Shane R. Thye, Interim Chair

Patricia Armstrong, Director of Academic Programs

Overview

The Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice offers programs leading to the M.A. degree with a major in Criminology and Criminal Justice and the Ph.D. in Criminology and Criminal Justice. Faculty research and teaching interests span a wide variety of crime- and criminal justice-related topics, including policing, courts, corrections, law and policy, macro- and microlevel criminological theory, sentencing, victimization, and program evaluation. Graduates from these programs are well-prepared to enter teaching, research, or policy-making positions in the criminal justice system.

Master of Arts degree in criminology and criminal justice

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 scores obtained within the last five years on the Miller Analogies test (MAT) or Graduate Record Examination (GRE), two letters of academic reference, and a written statement outlining academic and/or professional objectives.

Doctor of Philosophy degree in criminology and criminal justice

Admission to the Ph.D. program

Applicants must possess a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university. An undergraduate or graduate degree 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 Ph.D. program must submit scores obtained within the last five years on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE), three letters of academic reference, and a recent sole-authored writing sample.

Financial Assistance

Applicants requesting graduate assistantships and fellowships should contact the department. Applicants requesting all other types of financial assistance should apply to the director of Student Financial Aid and Scholarships, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208.

M.A. / J.D. Dual Degree Program

The Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice, in cooperation with the University of South Carolina School of Law, offers a combined degree program which permits a student to obtain both the Juris Doctor and the Master of Arts in Criminal Justice degrees in approximately four years. For more information about the program visit Criminology and Criminal Justice / Law, M.A. / J.D.

Criminology and Criminal Justice