Criminology and Criminal Justice M.S.
The Graduate Program in Criminology and Criminal Justice provides students with a comprehensive understanding of the criminal justice system, society’s responses to crime, and how to contribute to informed policy discussions. It combines theoretical foundations, practical analytical skills, and applied policy building. The program emphasizes flexibility, allowing students to tailor their studies to individual career goals. Core coursework covers putting criminological theories into action, building data analysis tools, policy analysis and reform, and understanding historical and contemporary legal frameworks and philosophical principles shaping the criminal justice system. The program also promotes the development of strong communication skills, enabling students to effectively present research findings to diverse audiences, including non-academic audiences.
Students will be equipped to critically evaluate the effectiveness of criminal justice interventions, apply ethical standards in their work, and engage with the complexities of diversity, justice, and human experience. The program also fosters a commitment to justice and equity, preparing graduates to contribute meaningfully to a changing world. Through engaged projects and action-oriented courses that emphasize practical skills, students will gain hands-on experience that prepares them for careers in policy analysis, law enforcement, corrections, research, Ph.D. programs, and more.
Criminology and Criminal Justice offers an Integrated Bachelor’s and Master’s Program (PSU refers to it as a B+M) that allows current CCJ undergraduates to complete both a BA/BS and MS at an accelerated pace. Students majoring in CCJ’s BA or BS program may be admitted directly into the MS in CCJ program and take 18 graduate-level credits that will apply to both their bachelor’s and master’s degrees.
Degree requirements
All candidates for a master’s degree must complete a minimum of 45 graduate credits distributed as follows:
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18 credit hours must be taken in the substantive core.
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18 credits of elective courses. 9 credit hours must be taken within CCJ. 9-12 credit hours may be used to fill a specialization field.
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9 credit hours of thesis or project work.
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Successful submission and defense of a thesis or project.
Substantive Core (18 credits)
| CCJ 513 | Professional Orientation in Criminology and Criminal Justice | 3 |
| CCJ 515 | Theories of Crime and Justice | 3 |
| CCJ 520 | Analysis of Crime and Justice Data | 3 |
| CCJ 525 | Criminal Justice Theory | 3 |
| CCJ 530 | Criminal Justice Research | 3 |
| CCJ 535 | Criminal Justice Policy | 3 |
Elective Courses (18 credits)
Students must satisfactorily complete 18 credit hours of elective courses, with at least 9 credits taken in the Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice. Students may choose to use a minimum of 9 elective credits (minimum of three courses) to create a specialization representing a concentration in a specific field of study. The specialization may include courses in other academic departments such as social work, public administration, computer science, political science, psychology, sociology, geography, and others. Courses may be selected from several academic departments so long as they comprise a coherent field of study that will contribute to the student's academic or career development.
Project or Thesis (9 credits)
Students must complete a final culminating experience consisting of either project or a master’s thesis. Both options demonstrate a student’s ability to integrate specialized criminology and criminal justice knowledge. The project is an excellent opportunity to learn hands-on skills and network with an agency or organization. Students will work closely with their advisor and other faculty mentors to develop their projects or thesis.
- Thesis: A thesis is a scholarly work that demonstrates substantial capacity on the part of the student to engage in independent investigation. Students must submit a letter of interest and thesis prospectus to the CCJ Graduate Committee for approval before proceeding with the thesis option. To satisfy thesis requirements, students must pose an empirical research question and apply appropriate methods of scholarship to that question to generate new knowledge.
- Project: Students completing a Project must select one of two paths outlined below.
- Pathway 1 is the Academic Project that involves developing an academic, research, or experienced-based endeavor that involves a written report. The Academic Project typically has an applied focus. It can address a specific professional or organizational need, be used to develop a particular skill, or deepen knowledge in a specific area of study.
- Pathway 2 is the Career Pathway Project. This project is designed to help students prepare for working within a specific criminal justice career. Students completing a career pathway complete a field placement with an outside organization, working with and observing the organization. Students then complete a written report focused on articulating and analyzing the connection of the placement activities to the graduate program's core competencies.