RIT’s criminal justice master’s degree fosters the creation of new knowledge through active research in agencies and the community. You will 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 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 you with the critical skills to carry out such work and the experience to assure success in employment or in pursuit of further graduate studies. RIT's criminal justice master's program provides you with a strong foundation in criminological, criminal justice theory, and social science research skills, enabling you to have a successful career in the policy analysis arena or to be prepared to pursue advanced study beyond the master's degree.

Recent graduates have entered careers in prosecutorial investigation, criminal justice program evaluation, and crime analysis. Many have also pursued law degrees and doctoral degrees.

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 equivalent skills for completion of the degree.

Criminal Justice (thesis option), MS degree, typical course sequence
Course    Sem. Cr. Hrs.
First Year
CRIM-700    Pro-Seminar In Criminal Justice Theory    3
CRIM-701    Statistics    3
CRIM-702    Pro-Seminar in Research Methods    3
CRIM-703    Advanced Criminology    3
CRIM-704    Crime, Justice and Community    3
CRIM-705    Interventions and Change in Criminal Justice    3
     
Electives
6
Second Year
CRIM-800    Thesis in Criminal Justice    6
Total Semester Credit Hours    
30
Criminal Justice (project option), MS degree, typical course sequence
Course    Sem. Cr. Hrs.
First Year
CRIM-700    Pro-Seminar In Criminal Justice Theory    3
CRIM-701    Statistics    3
CRIM-702    Pro-Seminar in Research Methods    3
CRIM-703    Advanced Criminology    3
CRIM-704    Crime, Justice, and Community    3
CRIM-705    Interventions and Change in Criminal Justice    3
     
Electives
6
Second Year
CRIM-775    Criminal Justice Capstone    3
     
Elective 3
Total Semester Credit Hours    30
Criminal Justice Graduate Electives
CRIM-660    Project Based Learning in Criminal Justice
CRIM-706    Current Issues in CJ
CRIM-711    Directed Readings in Criminal Justice
CRIM-712    Crime And Media
 

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Admission Requirements

To be considered for admission to the MS program in criminal justice, candidates must fulfill the following requirements:

• Complete an online graduate application. Refer to Graduate Admission Deadlines and Requirements for information on application deadlines, entry terms, and more.
• Submit copies of official transcript(s) (in English) of all previously completed undergraduate and graduate course work, including any transfer credit earned.
• Hold a baccalaureate degree (or US equivalent) from an accredited university or college.
• Recommended minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 (or equivalent).
• Submit a current resume or curriculum vitae.
• Two letters of recommendation are required. Refer to Application Instructions and Requirements for additional information.
• Not all programs require the submission of scores from entrance exams (GMAT or GRE). Please refer to the Graduate Admission Deadlines and Requirements page for more information.
• Submit a personal statement of educational objectives. Refer to Application Instructions and Requirements for additional information.
• Have completed a statistics course (students may be required to take a data analysis or a statistics course if not taken previously).
• International applicants whose native language is not English must submit official test scores from the TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE. Students below the minimum requirement may be considered for conditional admission. Refer to Graduate Admission Deadlines and Requirements for additional information on English requirements. International applicants may be considered for an English test requirement waiver. Refer to Additional Requirements for International Applicants to review waiver eligibility.

Tuition fee-2 years1,06,000

Total fee-2 years1,44,000