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Accelerated Master's Program


The Accelerated Master's program (B.S. or B.A. / M.A. joint degree) makes it possible for highly motivated and qualified undergraduate students who determine early in their postsecondary education that they wish to pursue graduate studies in criminal justice. This four and ½ year program makes it possible to earn a baccalaureate degree and a master's degree from the School of Criminal Justice. There are several requirements before one can be considered for admission into this program:

  1. Completion of ninety-six (96) undergraduate credits in liberal arts subjects;

  2. Satisfactory completion of the core requirements;

  3. Completion of criminal justice or justice studies major requirements;

  4. A cumulative grade-point average of 3.2 or better at SCJ.

  5. Satisfactory answers to the three questions that make up the personal statement. If available, test scores such as the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) test scores will additionally be taken into account, and will substitute for question 2 of the personal statement.

Careful planning is necessary to complete the undergraduate requirements within 96 credits. Students also need to fulfill all general requirements for admission consideration (e.g., GRE scores, personal statement, three letters of recommendation, etc.). All applications are due May 1st and will be reviewed by the M.A. Academic Oversight Committee. Earlier applications will be considered ahead of time.

Students interested in this program should contact the SCJ Office of Academic Program and Student Services in their first year of undergraduate studies; an official declaration of intent must be filed during the sophomore year. Application for early admission to the School of Criminal Justice is then made at the beginning of the second semester of the junior year.