ÂÌÅ«Ì컨°å

Skip to main content

ÂÌÅ«Ì컨°å's Master of Science degree program in criminology and criminal justice prepares students for both practitioner and management careers in criminal justice and public safety. Students interested in learning more about this program should contact the Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice graduate program coordinator, Chivon Fitch.

Comprehensive Curriculum

Students gain the theoretical groundwork along with the research and statistical skills needed to design and evaluate effective public safety policy and practice. Courses also provide in-depth study of the structure of the criminal justice system.

Flexible Schedule

Students may begin the program during the fall, spring or summer terms. Courses can be taken in any sequence and most courses are offered in the evening.Ìý

Benefits

  • Launch or advance your career in victim advocacy, private security, law enforcement, corrections, juvenile justice, victim advocacy, or criminal justice management,
  • Begin program in fall, spring or summer; graduate within two years if attending full=time
  • Earn credentials to pursue doctoral studies or to teach at the college level
  • Choose thesis or non-thesis option based on educational or career goals
  • Potential to conduct research with faculty members
  • 4+1 B.S./M.S. option available for qualified undergraduates

Course Offerings

All students complete the following core courses:Ìý

CRM 601 Proseminar in Criminal Justice Issues

CRM 603 Criminological Theory

CRM 605 Criminal Justice Policy and Program EvaluationÌý

CRM 607 Research Design and MethodsÌý

CRM 609 Statistics for Criminal Justice ResearchÌý

CRM 611 Ethical Issues in Criminal JusticeÌý

Students also choose elective courses (8 credits if completing a thesis or 12 credits if not completing a thesis) from the following options:

CRM 613 Policing and Public Policy

CRM 615 Corrections and Public Policy

CRM 617 Justice, Law, and Public PolicyÌý

CRM 619 VictimologyÌý

CRM 621 White Collar Crime

CRM 623 Comparative Criminal Justice SystemsÌý

CRM 625 Special Issues in Criminology and Criminal JusticeÌý

CRM 649 Independent Study in Criminology and Criminal JusticeÌý

Students who choose the thesis option must complete 4 credit hours of CRM 650 Thesis.

Thesis and Non-Thesis Tracks

Students may choose between thesis and non-thesis tracks. The non-thesis option is designed for those currently employed or seeking employment in the criminal justice system. The thesis option is ideal for students planning to enter a doctoral program following graduation. Students choosing this track will be required to submit an electronic version of their thesis to the Macdonald-Kelce Library for inclusion in the digital repository, which is accessible on the internet. Students may choose to release the work for immediate access worldwide or choose embargoes restricting access of full text to only ÂÌÅ«Ì컨°å community for one, three or five years, before the work is released freely on the web through the repository.

Complete to receive more information about the M.S. in Criminology and Criminal Justice.


Admissions Requirements

  1. °ä´Ç³¾±è±ô±ð³Ù±ð»åÌýapplication
  2. $40 application fee
  3. Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution
  4. Official transcripts from undergraduate degree-granting institution
  5. °Õ·É´ÇÌýletters of recommendationÌýfrom academic and/or professional sources
  6. Writing sample indicating evidence of ability to conduct scholarly research (thesis option applicants)
  7. Personal statement (In approximately 500-1,000 words, describe your professional goals and how a graduate degree from the University of Tampa will help you accomplish those goals. In turn, you may also want to emphasize what you can contribute to the graduate program.)
  8. Professional résumé

*Unofficial documents will be accepted for application evaluation, however official documents are required to enroll.*
Ìý

Step 1:ÌýComplete theÌý. Pay the nonrefundable $40 application fee.Ìý
Ìý

Step 2:ÌýSubmit official transcript(s)Ìý(e.g. marksheet, academic record, certificates or diplomas)Ìý

  • For each post-secondary institution attended, submit an official transcript.ÌýÌý
  • Documents and transcripts not in English must be accompanied by a certified English translation. Course-by-course evaluations are highly recommended.Ìý
  • ÂÌÅ«Ì컨°åampa will accept the electronic transcript as official if it is submitted through one of below providersÌýÌý
    • Ìý
    • Ìý
    • Ìý
    • Ìý
    •  
  • Hard copies of official transcripts must be submitted in a sealed envelope directly from the school or institution.

