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Dec 27, 2024
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2023-2024 Undergraduate and Graduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]
Criminal Justice, MS
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The Master of Science degree program in Criminal Justice is designed to build a student’s individual, agency and community capacity to understand, prevent, intervene and respond innovatively to juvenile delinquency and crime, using evidence-based practices and policies, in ways that ensure justice. Through intensive study, students will be prepared for a wide range of positions requiring an advanced degree. Upon completion of our program you will be prepared to enter leadership positions as well as facilitate program development, implementation and analysis within various government, private-for-profit and non-profit agencies that comprise the complex justice system. The program also provides advanced theoretical knowledge and research skills and experience necessary for entering instructor-level positions in criminal justice within institutions of higher education or for entering a doctoral program.
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Admissions
In addition to the general admission requirements of the Graduate School, admission to the Master’s program in Criminal Justice requires:
- Submission of the official results of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE); offiical scores must be sent directly from the test administrator to the Graduate School.
- Successful completion of an undergraduate research methods course within a social science discipline (Criminal Justice, Sociology, Political Science, Psychology, or the equivalent). If admitted without this, students will be required to enroll in and complete CJUS 301 during their first semester of graduate study; although required, this course will not be applicable to the M.S. degree in Criminal Justice.
- Submission of a personal statement.
Waiver of the GRE admission requirement will be considered on a case-by-case basis for applicants who meet any of the following criteria:
- graduates of the University of Louisiana at Lafayette with a cumulative undergraduate GPA above a 3.0
- those who have previously earned a terminal degree or professional degree
- those who have a cumulative undergraduate GPA of at least a 2.75 and at least 3 years of relevant work experience in criminology and/or criminal justice
The decision to waive the GRE for applicants with a 2.75 cumulative GPA and at least 3 years of relevant work experience will be based on the quality of work experience and the information provided in the letters of recommendation.
Course Requirements
The M.S. program in Criminal Justice offers both thesis and non-thesis options. The thesis option requires completion of 33 hours of graduate level work and the non-thesis option requires completion of 36 hours of graduate level work.
Required Courses
Both the thesis and non-thesis options require completion of the following 5 graduate-level courses:
Non-Thesis Option
An additional 15 credit hours:
- Chosen from CJUS courses at the 500-level
Elective (6 credits)
- Choose from a 400G or higher course.
- Must be chosen in consultation with the student’s committee chair or the Graduate Coordinator.
Thesis Option
An additional 6 credit hours of:
CJUS Elective (6 Credits)
- Choose a CJUS course at the 500-level
Elective (6 Credits)
- Choose from a 400G or higher course in CJUS, POLS, PSYC, and/or SOCI
- Must be chosen in consultation with the student’s committee chair or the Graduate Coordinator
Notes
- No more than 6 graduate credit hours of 4XXG may be applied toward the M.S. degree in Criminal Justice.
- Students are encouraged to obtain permission from the instructor to enroll in 4XXG courses outside of CJUS for graduate credit prior to enrolling in the course.
- CJUS 501 is a roatating topics course that may be taken multiple times, but a specific CJUS 501 course topic may be applicable to the degree only once.
Procedures
Upon admission into the Criminal Justice M.S. program, students will consult with the Graduate Coordinator regarding scheduling of courses. The Graduate Coordinator will assist students in developing a course plan based on the student’s career goals. The Graduate Coordinator will assume the functions of comprehensive long-range planning and advise the student regarding each semester’s registration. Students shall choose a committee chair and committee members no later than the end of the second semester of full-time study. The chair of the student’s committee shall guide the thesis project and preparation for comprehensive exams. It is expected that full-time students will complete all requirements for the M.S. degree in two years.
Comprehensive Examinations and Defense of Thesis
Upon completion of all coursework, all students in the M.S. program in Criminal Justice are required to complete a comprehensive examination that includes written and oral components. This exam assesses student’s theoretical and factual knowledge in the core areas with the M.S. program. The written section must be passed prior to taking the oral component of the exam. Students who have chosen to pursue the thesis option will be required to pass an oral defense of their thesis upon its completion. The thesis must be submitted to each committee member at least two weeks prior the oral defense of thesis.
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