Missouri State > Criminology > Master of Science in Criminology > M.S. in Criminology Program Requirements
Department of Sociology, Anthropology and Criminology
M.S. in Criminology Program Requirements
Students choose either a "thesis" or "non-thesis" option. The thesis option involves satisfactory completion a written master's thesis project and is recommended for anyone looking to enter a doctoral program. The non-thesis option requires a graduate practicum (internship) in a criminology-related agency along with passing a comprehensive examination, and is recommended for students seeking the Master of Science as their highest degree.
Thesis Option (Minimum of 33 credit hours):
Core Requirements (9 credits)-
CRM 502 "Analyzing Crime Data" (3 credits)
SOC 606, "Advanced Research Methodology" (3 credits)
CRM 620 "Crime Theory and Policy" (3 credits)
Electives (18 credits)-
Electives including a minimum of twelve hours taken from remaining CRM graduate-level courses. Courses outside CRM must be approved by the student's advisor.
Thesis (6 credits)-
Students must complete a written thesis followed by an oral defense in front of their advisory committee. Click here to view the thesis process policy statement.
CRM 502 "Analyzing Crime Data" (3 credits)
SOC 606, "Advanced Research Methodology" (3 credits)
CRM 620 "Crime Theory and Policy" (3 credits)
Electives (18 credits)-
Electives including a minimum of twelve hours taken from remaining CRM graduate-level courses. Courses outside CRM must be approved by the student's advisor.
Thesis (6 credits)-
Students must complete a written thesis followed by an oral defense in front of their advisory committee. Click here to view the thesis process policy statement.
Non-Thesis Option (Minimum of 36 credit hours):
Core Requirements (9 credit hours)-
CRM 502 "Analyzing Crime Data" (3 credits)
SOC 606 "Advanced Research Methodology" (3 credits)
CRM 620 "Crime Theory and Policy" (3 credits)
Electives (21 credits)-
Electives including a minimum of fifteen hours taken from remaining CRM graduate-level courses. Courses outside CRM must be approved by the student's advisor.
Graduate Practicum (6 hours)-
Students must complete a practicum experience of no less than 270 clock hours in a criminology-related agency approved by their advisor. The practicum requires class meetings and written exercises for academic reflection on the practicum experience.
Comprehensive Examination-
A written comprehensive exam must be passed by the candidate before a degree is granted. No student is eligible to take the comprehensive exam until all course requirements for the degree are completed, with the exception of the final semester. If the student does not perform satisfactorily on the written exam, they are required to take an oral examination before the comprehensive examination committee. Click here to view the comprehensive examination process.
CRM 502 "Analyzing Crime Data" (3 credits)
SOC 606 "Advanced Research Methodology" (3 credits)
CRM 620 "Crime Theory and Policy" (3 credits)
Electives (21 credits)-
Electives including a minimum of fifteen hours taken from remaining CRM graduate-level courses. Courses outside CRM must be approved by the student's advisor.
Graduate Practicum (6 hours)-
Students must complete a practicum experience of no less than 270 clock hours in a criminology-related agency approved by their advisor. The practicum requires class meetings and written exercises for academic reflection on the practicum experience.
Comprehensive Examination-
A written comprehensive exam must be passed by the candidate before a degree is granted. No student is eligible to take the comprehensive exam until all course requirements for the degree are completed, with the exception of the final semester. If the student does not perform satisfactorily on the written exam, they are required to take an oral examination before the comprehensive examination committee. Click here to view the comprehensive examination process.