Criminology and Criminal Justice, M.S.

Objectives of Program

The Master of Science in Criminology and Criminal Justice (MCCJ) is a program designed to produce quality‐based and critically‐oriented scholars in criminology and criminal justice, with an in‐depth knowledge of the functioning of the criminal justice system. The Criminology and Criminal Justice Program is interdisciplinary and seeks qualified students with baccalaureate degrees in criminal justice and other disciplines as well as professionals in the field who desire to further their degrees in criminal justice. The program also prepares students for Doctoral work in the discipline. Graduate education in Criminal Justice at UMES, the only such program on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, will be useful to criminal justice agencies in the state. Graduate education in the discipline has become the generally sought academic experience for optimum performance within the criminal justice system.

The major objectives of the Master of Science in Criminology and Criminal Justice are to:

1. Enhance students’ knowledge in criminology and criminal justice with the potentialities and opportunities for Doctoral work and advancement of this body of knowledge.
2. Provide students with the skills to engage in original and independent scholarly research in criminology and criminal justice.
3. Enhance students’ capacity to critically evaluate the criminal justice system and to hold management and research positions in the public and private sectors.
4. Increase students’ knowledge of qualitative and quantitative research in criminology and criminal justice and provide them with the necessary skills to be effective researchers, program evaluators, consultants in the field, and users of existing criminological research data.
5. Assure that students acquire an understanding of an integrative minority perspective in criminological thought.
6. Increase students’ knowledge and appreciation of various theoretical explanations of criminal behavior.

Description of the Program

All Master’s degree students are required to take five core courses (MCCJ 600 , MCCJ 620 , MCCJ 625 , MCCJ 631 , MCCJ 640 ). A grade of “B” (3.0) or better must be achieved in each core course. Each Master of Science degree student may specialize in one concentration area. These include Criminology and Research (CR), Law Enforcement and Courts (LEC), and Corrections and Delinquency Prevention (CDP). The Master of Science degree is granted upon completion of one of two program options.

Thesis Option

The thesis option requires the successful completion of twenty‐four (24) semester hours of course work and a minimum of six (6) hours of credit on an original thesis. This research-oriented option of thirty (30) credit hours is designed for students who anticipate pursuing their academic career to the Doctoral level. Students electing this option must form a Thesis Committee. A minimum committee consists of a major professor and two additional faculty members, all of whom must be a UMES graduate faculty member. The major professor and one member of the Thesis Committee should be selected from the Department of Criminal Justice Faculty. The third Committee member must be selected from campus approved graduate faculty. A successful oral defense of the thesis is required. Students are encouraged to review the department’s Comprehensive Examination‐Thesis Policy prior to beginning work on the thesis.

Course Work Option

The course work option requires that the student completes thirty‐six (36) credit hours of course work. This option does not require completion of a major paper.

Graduate Student Responsibility (Thesis Option)

Each student will select a major professor according to his/her area of concentration. Major professors must be selected from the faculty of the Criminal Justice Department who are associate/regular members of the UMES Graduate Faculty. The student, in consultation with his/her major professor, selects the Thesis Committee. The Committee includes a major professor from the Department of Criminal Justice and two other faculty members, one of whom must come from the Criminal Justice Department. A student may select an associate or regular member of the Graduate Faculty from another discipline.

Thesis option graduate students are responsible for all aspects of the preparation of the thesis, including the following:

1. Subject matter and content.
2. Organization and format.
3. Editorial, linguistic and bibliographic quality.
4. Quality of text, illustrations and duplication.
5. Quality of data, evidence and logical reasoning presented.
6. Proper processing and submission of the final copies of the document to the graduate school.

The Thesis Advisory Committee’s Responsibility

The Chair and to a lesser extent, the other members of the Advisory Committee, are responsible for the following aspects of the thesis and the related or associated research experience:

1. Approval of the subject matter and methodology of the thesis research.
2. Approval of the organization, content and format of the thesis,
3. Review of and comment on drafts of various aspects of the thesis.
4. Evaluation of the thesis as a basis for certification that the student has fulfilled the degree requirements.
5. Encouragement of and advice to the student and review of manuscripts based on the thesis research for publication in scholarly journals.

