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What does it cost?

Check out our cost calculator or visit student financial services for information on estimated costs.

How long will it take?

The M.S. in Criminal Justice is a 36-credit-hour program that can be completed in two years with full time enrollment.

Where will I take classes?

Application Deadlines View Admissions Requirements

Students may enter the program in the Spring or Fall semester.

VIEW ADMISSIONS DEADLINES

Criminal Justice, M.S.

Crime and criminal justice are at the forefront of national policy and practice. The increasing emphasis on professional preparation in criminal justice careers places additional academic demands on the in-service professional. To meet this need, Georgia State’s Department of Criminal Justice and Criminology offers a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Science degree in criminal justice, as well as a Doctor of Philosophy degree in criminal justice and criminology.

 

Ranked No. 18 in Criminology
U.S. News & World Report, 2022
Program Details

A completed application includes:

  1. Submitted online application. Online applications must be submitted by the deadline. Paper applications are not available.
  2. Application fee: A nonrefundable fee of $50 is required for each application. This fee must be paid online by credit card.
  3. Goal statement: The goal statement is your means of presenting yourself to the Graduate Admissions Committee. You should submit a short, typed statement of personal and professional goals as they relate to the Master’s in Criminal Justice degree program. Most applicants write two typed pages, summarizing their work or relevant academic experience, the reasons they have chosen the program, why they want to attend Georgia State and how the degree fits in with their career goals.
  4. TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) or IELTS (International English Language Testing Systems) academic scores (International applicants only): International applicants are required to submit official TOEFL or IELTS Academic scores.
  5. Three letters of recommendation: Three letters of recommendation should be submitted through the online application. At least two of these letters should be from current or former college instructors/professors who can describe the applicant’s academic ability and assess readiness for the Master’s in Criminal Justice degree program at Georgia State.
  6. Upload transcripts from each post-secondary college/university attended:
    • Upload each transcript to the Academic History section of the online application before submitting your application or upload to your application status page under the Upload Materials section if your application has been submitted.
    • Review requirements for submitting transcripts here.
    • Failure to follow these requirements will delay your application processing.
  • Required Courses (15)
  • Elective Courses (15-18)
  • Capstone Experience (3) or Thesis (6)

View Curriculum Details

At the time of graduation, students who successfully complete the master’s degree program will be able to:

  1. Demonstrate a working understanding of the theoretical knowledge base in criminal justice and criminology.
  2. Critically analyze crime and justice issues and/or information using theoretical, methodological and statistical skills
  3. Apply learned terminology and theory to working-world situations that relate to and expand outside the fields of criminology and criminal justice.
  4. Communicate effectively, in oral and written form, their understanding and analyses of crime and justice issues as they apply their knowledge to working-world problems and questions.
  5. Apply acquired research and statistical skill bases to evaluate the quality of scholarly products and their contribution to the fields of criminology and criminal justice.
  6. Provide an integrated view of crime and criminal justice systems and processes and how the components interact and intersect to provide coordinated justice administration.

Description

Careers

Career opportunities for graduates of the master’s program in criminal justice are numerous, diverse and rewarding. Georgia State graduates have found employment at the following: FBI, ATF, GBI, EPA, Secret Service, numerous local and state law enforcement and correctional agencies, probation and parole agencies, juvenile justice agencies and the research branches of federal, state and local agencies.

Contacts

Criminal Justice
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 404-413-1020

Office Location:
55 Park Place NE
Ste. 506
Atlanta GA, 30303

Mailing Address:
Department of Criminal Justice and Criminology
Georgia State University
P.O. Box 3992
Atlanta, Georgia 30302-3992

Academic Assistance
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 404-413-0021

Office Location:
AYSPS Office of Academic Assistance
14 Marietta St. NW
Suite G-52
Atlanta, GA 30303

Andrew Young School Logo55 Park Place NE
Atlanta, GA 30303

The information shared provides an overview of Georgia State’s offerings. For details on admissions requirements, tuition, courses and more, refer to the university catalogs.