Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice
Mission Statement
Our mission is to provide criminology and criminal justice education, research, and service to students, practitioners, policymakers, and the community by creating an intellectually challenging environment that promotes collegiality and instills the highest level of ethical standards in the pursuit of informed policy and practice.
The Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice offers a Master of Science degree in Criminology and Criminal Justice.
Master of Science Degree in Criminology and Criminal Justice
The Master of Science (M.S.) degree in Criminology and Criminal Justice is designed to provide students with competency in research, policy planning, evaluation, agency management, and preparation for continued graduate study in criminology and criminal justice. The program assists students to develop and apply research expertise toward the resolution of contemporary practice and policy issues.
Program Admission Requirements
To qualify for unconditional admission, applicants must satisfy University-wide graduate admission requirements and submit:
- An online application
- All official transcripts for undergraduate and graduate coursework
- Two letters of recommendation
- A résumé
- A personal statement
An applicant admitted unconditionally as a degree-seeking student must possess a baccalaureate degree from an accredited university or equivalent training at a foreign institution; have a minimum grade point average of 3.0 or better in undergraduate work and 3.0 in any graduate coursework; have 18 hours in criminal justice, criminology, or a closely-related discipline, or professional experience in the justice system; be in good standing at the last institution attended; receive the recommendation of the Criminology and Criminal Justice Graduate Program Committee, which reviews applications. Students who do not meet these criteria may be admitted conditionally or on probation as degree-seeking, depending on the nature of the deficiency. Admission as a special graduate student may be considered by the Graduate Program Committee upon request of the applicant.
Degree Requirements
The minimum number of semester credit hours required for the degree, exclusive of other study to remove deficiencies, is 36. Degree candidates must complete the following three requirements:
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| A. 15 semester credit hours of core courses: 1 | 15 | |
| Research Methods | ||
| Quantitative Analysis | ||
| The Criminal Justice System | ||
| Criminal Justice Policy | ||
| Criminological Theory | ||
| B. 15 semester credit hours of electives as follows: | 15 | |
1. At least 9 semester credit hours of prescribed electives should be taken from the required courses listed below: | ||
| Seminar on Topics in Criminological Theory | ||
| Seminar on Topics in Research Methods | ||
| Seminar on Topics in Crime and Victimization | ||
| Seminar on Topics in Corrections | ||
| Seminar on Topics in Policing | ||
| Study Abroad: International Crime and Justice | ||
| Capstone Course | ||
| Seminar on Topics in Courts, Law, and Society | ||
| Independent Study | ||
| Independent Study | ||
| Comprehensive Examination | ||
2. Up to 6 semester credit hours of electives may be taken outside of the discipline in related UTSA graduate programs with approval of the Graduate Advisor of Record (GAR). | ||
| C. 6 semester credit hours consisting of one of the following options. Student must complete the 15 credit hours of the core coursework and a minimum 9 credit hours of electives (total of 24 credit hours) to be eligible for one of the following options: | 6 | |
1. Non-Thesis Option (Written Comprehensive Examination): Students who select the non-thesis option are required to take the written comprehensive examination and complete two additional electives (6 hours). It is required that one of these additional electives be CRJ 6383 Capstone Course. CRJ 6383 Capstone Course is graded as Credit/Non-Credit. This course provides a review of the five core courses from which all exam questions will be drawn. CRJ 6383 Capstone Course will operate as a stand-alone course. A student must complete this course to satisfy the requirements of the degree, but the student can also receive credit for this course without successfully completing the comprehensive exam. In the event that a student does not pass all sections of the comprehensive exam, the student must re-take the failed section(s) of the comprehensive exam. Students have one calendar year from their initial attempt to successfully pass the failed sections of the comprehensive exam. Students will be dismissed from the program after two unsuccessful attempts to pass the comprehensive exam. Students do not need to re-enroll in CRJ 6383 to re-take the comprehensive exam. Students not enrolled in any other courses are required to enroll in 1 credit hour of CRJ 6961 Comprehensive Examination in the subsequent semester in which the student wishes to re-take the comprehensive exam. | ||
2. Thesis Option: This option is available only with permission from an instructor and the Graduate Advisor of Record. Students selecting the Thesis option are required to enroll in CRJ 6993 or CRJ 6996 Master's Thesis for a total of 6 credit hours, which includes completion of an oral comprehensive exam (i.e., proposal and final thesis defense). Students failing to complete all requirements of the thesis option within the 6 credit hours are required to enroll in 1 credit hour of CRJ 6991 Master’s Thesis if no other courses are being taken that term. The Master’s thesis requires compliance with UTSA thesis requirements and a successful final thesis defense. | ||
| Total Credit Hours | 36 | |
- 1
NOTE: Students are expected to complete the majority of core courses prior to enrolling in elective courses. Students are encouraged to enroll in CRJ 5073 Research Methods, CRJ 5103 The Criminal Justice System, and CRJ 6373 Criminological Theory in their first semester and CRJ 5083 Quantitative Analysis and CRJ 5123 Criminal Justice Policy in their second semester.
