Criminology and Criminal Justice - M.A. at Kent State University

Kent State University

United States of America, Kent

University Rank:#1001

Study Criminology and Criminal Justice - M.A. at Kent State University, a Master degree offered at its main campus in Kent , United States of America. This Full Time program is delivered on campus in English and takes approximately 2 years to complete. Students benefit from a structured learning experience designed to build both theoretical knowledge and practical experience. The next intake is scheduled for August 25, 2027.

About Criminology and Criminal Justice - M.A.

The Master of Arts degree in Criminology and Criminal Justice is designed to challenge experienced and aspiring professionals who want to expand their scope of knowledge and move into career and leadership positions. The program prepares graduates as next-generation leaders in this complex, global, and interconnected field. The flexible online program is structured to fit the lives of full-time working professionals.

The Criminology and Criminal Justice major comprises the following concentrations:

The Global Security concentration focuses on issues related to global security, U.S. national security policy and strategy, as well as transnational issues and the concerns of other countries or regions. It provides students with a strong foundation to confront the ever-changing, fast-paced, and challenging international security environment. With an emphasis on traditional and emerging transnational security threats, students are prepared for analytical, operational and leadership careers in global security in the public and private sectors. The goal is to produce a new generation of analysts, policymakers and scholars knowledgeable about the wide range of international and national security problems and foreign policy issues of the 21st century.
The Policing concentration examines the historical ideas of police service and the lessons that can be learned from those ideas. Students learn about the research that has challenged traditional ideas and the implications of that research for revision. The program provides students the tools to analyze the implications of contemporary research to guide new innovations in policies, management, strategies and tactics of police service delivery.
The Victimology concentration provides specialized knowledge about the scientific study of crime victims, their treatment within the criminal and juvenile justice systems, the legal rights of victims and victim assistance and restorative justice programs. This concentration will prepare students to develop and lead initiatives that help prevent victimization, to engage in victimological research and evaluation, and to respond to victims in culturally appropriate ways.

Graduates of this program will be able to:

Demonstrate a practical understanding of criminological theory by using it to better understand crime and criminal behavior, pose and attempt to answer research questions and see its connection to crime policy.
Demonstrate mastery of the significant empirical findings in the major areas of criminology and criminal justice.
Demonstrate an appreciation for the use of the scientific method in the study of crime, a practical understanding of research methods used in the field and a practical understanding of statistics in social science research.
Develop basic skills in planning and conducting research projects, including evaluation research in particular.
Describe the role of race/ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation and social class as they relate to crime and victimization.
Effectively communicate criminological knowledge and write a clear and concise analysis of issues, policies and research in the field.

Requirements and Admission Criteria for Criminology and Criminal Justice - M.A. at Kent State University

Entry Requirements

Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university for unconditional admission
Minimum 3.000 undergraduate GPA on a 4.000 point scale for unconditional admission
Official transcript(s)
Goal statement
Three letters of recommendation (preferably academic)
English language proficiency - all international students must provide proof of English language proficiency (unless they meet specific exceptions) by earning one of the following:
- Minimum 587 TOEFL PBT score (paper-based version)
- Minimum 94 TOEFL IBT score (Internet-based version)
- Minimum 82 MELAB score
- Minimum 7.0 IELTS score
- Minimum 65 PTE score

For more information about graduate admissions, please visit the Graduate Studies admission website. For more information on international admission, visit the Office of Global Education's admission website.

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

Demonstrate a practical understanding of criminological theory by using it to better understand crime and criminal behavior, pose and attempt to answer research questions and see its connection to crime policy.
Demonstrate mastery of the significant empirical findings in the major areas of criminology and criminal justice.
Demonstrate an appreciation for the use of the scientific method in the study of crime, a practical understanding of research methods used in the field and a practical understanding of statistics in social science research.
Develop basic skills in planning and conducting research projects, including evaluation research in particular.
Describe the role of race/ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation and social class as they relate to crime and victimization.
Effectively communicate criminological knowledge and write a clear and concise analysis of issues, policies and research in the field.

English Requirements

PTEMin 58
IELTSMin 6.5
TOEFLMin 79

English Program Requirements

Submitting your English test score

When applying as an undergraduate or graduate student to Kent State, there are a variety of ways to submit your score depending on which type of test you took.

Students should request that ETS send official TOEFL scores directly to Kent (institution code: 1367).
An IELTS or PTE report needs to be uploaded as a scanned PDF into our online application system..

All English scores will be verified for authenticity. Students with fraudulent documents will result in denial of admission or immediate dismissal.

Proficiency Waivers

Depending on your educational background, you may be eligible for an English language proficiency waiver, meaning you do not need to take a language exam. See our country list and related requirements.

Tuition and Fee Information for Criminology and Criminal Justice - M.A. at Kent State University

¹Based on one academic year, two semesters for a full-time international student. Program and special course fees are additional.

²Based on a standard double room and basic board plan. Other room types and board plans at different prices are available.

³Based on the Student Health Insurance premium for one year. The United States does not have universal health care. For this reason, the university requires all international students to purchase the sponsored student health insurance plan. Under certain criteria, a student may request a waiver of this charge. Total is based on an estimated cost of the required books/supplies for each term and is subject to change each fall.

All international students are required to pay the $20 per semester International Student Activity Fee. The fee is assessed each semester to support the delivery of the various programs ISSS provides to its students.

Application Fee 70

How to Apply for Criminology and Criminal Justice - M.A. at Kent State University

Follow the steps below to become part of the Kent State community. If you have any questions, please reach out to us any time.

Submit an Online Application and Fee

Prepare Application Documents to Upload as You Apply

Passport biographical page.
English Language Proficiency official results report for IELTS, PTE or MELAB. TOEFL score should be submitted officially through ETS (Institution Code 1367).
College transcript/detailed marksheets (Certified English translation and original language).
College Graduation Certificate/Diploma if already issued (Certified English translation and original language).
GRE/GMAT or other standardized tests if required (submit official test report through test center).
Graduate assistantship application (if applicable).
- Assistantship application.
- Graduate assistantship applicants may need to meet earlier deadlines. Please check with department for deadlines.
Additional documents if required. *Review requirements from individual department or school.
Financial guarantee (bank statements) that show sufficient funds to cover educational expenses.*
Kent State University Financial Information Worksheet.*
- *Financial documents are only required after acceptance.

Upload All Required Documents to the Online Application System

For faster processing, all the documents should be uploaded in the online application system to complete the application.

Check Your Application Status

Apply for Immigration Documents (I-20)

Transfer Your SEVIS record (If Applicable)

If you are an F-1 student transferring from a school in the United States, please review the Transfer In Guide regarding your SEVIS record transfer. F-1 students must transfer their SEVIS record in order to maintain their F-1 status.

Provide Final and Official Documents After Arrival

For admissions purposes, we accept scanned documents of international credentials and scanned copies of official U.S. transcripts. When an applicant is admitted, his/her final and official transcripts and diploma should be brought to the International Admissions Office for verification. This should be done within the first semester (or the first module for ESL students). Otherwise, the student's account will be put on HOLD.

Criminology and Criminal Justice - M.A. at Kent State University

Kent State University

United States of America, Kent