Criminal Justice (M.S.C.J.)
M.S.C.J. Criminal Justice (Master's)
Program Overview
The School offers students funding opportunities through scholarships and employment as graduate assistants. Funded students aid our faculty as instructional assistants and research assistants throughout the academic year.
Course Work
The School of Criminal Justice and Criminology offers a Master of Science in Criminal Justice (M.S.C.J.) degree, with the choice of a Research Concentration (30 credit hours, Thesis Option only), and the Non-Thesis Option (36 hours). All candidates in the Research Concentrations complete an oral comprehensive exam and an oral defense of a thesis prior to graduation. Candidates in the M.S.C.J. Non-Thesis Option program complete a comprehensive exam including both written and oral components prior to graduation. Specific course and admissions requirements vary by program.
| Degree | Concentration | Hours | Thesis Option | Minor Option |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Degree
M.S.C.J.
|
Concentration
No concentration
|
Hours
36
|
Thesis Option
Non-Thesis
|
Minor Option
No minor
|
|
Degree
M.S.C.J.
|
Concentration
Executive
|
Hours
30
|
Thesis Option
Non-Thesis
|
Minor Option
No minor
|
|
Degree
M.S.C.J.
|
Concentration
Research
|
Hours
30
|
Thesis Option
Thesis
|
Minor Option
No minor
|
Program Details
Alumni are employed in various state and federal criminal justice agencies nationally and internationally. They currently serve in high-level positions such as chief officers, agents, faculty, trainers and directors.
Program Mission
The School of Criminal Justice and Criminology produces and disseminates knowledge through high-quality teaching, research, and service with a focus on empowering students and professionals to improve the criminal justice system.
The School offers courses in areas of study such as policing, criminal justice policy, management principles, and criminological theory.
The School also offers a variety of specialized courses in intelligence and crime analysis, quantitative and qualitative data analysis, and has several centers, such as the Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training (ALERRT) Center.
Career Options
The M.S.C.J. will help to advance leadership roles and research and evaluation in a range of career opportunities:
- State and federal corrections
- Local, state, and federal police agencies
- Victim advocacy agencies
- Homeland security
- Asset protection
- Security
- Intelligence and crime analysis
- Research, planning, and evaluation
- Doctoral study
Program Faculty
The faculty in criminal justice are recognized nationally and internationally for their commitment to outstanding teaching, cutting-edge research, and unparalleled service to the field.
Their broad practical experiences and diverse academic backgrounds contribute to a curriculum that provides students the skills needed for criminal justice program planning, implementation, and evaluation.
Contact The Graduate College for general questions about getting started with your application, funding your degree, and more. If you have program-specific questions after reviewing the program details, we encourage you to contact the following individuals.
Graduate Advisor
Dr. Sean Roche
sean.roche@txstate.edu
512.245.2174
Hill House (HILL), Room 110
Administrative Assistant II
Miranda Najera
mnn10@txstate.edu
512.245.7405
Hines Academic Center (HINE), Room 110
Apply Now Already know that Texas State is right for you?
Application Deadlines
Executive Concentration*
*The Executive Concentration is not accepting applications for the fall 2023 and fall 2024 semesters.
| Deadlines | U.S. Citizen | International |
|---|---|---|
|
Deadlines
Fall - Priority
|
U.S. Citizen
February 1
|
International
February 1
|
|
Deadlines
Fall - Standard
|
U.S. Citizen
June 15 (*Flexible)
|
International
June 1
|
Research Concentration and Non-concentration Programs
| Deadlines | U.S. Citizen | International |
|---|---|---|
|
Deadlines
Fall - Priority
|
U.S. Citizen
February 1
|
International
February 1
|
|
Deadlines
Fall - Standard
|
U.S. Citizen
June 15 (*Flexible)
|
International
June 1
|
|
Deadlines
Spring - Priority
|
U.S. Citizen
August 15
|
International
August 15
|
|
Deadlines
Spring - Standard
|
U.S. Citizen
October 15 (*Flexible)
|
International
October 1
|
*This program's deadline is flexible for those not requiring an F/J visa. Flexible means applications received after the posted deadline may be reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis, with no guarantees for admission consideration.
|
|
Funding Information Applications must be complete by the priority deadlines to be considered for certain types of funding. |
|
|
Decision Timeline This program reviews applications on a rolling basis. |
Admission Requirements
The items required for admission consideration are listed below. Additional information for applicants with international credentials can be found on our international web pages.
-
Application
- Completed online application
Review important information about the online application.
-
Application Fee
- $55 Nonrefundable application fee, OR
- $90 Nonrefundable application fee for applications with international credentials
Review important information about application fees.
-
Transcripts & GPA
Executive and Non-concentration applicants:
- baccalaureate degree in criminal justice or related field from a regionally accredited university
- a copy of an official transcript from each institution where course credit was granted
- minimum 3.0 GPA in your last 60 hours of undergraduate course work (plus any completed graduate courses)
Research concentration applicants:
- baccalaureate degree in criminal justice or related field from a regionally accredited university
- a copy of an official transcript from each institution where course credit was granted
- minimum 3.25 GPA in your last 60 hours of undergraduate course work (plus any completed graduate courses)
Review important information about transcripts. Official transcripts, sent directly from your institution, will be required if admission is granted.
-
Test Scores
All applicants:
GRE
- GRE not required
Approved English Proficiency Exam Scores
Applicants are required to submit an approved English proficiency exam score that meets the minimum program requirements below unless they have earned a bachelor’s degree or higher from a regionally accredited U.S. institution or the equivalent from a country on our exempt countries list.
- official TOEFL iBT scores required with a 78 overall
- official PTE scores required with a 52 overall
- official IELTS (academic) scores required with a 6.5 overall and
- minimum individual module scores of 6.0
- official Duolingo scores required with a 110 overall
- official TOEFL Essentials scores required with an 8.5 overall
This program does not offer admission if the scores above are not met.
Review important information about official test scores.
-
Documents
Non-concentration applicants:
- statement of purpose indicating career aspirations and reasons for pursuing the M.S.C.J. program
- two letters of recommendation from persons best able to assess your ability to succeed in graduate school
- resume/CV
Executive concentration applicants:
- resume/CV
- statement of purpose indicating career aspirations and reasons for pursuing the M.S.C.J. program
Research concentration applicants:
- statement of purpose indicating research interests and career aspirations
- two letters of recommendation from persons best able to assess your ability to succeed in graduate school
- resume/CV
Review important information about documents.