This is an archived copy of the 2018-2019 catalog. To access the most recent version of the catalog, please visit http://catalog.valdosta.edu.

Selected Educational Outcomes

Students completing requirements for the Master of Science degree with a major in criminal justice should master the following:

  1. identify and describe major criminological theories, their strengths and weaknesses, their role in explaining crime and delinquency, and their role in informing public policy;
  2. 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;
  3. use and apply scientific research methods to the study of crime as well as to solving crimes;
  4. integrate criminal justice theory and research findings with criminal justice practice;
  5. 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:

  1. systematic analysis of student examinations and research papers from courses;
  2. surveys of students or alumni from the program;
  3. baseline data from other comparable programs in the university will be compared to data based on students in the program;
  4. regular meetings among program faculty to assess courses and student performance;
  5. 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 Core21
CRJU 7000Criminal Justice Administration3
CRJU 7370Ethical and Legal Issues3
CRJU 7411Applied Statistics for Criminal Justice Research3
CRJU 7412Advanced Research Methods for Criminal Justice3
CRJU 7600Advanced Criminological Theory3
CRJU 7998Thesis I3
CRJU 7999Thesis II1-6
Criminal Justice Electives15
Any combination of the following courses:
CRJU 7010Advanced Comparative Criminal Justice Systems3
CRJU 7100Seminar in Law Enforcement3
CRJU 7300Seminar in Criminal Law and Procedure3
CRJU 7350Seminar in Forensic Investigation3
CRJU 7413Criminal Justice Planning and Evaluation3
CRJU 7500Seminar in Criminal Behavior and Personality3
CRJU 7510Advanced Correctional Therapies3
CRJU 7610Seminar in Gang, Group, and Multiple Offender Criminality3
CRJU 7620Seminar in Criminal Victimization3
CRJU 7630Advanced Crime Prevention3
CRJU 7700Special Topics in Criminal Justice3-6
CRJU 7710Seminar in Juvenile Justice3
CRJU 7900Directed Study in Criminal Justice1-6
CRJU 7910Criminal Justice Internship3,6
or up to 6 hours of guided electives selected with the approval of the advisor0-6
Total Required for the Degree36