COURSE CURRICULUM

The graduate program in Criminology and Criminal Justice offers flexible master’s degree pathways designed to accommodate students’ academic interests and career goals, while providing strong foundational training in criminological theory, research methods, statistics, and the criminal justice process. Students are required to select a degree option during their second semester, choosing between a thesis track, a practicum track, or a policy and practice paper track, each consisting of core coursework combined with specialized applied or research components. Across all options, students complete core courses that develop advanced understanding of criminological theory, applied statistics in criminal justice, and research design within the criminal justice system, ensuring a strong analytical and methodological foundation. The thesis option requires 30 credit hours, including core courses, 15 credit hours of electives, and 6 credit hours of thesis research, culminating in a written thesis and a public oral defense, along with a comprehensive examination typically completed during the defense process. The practicum option also requires 30 credit hours and replaces the thesis with a 6-credit-hour practicum experience in which students apply academic knowledge in a professional or field-based setting, followed by a written report and presentation evaluated by the graduate committee. The policy and practice paper option requires 33 credit hours and includes an additional core course focused on criminological policy analysis, emphasizing applied understanding of criminal justice systems and decision-making processes, along with a substantial set of electives totaling 21 credit hours. Elective courses across all tracks allow students to explore specialized topics such as gender and crime, terrorism, law enforcement, juvenile delinquency, correctional policy, and special topics or independent study opportunities. These pathways are designed to provide both theoretical depth and practical application, preparing graduates for careers in criminal justice agencies, policy development, research organizations, or further doctoral study, while allowing significant flexibility in tailoring the program to individual professional objectives.