Criminology and Criminal Justice | 2026-2027 Graduate Catalog | SIU

The Criminology and Criminal Justice program, which enjoys a national and international reputation for quality research and education, offers the Master of Arts degree and the Doctor of Philosophy degree in Criminology and Criminal Justice. The program focuses on analyzing criminal justice, social justice, and crime prevention problems and solutions. The program prepares its graduates with the analytic capabilities and problem-solving skills that enable them to succeed in professional careers in criminal justice and related agencies, in policy analysis and research, or in continued graduate or professional education in preparation for an academic career. The focus of the curriculum is theoretically driven, empirically-based criminal justice and crime prevention that takes a problem-solving approach.

Supplementing the academic program, there are opportunities for graduate students to work with faculty members who are conducting research. In addition, students may take Supervised Field Experience credit to blend practical experience with classroom education.

Admission to the Criminology and Criminal Justice Graduate Programs

The Criminology and Criminal Justice program and Graduate School applications form one combined application that should be submitted electronically. Students will be accepted for graduate study in Criminology and Criminal Justice only upon approval by the program as well as the Graduate School.

This program requires a nonrefundable $65 application fee that must be submitted with the application for Admissions to Graduate Study in Criminology and Criminal Justice. Applicants must pay this fee by credit card.

A more detailed description of the graduate program, as well as information about graduate assistantships and fellowships, may be obtained by reviewing the program website at ccj.siu.edu or by contacting:

Office Support Specialist
School of Justice and Public Safety, Criminology and Criminal Justice
Faner Hall – Mail Code 4504
1000 Faner Drive
Southern Illinois University Carbondale
Carbondale, IL  62901     

Master of Arts (M.A.) in Criminology and Criminal Justice

Admission

Admission to the Criminology and Criminal Justice (CCJ) MA program entails a holistic review of a student's overall strengths. Students must meet all minimum qualifications established by the SIU Graduate School. Preferably, applicants should also have a grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) from the last 60 hours of undergraduate coursework for those who have completed their bachelor’s degree, or from the last 45 hours for those still completing their degree.

Applicants without an undergraduate degree in CCJ are encouraged to complete a minimum of 15 credit hours in criminology, criminal justice, sociology, psychology, social work, political science, or public administration. Students from other academic backgrounds are advised to inquire prior to applying. Other documented strengths that indicate potential for success in the program may also be considered. These may include prior research or professional experience in the criminal justice field, demonstrated resilience, or unique experiences or perspectives that can contribute meaningfully to the program.

Students must submit a completed graduate school application. International student applicants are encouraged to consult with the Graduate School for additional requirements, including satisfaction of the English language requirement.

Required Core Courses

All candidates for the Master of Arts degree in Criminology and Criminal Justice are required to complete four core courses:

• CCJ 500: Foundations of Criminal Justice (3 CH)
• CCJ 504: Criminological Theory (3 CH)
• CCJ 510A: Research in Criminology & Criminal Justice: Methods and Concepts (3 CH)
• CCJ 510B: Data Analysis & Interpretation (3 CH)

Thesis Option

A total of 30 credit hours is required for the thesis track of the M.A. in Criminology and Criminal Justice. A thesis is required. Students may take a total of six thesis credit hours (CCJ 599 [1-6 CH]); however, only three credit hours are counted towards the degree requirements. An oral defense of the student’s thesis is required.

Course-Only Option

A total of 33 credit hours, inclusive of the core courses, is required for the course-only track of the Master of Arts degree in Criminology and Criminal Justice. Students will not be required to complete a thesis or non-thesis project nor will they enroll in thesis (CCJ 599) hours.

Accelerated Master's Program

The accelerated M.A. in Criminology and Criminal Justice program allows motivated and high achieving students to complete a program leading to an undergraduate Bachelor of Arts degree and Master of Arts degree with a major in Criminology & Criminal Justice in five years. Students must have completed CCJ 316 and CCJ 317 prior to their 4th year. Nine credit hours are double counted toward an undergraduate and a master’s degree. The option requires satisfactory completion of twelve credit hours in core Criminology & Criminal Justice courses: CCJ 500, CCJ 504, CCJ 510A, and CCJ 510B. The thesis or course-only option is required for degree completion. A student who chooses the thesis option must complete 18 elective credit hours, three of which can be thesis credit hours (CCJ 599 [1-6 CH]). With the thesis option, an oral defense of the student's thesis is required. A student who chooses to complete the course-only option must complete 21 elective credit hours.

