UCF Criminal Justice Master's Program: Requirements and Opportunities

The University of Central Florida (UCF), located in Orlando, Central Florida, offers a Master of Science in Criminal Justice (MSCJ) program designed to equip students with the tools and knowledge necessary to lead and innovate in the field. UCF provides access to academics, faculty, and opportunities. The MSCJ program is tailored for individuals passionate about building safer communities and making a positive impact on the world.

Program Overview

The Master of Science in Criminal Justice (MSCJ) program at UCF prepares students for careers in the criminal justice field. The curriculum addresses management, administrative and criminal justice theory, basic research methods, and descriptive statistics. The program equips future criminal justice leaders to be critical consumers of criminal justice research. The MSCJ program emphasizes independent learning through inquiry, dialogue, and tangible projects such as research projects, scholarly papers, internships, practicum, and presentations at professional conferences. The capstone course, CJE 6718 - Proseminar in Criminal Justice, serves as the culminating experience for the program.

Curriculum Structure

The Master of Science in Criminal Justice degree requires completion of 36 credit hours. The breakdown is as follows:

Core Courses (21 credit hours): These courses provide a foundation in criminal justice theory, research, and policy.
- CCJ5015 - The Nature of Crime (3)
- CCJ5456 - The Administration of Justice (3)
- CCJ6704 - Research Methods in Criminal Justice (3)
- CCJ6706 - Data Analysis in Criminal Justice I (3)
- CCJ6106 - Policy Analysis in Criminal Justice (3)
- CCJ6118 - Criminal Justice Organizations (3)
Capstone Course (3 credit hours):
- CJE6718 - Proseminar in Criminal Justice (3)
Electives (12 credit hours): Students can tailor their degree by choosing electives that align with their interests.
- Restricted Electives (6 credit hours): Students must complete at least 2 of the following:
  - CJC5020 - Foundations of Corrections (3)
  - CJE5021 - Foundations of Law Enforcement (3)
  - CJJ6020 - The Juvenile Justice System (3)
  - CJL6568 - Law and Social Control (3)
  - CJL6520 - American Criminal Courts (3)
- Unrestricted Electives (9 credit hours): Students can choose from a variety of criminal justice courses at the 5000 or 6000 level, or other approved general electives.
Thesis Option (6 credit hours): Students electing to complete a thesis will have 6 credit hours of general elective requirements dedicated to thesis hours. Students electing to complete a thesis should consult the program adviser.

Faculty and Networking Opportunities

UCF's criminal justice faculty are experts in criminal justice theory, policy, and practice. Faculty researchers specialize in areas such as juvenile justice, white-collar crime, criminal justice policy, officer training, police innovation, community relations, and domestic violence. Beyond the classroom, they serve as mentors, helping you refine your research interests and develop the skills needed for a meaningful career.

The Department of Criminal Justice offers networking opportunities with more than 100 partners, including Seminole County Corrections, Orange County Sheriff's Office Criminal Investigations Unit, and the Loss Prevention Research Council.

Read also: Curriculum Overview

Program Strengths and Focus

The program specializes in criminal justice and a more professional focus. By equipping future leaders with core knowledge in criminal justice management, research, data analysis, and policy analysis via core courses, electives, and a capstone, this program prepares graduates for diverse career paths in law enforcement, corrections, justice system administration, and beyond.

Career Paths

The MSCJ program prepares graduates for diverse career paths in the criminal justice field. Graduates can pursue careers in:

Federal, state, and local criminal justice agencies
Law enforcement
Corrections
Probation and parole
Juvenile justice
Research and analysis

Online Program

The Criminal Justice MS program currently offers limited face-to-face courses. The program is offered primarily online. Contact the program for additional information.

UCF Online offers distance learning options for both traditional and nontraditional students. You’ll have a dedicated team that guides you every step of the way - from application through graduation - and helps you stay on track to achieve your goals. Choose from fully online offerings, including bachelor’s degrees, graduate degrees, professional certificates and 2+2 baccalaureate completion programs. Learn wherever and whenever you want.

The Master of Science in Criminal Justice (MS) may be completed fully online, although not all elective options may be offered online. Newly admitted students choosing to complete this program exclusively via UCF online classes may enroll with a reduction in campus-based fees.

