Selected Educational Outcomes
Students completing requirements for the Master of Science degree with a major in criminal justice should master the following:
- identify and describe major criminological theories, their strengths and weaknesses, their role in explaining crime and delinquency, and their role in informing public policy;
- recognize and apply the structural principles and functions of systems of criminal justice in the United States and in other countries to the development and assessment of criminal justice research, practices, and policies;
- use and apply scientific research methods to the study of crime as well as to solving crimes;
- integrate criminal justice theory and research findings with criminal justice practice;
- describe the development of contemporary criminal justice issues in modern societies and how assessing and responding to such issues may be informed by systematic research and analysis.
Outcome Assessments
Educational outcomes for the Master of Science degree with a major in criminal justice will be assessed in the following ways:
- systematic analysis of student examinations and research papers from courses;
- surveys of students or alumni from the program;
- baseline data from other comparable programs in the university will be compared to data based on students in the program;
- regular meetings among program faculty to assess courses and student performance;
- periodic review of all theses and area papers written in a given assessment period and evaluation of related student performance.
Prior to admission to any graduate program at Valdosta State University, applicants must first submit a completed application to the Graduate School. A completed application packet includes official transcripts from all institutions previously attended, official test scores (GRE), completed application packet, fee, and any additional program requirements submitted by the admission deadline. To be considered for your preferred term, all required materials must be received by the Graduate School no later than the close of business on the deadline. It is the responsibility of the applicant to allow adequate time for document submission and to ensure receipt of documents.
Admission Deadlines
- Fall Deadline: July 15
Spring Deadline: November 15
Summer Deadline: April 15
Go to the Graduate School website and click on Our Programs, then click on Criminal Justice Program for information on:
- Specific Criminal Justice Program Admission Requirements
- Criminal Justice Program Retention, Dismissal, and Readmission Policies
- Criminal Justice Program Graduation Requirements
To Apply Online, click here .
Requirements for the M. S. with a Major in Criminal Justice
| Required Core | 21 | |
| CRJU 7000 | Criminal Justice Administration | 3 |
| CRJU 7370 | Ethical and Legal Issues | 3 |
| CRJU 7411 | Applied Statistics for Criminal Justice Research | 3 |
| CRJU 7412 | Advanced Research Methods for Criminal Justice | 3 |
| CRJU 7600 | Advanced Criminological Theory | 3 |
| CRJU 7998 | Thesis I | 3 |
| CRJU 7999 | Thesis II | 1-6 |
| Criminal Justice Electives | 15 | |
| Any combination of the following courses: | ||
| CRJU 7010 | Advanced Comparative Criminal Justice Systems | 3 |
| CRJU 7100 | Seminar in Law Enforcement | 3 |
| CRJU 7300 | Seminar in Criminal Law and Procedure | 3 |
| CRJU 7350 | Seminar in Forensic Investigation | 3 |
| CRJU 7413 | Criminal Justice Planning and Evaluation | 3 |
| CRJU 7500 | Seminar in Criminal Behavior and Personality | 3 |
| CRJU 7510 | Advanced Correctional Therapies | 3 |
| CRJU 7610 | Seminar in Gang, Group, and Multiple Offender Criminality | 3 |
| CRJU 7620 | Seminar in Criminal Victimization | 3 |
| CRJU 7630 | Advanced Crime Prevention | 3 |
| CRJU 7700 | Special Topics in Criminal Justice | 3-6 |
| CRJU 7710 | Seminar in Juvenile Justice | 3 |
| CRJU 7900 | Directed Study in Criminal Justice | 1-6 |
| CRJU 7910 | Criminal Justice Internship | 3,6 |
| or up to 6 hours of guided electives selected with the approval of the advisor | 0-6 | |
| Total Required for the Degree | 36 | |