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Criminology and Criminal Justice

Admission

Admission to the doctoral program in Criminology and Criminal Justice (CCJ) involves a holistic review of a student's academic and professional qualifications. Students must meet all minimum qualifications established by the SIU Graduate School. Preferably, students will possess at least a 3.25 GPA (on a 4.0 scale) in all previous graduate coursework. Students must also hold a master’s degree in Criminology and Criminal Justice, or a master’s degree in another field with at least 15 graduate credit hours in criminology, criminal justice, sociology, psychology, social work, political science, or a related social science discipline. A Master’s Degree in Law or any other discipline that lacks coursework in research methodology and statistics, does not fulfill this requirement.

Students must submit a completed graduate school application. International student applicants are encouraged to consult with the Graduate School for additional requirements, including satisfaction of the English language requirement.

Advisement

Initial advisement will be given by the Graduate Program Director. As soon as possible, the student, in consultation with the Graduate Program Director, will request an appropriate member of the program’s graduate faculty to serve as the student’s academic adviser. It is the student’s responsibility to develop, in consultation with their advisor, a plan of study leading to timely completion of coursework, the comprehensive examination(s), and a dissertation. This plan of study will be filed in the student’s permanent file. Change of advisor should be filed with the Graduate Program Director.

Program of Study

Students admitted to the Ph.D. in Criminology and Criminal Justice program must have completed a master’s degree. Completion of the Ph.D. in Criminology and Criminal Justice program requires completion of seven required courses plus five seminars. The Graduate School requires that a minimum of 24 credit hours be taken in residency at SIUC (courses on campus at SIUC and as a doctoral student) after admission to the program and prior to candidacy. Only six credit hours of dissertation may be counted toward the 24 credit hours in residence. Students may only take up to six dissertation credit hours prior to candidacy (other dissertation credit hours taken prior to candidacy will not count toward the degree). Students must take a total of 24 dissertation credit hours. Students who receive an M.A. from SIUC’s CCJ program may have already satisfied the core and most of the toolkit seminar requirements; however, they must still meet the 24 credit hour residency requirement.

Core Courses

Doctoral students must complete three core courses that include:

• CCJ 500: Foundations of Criminal Justice (3 CH)
• CCJ 504: Criminological Theory (3 CH)
• CCJ 505: The Nature of Crime (3 CH)

Required Research Tools

The Ph.D. in Criminology and Criminal Justice is a research degree; students must learn the tools and methods of quantitative and/or qualitative research. Students must take four research tools courses that include:

• CCJ 510A: Research in Criminology & Criminal Justice: Methods and Concepts or approved equivalent - Students can petition to waive if already taken (3 CH)
• CCJ 510B: Data Analysis & Interpretation or approved equivalent - Students with prior graduate statistical courses may test to try to opt out of this requirement (3 CH)
• CCJ 510C: Advanced Multivariate Statistics or approved equivalent (3 CH)
• An additional research toolkit course approved by the student’s advisor (3 CH)

Guided Electives

Guided electives should be chosen in consultation with the student’s advisor to meet the career interests of the student. Students must take a minimum of five graduate seminars (minimum of 15 credit hours) based on interests and preparation for the comprehensive examination(s). Students may take independent study or directed readings credit hours for individualized instruction from faculty members on content not available in substantive courses (e.g., a specialized technique of analysis). Students are encouraged to consider the wide array of course offerings at SIU Carbondale.

Comprehensive Examinations

Comprehensive exam(s) are required to advance to candidacy. The faculty will define the timing, scope, and format of the examination system. A final copy of all examinations must be deposited with the program's Office Support Specialist. In the event of a revision or retake, only one revision or retake is permitted per exam.

Dissertation (24 Credit Hours)

Each candidate for the Ph.D. in Criminology and Criminal Justice degree must write a dissertation showing high attainment in independent, original scholarship and creative effort. A total of 24 credit hours is required. A maximum of 6 credit hours of dissertation credit taken prior to passing comprehensive examination(s) will count. The student must successfully defend orally their prospectus, giving the faculty two weeks to review the written prospectus before an oral defense, which shall be open to the public. A student may not hold a dissertation prospectus meeting before successful completion of the comprehensive examination(s).

A dissertation must be written under the direction and approval of a five-member committee of faculty possessing doctorates, one of whom must be from outside the Criminology and Criminal Justice program. The student must successfully defend orally their final draft of the dissertation, giving the faculty two weeks to review the dissertation before an oral defense, which shall be open to the public. The success of a final oral examination devoted primarily to a defense of the dissertation and open to the public will complete the requirements for the Doctor of Philosophy in Criminology and Criminal Justice degree. A final copy of the dissertation must be filed with the program and Graduate School.

Residency Requirement (24 Credit Hours)

The residency requirement for the doctorate must be fulfilled after admission to the doctoral program and before formal admission to doctoral candidacy, which occurs with successful completion of the comprehensive examination(s). The residency requirement is satisfied by completion of 24 credit hours of graduate credit on campus as a doctoral student within a period not to exceed four calendar years.