Overview

Students may tailor their programs through their selected electives, curricula tracks, and choice of one of three completion options.

For students already working in criminal justice professions, the comprehensive examination may be an ideal culminating experience.The exam assesses the student’s knowledge of and ability to evaluate key topics and issues in criminology and criminal justice. It tests the student’s understanding and proficiency in the material covered in the core courses as well as in each student’s specific elective courses completed.This written exam provides an overarching assessment of the student’s knowledge of criminology and criminal justice.

Option 2: Internship and accompanying paper/report.

For the student seeking an initial placement in or seeking a change in criminal justice professions, the internship may serve as an ideal culminating experience.The student works with his/her advisor to identify and design an internship placement in one of a variety of agencies (e.g., local, state, or federal juvenile justice or criminal justice agencies). He/she works with his/her advisor to gain placement and to specify the nature of the internship paper/report.The internship may be full or part-time, depending on the agency involved.

For those students interested in pursuing a doctoral degree, the thesis option is the recommended culminating experience. The thesis is an independent research project that is completed by the student in the last phases of his/her Master’s program. It represents an original contribution to criminological and/or criminal justice knowledge. Students pursuing this option must recruit and enlist a thesis committee, which consists of three members, two of whom (including the chairperson) must be faculty members in the Department of Sociology.