Criminology and Criminal Justice (CRIM)

Abstract

The program of graduate study leading to Master of Arts and Doctor of Philosophy degrees in the area of Criminology and Criminal Justice is intended to prepare students for research, teaching and professional employment in operational agencies within the field of criminal justice. This program combines an intensive background in a social science discipline such as criminology, criminal justice, sociology, psychology and public administration with graduate-level study of selected aspects of crime and criminal justice.

In addition, the Department offers a joint J.D./M.A. degree with the School of Law of the University of Maryland, located in Baltimore, and a Professional M.A. in Criminal Justice.

A recent study of Department M.A. and Ph.D. alumni reveals that master's degree graduates have found employment in both public and private institutions in virtually every kind of activity associated with the criminal justice system: research; teaching; federal, state and local law enforcement; courts; corrections; private security; and funded programs. Ph.D. graduates have found employment mostly in teaching, research, and government agency administration.

Admissions Information

In addition to the general Graduate School rules, special admission requirements include the Graduate Record Examination, a major in a social science discipline and nine hours of coursework in appropriate areas of criminal justice.

Application Deadlines

Fall

Spring

Domestic Applicants:
U.S. Citizens and Permanent Residents

Domestic Applicant Deadlines

For Funding Consideration - Completed Applications must be received by December 1 .
International Applicant Deadline Feb. 1 All other Applications must be received by May 1 .

Professional M.A. (applications accepted for China program only) applications must be received by September 1 .
Pre-doctoral/Traditional M.A. applications are not accepted for the spring semester .
Ph.D. applications for students holding MA or MS degrees must be received by September 1 .
Applications for the Ph.D. program for students holding BA/BS degrees are not accepted for Spring entry .

International Applicants:
Applicants from Outside the U.S. or U.S. Citizens / Permanent Residents with Non-U.S. Credentials

IMPORTANT: International Applicants and U.S. Applicants with Non-U.S. Credentials must follow the domestic deadlines above if they are earlier than the deadlines listed below.

Applicants seeking admission under F (Student) or J (Exchange Visitor) visas

February 1
If Domestic Deadline is after Feb. 1

June 1
If Domestic Deadline is after Jun. 1

Applicants seeking admission under A, E, G, H, I, and L visas and immigrants

May 1
If Domestic Deadline is after May 1

October 1
If Domestic Deadline is after Jun. 1

U.S. Citizens and Permanent Residents with foreign credentials

May 15
If Domestic Deadline is after May 15

October 31
If Domestic Deadline is after Oct.31

Application Requirements

GRE General Exam
3 Letters of Recommendation
Personal Statement of Goals/Purpose

	Fall	Spring
Domestic Applicants: U.S. Citizens and Permanent Residents
Domestic Applicant Deadlines	For Funding Consideration - Completed Applications must be received by December 1 . International Applicant Deadline Feb. 1 All other Applications must be received by May 1 .	Professional M.A. (applications accepted for China program only) applications must be received by September 1 . Pre-doctoral/Traditional M.A. applications are not accepted for the spring semester . Ph.D. applications for students holding MA or MS degrees must be received by September 1 . Applications for the Ph.D. program for students holding BA/BS degrees are not accepted for Spring entry .

International Applicants: Applicants from Outside the U.S. or U.S. Citizens / Permanent Residents with Non-U.S. Credentials IMPORTANT: International Applicants and U.S. Applicants with Non-U.S. Credentials must follow the domestic deadlines above if they are earlier than the deadlines listed below.
Applicants seeking admission under F (Student) or J (Exchange Visitor) visas	February 1 If Domestic Deadline is after Feb. 1	June 1 If Domestic Deadline is after Jun. 1
Applicants seeking admission under A, E, G, H, I, and L visas and immigrants	May 1 If Domestic Deadline is after May 1	October 1 If Domestic Deadline is after Jun. 1
U.S. Citizens and Permanent Residents with foreign credentials	May 15 If Domestic Deadline is after May 15	October 31 If Domestic Deadline is after Oct.31

Degree Requirements

Master of Arts (M.A.)

For the M.A. applicant, the undergraduate major must have included at least one course each in theory, statistics and research methods. M.A. students may choose either a Traditional M.A. or Professional M.A. option, but the Professional M.A. option is offered only in the China location at this time. The general plan of study for the Traditional M.A. is as follows: 30 semester hours of courses consisting of: 1) five required courses that must be passed with a "B" or better (including two statistics courses); 2) six hours of thesis credit; and 3) three elective courses. The Professional M.A. in Criminal Justice is a 30 semester credit degree program designed to train both mid-career and pre-career students for management analysis and research in Criminal Justice agency settings. Half of the 30 credits are required courses, the others are electives. As part of the required credit hours, students must complete a a policy analysis project in one of three concentration areas (policing, courts, corrections). A scholarly paper is required to complete the degree.

Master of Arts and Doctor of Jurisprudence (M.A./J.D.)
Please contact the program for more information.

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

The Ph.D. applicant who has already earned an MA/MS degree must have completed two statistics, two research methods, and two theory courses, one of each being at the Master's level. At the discretion of the Graduate Admission Committee of the Department, deficiencies in some of the above areas may be made up by non-credit work at the beginning of the program. Students whose highest degree is a BA/BS may choose to apply for entry either into the Traditional Masters program or directly into the Ph.D. program. Students admitted directly into the Ph.D. program will complete the requirements of the Traditional Masters program before beginning Ph.D.-level work.

In addition to the general Graduate School requirements, competence in research methodology and in quantitative techniques is expected for the completion of the Ph.D. degree, as well as competence in theory and the criminal justice field. The necessary coursework is determined on the basis of the student's previous preparation, needs and interests. The candidate is also required to pass comprehensive examinations.

Facilities and Special Resources

The Department houses the Maryland Justice Analysis Center. In addition, faculty maintain ongoing, funded research programs. These resources provide numerous opportunities for students to engage in policy development, research, and professional activities.

Financial Assistance

Graduate research and teaching assistantships and fellowships are available. Only those students whose applications are received by December 1st will be considered for funding. In addition to the application for admission, students must complete the application for departmental funding found on the department's website (see below).

Contact Information

A brochure describing the Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice and its programs is available upon request. Inquiries should be directed to:

Graduate Program Coordinator
2220 LeFrak Hall
MD 20742
Telephone: (301) 405-4699
Fax: (301) 405-4733
crimgrad@deans.umd.edu

http://www.ccjs.umd.edu