MASTER OF SCIENCE IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE
Graduate Coordinator: Dr. Matthew S. Crow
The University of West Florida offers a program of study leading to the Master of Science in Criminal Justice. This program, taught by a dynamic faculty committed to high-quality graduate-level education, is designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills in theory, administration, research, and data analysis necessary for careers in the practice and administration of criminal justice, research, education, policy analysis, or to pursue doctoral-level studies.
The Master of Science in Criminal Justice at UWF is designed to fit the demands of contemporary students’ diverse schedules. Classes are offered evenings, some weekends, and in online and blended delivery formats. Full time students can complete the degree in four semesters (one and a half years). Students can also complete the program entirely on line over an extended period of time.
Curriculum
The Master of Science in Criminal Justice requires 33 credit hours for graduation, including 15 credit hours of the following required core courses:| Criminological Theory | Research Methodology in Criminal Justice | |
| Criminal Justice Theory | Analysis of Quantitative and Qualitative Data |
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| Criminal Justice Administration |
Students have the option of choosing between two tracks for their course of study. The first option is a coursework-only degree plan; the second option is the area paper degree plan, which requires 30 hours of coursework and a 3 credit criminal justice area paper completed under the supervision of a criminal justice faculty member.
Master of Science in Criminal Justice Students can also earn an optional concentration certificate in social work, public administration, or education by completing at least 9 credit hours of graduate coursework in one of those fields. The concentration certificates are designed to allow students to tailor their criminal justice graduate degree to their desired academic and career goals.
Admission Requirements
Applicants should have a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, criminology, or a related field from an accredited institution. In addition to the graduate application uwf.edu/graduate/how_to_apply.html, the following materials are required:
- Official college transcripts.
- Official scores on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or Millers Analogies Test (MAT).
- Three (3) letters of recommendation, including at least two from a current or former college professor.
- Personal statement highlighting your academic and professional career and your reasons for pursuing a graduate degree at UWF.
The university's graduate admissions requirements can be found at catalog.uwf.edu/graduate/admissions/admissionpolicies/. Students may enter the program in the Fall, Spring, or Summer semester. Applicants may apply at any time; however, priority will be given to completed applications received by the application deadlines below. Priority for funding decisions will also be given to applicants meeting the following deadlines:
| Beginning Semester | Application Deadline |
Fall Semester |
June 15 |
Spring Semester |
October 15 |
Summer Semester |
March 15 |
Funding
Students may be eligible for graduate assistantships and/or scholarships.
Graduate Assistantships Scholarships
Career Opportunities
The career opportunities for graduates of the Master of Science in Criminal Justice are diverse, abundant, and exciting. Careers in federal law enforcement (FBI, DEA, ATF, Homeland Security, Secret Service), state, county, and local law enforcement agencies, corrections, probation and parole, juvenile justice agencies, research in federal, state, and local criminal justice agencies, and teaching positions in state and community colleges abound.