Criminology and Criminal Justice, MS
Explore the causes of crime and the effectiveness of justice system responses. You'll gain advanced theoretical and empirical knowledge while developing strong research methods, statistical analysis and data interpretation skills.
Quick facts
Locations
Credits
Additional facts
STEM-OPT extension eligible: No
International students (F1), this program is not eligible for the STEM-OPT extension.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Criminology and Criminal Justice master's description
The Master of Science program in criminology and criminal justice is a research degree offering designed to provide you with a high level of theoretical and empirical knowledge about crime and criminal justice.
You gain advanced research skills and receive training in program planning and management, and in policy and statistical analysis.
Why study criminology and criminal justice at ASU?
This program takes a research-focused approach rather than a practitioner track, emphasizing rigorous research methods and statistical analysis that prepare you to produce meaningful scholarship. You'll have the opportunity to complete either a thesis or a capstone project that demonstrates your professional and analytical competencies.
You study at one of the nation's highest-ranked criminology and criminal justice programs, where the curriculum is designed to prepare you for doctoral study, law school and research-oriented careers.
Additional details
You can get involved with student organizations such as Alpha Phi Sigma, the Criminology and Criminal Justice Club, and the CCJ Graduate Student Committee. These groups offer opportunities to connect with peers who share your academic interests and career goals.
At Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions, you'll have access to three research centers that address real challenges in the justice system. The Center for Correctional Solutions enhances the lives of people who live and work in correctional systems, the Center for Problem-Oriented Policing provides resources used worldwide to address specific crime and disorder problems, and the Center for Violence Prevention and Community Safety partners with communities to build and test new models for predicting and controlling violence.
The School of Criminology and Criminal Justice provides a collaborative environment where you can engage with faculty and fellow students working on meaningful research projects. You'll gain training in program planning and management alongside your research preparation, building a versatile skill set for your future career.
Curriculum
This graduate degree includes courses focused on a specialized topic, so you can advance your skills for further professional opportunities. Explore all courses below:
33 credit hours and a thesis, or
33 credit hours including the required capstone course (CRJ 505)
Required Core (12 credit hours) Systems Courses (3 credit hours) Inequalities Courses (3 credit hours) Electives (6 or 12 credit hours) Other Requirement (0 or 3 credit hours) Culminating Experience (3 or 6 credit hours) Additional Curriculum Information For the culminating experience, students choose either the thesis option or the capstone course. CRJ 604 Regression Models is only required for the thesis option. To satisfy the thesis requirements for the degree, candidates write a thesis and defend it in an oral examination conducted by the student's thesis committee. Students in the capstone option are not required to take CRJ 604. Not all courses listed above are offered every semester. Each student's program of study is developed in consultation with their advisor to align their plan of study with the courses scheduled for upcoming semesters.
CRJ 501 Seminar in Criminal Justice (3)
CRJ 502 Seminar in Criminology (3)
CRJ 503 Research Methods (3)
CRJ 504 Statistical Tools for Criminology and Criminal Justice (3)
CRJ 512 Seminar in Policing (3)
CRJ 513 Seminar in Courts and Sentencing (3)
CRJ 514 Seminar in Corrections (3)
CRJ 517 Seminar on Juvenile Delinquency and Juvenile Justice (3)
CRJ 519 Seminar on Victimization (3)
CRJ 529 Community Corrections (3)
CRJ 533 Seminar in White Collar Crime (3)
CRJ 515 Seminar in Women and Crime (3)
CRJ 518 Seminar on Race/Ethnicity, Crime and Justice (3)
CRJ 539 Topics in Law, Crime and Justice (3)
CRJ 604 Regression Models (3)
CRJ 505 Theory and Practice in Criminal Justice (3) or
CRJ 599 Thesis (6)
It is strongly recommended that students in the capstone option take CRJ 510 as one of their electives, as available. Students select two of the three systems courses listed above.
What you'll learn
The following learning outcomes highlight some of the knowledge and skills you'll develop to support your future success.
- Apply theory and empirical knowledge about crime and the criminal justice system.
- Use the fundamental methodological and statistical techniques required to produce valid and reliable information of utility to policymakers and practitioners.
- Demonstrate the essential qualifications for employment in criminal justice agencies and related occupations by applying their research skills and foundational knowledge of criminology and criminal justice to a final written project.
Apply theory and empirical knowledge about crime and the criminal justice system. Admission requirements
Here are the admission and application details
All students are required to meet general university admission requirements.
