BARBARA S. SIMS, Graduate Programs Coordinator
Penn State Harrisburg
777 W. Harrisburg Pike
Middletown, PA 17057-4898
717-948-6319
717-948-6042 (administrative assistant)
717-948-6320 (fax)
bas4@psu.edu
www.hbg.psu.edu

Degree Conferred: M.A.

The Graduate Faculty

M. A. DuPont-Morales, Ph.D. (Northeastern) Associate Professor of Criminal Justice
Shaun L. Gabbidon, Ph.D. (Indiana University of Pa.) Professor of Criminal Justice
Don Hummer, Ph.D. (Michigan State) Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice
James M. Ruiz, Ph.D. (Sam Houston State University) Associate Professor of Criminal Justice
Barbara A. Sims, Ph.D. (Sam Houston State University) Associate Professor of Criminal Justice

The program reflects the numerous complexities of the discipline. It provides academic leadership for students to work within corrections, institutionalized and non-institutionalized settings, victim services, adult and juvenile services, policing and law enforcement, private security, courts, and other human service organizations serving the clients of these institutions. It also helps develop research acumen for those students who may wish to consider doctoral studies.

Strong ties developed in state, local, and federal level law enforcement, corrections, drug treatment, victimization, and crime control policy organizations provide research and learning opportunities for interested students.

The degree may be earned by full or part-time study. Most courses will be offered in the evening, although some will be offered during the day or on weekends.

Admission Requirements

• A completed application form with the application fee.
• Two official transcripts of all colleges and universities attended.
• Graduation from a regionally accredited college or university.
• Three letters of recommendation.
• A brief (two-page) statement of purpose.
• Successful completion of college level statistics and/or research methods with a C or better.
• Minimum GPA of a 3.0 for the last 60 credits of undergraduate study.
• Students who do not have a baccalaureate in criminal justice must take CRIMJ 561 (The Criminal Justice System in America).
• In exceptional cases, the program may also approve admission by reason of special backgrounds, abilities, and interests.
• The thesis track requires 36 credits. Six credits will be the thesis. The non-thesis track requires 36 credits and the successful completion of the comprehensive essays.
• Students must submit admission materials for fall by February 15.

Degree Requirements

1. The thesis track requires 36 credits. Six of the credits will be for the thesis.
2. The non-thesis track will require 36 credits plus successful completion of the comprehensive essays, for which a student will register for one credit of CRIMJ 594.
3. These credits must be at the 400 level or above with a minimum of 30 credits at the 500 level or above.
4. A minimum grade-point average of a 3.0 must be earned for course work taken as a graduate student.
5. Students are required to take the following courses: CRIMJ 500, CRIMJ 501, CRIMJ 502, CRIMJ 503, and CRIMJ 504. CRIMJ 501 and CRIMJ 503 are to be taken concurrently.
6. Students who believe they have completed a course substantially similar to one of the specific course requirements may apply to have their previous work evaluated for the purposes of exemption to that requirement. If approved, another course will be taken in place of that requirement.
7. A maximum of 10 credits of completed graduate work may be transferred in from another accredited institution.
8. All international applicants whose first language is not English or who have not received a baccalaureate degree for an institution in which the language of instruction is English must take the TOEFL (test of English as a Foreign Language: www.toefl.org) and submit the results of that test with the application for admission. A TOEFL score of 550 (paper-based test) or 213 (computer-based test) or higher is required for admission.

Graduate courses carry numbers from 500 to 599 and 800 to 899. Advanced undergraduate courses numbered between 400 and 499 may be used to meet some graduate degree requirements when taken by graduate students. Courses below the 400 level may not. A graduate student may register for or audit these courses in order to make up deficiencies or to fill in gaps in previous education but not to meet requirements for an advanced degree.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE (CRIMJ) course list

The Pennsylvania State University © 2004

The University reserves the right to change the requirements and regulations listed here and to determine whether a student has satisfactorily met its requirements for admission or graduation, and to reject any applicant for any reason the University determines to be material to the applicant's qualifications to pursue higher education. Nothing in this material should be considered a guarantee that completion of a program and graduation from the University will result in employment.

This electronic Graduate Bulletin is a version of the official bulletin of The Pennsylvania State University. It is suggested that users refer to this electronic bulletin when seeking the latest information about the University's academic programs and courses. Printed versions of the Bulletin are also official copies of the programs, courses, and policies in effect at the time of printing.

DATE LAST UPDATED BY PUBLICATIONS: 9/5/07