Department of Criminology

Curriculum

There are two options available to the student pursuing the Master of Arts degree in Criminology at the University of South Florida.

Student

The Thesis Option is designed for students seeking a research career in criminal justice and for those intending to pursue a Ph.D. and ultimately an academic career at the university level. In the Thesis Option, students learn to conduct methodologically sound and theoretically grounded research. As they complete their graduate studies, students will produce an original piece of research that makes a unique contribution to the scientific body of literature in criminology and criminal justice.

The Non-Thesis Option is designed for students seeking entry-level positions in the field of criminal justice who do not plan to pursue the Ph.D. In the Non-Thesis Option, students will learn to assess the practical applications of theory and research to policy and program development. As they complete their graduate studies, students demonstrate their understanding of the research process and its implications for criminal justice through either a comprehensive examination or a detailed research proposal or project.

Students

Programs of Study (33 hours)

Thesis Option

CCJ 6050 Pro Seminar in Criminology (2)

CCJ 6605 Theoretical Approaches to Criminal Behavior (4)

CCJ 6705 Research Methods in Criminology (4)

CCJ 6706 Quantitative Analysis in Criminology I (4)

CCJ 6707 Quantitative Analysis in Criminology II (4)

CJ 6971 Thesis (6)

9 Hours of electives

Non-Thesis Option

CCJ 6050 Pro Seminar in Criminology (2)

CCJ 6605 Theoretical Approaches to Criminology (4)

CCJ 6705 Research Methods in Criminology (4)

CCJ 6706 Quantitative Analysis in Criminiology I (4)

CCJ 6707 Quantitative Analysis in Criminology II (4)

CCJ 6905 Directed Independent Study (3)

12 hours of electives