Criminal Justice (CRJ) Courses
CRJ 5073. Research Methods. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.
Prerequisite: CRJ 3013 or equivalent.
Introduction to methodologies used in justice research. Topics include research design, sampling theory, data collection, measurement, and analysis. Course Fee: STHC $18, LRHC $10, GHC1 $75.
CRJ 5083. Quantitative Analysis. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.
Prerequisite: CRJ 5073 or equivalent.
Advanced practice in research design, quantitative techniques, and statistical software used in criminal justice research. Familiarizes students with conventions for statistical report writing and data presentation. Course Fee: GHC1 $75; LRHC $10; STHC $18.
CRJ 5103. The Criminal Justice System. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.
Introduction to contemporary issues in criminal justice, including current and historical concepts of criminal justice, the different components of the system, the interrelationships among the components of the system, and the function of the criminal justice system in society. Course Fee: STHC $18, LRHC $10, GHC1 $75.
CRJ 5123. Criminal Justice Policy. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.
Examines criminal justice policy formation, implementation, and evaluation. Familiarizes students with various criminal justice policies and their effectiveness. (Formerly titled "Justice Policy Formation and Implementation.") Course Fee: GHC1 $75; LRHC $10; STHC $18.
CRJ 6103. Seminar on Topics in Criminological Theory. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.
Prerequisite: CRJ 6373 or equivalent. This course is a study of additional theoretical perspectives not covered in detail in CRJ 6373. Topics may include environmental criminology, life course criminology, biosocial criminology, and communities and crime. May be repeated for credit when topics vary, but no more than 6 hours will apply to the Master's degree. (Formerly titled "Seminar on Topics in Theory of Crime and Justice.") Course Fee: LRHC $10; STHC $18; GHC1 $75.
CRJ 6123. Seminar on Topics in Research Methods. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.
Prerequisite: CRJ 5083 or equivalent. This course is a study of qualitative or quantitative methods not addressed as part of the regular course offerings. Topics may include systems analysis in criminal justice, advanced regression methods, interrupted time-series analysis, and qualitative methods in criminological and criminal justice research. May be repeated for credit when topics vary, but no more than 6 hours will apply to the Master's degree. Course Fee: LRHC $10; STHC $18; GHC1 $75.
CRJ 6133. Seminar on Topics in Crime and Victimization. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.
Consideration of selected topics related to the causes, consequences, and criminal justice responses to crime and victimization in specific contexts. Topics may include violent crime; victimology; juvenile delinquency and juvenile justice; white collar crime; gender and crime; and race/ethnicity, crime, and justice. May be repeated for credit when topics vary, but no more than 6 hours will apply to the Master's degree. Course Fee: STHC $18.
CRJ 6203. Seminar on Topics in Corrections. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.
This course is a consideration of selected topics in the field of corrections. Topics may include correctional policy and practice, mass incarceration and prisoner reentry, the death penalty, incarceration and health, and community-based sanctions. May be repeated for credit when topics vary, but no more than 6 hours will apply to the Master's degree. (Formerly titled "Seminar on Topics in Corrections Policy.") Course Fee: LRHC $10; STHC $18; GHC1 $75.
CRJ 6303. Seminar on Topics in Policing. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.
This course is a consideration of selected topics related to police and crime control practices. Topics may include police use of force, police organizational and operational strategies, policing violence, and police decision-making. May be repeated for credit when topics vary, but no more than 6 hours will apply to the Master's degree. Course Fee: LRHC $10; STHC $18; GHC1 $75.
CRJ 6343. Study Abroad: International Crime and Justice. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.
Prerequisite: Permission of instructor.
A lecture/seminar course associated with a study abroad program related to the study of cross-cultural differences in crime and applications of criminal justice systems and practice. Involves international travel and field trips. May be repeated for credit when the destination country varies. Course Fee: STHC $18, LRHC $10, GHC1 $75.
