Criminology and Justice, Master of Arts

St. John's College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Queens Campus

Overview

The M.A. in Criminology and Justice at St. John's University offers a rigorous academic foundation in criminology and the skills to analyze crime-related data and research. Combining theory and practical applications, the program enhances career advancement in a variety of professional arenas, including criminal justice agencies, legal settings, and non-profit organizations.

You can start the program in either the fall or spring semesters. Full-time students can complete the program within three semesters; part-time students require four to five semesters.

Department Faculty

Please see a list of our Sociology and Anthropology faculty.

Contact

Judith Ryder, Ph.D.
Associate Professor and Interim Graduate Director
St. John Hall, Room 444-K
718-990-5660
[email protected]

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Admission

Office of Graduate Admission
718-990-1601
[email protected]

Graduate Assistantships

St. John’s University awards a limited number of graduate assistantships each year to qualified students. Please visit Graduate Assistantships and Fellowships for more information.

NYPD Scholarship

St. John’s University grants a public scholarship to all members of NYPD who are admitted to the M.A. program. The scholarship provides a 33 percent tuition reduction for uniformed members of the service.

Courses

Required Courses (15 credits)

CRM 103 Pro-Seminar
CRM 127; 127L Statistics for Social Science
CRM 231 Evaluation of Criminal Justice Policies
CRM 232 Criminological Theory
CRM 300 Strategies and Tactics of Social Research

Thesis Option (30 credits)

Required courses (15 credits)
Elective courses (9 credits) chosen under departmental advisement
CRM 900 Master's Research: two semesters (six credits) of
research under the supervision of an assigned mentor
A thesis, to be examined by a committee of readers composed of the mentor and one other faculty member

Non-Thesis Option (33 credits)

Required courses (15 credits)
Elective courses (18 credits) chosen under departmental advisement
Comprehensive examination

Elective courses may include:

White Collar Crime
Juvenile Delinquency
Restorative Justice
Class, Race and Criminal Justice
Environmental Crime and Justice
Global Crime
Forensic Psychology
Punishment and Reform
Comparative Criminology
Situational Crime Prevention
Cyber-Crime
Identity Theft
Organized Crime
Family Violence
Drugs and Society
Human Trafficking
Terrorism
Field Internship

Career Outcomes

Our graduates have pursued careers in a wide variety of areas related to crime and justice.

Recent alumni hold positions at:

Department of Homeland Security	Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)
NYC Department of Education	NYC Department of Investigations
NYC Department of Juvenile Justice	NYC Department of Mental Health
NYPD	Social Security Administration

The program also benefits research-oriented students, many of whom have continued their education in law school and in doctoral programs in criminology and related social sciences.

Internships

We strongly encourage you to combine your coursework with experiential learning through internships in the multitude of government and non-profit agencies based in New York City.

M.A. Criminology & Justice students have pursued internship opportunities at:

Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives	Brooklyn and Queens District Attorneys Offices
Legal Aid Society	NYC Department of Investigations
Office of Special Narcotics Prosecution	Red Hook Community Justice Center
U.S. Secret Service

In addition to invaluable work experience that may be directly applicable in future employment, you may also earn academic credit for your internship.

Additional Information

Why should I apply to the St. John's program?
What better place to study crime and modern crime control than New York City? What better place to engage in an internship or launch a career than New York City? What better place to study than St. John's University, New York? Our reputation, our published and active faculty, our location, and your potential, all combine here to create unlimited possibilities for you.

What are the admissions requirements?
Applicants much have a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution. Acceptance requires a minimum of 18 credit hours of undergraduate coursework in the social sciences. Deficiencies must be corrected under departmental direction. International students must submit TOEFL or IELTS scores.

Is the GRE required for admission?
No, but you may need to submit GRE scores for an academic assistantship.

How long will it take to finish the degree?
The program is designed so that students can enroll either full-time (minimum of nine credits per semester) or part-time (minimum of six credits per semester). Full-time students may complete the program in as little as three semesters and part-time students in five semesters.

I work during the day. Can I take classes after work?
Yes. Most classes are offered in the early evening (7 - 9 p.m.). Others are offered in the late afternoon (4:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.).

Is financial assistance available?
Yes. Students can apply for loans or grants through Student Financial Services.

Will I be able to get credit for an internship?
Yes. You may earn up to six credits for internship experience by enrolling in supervised field placement courses.

Can I take classes in the summer?
Yes. Selected classes will be offered during the summer term.

How can I contact an alumnus or a current student?
We will gladly get you in contact with one of our current and/or former students. Contact the department for more information.

Where can I live?
St. John's has brand new residence halls for graduate students that include a modern dining hall, a fitness center, a self-contained computer center, and rooms that are fully wired for personal computers and laptops. Residence Life can also help you find a reasonably-priced apartment off-campus.