Criminology and Criminal Justice, MS
Advocacy, Corrections, Criminal Justice, Criminology, Emergency Management, Justice, Juvenile Justice, Management, Police, Policing, Social Justice, law, sociology
Are you looking to develop skills not found in traditional criminal justice programs? In one of the nation's highest-ranked programs, you'll learn from expert professors with diverse experience to prepare for a career that changes lives.
The Master of Science program in criminology and criminal justice is a research degree offering designed to provide you with a high level of theoretical and empirical knowledge about crime and criminal justice.
You gain advanced research skills and receive training in program planning and management, and in policy and statistical analysis.
- College/school:
Watts College of Public Service & Community Solutions
- Location: Downtown Phoenix
- STEM-OPT extension eligible: No
Students can choose to create their own concurrent degree combination to match their interests by working with their academic advisor during or after their first semester of study. Some concurrent combinations are not possible due to high levels of overlap in curriculum; students should speak with their academic advisor for more details.
This degree is also offered as a concurrent program with the following:
This program allows students to obtain both a bachelor's and a master's degree in as little as five years. Accelerated bachelor's plus master's degree programs are designed for high-achieving students who want the opportunity to share undergraduate coursework with graduate coursework to accelerate completion of their master's degree. These programs feature the same high quality curriculum taught by ASU's world-renowned faculty.
This program is offered as an accelerated bachelor's plus master's degree with:
Students typically receive approval to pursue the accelerated master's during the junior year of their bachelor's degree program. Interested students can learn about eligibility requirements and how to apply.
33 credit hours and a thesis, or
33 credit hours including the required capstone course (CRJ 505)
Required Core (12 credit hours) Systems Courses (3 credit hours) Inequalities Courses (3 credit hours) Electives (6 or 12 credit hours) Other Requirement (0 or 3 credit hours) Culminating Experience (3 or 6 credit hours) Additional Curriculum Information For the culminating experience, students choose either the thesis option or the capstone course. CRJ 604 Regression Models is only required for the thesis option. To satisfy the thesis requirements for the degree, candidates write a thesis and defend it in an oral examination conducted by the student's thesis committee. Students in the capstone option are not required to take CRJ 604. Not all courses listed above are offered every semester. Each student's program of study is developed in consultation with their advisor to align their plan of study with the courses scheduled for upcoming semesters.
CRJ 501 Seminar in Criminal Justice (3)
CRJ 502 Seminar in Criminology (3)
CRJ 503 Research Methods (3)
CRJ 504 Statistical Tools for Criminology and Criminal Justice (3)
CRJ 512 Seminar in Policing (3)
CRJ 513 Seminar in Courts and Sentencing (3)
CRJ 514 Seminar in Corrections (3)
CRJ 517 Seminar on Juvenile Delinquency and Juvenile Justice (3)
CRJ 519 Seminar on Victimization (3)
CRJ 529 Community Corrections (3)
CRJ 533 Seminar in White Collar Crime (3)
CRJ 515 Seminar in Women and Crime (3)
CRJ 518 Seminar on Race/Ethnicity, Crime and Justice (3)
CRJ 539 Topics in Law, Crime and Justice (3)
CRJ 604 Regression Models (3)
CRJ 505 Theory and Practice in Criminal Justice (3) or
CRJ 599 Thesis (6)
It is strongly recommended that students in the capstone option take CRJ 510 as one of their electives, as available. Students select two of the three systems courses listed above.
General university admission requirements:
All students are required to meet general
university admission requirements.
U.S.
applicants | International
applicants | English
proficiency
Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and the Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions.
Applicants are eligible to apply to the program if they have earned a bachelor's or master's degree in criminology or criminal justice or another closely related field from a regionally accredited institution.
Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in the last 60 hours of their first bachelor's degree program or a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in an applicable master's degree program.
All applicants must submit:
- graduate admission application and application fee
- official transcripts
- two letters of recommendation
- personal statement
- proof of English proficiency
Additional Application Information
An applicant whose native language is not English must provide proof of English proficiency regardless of their current residency.
The personal statement should address the applicant's prior education and professional experience, discuss their career goals and explain how the degree can help them achieve these goals.
Applicants should see the program website for application deadlines.
| Session | Modality | Deadline | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Session A/C | In Person | 01/01 | Priority |
| Session | Modality | Deadline | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Session A/C | In Person | 11/01 | Final |
Program learning outcomes identify what a student will learn or be able to do upon completion of their program. This program’s learning outcomes include the following:
- Apply theory and empirical knowledge about crime and the criminal justice system.
- Use the fundamental methodological and statistical techniques required to produce valid and reliable information of utility to policymakers and practitioners.
- Demonstrate the essential qualifications for employment in criminal justice agencies and related occupations by applying their research skills and foundational knowledge of criminology and criminal justice to a final written project.
Graduates find a strong job market in the public and private sectors. They are prepared for careers as criminal justice researchers, for leadership roles in criminal justice and related agencies and organizations, and for continued study in doctoral programs in law, criminology and criminal justice. Employment opportunities include supervisory and management positions in criminal justice agencies at federal, state and local levels, such as:
- city, county and state government liaison to criminal justice agencies
- communications supervisor (911 and dispatch)
- court administrator
- evidence and crime scene supervisor (CSI activities)
- law enforcement professional
- police crime analysis supervisor
- pretrial release specialist
- probation, parole or community supervisor
- property management and evidence retention supervisor
- risk manager
Opportunities also include supervisory and management positions in social service agencies, such as:
- child and family services (e.g., Head Start, child support enforcement, foster care, elder care)
- Department of Economic Security
- homeless outreach
- victim advocacy
School of Criminology and Criminal Justice
|
UCENT 600
gradsccj@asu.edu
602-496-2356
Program term definitions
Accelerated programs allow students the opportunity to expedite the completion of their degree.
Accelerated master's
These programs allow students to accelerate their studies to earn a bachelor's plus a master's degree in as few as five years (for some programs).
Each program has requirements students must meet to be eligible for consideration. Students typically receive approval to pursue the accelerated master's during the junior year of their bachelor's degree program. Interested students can learn about eligibility requirements and how to apply.
Concurrent degrees allow students to pursue their own personal or professional interests, earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. To add a concurrent degree to your existing degree, work with your academic advisor.
Joint programs, or jointly conferred degrees, are offered by more than one college and provide opportunities for students to take advantage of the academic strengths of two academic units. Upon graduation, students are awarded one degree and one diploma conferred by two colleges.
ASU adds new programs to Degree Search frequently. Come back often and look for the "New Programs" option.
ASU Online offers programs in an entirely online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year. See https://asuonline.asu.edu/ for more information.
The Western Regional Graduate Program (WRGP) provides a reduced tuition rate to non-resident graduate students who qualify. Visit the WRGP/WICHE webpage for more information: https://graduate.asu.edu/wiche.