Mail hard copies to:Ìý
Ìý ÌýÌýÌýOffice of Graduate and Continuing StudiesÌý
Ìý Ìý ÌýUniversity of TampaÌý
Ìý Ìý Ìý401 W. Kennedy Blvd, Box FÌý
Ìý Ìý ÌýTampa, FL 33606-1490


Step 3:ÌýSubmit official GRE or GMAT test scoresÌý

Standardized tests must be taken within five years of the desired term of entry. Official scores must be requested and sent to ÂÌÅ«Ì컨°åampa directly from the testing agency.Ìý

Waivers of the GRE/GMAT exam are only considered for those applicants who earn a degree in business from an AACSB-accredited institution. Work experience is not considered in the waiver request.Ìý

Note: Meeting the criteria listed above only qualifies a student to request a GMAT waiver. All GMAT waivers are reviewed on an individual basis and must be approved by a committee. Please contact your admissions counselor for more information.


Step 4: English proficiency requirements

International applicants who have not earned at least a bachelor’s degree in the U.S. must submit official English proficiency test scores to ÂÌÅ«Ì컨°åampa directly from the testing agency.ÌýMinimum test scores required:

  • IELTS – 6.5Ìý
  • TOEFL – 90Ìý
  • Duolingo – 120

Applicants who are citizens of the following countries may have their English proficiency requirement waived:

Antigua and Barbuda
Australia
Bahamas
Barbados
Belize
Bermuda
Botswana
British Virgin Islands
Canada
Cayman Islands
Dominica
Gambia
Ghana
Grenada
Guyana
Ireland
Jamaica
Kenya
Lesotho
Liberia
Malawi
Namibia
New Zealand
Nigeria
Sierra Leone
South Africa
St. Kitts and Nevis
St. Lucia
St. Vincent and the Grenadines
Trinidad and Tobago
Turks and Caicos
United Kingdom
Zambia
Zimbabwe

Ìý

Step 5: Submit additional information

Upload any items required by your program to the Spartan application portal.

  • Personal statement, 500-1000 words, written in EnglishÌý
  • Professional resumeÌý
  • Two reference forms completed by individuals who can attest to the applicant’s professional background and academic potential.

Undergraduate students may be admitted to the combined B.S./M.S. degree program if they meet the following requirements:

  1. °ä´Ç³¾±è±ô±ð³Ù±ð»åÌý4+1ÌýM.S. in Criminology and Criminal Justice application
  2. Good standing inÌýÂÌÅ«Ì컨°åampa's criminology and criminal justice major
  3. Minimum 90 earned credits with an overall undergraduate GPA of 3.0 out of a possible 4.0
  4. Minimum criminology and criminal justice major GPA of 3.25 out of a possible 4.0
  5. Junior/senior status with at least 24 earned credits in the criminology and criminal justice major
  6. Two professional reference forms from academic or professional sources
  7. Writing sample indicating evidence of ability to conduct scholarly research
  8. Personal statement of educational and/or professional goals (In approximately 500-1,000 words, describe your professional goals and how a graduate degree from the University of Tampa will help you accomplish those goals. In turn, you may also want to emphasize what you can contribute to the graduate program.)

Students admitted to the program will enroll in eight graduate credits (two classes) that will be applied to both theÌýB.S.Ìýand M.S. degrees. These eight graduate credits will be applied toward program electives in fulfilling theÌý. Students are considered undergraduates until completion of 124 credits and satisfactory completion of all B.S. requirements. Upon successfully meeting all B.S. requirements, the bachelor's degree is conferred and students are automatically classified as graduate students. All graduate application fees are waived for such students.

For questions, contactÌýthe Office of Graduate and Continuing Studies at (813) 253-6249 orÌýgradinfo@ut.eduÌýor Criminology and Criminal Justice graduate program director, Dr. Chivon Fitch.