Graduate Degrees in Criminal Justice

MSCJ students will develop an advanced criminal justice knowledge base and marketable skills and techniques for professional and research pursuits. The program’s emphasis on interdisciplinary approaches to academics and research will prepare graduates to be subject matter experts, accomplished researchers, and thought leaders in criminal justice related fields.

Students applying to the MSCJ program must hold an earned Bachelor of Science (B.S.) or Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree from a regionally accredited college or university (with a minimum 3.0 program GPA). Additionally, applicants must have adequate preparation in statistics and research methods. More specifically, applicants must have completed the following undergraduate level courses or equivalents:

• One Course in Statistics
• One Course in Statistics Lab
• One Course in Research Methods

If an applicant fails to meet the prerequisite course requirements, the student is required to satisfy any outstanding undergraduate level course listed below:

• CRJS 251 Introduction to Statistics
• CRJS 252 Introduction to Statistics Lab
• CRJS 331 Research Methods

Foundational courses prepare students for graduate-level coursework in statistics and research methods. Each student must earn at least a “C” in the required courses. Students with prerequisite deficiencies are required to complete the courses before they can begin the MSCJ program.

Detailed information on admissions procedures, along with the appropriate forms, are available on the Graduate College website.

The MSCJ at N.C. A&T can be earned through one of two options: Thesis or Non-Thesis. Students selecting the Thesis option must take three core courses (9 credits); five courses in their area of specialization (15 credits); and two courses of thesis research courses (6 credits). Students who select the Non-Thesis Option will take three core courses (9 credits); six courses in their area of specialization (18 credits); and one 800 level CRJS course (3 credits). Students may select one of the following specialization areas:

• Investigative Science (i.e., Forensic Science−Crime Scene Investigation)
• Digital Forensics; (e.g., Cybercrime, Cybersecurity)
• Research Methodology (e.g., Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods)
• Social Justice (e.g., Advocacy, Law, and Public Policy)

The Department of Criminal Justice is currently the only major in the College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences (CAHSS) offering baccalaureate, master’s, and doctoral degree programs. Students will develop an advanced criminal justice knowledge base and associated portable skills and techniques. The program’s emphasis on interdisciplinary approaches to academics and research will prepare graduates to be subject matter experts, accomplished researchers, and thought leaders in criminal justice related fields. Doctoral students will also have the opportunity to teach undergraduate students in their own discipline.

The program will equip students with in-depth criminal justice knowledge and expertise. The program is designed to offer high quality graduate education and criminal justice training with an emphasis on interdisciplinary approaches to academics and research focusing on the following specialization areas:

• Investigative Science (i.e., Forensic Science−Crime Scene Investigation)
• Digital Forensics; (e.g., Cybercrime, Cybersecurity)
• Research Methodology (e.g., Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods)
• Social Justice (e.g., Advocacy, Law, and Public Policy)

Students applying to the Ph.D. program must hold an earned master’s degree in criminal justice, criminology, sociology, humanities, or related field from a regionally accredited college or university (with a minimum 3.3 program GPA).

An applicant may hold an earned Bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, criminology, sociology, humanities or other social science related discipline (with a minimum program GPA of 3.3) from a regionally accredited college or university.

Additionally, applicants must have adequate preparation in statistics and research methods. More specifically, applicants must have completed the following graduate level courses or equivalents:

• One graduate level course in statistics
• One graduate level course in research methods
• One graduate level course on theories of criminal behavior

If an applicant fails to meet the prerequisite course requirements, the student is required to satisfy any outstanding graduate level course below:

• CRJS 765 Introduction to Statistics
• CRJS 755 Graduate level Research Methods
• CRJS 750 Theories of Criminal Behavior

Foundational courses prepare students for doctoral-level coursework in statistics and research methods. Each student must earn at least a “B” in the required courses. Students must resolve any prerequisite deficiencies before they can begin the Ph.D. program.

Detailed information on admissions procedures, along with the appropriate forms, are available on the Graduate College website.

The Ph.D. must be earned with completion of required coursework, Comprehensive Exam, and a Dissertation. Students must choose and complete one of four specialization areas and meet all N.C. A&T Ph.D. degree requirements. The Ph.D. program requires successful completion of at least 65 credit hours, which includes five core courses (15 credits); three elective courses (15 credits); six specialization courses (18 credits); one supervised teaching course (3 credits); one graduate seminar course (2 credits); and dissertation coursework (12 credits).