Our On-Campus Graduate Option
The on-campus M.A. in Criminal Justice & Criminology is designed for students interested in expanding their knowledge of the criminal justice system and gaining the skills and tools required to become leaders in the field. Our students come from a variety of academic backgrounds and feature varying levels of career experience. Some enter the program immediately after completing their undergraduate degree, while others decide to continue their education while employed in careers such as policing, corrections and social services.
Explore the tabs below to learn more about the program!
Overview
Our program seeks to prepare graduates for entry into justice-related occupations, advancement to upper-level positions, and/or continued study at the doctoral level by providing them with the tools necessary to conduct, review and implement the latest research in the field.
Students enrolled in the M.A. program come from a variety of academic backgrounds, ranging from criminal justice to the natural sciences. Though individuals with an undergraduate degree in criminal justice or a related field will likely be better prepared initially, those from other disciplines tend to feature similar success rates.
Why ETSU?
Our graduate faculty members have extensive experience in research, teaching and practice. Several have held positions within the field, ranging from law enforcement to correctional counseling. All are currently active in research projects that explore topics related to their interests and agendas. We strive to create opportunities for graduate students to become involved in these projects should the interest arise.
Graduates of the M.A. program have gone on to have great success in their chosen career path. Some have been employed in leadership positions with federal and state organizations. Others have chosen to remain within their communities and serve in law enforcement, corrections and other related fields. Many of our graduates choose to continue their studies at the doctoral level and currently serve as faculty members at universities and colleges across the country.
Questions?
We are happy that you are considering our program! Please explore the above tabs for additional information and do not hesitate to contact our Graduate Program Coordinator if you have questions.
Admissions
Applications to the program will be evaluated based upon the following criteria:
- Completion of an undergraduate degree in criminal justice or a related field from an accredited college or university
- A cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher for all completed undergraduate coursework
- Submission of three letters of recommendation from individuals able to speak to the applicant's strengths and potential for graduate-level study
- A 3-5 page (double-spaced) narrative statement discussing the applicant's academic/career experiences, motivation for pursuing a graduate degree, and how the degree will aid in achieving their professional goals.
Individuals who do not meet the GPA requirements are still encouraged to apply, as all decisions are made on a case-by-case basis.
Coursework
Students are required to complete 33 hours of coursework if pursuing the thesis track and 36 hours of coursework if pursuing the comprehensive examination track. Please see the info boxes below for an overview of these requirements.
Additional information regarding the Program of Study can be found by reviewing the current Graduate Catalog.
Thesis Track
- CJCR 5000: Criminological Theory
- CJCR 5020: American Policing
- CJCR 5031: American Corrections
- CJCR 5040: Seminar in Courts
- CJCR 5850: Research Design in Criminology
- CJCR 5950: Quantitative Methods in Criminology
- CJCR 5960: Thesis
The remaining 12 credit hours (four courses) will be comprised of elective courses chosen by the student in consultation with their advisor.
Exam Track
- CJCR 5000: Criminological Theory
- CJCR 5020: American Policing
- CJCR 5031: American Corrections
- CJCR 5040: Seminar in Courts
- CJCR 5850: Research Design in Criminology
- CJCR 5950: Quantitative Methods in Criminology
The remaining 18 credit hours (six courses) will be comprised of elective courses chosen by the student in consultation with their advisor.
Culminating Experience
Students have the option of choosing either a thesis or comprehensive examination as their culminating experience. This decision will be made in consultation with the graduate program coordinator by the end of their first year in the program.
Thesis
The thesis involves conducting original research on a topic of interest. It is geared toward those seeking to continue their studies at the doctoral level or who are interested in gaining experience in the research process.
Students, in conjunction with a committee of faculty members, choose a topic, develop research questions and acquire data that will allow them to answer those questions. They then present the results of this research in the form of a thesis manuscript.
Exam
The comprehensive examination, which can be taken after completion of 27 credit hours and all core course requirements, involves answering a series of written response questions based upon the material covered in the program. It is comprised of three sections:
- General Knowledge
- Criminological Theory
- Research Design and Quantitative Methods
The exam is administered in take-home format over the course of one week, typically in the middle of the fall/spring semesters.
Funding
Our Department offers the following funding options for interested students:
GA Positions
Graduate Assistants work 20 hours per week during the academic year. In exchange, they receive a tuition waiver and monthly stipend to assist with living expenses. Job responsibilities vary, but typically involves assisting a professor with classroom instruction, grading and/or research. Some senior GA's (those having completed 18 credit hours) may be allowed the opportunity to teach their own course under the supervision of a professor.Half-GA Positions
Half-GAs work 10 hours per week during the academic year. In return they receive a partial tuition waiver and stipend. Job responsibilities typically involve assisting Department faculty in advising undergraduate students regarding course registration and progress toward their degree.Applying for Funding
Students interested in receiving funding in the form of a GA or TS position should contact Christine Melear (ketelaar@etsu.edu) for an application. We request that you submit the funding application and application for admission by the following deadlines:
March 1st for Fall Consideration
September 30th for Spring Consideration
Funding Decisions
Decisions are made by our faculty in the days following each of the above deadlines. They are based upon the applicant's undergraduate GPA and other relevant factors. Skype or telephone interviews may be requested in order to match the interests of those receiving funding with the most appropriate faculty member.
International Students
Important Information
- The international student and scholar services office is responsible for handling I-20 documents, travel issues, and other helpful information. The international student and scholar services office can be accessed at: https://www.etsu.edu/international/student-scholar-services/
- Deadline for international applications:
- Fall: May 1
- Spring: October 1
- Deadline for departmental funding:
- Fall: March 15
- Spring: October 15
GA/TS Information:
- There are important differences between full Graduate Assistantships (GA) and half Graduate Assistantships Scholarships (half GA). GA's generally work 20 hours per week in the office, while TS's generally work 10 hours per week in the office. Full Graduate Assistantships receive a full tuition waiver, while half-GAs receive 50% off the the current rate. Additionally, GA positions include a monthly $875 stipend, while half-GAs receive 50% of this amount. However, a program service fee (approximately $1,100 per semester) is still due for both positions.
- Applications for departmental funding positions can be obtained by emailing our executive aide at ketelaar@etsu.edu
- The number of departmental GA and half-GA positions vary each semester.
- In addition to the departmental positions, other funded positions are frequently available across campus. These positions can be found at: https://www.etsu.edu/gradschool/funding/gats.php
- All funding positions are competitive. It is important to understand that there are numerous applications for each position and the department only has control over the allocation of departmental funding positions.
- If you receive a GA or half-GA position, this cannot be combined with the international merit scholarship.
- It is important to understand that the GA stipend is not enough to provide all living expenses. You should have adequate savings for two years of living expenses and to cover the program service fee each semester.
Deferral Requests
- It is our experience that international students frequently have difficulties obtaining visa appointments or have other immigration-related issues resulting in the need to defer applications to a future semester
- The deferral form is located at: https://etsu.jotform.com/203073447206954
- You can defer for up to one year from the initial term of admission. However, there is a limit to how many times you can defer your application. The ETSU graduate admissions team can provide additional information.
- Deferral requests must be completed prior to the first day of classes.