Program Description | Admission | Degree Requirements | Courses
Program Description
The Master of Science program in Criminal Justice is designed primarily for persons with or without previous employment experience in the field of criminal justice. It is designed for nontraditional students who have full-time jobs. This degree is typically available at The University Center in The Woodlands and via distance education. Courses are sequenced so that students can complete the degree in two years. The degree prepares students to work in various areas of criminal justice administration including, but not limited to, organizational management and social policy. Applications to the Master of Science in Criminal Justice University Center Program are on a rolling basis, where the fall semester deadline is May 1 and spring semester September 1.
Admission
Admission considerations include: (1) an undergraduate degree from an accredited academic institution in an allied field; (2) official transcripts of all academic work previously undertaken; (3) an acceptable undergraduate degree grade point average. A prima facie acceptable GPA is a 3.0 for the final 60 baccalaureate credits. A GRE score may be required to demonstrate graduate study readiness if the GPA is inordinately low; (4) at least two letters of recommendation from undergraduate professors referencing the applicant’s ability to perform graduate work; (5) a completed College of Criminal Justice Master’s Degree Applicant Questionnaire; (6) a personal essay regarding career background and goals; and (7) foreign students are required to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). A minimum score of 550 (paper-based), 213 (computer-based), or 79 (internet-based) is required.
A holistic review of each student’s application file will be completed on a competitive basis.
There is no thesis requirement, but the student must complete a capstone course (CJ 688 <CRIJ 6388>) with a grade of B or better to satisfy the University’s comprehensive exam requirement. Students should seek advisement from the criminal justice Graduate Admissions Coordinator in planning a course of study. The Master of Science degree in Criminal Justice is a 36-hour degree.
Degree Requirements
Plan 1 - MS in Criminal Justice (Non-thesis)
|
Item
|
Requirement |
Options |
Hours Required |
| 1 | Specified Courses |
Choose all from: CJ 530 <CRIJ 5330> Critical Analysis of Justice Administration CJ 532 <CRIJ 5332> Perspectives in Criminology CJ 633 <CRIJ 6333> Seminar in Organization and Administration CJ 634 <CRIJ 6334> Research Methods and Quantitative Analysis in Criminal Justice CJ 636 <CRIJ 6336> Computer/Technology Applications for Criminal Justice CJ 688 <CRIJ 6388> Emergent Issues in Criminal Justice Leadership1 CJ 665 <CRIJ 6365> Community Theory and the Administration of Justice |
21 |
| 2 | Electives |
Choose five from: Graduate courses in CRIJ |
15 |
TOTAL |
36 |
||
| Notes: |
| 1 | A grade of B or better in CJ 688 <CRIJ 6388> is required for graduation. |