Admissions Requirements and Guidelines

All requirements of the University, as set forth in this Catalog, must be met prior to admission into the MCCJ program in the Department of Criminal Justice. The admissions criteria for Regular Admission status are:

1. A baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited 4‐year college or university, or the equivalent from a foreign country.
2. A minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) on undergraduate coursework.
3. Successful completion of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) [General Test]. Acceptance of the scores will be determined by the Admissions Committee.
4. Three letters of recommendation from person capable of adequately assessing the applicant’s potential for success in the program.
5. An interview by the Admissions Committee.

Provisional Admission

Applicants who fail to meet any of the above requirements may be admitted on a provisional basis. Provisional admission consideration will be based on fulfillment of all the following:

1. A minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75 (on a 4.0 scale) on all undergraduate coursework.
2. Registration will not be allowed for more than 9 credit hours in the first semester in the program, and a minimum grade of “B” in all courses must be maintained.
3. Three letters of recommendation from persons capable of adequately assessing the applicant’s potential for success in the program.
4. Successful completion of the GRE (general test) within the timeframe presented in the Department’s Graduate Program Policy and Procedures document.

Application Deadlines

Fall Semester ‐ April 15
Spring Semester ‐ October 30
Summer Sessions ‐ April 15

Academic Probation, Suspension and Dismissal

Academic probation follows the policy of the Graduate School as set forth in this Catalog.

The Department’s policy on academic suspension for this program is that a student may be suspended from the program if he/she:

1. earns two “C” grades; or
2. has a cumulative GPA of less than 3.0.

Removal of Academic Suspension is as follows. A suspended student may be conditionally readmitted after:

1. sitting out for one calendar year; and
2. retaking the GRE test.

The Department’s policy on academic dismissal from this program is that a student shall be dismissed from the program if he/she:

1. makes three grades of “C” or less in one semester, and
2. makes two “C” grades in one semester while in Provisional Admission status.

Non‐Degree Registration

A student who has not been formally admitted into the Criminal Justice Graduate program may be allowed to take no more than six (6) credit hours of classes per semester as a non-degree seeking student. Such grades earned will not in any way count toward qualifying conditions for admission into the program. Non‐degree seeking students are admitted by the Graduate School and follow the policy for the Advanced Special Status Student set forth in this Catalog.

Retention and Exit Requirements

All students, regardless of area of concentration or program option chosen, must maintain a cumulative 3.0 or better grade point average, complete degree requirements in five (5) years or less, and successfully pass a written comprehensive examination. The written comprehensive examination may be attempted a maximum of two times. Comprehensive examinations are given each October and April. The Department of Criminal Justice’s Comprehensive Examination Procedures will govern conduct of the examination.

Employed Professionals

The MCCJ Program acknowledges the correlation between theory and research on the one hand and practical application on the other. The MCCJ Program strongly invites criminal justice practitioners and other professionals to enroll in the program. The overall objective is to prepare practitioners for advanced administrative positions in criminal justice and other related agencies. Students may elect to complete the program requirements for graduation on either a full‐time or part‐time basis (five‐year limit for the duration of the program). The program courses will to the extent possible be offered in the evenings in order to accommodate employed practitioners. Courses may also be offered on weekends.

Financial Assistance

UMES recognizes the high cost of education and makes every effort to offer financial assistance, through a variety of programs, to qualified students. In addition, federal loans are available to graduate students through the university’s financial aid office. For additional information about loans and other sources of aid, contact the Financial Aid Office.

For further information on this program, please contact

Nelsetta Walters‐Jones, Ph.D.
Graduate Program Coordinator (MCCJ)
Hazel Hall
Department of Criminal Justice
University of Maryland Eastern Shore
Princess Anne, MD 21853
Email: nwaltersjones@umes.edu