Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

1. Demonstrate an advanced understanding of sociological theory by using it to better understand social phenomena and human behavior, develop new theoretical arguments and pose and attempt to answer research questions.
2. Demonstrate a an advanced understanding of research methods in sociology, including both quantitative methods (e.g., survey, experimental) and qualitative methods (e.g., participant observation, content analysis).
3. Demonstrate an advanced understanding of statistics in application to social research, including advanced techniques (e.g., structural equation modeling, hierarchical linear modeling).
4. Demonstrate the ability to synthesize complex scientific literatures and execute sophisticated original research through the successful completion of a dissertation project.

For more information about graduate admissions, visit the graduate admission website. For more information on international admissions, visit the international admission website.

Admission Requirements

• Master's degree from an accredited college or university¹
• Minimum 2.750 GPA on a 4.000-point scale
• Official transcripts(s)
• GRE scores (taken within the last five years)
• Goal statement (1-2 pages), describing current academic interests, research interests, long-range career goals and how admission will facilitate the achievement of these goals
• Three letters of recommendation from current/former professors who can adequately evaluate the applicant's past work and potential
• English language proficiency - all international students must provide proof of English language proficiency (unless they meet specific exceptions to waive) by earning one of the following:²
  • Minimum 94 TOEFL iBT score
  • Minimum 7.0 IELTS score
  • Minimum 65 PTE score
  • Minimum 120 DET score

¹

Applications for admission are accepted from those who will have a completed a master's degree upon starting the program. It is limited to students whose records clearly indicate both scholarly and research potential to do doctoral-level work.

²

International applicants who do not meet the above test scores will not be considered for admission.

Application Deadlines

• Fall Semester
  • Priority deadline: December 1
    Applications submitted by this deadline will receive the strongest consideration for admission.

Program Requirements

Major Requirements

¹

All students who entered the program with an M.A. degree earned at another institution must take SOC 72002. This course will not be waived.

²

Each doctoral candidate, upon admission to candidacy, must register for SOC 82199 for a total of 30 credit hours. It is expected that a doctoral candidate will continuously register for SOC 82199, and thereafter SOC 82299, each semester, until all requirements for the degree have been met. After completing the dissertation, students must successfully defend it in an oral examination. The exam will include an evaluation of theory, methodology, analysis and other topics relevant to the student's specialty area.

³

Students who have already completed a master's degree in sociology are required to take a minimum of 16 elective credit hours, 9 of which must be in a specialization area.

⁴

No more than 6 credit hours of SOC 72896 and/or SOC 72898 may be applied toward the degree as elective credit. No more than 6 credit hours of graduate-level coursework outside the department may be applied toward the degree as elective credit. These limits include courses taken while earning a master’s degree in sociology.

Candidacy Requirement

To earn the Ph.D. degree, students must pass the doctoral candidacy examination. The examination will include an evaluation of theory, methodology, analysis and other topics relevant to the student’s specialty area.

Graduation Requirements

• Delivery:
  • In person
• Location:
  • Kent Campus

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

1. Demonstrate knowledge of professional and ethical issues and duties in the discipline of sociology.
2. Demonstrate a practical understanding of early/classical sociological theory by using it to better understand social phenomena and human behavior; and develop new theoretical arguments and pose and attempt to answer research questions.
3. Demonstrate a practical understanding of research methods in sociology.
4. Demonstrate a practical understanding of multivariate statistics in application to social research.
5. Demonstrate the ability to carry out original research through the successful completion of a thesis project.

For more information about graduate admissions, visit the graduate admission website. For more information on international admissions, visit the international admission website.

Admission Requirements

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university¹
• Minimum 2.750 GPA on a 4.000-point scale
• Official transcripts
• GRE scores (taken within the last five years)
• Goal statement (1-2 pages), describing current academic interests, research interests, long-range career goals, and how admission will facilitate the achievement of these goals
• Three letters of recommendation from current/former professors who can adequately evaluate the applicant's past work and potential
• English language proficiency - all international students must provide proof of English language proficiency (unless they meet specific exceptions to waive) by earning one of the following:²
  • Minimum 94 TOEFL iBT score
  • Minimum 7.0 IELTS score
  • Minimum 65 PTE score
  • Minimum 120 DET score

¹

Applications for admission are accepted from those who will have a completed bachelor's degree upon starting the program.

