Master of Science in Criminal Justice
Rochester, USA
DURATION
2 Years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time, Part time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
Request application deadline *
EARLIEST START DATE
Aug 2024
TUITION FEES
USD 41,424 / per year **
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* rolling admissions
** $41,424 - $54,974 | based on credits taken
Introduction
RIT’s criminal justice master’s degree fosters the creation of new knowledge through active research in agencies and the community. Students learn and apply problem-solving skills rooted in areas of individual interest with an emphasis on applied research. The degree enables graduates to enter successful careers in criminal justice agencies, policy analysis, or pursue further education in a criminal justice doctoral program.
The MS degree in criminal justice emphasizes a multidisciplinary approach to urban studies with a focus on public safety. The program stresses training in policy analysis and practice, particularly as it is relevant to the community and urban issues.
The program builds on a foundation of locally relevant policy research by providing students with the critical skills to carry out such work and the experience to assure success in employment or in pursuit of further graduate studies. The program provides students with a strong foundation in criminological, criminal justice theory, and social science research skills, thus enabling graduates to have successful careers in the policy analysis arena or to be prepared to pursue advanced study beyond the master's degree.
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Admissions
Scholarships and Funding
RIT awards more than $37 million in merit scholarships and assistantships to graduate students each year. Scholarship awards range from 5% of tuition all the way up to full tuition. Awards are based on an applicant's academic excellence. Many things are considered when awarding scholarships - undergraduate grades, graduate placement test scores, and your research and work experience all factor in.
Graduate assistantships are offered to full-time matriculated graduate students to serve as teaching, research, or administrative assistants. Graduate Assistants receive wages (determined by the department making the appointment) in exchange for work performed. Many graduate assistants also receive tuition remission (i.e., tuition support) in addition to receiving wages for assistantship duties.
Graduate students can be awarded both scholarships and assistantships. These funding opportunities are the same for both US and international applicants.
RIT awards more than $30 million in merit scholarships and assistantships to graduate students each year. Scholarship awards range from 10% - 40% of tuition. Our median scholarship amount is around 30% of tuition or $13,000. Awards are based on an applicant's academic excellence. Many things are considered when awarding scholarships - undergraduate grades, graduate placement test scores, and your research and work experience all factor in.
Graduate assistantships are offered to full-time matriculated graduate students to serve as teaching, research, or administrative assistants. Graduate Assistants receive wages (determined by the department making the appointment) in exchange for work performed. Many graduate assistants also receive tuition remission (i.e., tuition support) in addition to receiving wages for assistantship duties.
Graduate students can be awarded both scholarships and assistantships. These funding opportunities are the same for both US and international applicants.
Optional Co-Op: cooperative education is paid work assignments with corporations and organizations around the U.S. and abroad. Co-op allows students to spend one or more semesters employed in a full-time, paid position related to their academic program before they graduate. Many students use co-op earnings to help finance their education.
Work-Study: graduate students studying full-time may apply to work part-time on campus. RIT has more than 9,000 jobs available each year, and students typically work 10 – 20 hours per week. International students studying on an F-1 or J-1 visa may work up to 20 hours per week on campus and 40 hours during break periods.
Curriculum
A minimum of 30 semester credit hours is required for completion of the MS in criminal justice.
Students applying to the program should have a strong undergraduate foundation in criminology and research methods. Students that do not possess these skills may be required to complete additional undergraduate course work (e.g., Criminology, Theories of Crime, and Research Methods) or demonstrate that they have equivalent skills for completion of the degree.
Criminal justice (thesis option), MS degree, typical course sequence
- CRIM-700 Professional Seminar In Criminal Justice Theory
- CRIM-701 Statistics
- CRIM-702 Professional Seminar in Research Methods
- CRIM-703 Advanced Criminology
- CRIM-704 Crime, Justice, and Community
- CRIM-705 Interventions and Change in Criminal Justice
- CRIM-800 Thesis in Criminal Justice
- Electives
Criminal justice (project option), MS degree, typical course sequence
- CRIM-700 Professional Seminar In Criminal Justice Theory
- CRIM-701 Statistics
- CRIM-702 Professional Seminar in Research Methods
- CRIM-703 Advanced Criminology
- CRIM-704 Crime, Justice, and Community
- CRIM-705 Interventions and Change in Criminal Justice
- CRIM-775 Capstone in Criminal Justice
- Electives
Career Opportunities
Recent graduates have entered careers in prosecutorial investigation, criminal justice program evaluation, and crime analysis. Many have also pursued doctoral degrees.
Industries
- Legal and Law Enforcement
- Government (Local, State, Federal)
- Defence
- Commercial Banking and Credit
- Military
- Politics
Typical Job Titles
- Police Officer
- Correction Officer and Counselor
- Probation Officer
- US Postal Inspector
- Crime Analyst
- US Marshal
- Border Patrol Officer
- Legal Assistant
English Language Requirements
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