CRJ 6373. Criminological Theory. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.
Examination of theoretical perspectives on crime and their impact on justice policy. Includes progression of criminology as an interdisciplinary field, theory construction and evaluation, and approaches to preventing and controlling crime in the United States. (Formerly titled "Justice Policy Formation and Implementation.") Course Fee: STHC $18, LRHC $10, GHC1 $75.
CRJ 6383. Capstone Course. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.
Prerequisite: Completion of the 15 semester credit hours of core courses and a minimum of 9 semester credit hours of electives.
This course is designed to prepare students for the comprehensive examination and covers topics from the core courses. The grade report for the course is either “CR” (satisfactory performance) or “NC” (unsatisfactory performance). Course Fee: GHC1 $75; LRHC $10; STHC $18.
CRJ 6403. Seminar on Topics in Courts, Law, and Society. (3-0) 3 Credit Hours.
This course is a consideration of selected topics related to the functioning of courts as well as the law. Topics may include courtroom decision-making, specialty courts, criminal procedure, and jury trials. May be repeated for credit when topics vary, but no more than 6 hours will apply to the Master's degree. (Formerly titled "Seminar on Topics in Law and Society.") Course Fee: LRHC $10; STHC $18; GHC1 $75.
CRJ 6951. Independent Study. (0-0) 1 Credit Hour.
Prerequisites: Graduate standing and permission in writing (form available) from the instructor and the student’s Graduate Advisor of Record.
Independent reading, research, discussion, and/or writing under the direction of a faculty member. For students needing specialized work not usually available as part of the regular course offerings. May be repeated for credit, but no more than 6 hours will apply to the Master’s degree. Course Fee: GHC1 $25; LRHC $10; STHC $6.
CRJ 6953. Independent Study. (0-0) 3 Credit Hours.
Prerequisites: Graduate standing and permission in writing (form available) from the instructor and the student’s Graduate Advisor of Record.
Independent reading, research, discussion, and/or writing under the direction of a faculty member. For students needing specialized work not usually available as part of the regular course offerings. May be repeated for credit, but no more than 6 hours will apply to the Master’s degree. Course Fee: GHC1 $75; LRHC $10; STHC $18.
CRJ 6961. Comprehensive Examination. (0-0) 1 Credit Hour.
Prerequisite: Approval of the Graduate Advisor of Record to take the Comprehensive Examination.
May be repeated as many times as approved by the Graduate Advisor of Record. Enrollment is required each term in which the Comprehensive Examination is taken if no other courses are being taken that term. The grade report for the course is either “CR” (satisfactory performance on the Comprehensive Examination) or “NC” (unsatisfactory performance on the Comprehensive Examination). Course Fee: GHC1 $25; LRHC $10; STHC $6.
CRJ 6991. Master's Thesis. (0-0) 1 Credit Hour.
Prerequisites: Completion of the core courses (15 semester credit hours), and at least 9 semester credit hours of electives (for a total of 24 hours of graduate work), and permission of the Graduate Advisor of Record and Faculty Thesis Advisor.
Oral comprehensive examination, thesis preparation, and defense. May be repeated for credit but no more than 6 hours will apply to the Master’s degree. Credit will be awarded upon successful completion of the thesis. Course Fee: GHC1 $25; LRHC $10; STHC $6.
CRJ 6993. Master's Thesis. (0-0) 3 Credit Hours.
Prerequisites: Completion of the core courses (15 semester credit hours), and at least 9 semester credit hours of electives (for a total of 24 hours of graduate work), and permission of the Graduate Advisor of Record and Faculty Thesis Advisor.
Oral comprehensive examination, thesis preparation, and defense. May be repeated for credit but no more than 6 hours will apply to the Master’s degree. Credit will be awarded upon successful completion of the thesis. Course Fee: GHC1 $75; LRHC $10; STHC $18.
CRJ 6996. Master's Thesis. (0-0) 6 Credit Hours.
Prerequisites: Completion of the core courses (15 semester credit hours), and at least 9 semester credit hours of electives (for a total of 24 hours of graduate work), and permission of the Graduate Advisor of Record and Faculty Thesis Advisor.
Oral comprehensive examination, thesis preparation, and defense. May be repeated for credit but no more than 6 hours will apply to the Master’s degree. Credit will be awarded upon successful completion of the thesis. Course Fee: GHC1 $150; LRHC $10; STHC $36.