16 credit hours in a specialization field.
3. 12 credits of elective courses.
4. 6 credit hours of thesis or portfolio project work.
5. Successful submission and defense of a thesis or final portfolio project.

Substantive Core

Courses

Specialization Field

In consultation with an adviser, students will be required to develop and complete a specialization field as a part of their degree requirements. A minimum of four classes, totaling 12-16 credits must be completed in the specialization field. Students are encouraged to complete this requirement by taking courses in other academic units such as public administration, computer science, political science, or sociology. Courses may be selected from several academic units so long as they comprise a coherent field of study that will contribute to the academic development of the student.

Thesis and Portfolio

Candidates must complete either a thesis or portfolio. Both options require a final oral examination. A thesis is a scholarly work that demonstrates substantial capacity on the part of the student to engage in independent investigation. Students must submit a letter of interest and thesis prospective to the CCJ Graduate Committee for approval before proceeding with the thesis option. In order to satisfy thesis requirements, students must pose an original research question and apply appropriate methods of scholarship and methodology to that question in order to generate new knowledge. All CCJ Masters students will complete a portfolio unless they opt to be approved for a thesis. Students will create an electronic portfolio (e-portfolio) to document, evaluate, integrate, and reflect upon their learning experiences. The purposes of the portfolio are to facilitate students' learning and intellectual development, document accomplishments, and assess students' specialized skills and professional knowledge. Successful completion of the portfolio is a graduation requirement and is a public document that can be shared with members of our academic and professional community.

Elective Courses

Students must satisfactorily complete 12 credit hours of elective courses, half of which must be taken in the Division of Criminology and Criminal Justice.