Criminal Justice (Master's)
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.
Careers in criminal justice have an important role in communities and human services.
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 contact the following:
Graduate Advisor
Dr. Lucia Summers
lss62@txstate.edu
512.245.2389
Hines Academic Center (HINE), Room 124
Advisor Support (Executive Concentration)
Dr. Howard Williams
cjexec@txstate.edu
512.245.4906
Hines Academic Center (HINE), Room 118
Administrative Assistant II
Miranda Najera
mnn10@txstate.edu
512.245.7405
Hines Academic Center (HINE), Room 110
“The faculty challenged me to think abstractly and gave me the confidence to apply criminal justice theory to the latest social phenomena.ˮ
– Valerie Hollier, M.S.C.J. ’09
Course Work
The master’s of science in criminal justice (M.S.C.J.) executive concentration is offered as a two-year cohort model comprised solely of criminal justice professionals as students. Students will take two back-to-back, eight-week classes per semester, meeting physically on campus once per week (a second day of the week for covering course material will be an “alternative delivery,” e.g., online). The course work will be geared specifically toward the professional work that students are already doing, as well as providing tools, techniques, and information that will assist them in being recognized as a demonstrated leader in their field.
The M.S.C.J. research concentration is offered as a two-year model that is designed to create effective researchers and evaluators, whether working criminal justice professionals, crime analysts, or future doctoral students. Students will complete course work on quantitative and qualitative research data collection and analysis, culminating in a thesis totaling six credit hours. The course work will be geared specifically toward the research and evaluation tools, techniques, and information that will assist students in having the ability to analyze and address pressing and relevant criminal justice issues.
| Degree | Concentration | Hours | Thesis Option | Minor Option |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| M.S.C.J. | No concentration | 36 | Non-Thesis | No minor |
| M.S.C.J. | Executive | 30 | Non-Thesis | No minor |
| M.S.C.J. | Research | 30 | Thesis | No minor |
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 goals of the School of Criminal Justice at Texas State are twofold:
- to prepare competent and responsible public servants for roles in criminal investigation and apprehension, agency administration, prosecution, and correctional services
- to prepare graduates with advanced theoretical knowledge and research skills in criminal justice for leadership roles in academic, public policy, and administrative positions
These goals are pursued in the context of a broad university curriculum that provides a foundation of knowledge necessary to function in a challenging world.
Program Faculty
Exceptional faculty and ongoing research enable the School of Criminal Justice to o er courses in areas of study such as policing, corrections, law, juvenile crime, female offending, environmental criminology, criminological theory, and management and organization. The school also offers a variety of specialized courses in crime analysis, statistics, quantitative and qualitative data analysis and administers a number of institutes and centers, including the Center for Geospatial Intelligence and Investigation (GII) and 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 correction facilities
- county jails
- local, state and federal police departments
- halfway houses and prerelease programs
- juvenile detention centers and group homes
- victim advocacy agencies
- immigration and naturalization services or homeland security
- loss prevention
- security
- research analysis
- attorney general offices
- federal law enforcement
- doctoral studies
Application Process
Research Concentration and Non-concentration Programs
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Application Deadline This program has a flexible deadline, which means applications received after the posted deadline may be reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis, with no guarantees for admission consideration. |
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Funding Information Applications must be complete by the priority deadlines to be considered for certain types of funding. |
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Decision Timeline This program reviews applications on a rolling basis. |
Application 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 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.
GRE Scores
Executive concentration applicants:
- GRE not required
Research and Non-concentration applicants:
- official GRE (general test only) required with competitive scores in the verbal reasoning and quantitative reasoning sections
Review important information about official test scores.
*Effective Spring 2023: GRE scores will not be required for research concentration and non-concentration applicants.
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
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
Review important information about documents.
*Effective Spring 2023: CV/resume will be required for research concentration and non-concentration applicants.
TOEFL, PTE, or IELTS Scores
Applicants are required to submit TOEFL, PTE, or IELTS scores that meet 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
This program does not offer admission if the scores above are not met.
Review important information about official test scores.