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

Master of Science in Criminal Justice – Academic/Thesis Track Curriculum

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)

Master of Science in Criminal Justice, with specialization in Criminology (Professional/Non-Thesis Program)

The Master of Science in Criminal Justice, with specialization in Criminology (Professional Track) consists of at least thirty (30) units of advanced study in professional or vocational subjects, with at least three (3) units designated as a capstone course or practice-based project. It requires students to pass a comprehensive exam and complete a capstone project. It is a master’s-level professional track whose primary objective is the application of knowledge to professional practice. 

• 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

Master of Science in Criminal Justice – Professional/Non-Thesis Track Curriculum

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 (15 units Required)

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

Capstone Project (6 units Required)

• Capstone Proposal & Workshop (3 units)
• Capstone Project (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

Doctor of Philosophy in Criminology Curriculum

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)