Criminal Justice, M.S.

Program Description

The Master of Science with a major in Criminal Justice (MSCJ) is an ideal program for traditional students who aspire to pursue their academic goals and for professionals in the field of criminal justice who want to advance their knowledge and skills for career enhancement. The program includes face-to-face and online course instructional formats. The program requires either 33 semester credit hours, including six core courses and three elective courses (thesis option), or 36 semester credit hours, including six core courses, five elective courses, and a demonstration project course (non-thesis option).

 This program is a part of the Norman J. Radow College of Humanities and Social Sciences . 

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Admission, Enrollment, and Graduation Policies

Admission Requirements

The following are program-specific requirements beyond the general Graduate Admissions  requirements. To be considered for admission to this program, the following application materials must be submitted to the KSU Graduate Admissions Office:

• Application Letter (can be uploaded to the online application ) - Should state your interest in and goals for the MS in Criminal Justice program, including reasons for why/how this program will meet your professional or academic needs (Note: If the applicant has a record of work experience in the criminal justice field, the applicant should explain in the letter the type and length of the experience, his or her work-related promotions and achievements, and skills/ knowledge acquired.)
• Resume - can be uploaded to the online application.
• Letters of Recommendation (Two) (Can be sent electronically through the online application). 
  • Notes: Letters should be from academics/ former professors. One letter could be from a work supervisor if the applicant has numerous years of work experience in the criminal justice field.
• GRE Score Report - Request that your scores be sent electronically to KSU (school code 5359). No department code is necessary.
  ***Important Note***: GRE Score Report NOT needed if applicant has one of the following other records of external validation: (1) Record of successful academic performance such as undergraduate GPA of 3.25 or above; *OR* (2) Demonstrated record of successful work experience in the criminal justice field for a period of four (4) or more years. [Note: For examples of qualifying types of work experience, see “Admissions Criteria” document on MSCJ Resources page.

Admission Criteria for Unique Cases

Currently, there are no exceptions to the admission requirements. 

Transfer Credit

The MSCJ program accepts up to nine semester hours (three courses) for the non-thesis option and a maximum of 25% for the thesis option of acceptable graduate transfer credit from institutions that are accredited by their regional higher education body. Students must provide course descriptions and syllabi wherever possible, and the program director will determine the amount of credit granted. Such course work may be no more than five years old. No academic credit is awarded by the program for life experience or for military, police academy, or other professional training.

Graduation Requirements

Each candidate must petition to graduate at least one semester prior to completion of program requirements. For more information, please view the corresponding section of Academic Policies: 5.0 PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS & GRADUATION . 

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Program Course Requirements