Master of Science in Criminal Justice

Program Coordinator

Admission Deadlines

Additional Links
Dr. Deborah Robinson Fall Semester: July 15 Retention/Dismissal/Readmission Policy
Email: dmrobins@valdosta.edu Spring Semester: November 15 Graduation Requirements
Phone: 229-333-5943

Summer Semester: April 15

 Criminal Justice Program

Admission Requirements

Please note: the MS Criminal Justice is moving to an exclusively online format effective Fall 2015. 

Required Documents

Admission Requirements

Online Graduate Application
  • Application Fee (credit or debit card and e-checks accepted)
  • Apply Online

Official transcript from your bachelor’s degree-granting school and from any graduate coursework

(Transcripts of coursework completed in-residence at VSU will be obtained by the Graduate School
  • Must hold a bachelor’s degree from a regionally- accredited institution.
  • Minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale calculated on all attempted coursework.
  • See Important Program Information for additional prerequisites.

Graduate Record Exam
  • Minimum GRE Requirements:
    • 146 Verbal and 140 Quantitative with a 3.5 analytical score.
    • For GRE’s taken before October 2002 a minimum score of 800 on any two combined sections (verbal + quantitative or verbal plus analytical).
  • Miller Analogies Test Requirement (accepted starting Fall 2013): 387
Two-page essay 
(Instructions for essay)
  • An essay detailing the applicant’s interest in enrolling in the program, goals for advancing his/her intellectual abilities in the program, and how study in the program will advance his/her professional skills.

Two Recommendations

(General Recommendation Form Required)
  • Recommendations from professionals familiar with your academic work.

VSU Medical Form

(Distance Learning)
  • Students enrolling exclusively in online classes are not required to submit immunization records.
  • Applicants for the online track should complete the Student Information Section (top of page 1) and the Distance Learning Exemption (bottom of page 1) only.

Unless otherwise indicated above, all required documents must be received on or before the admission deadline for your file to be reviewed. It is the applicant's responsibility to allow adequate time for document delivery and to ensure receipt of documents. Please allow at least 7-10 days for delivery by mail.

Important Program Information

Applicants must have completed an undergraduate basic statistics course and one course in research methodology.  Students may apply for a waiver of these requirements by demonstrating proficiency through an examination.
International Applicants 

Effective Fall 2015, the MS CJ is a fully online program.  Federal homeland security guidelines state that student visas cannot be issued for online programs. Prospective students whose first language is not English or those who completed coursework or degrees outside the U.S., please review the information below for specific information and guidelines.  

  • Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) Exam, International English Language Testing System (IELTS), ELS Language Centers Level 109, or completion of level 6 at VSU's English Language Institute – Applicants whose first language is not English (based on country of citizenship) must submit one of the above.  International applicants whose first language is not English but who have earned a bachelor’s degree or higher from a U.S. institution may be exempt from the language proficiency requirement.

  • Evaluation of International Transcripts - Applicants who have completed coursework at an institution outside of the United States must submit a course-by-course evaluation of the coursework.  This transcript evaluation must be completed by an international education credentials evaluation service such as Josef Silny, ECE, etc.  The transcript evaluation does not replace the transcript requirement. Official transcripts are still required.

Admission Classifications

 

  • Regular Status
  • Probationary Status

Applications for are reviewed as a total package in which transcripts, GPA, GRE scores, letters of recommendation, and interest essays are reviewed to determine if a candidate is eligible for admission to the M.S. in Criminal Justice program. Thus, applicants who do not meet the minimum GPA requirements but exceed the minimum GRE requirements, and applicants who do not meet the minimum GRE requirements but exceed the minimum GPA requirement, may still be eligible for regular admission. Such cases must be approved by the Criminal Justice Faculty before regular admission is granted.

 

Irregular Admission

 

Applicants who wish to be considered for the M.S. in Criminal Justice program who lack one of the following requirements: recommendation, GRE score, or essay may submit an Irregular Agreement Form with their application materials. Applicants who are missing transcripts are ineligible for Irregular consideration. Submission of the Irregular Agreement Form and admission documents are subject to standard admission deadlines. Students may take up to 9 semester hours in Irregular Status. Irregular students are not eligible for Financial Aid. Read the form carefully for policies and requirements concerning this admission status.

 

Non-Degree Admission

Applicants who wish to take courses but do not intend to pursue a degree may be considered for Non-Degree admission status. Non-Degree applicants must submit the following documents by the admission deadline for their term: (1) Online Graduate Application for Admission; (2) Evidence of an undergraduate degree from a regionally accredited institution (i.e., official or unofficial transcript); (3) VSU Medical Form. Non-degree applicants are subject to standard admission deadlines. Please note: Non-Degree students are not eligible for Financial Aid.

Admission Questions 

For admission questions about this program, please contact the Graduate School by phone, email, or stop by our office.
  • Call Us: 229-333-5694 or toll free 800-618-1878, Option #5
      
     
  • Visit Us: Converse Hall (Main Campus), Third Floor, Suite 3100