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Columbia Campus    
2017-2018 Graduate Studies Bulletin (Archived Copy) 
    
 
  Nov 22, 2024
 
2017-2018 Graduate Studies Bulletin (Archived Copy) [Archived Catalog]

Criminology and Criminal Justice, M.A.



Learning Outcomes

  • Students will be able to correctly frame research questions and/or hypotheses.
  • Students will be able to synthesize and critically evaluate existing research studies in a given area, including the identification of any gaps in the literature.
  • Students will be able to select the appropriate research design for their proposed research study.
  • Students will be able to specify the appropriate analytic strategy for their proposed research study.
  • Students will be able to identify and define major criminological theories from the field. 
  • Students will be able to synthesize and critically evaluate research studies from a particular theoretical perspective, including the identification of any gaps in the literature.
  • Students will be able to identify the major constitutional limitations governing the conduct of criminal justice actors in the United States.
  • Students will be able to identify principles of distributive and corrective justice and their application to criminal justice settings.
  • Students will be able to identify and discuss important policy changes in America’s response to crime.
  • Students will be able to synethesize and critically evaluate research studies from a particular criminal justice policy area, including the identification of any gaps in the literature.

Degree Requirements (30 Hours)

Requirements for the M.A. degree include:

2. Electives


Students choosing the thesis option must take 9 hours of elective courses with no more than 6 credit hours below the 700 level (i.e. 500 or 600 level). Students choosing the non-thesis option must take an additional 6 credit hours of elective courses for a total of 15 credit hours of elective credit with no more than 9 credit hours below the 700 level (i.e. 500 or 600 level).

3. Comprehensive Assessment


Each student must successfully complete the general M.A. comprehensive assessment, which tests students’ knowledge of major philosophical, scientific, theoretical, and policy issues related to criminology and criminal justice. The comprehensive assessment examination varies depending on the chosen track (thesis vs. non-thesis). Students who fail the examination are permitted to retake it one time. Completion of the comprehensive assessment remains valid for two years after which the assessment must be repeated.

4. Thesis or non-thesis option


Students may choose to complete a 6 credit hour thesis. Successful completion of the thesis will require an oral defense before the student’s thesis committee. Students choosing the non-thesis option must take an additional 6 credit hours of elective courses in lieu of thesis credits for a total of 15 credit hours of elective credit with no more than 9 credit hours below the 700 level level (i.e. 500 or 600 level).

5. Program Progress


Students who accumulate more than 6 hours of graduate credit below the grade of B will not be permitted to continue the program. No course may be repeated more than one time.

6. Audited Courses


Core courses may not be audited. Other courses may be audited, but students must remember that audited courses cannot be repeated for credit.

7. Transfer Credits


Students may transfer up to 6 credit hours from other programs and/or institutions provided they meet departmental requirements. Transfer credits may not be applied to core courses.