1. Core Courses:

15 hours of core courses, each of which must be completed with a grade of B or higher:

• CRJU 701 - Survey of Criminal Justice|
• CRJU 702 - Law and Justice|
• CRJU 703 - Research Methods in Criminal Justice|
• CRJU 705 - Quantitative Methods in Criminal Justice|
• CRJU 741 - Criminology|

2. Electives:

Students choosing the thesis option must take 9 hours of elective courses with no more than 6 credit hours below the 700 level (i.e. 500 or 600 level). Students choosing the non-thesis option must take an additional 6 credit hours of elective courses for a total of 15 credit hours of elective credit with no more than 9 credit hours below the 700 level (i.e. 500 or 600 level).

3. Comprehensive Assessment:

Each student must successfully complete the general M.A. comprehensive assessment, which tests students’ knowledge of major philosophical, scientific, theoretical, and policy issues related to criminology and criminal justice. The comprehensive assessment examination varies depending on the chosen track (thesis vs. non-thesis). Students who fail the examination are permitted to retake it one time. Completion of the comprehensive assessment remains valid for two years after which the assessment must be repeated.

4. Thesis or non-thesis option:

Students may choose to complete a 6 credit hour thesis. Successful completion of the thesis will require an oral defense before the student’s thesis committee. Students choosing the non-thesis option must take an additional 6 credit hours of elective courses in lieu of thesis credits for a total of 15 credit hours of elective credit with no more than 9 credit hours below the 700 level level (i.e. 500 or 600 level).

5. Program Progress:

Students who accumulate more than 6 hours of graduate credit below the grade of B will not be permitted to continue the program. No course may be repeated more than one time.

6. Audited Courses:

Core courses may not be audited. Other courses may be audited, but students must remember that audited courses cannot be repeated for credit.

7. Transfer Credits:

Students may transfer up to 6 credit hours from other programs and/or institutions provided they meet departmental requirements. Transfer credits may not be applied to core courses.