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Department of Criminology

Admissions

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Each year, students applying to the Doctoral Program in Criminology become part of the admissions pool. To become eligible for the admissions pool, candidates for admission must meet the minimum standards noted below. Because the number of admissions is limited, only the most qualified candidates in each admissions pool shall be accepted to the Ph.D. program in Criminology.

Minimum Standards for Eligibility:

  1. A bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited university or college and a GPA of at least 3.0; or a master’s degree from a regionally accredited university or college and a GPA of at least 3.4 (on a 4.0 scale) during their graduate study.*
  2. A score of at least 1000 or higher on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) within the preceding five (5) years. (Note that all applicants must submit GRE scores.)

Applicants will be selected for admission on a competitive basis based on the following application materials:

  1. Official transcripts for all previous academic work at institutions of higher education.
  2. Official report of GRE scores.
  3. Three (3) letters of recommendation speaking to the applicant’s academic capabilities.
  4. A Statement of Purpose highlighting the applicant's qualifications and indicating applicant’s (a) reasons for seeking a Ph.D. degree in criminology, (b) research interests, and (c) future career plans.
  5. A sample of written work providing evidence of the applicant’s scholarly abilities. For persons who have completed the M.A./M.S., a sample chapter from your thesis or area paper is most appropriate.
  6. Proof of language proficiency. This is required of only relevant international students. For more information on international applications, please see http:web.usf.edu/iac/admissions/

Deadlines: Ph.D. students are admitted once each year in the Fall. All applicants will be considered for departmental funding (see “Funding Opportunities”). Applications for admissions for Fall 2010 must be received by January 15th.

Process:
All applicants must complete the FACTS Online Graduate Application.

All applicants must take the GRE. For information on the GRE, go to www.ets.org/gre. You will take the "General Test" and direct your official scores to USF Criminology; our institution code is R5828 and our department is 2202. Allow adequate time after you take the test for these scores to reach USF.

All applicants must send the following materials directly to the Graduate Director, Lorie Fridell, at the address provided below:

  • Official transcripts for all undergraduate and graduate work.
  • Letters of recommendation.
  • Statement of purpose.
  • Writing sample.
  • Proof of language proficiency, if applicable.

Interested students should direct inquiries to:

Dr. Lorie Fridell
Graduate Director
Department of Criminology - SOC 107
University of South Florida
4202 E. Fowler Ave.
Tampa, Florida 33620-8100
(813) 974-6862
lfridell@cas.usf.edu


*It is unusual for a student to be accepted into the Ph.D. program with only a bachelor's degree. We generally accept such students into the MA program, because the coursework and thesis completion ensure that the student is viable/prepared for the Ph.D. program. Our qualified/successful MA students then enter the Ph.D. program; the completed coursework for the MA applies fully toward the Ph.D.