Criminal Justice and Criminology (M.S.)

Basic Degree Information/Description

The Master of Science (M.S.) degree in Criminal Justice and Criminology is designed to provide students with competency in research, policy planning, evaluation, agency management, and preparation for continued graduate study in criminal justice and criminology. The program assists students to develop and apply research expertise toward the resolution of contemporary justice practice and policy issues. 

Why pursue an M.S. in Criminal Justice and Criminology?

• Broaden career opportunities in criminal justice and criminology
• Advancement in current job
• Prepare for a Ph.D. if interested in teaching or research
• Develop skills (writing, research, critical thinking, problem solving, public speaking)
• Network with a group of like-minded students
• Smaller classes with more individualized attention from faculty

Degree Requirements

For a complete list of degree requirements please see the Graduate Catalog.

Admission Requirements and Deadlines - Fall term entry only

Admission Prerequisites:

• Required Degree: A bachelor’s degree from an accredited university or equivalent training at a foreign institution.
• Other Degree Requirements: Must have completed 18 hours in criminal justice, criminology, or a closely-related discipline, or professional experience in the justice system

Application Requirements:

• General University Requirements: A degree seeking applicant must meet university wide requirements.
• Application: A complete Graduate School application.
• Transcripts: Official transcripts from all institutions attended. All international transcripts must be recorded in English or officially translated to English.
• Resume or Curriculum Vitae: Resume.
• Letters of Recommendation: Two letters of recommendation.
• Statement of Purpose: A personal statement.
• Test Scores: General GRE, not older than five years – optional.
• Other: None.
• Evaluation of Foreign Credentials: All applicants including non-U.S. citizens (International), U.S. citizens (Domestic), or permanent residents who have earned university-level credit from foreign institutions are required to submit an evaluation from an approved Foreign Credential Agency of transcripts from all foreign institutions attended. If official transcripts are used in the foreign credential evaluation, the official transcript requirement will be considered met. However, if unofficial documents are used in the foreign credential evaluation, final official transcripts must be sent to UTSA.
  
  • An approved evaluation requires a detailed course-by-course evaluation. Summaries will not be accepted.
  • The Foreign Credentials Service of America (FCSA) is a private corporation that provides evaluations of foreign school credentials. The application is available at: Application for Credentials Evaluation.
  International Applicants:
  
  • IELTS: Minimum score of 6.5.
  • TOEFL: Minimum scores of 79 or 60 for Internet or paper versions, respectively.
  Additional Requirements: A degree seeking applicant must meet international graduate student admission requirements.

Career Options Available

Our graduates have been employed by various agencies, including the Department of Public Safety, Adult and Juvenile Probation Department, Innovative Practice in Delinquent Procedure, FBI, US Marshalls, and the San Antonio Police Department. Additional students have been admitted to doctoral programs and others have been hired as adjunct faculty. Graduate Research Assistant Positions

Students admitted to the program can apply for a graduate research assistantship within the Department of Criminal Justice. Students may work up to 19 hours per week. GRAs must be in good academic standing and maintain a 3.0 GPA while being enrolled in 6 credit hours (2 graduate classes) per semester. Interested students should contact the Graduate Advisor of Record for an application once admitted to the program.

Faculty Research Areas

Faculty research areas include:

Courts and sentencing Juvenile delinquency Life course criminology Community corrections Legal issues Restorative and community justice School bullying Criminological theory Violence Biosocial criminology Evolutionary psychology Juvenile justice Gangs Race and ethnicity in criminal justice Victimization Environmental criminology Policing Corrections Crime prevention.