Criminology and Criminal Justice, M.A.

Learning Outcomes

• Students will be able to correctly frame research questions and/or hypotheses.
• Students will be able to synthesize and critically evaluate existing research studies in a given area, including the identification of any gaps in the literature.
• Students will be able to select the appropriate research design for their proposed research study.
• Students will be able to specify the appropriate analytic strategy for their proposed research study.
• Students will be able to identify and define major criminological theories from the field. 
• Students will be able to synthesize and critically evaluate research studies from a particular theoretical perspective, including the identification of any gaps in the literature.
• Students will be able to identify the major constitutional limitations governing the conduct of criminal justice actors in the United States.
• Students will be able to identify principles of distributive and corrective justice and their application to criminal justice settings.
• Students will be able to identify and discuss important policy changes in America's response to crime.
• Students will be able to synethesize and critically evaluate research studies from a particular criminal justice policy area, including the identification of any gaps in the literature.

Admission to the M.A. Program

Applicants must possess a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university. An undergraduate major in criminology, criminal justice, or a related social science is desirable. In addition to meeting all admission requirements of the University's Graduate School, applicants to the M.A. program must submit a university application through the Graduate School, including a written statement describing their interests in the criminology and criminal justice field and goals or objectives for their degree and career. Applicants must also submit scores obtained within the last five years on the Miller Analogies test (MAT) or Graduate Record Examination (GRE), two letters of academic reference, and official grade transcripts from all previous institutions.

Applicants whose native language is not English must: 

1. Submit a satisfactory score on an English proficiency test. 

2. Take a diagnostic test in English when they arrive at the university.