Online Faculty and Resources

Instructional faculty who teach courses accessible online: 21 full-time; 4 part-time. All online faculty are trained as part of compulsory faculty development to develop authentic assessment strategies that ameliorate academic integrity issues (projects, papers, portfolios, etc.). UCF has conducted faculty seminar workshops on how to create “cheat-proof” multiple choice assessments. Individual programs have contracted with third-party live proctoring service providers. Finally, the university makes available online proctoring tools including Honorlock and Respondus lock down browser. UCF has a Standardized copyright policy for course materials.

Admissions Information

Admission to UCF is competitive, so we encourage you to apply early. As an incoming first-year student, you should apply between September and November of your high school senior year if you plan to enroll the following summer or fall semester. By applying early, you may benefit from scholarship consideration and housing availability.

Admissions Requirements

Average undergraduate GPA: 3.4
Entrants providing undergraduate GPA: 100%
Average GRE score breakdown:
- 154 verbal
- 141 quantitative
- 3 analytical writing
Entrants providing GRE scores: 1%
Application essay: Required
Standardized test policy: GRE accepted, not required
Letters of recommendation: 2 Letters of recommendation from professional contacts
Criminal justice-related work experience requirement: No
Criminal justice-related undergraduate degree requirement: No
Criminal justice-related undergraduate course work requirement: No
TOEFL iBT Test required for international students: Require for some
Minimum TOEFL iBT Test score required: 80

Admission Deadlines

Application deadline (domestic students): July 1
Application deadline (international students): Dec. 1
Notification of admissions: On a rolling basis beginning Jan. 15

Factors Considered for Admission

Academic factors
- Undergraduate institution: Considered
- Undergraduate GPA: Very Important
- Undergraduate field of study: Considered
- Recommendation(s): Important
- Standardized test scores: Considered
Non-academic factors
- Application essay: Important
- Work experience: Considered
- Character/personal qualities: Important
- First-generation college student: Considered
- Alumni/alumnae relations: Considered
- Geographical residence: Not Considered
- Applicant's interest level: Important

Admission Contacts

Director of admissions: Dr. Jennifer Parham

International Students

UCF students come from all over the world. With 149 countries represented on campus, there’s plenty of opportunity to make new friends and enjoy cultural experiences. International students, like you, make significant contributions to our campus learning, innovative research and global partnerships.

International applicants should be aware the program may not offer sufficient on-campus courses for F or J visa holders. Please contact the program for more information before applying.

International students (F or J visa) are required to enroll in a full-time course load of 9 credit hours during the fall and spring semesters. Only 3 of the 9 credit hours may be taken in a completely online format. International applicants should be aware the program may not offer sufficient on-campus courses for F or J visa holders. Please contact the program for more information before applying. For a detailed listing of enrollment requirements for international students, please visit UCF Global. If you have questions, please consult UCF Global at (407) 823-2337.

Financial Aid

UCF strives to offer graduate degrees that are affordable.

Expenses

Part-time tuition (per credit, in-state): \$328
Part-time tuition (per credit, out-of-state): \$1,152
Full-time tuition (per credit, in-state): \$328
Full-time tuition (per credit, out-of-state): \$1,152
Total program cost (full-time, in-state): \$11,784
Total program cost (part-time, in-state): \$11,784
Total program cost (full-time, out-of-state): \$41,462
Total program cost (part-time, out-of-state): \$41,462
Veterans pay in-state tuition: Yes
Same tuition is charged for all online programs: Yes

Financial Aid Availability

College-funded aid (fellowships, assistantships, grants or scholarships) available: Yes
International students eligible for college-funded aid: Yes
Yellow Ribbon Program member: Yes
Yellow Ribbon Access: First-come, first-served
Yellow Ribbon Funding: Limits or caps funding
Average debt of 2023-2024 graduates who borrowed: \$16,506
Proportion of 2023-2024 graduates with debt: 52%

Financial Aid Contact Information

Financial aid director: Alicia Keaton

Additional Program Information

Graduate program(s): Dual Master of Public Administration and Criminal Justice, Master of Science in Criminal Justice
Program Offerings: Online master's in criminal justice programs (2)
Course Offerings: Credit-granting courses (26)
Concentrations offered: Corrections, Crime Analysis and Mapping, Crime prevention, Criminal justice (general), Criminal justice administration, Criminology (general), Deviance, Juvenile delinquency, Juvenile justice, Law enforcement, Policing, Public safety management, Social justice, Victimology
Concentrations with highest demand: Corrections, Criminal justice administration, Juvenile justice, Law enforcement, Policing

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