Master of Arts in the Field of Criminology

GW’s master of arts in criminology program emphasizes that crime and criminal justice need to be understood in social context, informed by strong research skills and theoretical rigor. Drawing on criminology’s roots in sociology, racism and police abuse of force are as much the subject matter of our program as are classes in punishment, and criminal law. Through research and coursework, students develop an understanding of how societies define, facilitate or reduce crime and the social conditions that contribute to crime and its control.

Criminology graduate students gain an excellent grounding in theory (criminology, deviance and control, and sociology), various quantitative and qualitative research methods, and criminal law. Students choose substantive classes from both within the Department of Sociology and in other fields of study in the University (e.g., forensic science, terrorism, gender studies) or through the Consortium of Universities of the Washington Metropolitan Area. Students may choose from program options comprising either five elective courses and a comprehensive examination or three electives and a six-credit thesis through guided independent research and writing, for 36 credits in total.

The Department’s dedicated faculty works with a small graduate student body, allowing for strong professional relationships among both the faculty and graduate cohort. Being in Washington, DC, expands opportunities for internships, jobs, research, and exposure to a diverse, vibrant, and engaging city and metro area. Financial aid is offered to select academically competitive students. Salary-only graduate teaching assistantships are available to many of our students—graduate assistant experience is an additional source of professional expertise. While most of MA students have undergraduate backgrounds in sociology or other social sciences, students from an array of fields, from finance to neuroscience, are welcome in the program.

Our graduates go on to work in or reform the criminal justice sector, take positions in research and social change work in the government, nonprofit, and business sectors, as well as pursue PhD and JD degrees.

Visit the program website for additional information.
 

Adminssion Requirements

Article	Requirement
Admission deadlines:	Fall – April 1 (February 1 for applicants applying for assistantships/fellowships)
	Spring – October 1
	Applications received after the above dates will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
Standardized test scores:	GRE not required.
	The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), the academic International English Language Testing System (IELTS), or the PTE Academic is required of all applicants except those who hold a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree from a college or university in the United States or from an institution located in a country in which English is the official language, provided English was the language of instruction.
	Minimum scores for the program are:
	- Academic IELTS: an overall band score of 6.0 with no individual score below 5.0; or
	- TOEFL: 550 on paper-based or 80 on Internet-based; or
	- PTE Academic: 53
	Applicants who do not meet minimum English language requirements may be eligible for our full-time Applied English Language program.
Recommendations required:	Three (3) academic letters of recommendation
Prior academic records:	Transcripts are required from all colleges and universities attended, whether or not credit was earned, the program was completed, or the credit appears as transfer credit on another transcript. Unofficial transcripts from all colleges and universities attended must be uploaded to your online application. Official transcripts are required only of applicants who are offered admission. If transcripts are in a language other than English, English language translations must be provided. The English translation alone should be uploaded into your application.
Statement of purpose:	In an essay of 250 – 500 words, state your purpose in undertaking graduate study in your chosen field. Include your academic objectives, research interests, and career plans. Also discuss your related qualifications, including collegiate, professional, and community activities, and any other substantial accomplishments not already mentioned on the application. If you are applying for an assistantship or fellowship, you should also describe any teaching or research experience you have had.
Writing Sample:	A recent writing sample is required. Please review the department website prior to applying.
International applicants only:	Please review International Applicant Information (https://columbian.gwu.edu/international-graduate-applicants) carefully for details on required documents, earlier deadlines for applicants requiring an I-20 or DS-2019 from GW, and English language requirements.

Supporting documents not submitted online should be mailed to:

Columbian College of Arts and Sciences - Office of Graduate Studies
The George Washington University
801 22nd Street NW, Phillips Hall 107
Washington DC 20052

For additional information about the admissions process visit the Columbian College of Arts and Sciences Frequently Asked Questions page.

Contact:

askccas@gwu.edu
202-994-6210 (phone)

Hours: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday

This program is a joint offering of the Department of Sociology and the Department of Forensic Sciences.

The following requirements must be fulfilled:

The general requirements stated under Columbian College of Arts and Sciences, Graduate Programs.

36 credits, including 9 credits in required methodology courses, 9 credits in required criminological and sociological theory classes, 3 credits in criminal law. Students may take 9 substantive elective classes and 6 thesis credit classes or students may take 15 substantive elective classes and a comprehensive exam. Students may substitute one or more appropriate graduate-level classes from other departments or in the consortium with the permission of their advisor or the Director of Graduate Studies. SOC 6295 may be taken once (3 credits) toward degree requirements.

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
Required
SOC 6230	Foundations of Research Methods
SOC 6224	Criminal Law
SOC 6231	Quantitative Methods
SOC 6232	Qualitative Methods
SOC 6238	Development of Sociological Theory
or SOC 6239	Contemporary Sociological Theory
SOC 6258	Deviance and Control
SOC 6259	Criminology
Electives
Non-thesis students take five graduate-level elective courses (15 credits); thesis students take three graduate-level elective courses (9 credits). Electives should be chosen in substantive areas relevant to criminology and criminal justice. These courses might be in Sociology (SOC) (see elective courses, below), in other departments (e.g. Forensic Science) and schools (e.g. Elliott School), or through the Consortium of Universities of the Washington Metropolitan Area. Students must have the permission of their advisor or the Director of Graduate Studies to take classes out of the department.
SOC 6260	Special Topics in Criminology
SOC 6261	Sociology of Law
SOC 6262	Punishment, Prison, and Power
SOC 6263	Race and Crime
SOC 6264	Organized Crime
SOC 6266	Gender and Criminal Justice
Required for non-thesis students
Successful completion of a master's comprehensive examination.
Required for thesis students
SOC 6999	Thesis Research
Taken for 3 credits in each of the final two semesters for a total of 6 credits.