Master of Arts - Criminal Justice

Plan Description

The Traditional Master of Arts degree program is designed to improve a student’s understanding of the nature, causes, and consequences of crime and crime control. Based on the tradition of the liberal arts, the program emphasizes the symbiotic relationship between crime and the structure of society and the interplay between criminal justice theory and practice. These relationships are explored through course work in criminological theory, law and social control, the administration of justice, and crime and public policy. By completing the requirements for this program, students will be prepared for teaching at the community college level and doctoral study in crime and criminal justice.

Designed for the full-time criminal justice professional, the Professional Master’s Degree Program in Criminal Justice provides students with advanced knowledge of the nature of crime, criminal justice institutions and processes, current criminal justice policy and training in research methods, statistics, and program evaluation. The program will also be open to students seeking a terminal master’s degree and a career in the criminal justice system. Upon completion of the program, students will have furthered their understanding of crime, the criminal justice system, and be able to conduct evaluations of policies and programs within various agencies in the justice system. This program is structured so that enrolled students can complete the program in two years of part-time study (six credit hours per regular semester and six credit hours during the summer sessions). Recognizing most full-time professionals have schedules that often preclude attendance during regular class times, the program utilizes a variety of distance education techniques, including prerecorded and compressed video, and online instruction.   

For more information about your program, including your graduate program handbook and learning outcomes, please visit the Degree Directory.

Learning outcomes for specific subplan tracks can be found below:

• Master of Arts - Criminal Justice; Professional
• Master of Arts - Criminal Justice; Traditional

Plan Admission Requirements

Application deadlines

Applications available on the UNLV Graduate College website.

1. An undergraduate degree from an institution with regional or national accreditation is required. Students are encouraged to complete some undergraduate course work related to criminal justice/criminology, and statistics in social sciences. A minimum GPA of 2.75 for all undergraduate work and a 3.00 for the last two years of undergraduate work is required for admission to the program.
2. The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is required for admission.
3. A Criminal Justice Graduate Program Application Cover Page must be completed.
4. A statement of purpose for pursuing the Master of Arts Degree, addressing the student’s particular interests in the field of criminal justice and his or her future academic and/or professional goals, must be provided at the time of application.
5. Two letters of recommendation are required. It is preferred that both letters be from professors from whom the applicant took the classes. If the applicant completed the undergraduate degree work within the past five years, it is required that at least one letter be from a professor, unless the applicant can document the reasons why a letter from a former professor is difficult to obtain. If the applicant completed the undergraduate degree work more than five years ago and is currently working in a criminal justice-related field, two letters may be obtained from the applicant’s direct supervisor or co-workers. References from other sources will not be reviewed.
6. The admissions process requires submitting all information and materials through the UNLV Graduate College Online Application. See the Criminal Justice Department website for more details.
7. All domestic and international applicants must review and follow the Graduate College Admission and Registration Requirements.

Students are accepted into a degree program as described in the Graduate Catalog. The faculty and corresponding sub-disciplines and sub-plans within the described programs are subject to change at any time.

Plan Requirements

 See Subplan Requirements below.  

Subplan 1: Traditional Track
Subplan 2: Professional Track

Subplan 1 Requirements: Traditional Track

Total Credits Required: 36

Subplan 2 Requirements: Professional Track

Total Credits Required: 36

Plan Graduation Requirements

1. The student must submit all required forms to the Graduate College and then apply for graduation up to two semesters prior to completing his/her degree requirements.
2. The student must successfully pass a comprehensive exam.