Overview

The Department of Sociology & Criminology offers an Online Master’s of Science degree in Criminology and Criminal Justice.  The program provides training in the fundamentals of the criminal justice system and criminological theory, as well as foundational training in research methods and statistics. Students may tailor their programs to best fit their goals through their selected electives. Students will complete a capstone course.  

Academic Standing

Graduate students are expected to maintain a minimum of a 3.0 overall GPA in all coursework.  Should the average fall below that minimum in a semester, the student will be notified and will work with his/her advisor to rectify the performance issues.  If the student has a second consecutive semester with an average overall GPA below 3.0, he/she will be placed on academic probation.  Three semesters of below-average performance may result in suspension from the program in accordance with guidelines for the University’s Graduate School.

Admission Requirements

At minimum, a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution is required for admission into the program. Students are evaluated for admission based on a holistic assessment of the following requirements. Students must submit :

  1. A statement of purpose.
    1. In this personal statement, applicants detail their reasons for pursuing the degree, both in general and in our program specifically. The statement   will help evaluate applicants’ writing abilities as well as fit with our program.
  2. Transcripts from all academic institutions attended.
    1. Official transcripts from all academic institutions attended must be submitted.  Transcripts should show that students attained a minimum of 3.0 in the last 60 credits of upper-division undergraduate coursework and/or 3.0 in graduate coursework. 
  3. Letters of recommendation.
    1. At least three letters of recommendation must be submitted.  These should be positive and strongly indicate that the applicant has the aptitude and stamina necessary to successfully complete a graduate degree.

Curriculum Requirements

Core Requirements (15 credits)
SOC 609Social Statistics3
SOC 610Advanced Research Methods3
SOC 670Theories in Criminology and Criminal Justice3
SOC 673The Criminal Justice System3
SOC 677Criminology and Public Policy3
Electives (12 credits)
Four electives (or select other elective courses with the approval of the program director):12
SOC 671
Seminar on Criminology
SOC 672
Research in Crime and Delinquency
SOC 675
Courts, Corrections and Punishment
SOC 676
Seminar on Juvenile Delinquency
SOC 679
Communities and Crime
SOC 680
Race/Ethnicity, Crime and Criminal Justice
SOC 681
Sociology of Violence
SOC 682
Alcohol, Drugs, and Crime
SOC 683
Comparative Criminal Justice Systems
SOC 684
Advances in Criminological Theory and Its Testing
SOC 692
Special Topics and Current Issues in Criminology
IGS 610
Intelligence and National Security
IGS 612
International Administration and Social Entrepreneurship
IGS 645
Human Security: Prevention Mitigation
IGS 699
Special Topics
Capstone (3 credits)
SOC 792 (Capstone in Criminology and Criminal Justice (NEW COURSE))3
Total Credit Hours30

Sample Plan of Study (1 year)

Plan of Study Grid
Year One
FallCredit Hours
SOC 609 Social Statistics 3
SOC 673 The Criminal Justice System 3
Elective 3
Elective 3
 Credit Hours12
Spring
SOC 610 Advanced Research Methods 3
SOC 670 Theories in Criminology and Criminal Justice 3
SOC 677 Criminology and Public Policy 3
Elective 3
 Credit Hours12
Summer
SOC 792 Capstone in Criminology and Criminal Justice 3
Elective 3
 Credit Hours6
 Total Credit Hours30

Sample Plan of Study (2 years)

Plan of Study Grid
Year One
FallCredit Hours
SOC 673 The Criminal Justice System 3
SOC 609 Social Statistics 3
SOC 674 Seminar on Policing 3
 Credit Hours9
Spring
SOC 677 Criminology and Public Policy 3
SOC 670 Theories in Criminology and Criminal Justice 3
SOC 610 Advanced Research Methods 3
 Credit Hours9
Year Two
Fall
Elective 3
Elective 3
 Credit Hours6
Spring
SOC 792 Capstone in Criminology and Criminal Justice 3
Elective 3
 Credit Hours6
 Total Credit Hours30

Mission

The Online Master of Science in Criminology and Criminal Justice program aims to address issues related to crime and its control in the United States. For those working in or seeking to work in criminal justice-related positions, higher levels of education are increasingly required for employment and/or advancement in many professions and jobs. The program is designed to provide students with a foundation in criminal justice and criminological theory, research methods and statistics, and substantive areas.

Goals

 The program objectives of the proposed new Master’s program in Criminology and Criminal Justice are to: 

  • Provide a Master’s degree for those currently or intending to work in research or applied settings in criminal justice agencies or community college teaching. It also provides an opportunity for interested students to explore potential further education in a doctoral program.
  • Provide interdisciplinary training in criminology and criminal justice, enabling a strong and integrated knowledge of research and practice. This will enable greater understanding of both the etiology and prevention of crime, as well as better inform criminal justice policy. 
  • Provide a comprehensive understanding of the complexities of criminal behavior, its control, and the criminal justice system.
  • Provide the research and conceptual skills required to conduct advanced analyses and assessments of the criminal justice system.

Student Learning Outcomes

  • Students will demonstrate advanced knowledge of classic and contemporary criminological theory.
  • Students will have a thorough knowledge of the discipline and the theoretical foundations of the literature and be able to synthesize and apply them in well-written form.
  • Students will have a thorough knowledge of the fundamentals of research in the social sciences and be able to synthesize and apply them in written form.