Admissions Requirements

The online master of arts (M.A.) in criminology and criminal justice is open to eligible students in the U.S. (including the District of Columbia and all U.S. territories). The program also is open to students in Canada (all provinces). The program is closed to students residing in countries other than the U.S. and Canada except for U.S. military and State Department personnel and their family members with APO/FPO addresses.

Applicants must satisfy the following minimum requirements:

  • Hold a baccalaureate degree granted by a regionally accredited institution (for international students, a degree granted by a recognized institution).
  • Have earned one of the following:
    • a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.75 in all undergraduate coursework
    • a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0 in the last 60 hours of undergraduate coursework
    • a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0 in the applicant's major field of study
    • a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0 in all courses taken at the graduate level
  • Completion of the following undergraduate courses or their equivalents:
    • Dynamics of Criminal and Delinquent Behavior (CRIM 427)—3 credits
    • Juvenile Delinquency (CRIM 423)—3 credits
    • Courses in Sociology, Psychology, Political Science—12 credits
  • Submit a one- to two-page typewritten statement of purpose that includes the following: career goals, including professional achievement; academic experience to date; and how a master's in criminology and criminal justice from Indiana State University will assist the applicant in achieving personal and professional goals.
  • Provide three letters of recommendation from academic/professional resources. Not more than one of the letters can be from the Indiana State University School of Criminology and Security Studies.
  • International applicants must submit official scores for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or provide equivalent evidence of language proficiency.
  • The GRE (Graduate Record Examination) is not required.

Note: Criminology 427 and 423, or their equivalents, must be taken as undergraduate courses prior to admission to the graduate program. However, a student will be able to take six credits of undergraduate criminology and criminal justice coursework plus six credits of graduate work in other departments under a tentative admission status. The twelve credits of courses required in the social sciences may be taken for undergraduate credit at the same time as graduate courses are taken toward the degree.