²

International applicants who do not meet the above test scores will not be considered for admission.

Application Deadlines

• Fall Semester
  • Priority deadline: December 1
    Applications submitted by this deadline will receive the strongest consideration for admission.

Program Requirements

Major Requirements

¹

No more than 6 credit hours of SOC 62896 and/or SOC 62898 may be applied toward the degree as elective credits. No more than 3 credit hours of 50000-level coursework may be applied toward the degree as elective credit.

Graduation Requirements

• No more than one-half of a graduate student’s coursework may be taken in 50000-level courses.
• Grades below C are not counted toward completion of requirements for the degree.

• Delivery:
  • In person
• Location:
  • Kent Campus

Full Description

The Master of Arts degree in Criminology and Criminal Justice is designed to challenge experienced and aspiring professionals who want to expand their scope of knowledge and move into career and leadership positions. The program prepares graduates as next-generation leaders in this complex, global, and interconnected field. The flexible online program is structured  to fit the lives of full-time working professionals.

The Criminology and Criminal Justice major comprises the following concentrations:

• The Global Security concentration focuses on issues related to global security, U.S. national security policy and strategy, as well as transnational issues and the concerns of other countries or regions. It provides students with a strong foundation to confront the ever-changing, fast-paced, and challenging international security environment. With an emphasis on traditional and emerging transnational security threats, students are prepared for analytical, operational and leadership careers in global security in the public and private sectors. The goal is to produce a new generation of analysts, policymakers and scholars knowledgeable about the wide range of international and national security problems and foreign policy issues of the 21st century.
• The Policing concentration examines the historical ideas of police service and the lessons that can be learned from those ideas. Students learn about the research that has challenged traditional ideas and the implications of that research for revision. The program provides students the tools to analyze the implications of contemporary research to guide new innovations in policies, management, strategies and tactics of police service delivery.
• The Victimology concentration provides specialized knowledge about the scientific study of crime victims, their treatment within the criminal and juvenile justice systems, the legal rights of victims and victim assistance and restorative justice programs. This concentration will prepare students to develop and lead initiatives that help prevent victimization, to engage in victimological research and evaluation, and to respond to victims in culturally appropriate ways.

For more information about graduate admissions, visit the graduate admission website. For more information on international admissions, visit the international admission website.

Admission Requirements

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university
• Minimum 2.750 undergraduate GPA on a 4.000-point scale
• Official transcript(s)
• Goal statement
• Three letters of recommendation (preferably academic)
• English language proficiency - all international students must provide proof of English language proficiency (unless they meet specific exceptions to waive) by earning one of the following:¹
  • Minimum 94 TOEFL iBT score
  • Minimum 7.0 IELTS score
  • Minimum 65 PTE score
  • Minimum 120 DET score

¹

International applicants who do not meet the above test scores will not be considered for admission.

Application Deadlines

• Fall Semester
  • Rolling admissions
• Spring Semester
  • Rolling admissions
• Summer Term
  • Rolling admissions

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

1. Demonstrate a practical understanding of criminological theory by using it to better understand crime and criminal behavior, pose and attempt to answer research questions and see its connection to crime policy.
2. Demonstrate mastery of the significant empirical findings in the major areas of criminology and criminal justice.
3. Demonstrate an appreciation for the use of the scientific method in the study of crime, a practical understanding of research methods used in the field and a practical understanding of statistics in social science research.
4. Develop basic skills in planning and conducting research projects, including evaluation research in particular.
5. Describe the role of race/ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation and social class as they relate to crime and victimization.
6. Effectively communicate criminological knowledge and write a clear and concise analysis of issues, policies and research in the field.

Program Requirements

Major Requirements

Global Security Concentration Requirements

Policing Concentration Requirements

Victimology Concentration Requirements

Graduation Requirements

• No more than one-half of a graduate student’s coursework may be taken in 50000-level courses.
• Grades below C are not counted toward completion of requirements for the degree.

• Delivery:
  • Fully Online