Admission Requirements
- Admission decisions are based on a balancing of a variety of factors. These include scores on the verbal, quantitative, and analytical portions of the Graduate Record Examination’s General Test and undergraduate grade point average (both overall and in administration of justice) and evidence of related field training and work experience. In addition, applicants are to submit for consideration three letters of recommendation from members of their undergraduate faculty and to have such faculty members forward examples of written work which they are able to identify as original work by the applicant submitted in their courses. The letters should be sent to the department.
- Applicants granted regular admission who have an undergraduate major in criminal justice or administration of justice including non-degree graduate students, must have achieved a grade point average of 3.0 overall and in their administration of justice courses.
- Applicants may be granted conditional admission in cases where other than grade point averages indicate. In these cases the department may, at its discretion, grant conditional admission to undergraduate administration of justice majors and non-degree graduate students in administration of justice with a GPA of less than 3.0 but more than 2.75 overall and in administration of justice courses.
- Applicants who are not criminal justice or administration of justice undergraduate majors, who meet all other criteria, may be granted conditional admission if the department is satisfied that their grade point average overall and in their particular major indicates the potential to perform acceptably in the program. Students should see the appropriate graduate adviser for requirements to achieve regular admission.
- All prospective students with other than an administration of justice undergraduate major or strong professional training in administration of justice will be admitted conditionally until after completion of 12 hours of undergraduate administration of justice courses with a B or better in each course. These course hours are CJ 325, CJ 330, CJ 352 and either CJ 341 or CJ 360. All such supplemental undergraduate work must be completed prior to beginning graduate course work.
- Students from all under-represented groups are particularly encouraged to apply.
Master of Science Degree
The Master of Science in Administration of Justice consists of a minimum of 39 hours of administration of justice course work, or a minimum of 30 hours of administration of justice course work with 9 hours of additional course work in an approved minor area, plus successful completion of a written comprehensive examination (with 18 hours at the 600 level or higher). The degree is designed to provide specialization in a designated emphasis area to meet professional needs. CJ 520 and CJ 625 are required in each emphasis area.