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