U.S. applicants (opens in new window) | International applicants (opens in new window) | English proficiency (opens in new window)
Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and the Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions. Applicants are eligible to apply to the program if they have earned a bachelor's or master's degree in criminology or criminal justice or another closely related field from a regionally accredited institution. Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in the last 60 hours of their first bachelor's degree program or a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in an applicable master's degree program. All applicants must submit: Additional Application Information The personal statement should address the applicant's prior education and professional experience, discuss their career goals and explain how the degree can help them achieve these goals. Applicants should see the program website for application deadlines.
An applicant whose native language is not English must provide proof of English proficiency regardless of their current residency.
Application deadlines
| Session | Modality | Deadline | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Session A/C | In Person | 01/01 | Priority* |
| Session | Modality | Deadline | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Session A/C | In Person | 11/01 | Final* |
*A final deadline means that all applications and application materials must be received by Admission Services by the deadline date. Applications that are incomplete may not be considered after the final deadline. Applications that are submitted past the final deadline may not be considered.
*A priority deadline means that applications submitted and completed before the priority deadline will receive priority consideration. Applications submitted after the priority deadlines will be reviewed in the order in which they were completed and on a space-available basis. An application is complete after all materials are received by Admission Services.
Explore expanded study opportunities
This program allows you to obtain both a bachelor's and a master's degree in as little as five years. As a high-achieving student, accelerated bachelor's plus master's degree programs are designed for you to share undergraduate coursework with graduate coursework to accelerate completion of your master's degree. These programs feature the same high-quality curriculum taught by ASU's world-renowned faculty.
This program is offered as an accelerated bachelor's plus master's degree with:
Approval to pursue the accelerated master's is typically granted during the junior year of your bachelor's degree program. If you are interested, you can learn more about eligibility requirements and how to apply.
ASU offers formally approved and coordinated degree programs at the graduate degree level. These programs include a designated number of approved credit hours that are shared by two degrees. For most concurrent degree programs, you apply once through the ASU graduate application. However, if you want to pursue a concurrent program that includes a law degree, you must submit both the ASU graduate application and the law school application.
This degree is also offered as a concurrent program with the following:
Paying for college
Use our calculator to estimate your full-time or part-time tuition fees for this program prior to any financial aid. Keep in mind that most of our students receive financial aid, which can reduce out-of-pocket costs.
Get an estimateCareer opportunities
Careers this criminology and criminal justice master's degree prepares you for
Graduates find a strong job market in the public and private sectors. They are prepared for careers as criminal justice researchers, for leadership roles in criminal justice and related agencies and organizations, and for continued study in doctoral programs in law, criminology and criminal justice. Employment opportunities include supervisory and management positions in criminal justice agencies at federal, state and local levels, such as:
- city, county and state government liaison to criminal justice agencies
- communications supervisor (911 and dispatch)
- court administrator
- evidence and crime scene supervisor (CSI activities)
- law enforcement professional
- police crime analysis supervisor
- pretrial release specialist
- probation, parole or community supervisor
- property management and evidence retention supervisor
- risk manager
Opportunities also include supervisory and management positions in social service agencies, such as:
- child and family services (e.g., Head Start, child support enforcement, foster care, elder care)
- Department of Economic Security
- homeless outreach
- victim advocacy
Contact information
Use the contact information below to get in touch if you're a current student or have general questions.
Prospective students should fill out the Request for Information form.
School of Criminology and Criminal Justice
|
UCENT 600
gradsccj@asu.edu
602-496-2356
Frequently asked questions about degree programs
Accelerated programs allow students the opportunity to expedite the completion of their degree.
Accelerated master's
These programs allow students to accelerate their studies to earn a bachelor's plus a master's degree in as few as five years (for some programs).
Each program has requirements students must meet to be eligible for consideration. Students typically receive approval to pursue the accelerated master's during the junior year of their bachelor's degree program. Interested students can learn about eligibility requirements and how to apply.
Concurrent degrees allow students to pursue their own personal or professional interests, earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. To add a concurrent degree to your existing degree, work with your academic advisor.
Joint programs, or jointly conferred degrees, are offered by more than one college and provide opportunities for students to take advantage of the academic strengths of two academic units. Upon graduation, students are awarded one degree and one diploma conferred by two colleges.
ASU adds new programs to Degree Search frequently. Come back often and look for the "New Programs" option.
ASU Online offers programs in an entirely online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year. See https://asuonline.asu.edu/ for more information.
The Western Regional Graduate Program (WRGP) provides a reduced tuition rate to non-resident graduate students who qualify. Visit the WRGP/WICHE webpage for more information: https://graduate.asu.edu/wiche.
