Graduate School

Master of Science in Criminal Justice, with specialization in Criminology (Academic/Thesis Program)

The Master of Science in Criminal Justice, with specialization in Criminology (Academic Track) consists of at least twenty-four (24) units of coursework and at least six (6) units of thesis. It requires students to pass a comprehensive exam and produce a thesis. As a final product, students are required to have at least one (1) publication in a peer-reviewed journal. 

• Can be completed in 3 regular semesters and 1 summer/midyear semester (1 year and six months)

Can be taken by:

• B.S. Criminology graduates
• Bachelor’s degree holders of other disciplines who have completed 21 units of professional courses in B.S. Criminology
• Licensed or non-licensed Criminologists

Course of Study:

Foundation Courses (9 units Required)

• Foundations of Criminal Justice and Criminology (3 units)
• Methods of Criminological Research (3 units)
• Statistics in Criminal Justice (3 units)

Specialization Courses (12 units Required)

• Transnational Crimes & Terrorism (3 units)
• Economic Crimes (3 units)
• Crisis Intervention Management (3 units)
• Modern Penology (3 units)

Cognate Courses (3 units Required)

• Problems in Criminal Law, Procedures, and Evidence (3 units)
• Communication Skills for Criminal Justice Administrators (3 units)

Comprehensive Examination (0 units)

Thesis (6 units Required)

• Thesis Proposal & Workshop (3 units)
• Thesis Writing & Presentation (3 units) 

Doctor of Philosophy in Criminology

The Doctor of Philosophy in Criminology consists of a minimum of twenty-four (24) units of coursework and twelve (12) units of dissertation. Students are expected to pass a comprehensive examination. The dissertation will undergo a public defense. As a final product, students must also have a publication, i.e. evidence of admission to an internationally or nationally refereed and indexed journal.

• Can be completed in 4 semesters (2 years)

Can be taken by:

• MS Criminal Justice or MS Criminology graduates
• Non-thesis MS Criminal Justice or MS Criminology graduates will be required to take 12 units of bridging program, composed of specialization courses in MS Criminal Justice or MS Criminology.
• Master’s degree holders of other disciplines who have completed 21 units of specialization courses in MS Criminal Justice or MS Criminology

Course of Study:

Foundation Courses (9 units Required)

• Advanced Quantitative Methods of Research in Criminology (3 units)

• Advanced Qualitative Methods of Research in Criminology (3 units)

• Advanced Statistics & Data Analysis in Criminal Justice (3 units)

Specialization Courses (15 units Required)

• Teaching & Research Assistantship (3 units)

• Public Safety Management with Strategic Management (3 units)

• Legal Research Methods for Criminal Justice Practitioners (3 units)

• Ethical Practices in Criminal Justice Leadership (3 units)

• Current Trends & Issues in Criminal Justice Organizations with Total Quality Management (3 units)

Dissertation (12 units required)

• Dissertation Conceptualization (3 units)

• Dissertation Proposal & Workshop (3 units)

• Dissertation Writing (3 units)

• Dissertation Publication & Presentation (3 units)