When will I know if I have been accepted?
You should receive an electronic notification from the Office of Graduate Studies within 3 to 4 weeks of the application deadlines (either February 1st for priority or June 1st for final deadline). The final decision to admit, however, is contingent on the receipt and verification of application materials by PSU's Office of Admissions and the Office of Graduate Studies.
Can I defer my admission?
Yes. If you are admitted to the Criminology & Criminal Justice graduate program but cannot attend during the term of admission, you may defer your admission for up to one year. It is critical, however, that you contact the Department to request that your admission be updated to another term. If you do not request a deferral, PSU will cancel your admission and you will have to reapply the following year.
Can I transfer course credits from other programs?
A limited number of previous graduate course credits can be considered for transfer. "Pre-admission credits" are those received for coursework taken prior to admission to Criminology & Criminal Justice, including courses taken at PSU or another institution. "Transfer credits" are those received for course work taken at any institution at any time. The limit on pre-admission credits and transfer credits is 16, which is normally four courses. Students who would like to transfer credits from other programs are encouraged to meet with the Department’s Graduate Coordinator prior to June 15th of the year of their admission into the program.
How much and what type of work does a GA do?
Graduate Assistants (GAs) perform academic duties such as research assistance and teaching assistance. They may also be asked to assist in data collection, data analysis, perform outreach activities, or other administrative tasks. Many of our GAs serve as teaching assistants or facilitators. A GA appointment is some fraction of an FTE (full-time employee), which determines the hours of work required per week and the amount of money offered through a tuition remission and stipend. For example, .15 FTE appointments require 6.5 hours of work each week; .30 FTE appointments, 13 hours; and .45 FTE appointments, 20 hours.
Can I work a job in addition to my GA?
Yes. Students holding graduate assistantships may also be employed elsewhere within the university, provided the total number of hours worked do not exceed 20 hours per week (.49 FTE). For those working outside the university, the Department recommends that this same limit be observed. Being a full-time graduate student (9 credit-hours) combined with a GA position is a commitment in both time and energy. Students are encouraged to seriously consider the time constraints of taking on too much when considering additional work.
Can I lose my Graduate Assistantship?
Yes. GA positions are contingent on satisfactory progress toward the degree as well as satisfactory job performance. Because GAs must be registered for, and satisfactorily complete, at least 9 credits of coursework during each term of their appointment, incomplete coursework or low grades may jeopardize the student's eligibility for an assistantship. The loss of a GA appointment does not, in itself, affect the student's standing in the degree program though poor academic standing can also affect a student’s ability to continue in the program.
Are there special considerations regarding GAs for international students?
All graduate students are eligible to apply for Graduate Assistantships. The type of work and the hours of work required by GA appointments in Criminology & Criminal Justice are within the limits established for foreign students by the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services (BCIS). Some scholarships have nationality requirements. If no such requirement is specified, then international students can apply.
Is there a graduate student orientation?
Yes. A mandatory orientation session, for all newly admitted graduate students, is typically held the Tuesday before the Fall Term begins. Students will receive more information about the orientation from the Department’s Graduate Coordinator.
How long will it take to complete my degree?
If students maintain full-time enrollment, taking 9 or more credit hours per term, the Master's degree can be comfortably completed in two years. If you attend part-time, it is important to enroll in and pay for at least one credit hour per academic year (three-terms) in order to maintain your enrollment status. Students should also keep in mind that after seven years, credits are considered out-of-date and cannot be applied toward the Master's degree unless they are revalidated, a process that involves paying a fee and passing an exam.
How do I know what courses to take?
The Department’s Graduate Coordinator and our faculty advisors will help steer you to courses that fit your interests, meet the degree requirements, and provide a good understanding of the discipline. The Office of Graduate Studies provides an online tool called DARS to assist you in tracking your progress toward the degree.
How many classes should I take per term?
To maintain full-time status, graduate students should enroll in 9 or more credit hours per term. Most graduate classes in Criminology & Criminal Justice are 4 credits. Therefore, students should plan to take between 3 and 4 courses per term Students must enroll in at least 1 credit hour in the term that they defend their thesis, field project, or portfolio.
What happens if my grades are low?
Graduate students must maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 and a term GPA of at least 2.7 in order to remain in good academic standing. A student failing to meet these GPA requirements is placed on “academic probation” and must meet the minimum requirements after the next 9 credits of coursework taken. Students on academic probation may not hold graduate assistantships.
Should I complete a Portfolio, Thesis or a Field Project?
The final requirement for the degree is to complete a Master’s Thesis, Field Project, or Portfolio. All three options require the demonstration of graduate-level knowledge and skills acquired during your time at PSU. All three require a formal defense in front of a Department faculty committee. A key deciding factor for students is their future career plans. Students who are interested in pursuing a Ph.D. in Criminology & Criminal Justice or a related field often benefit from doing the more formal Thesis. Students who will immediately transition from the Master program into a job in the criminal justice field often prefer the Portfolio or Field Project. You will have plenty of time to discuss your options with your faculty adviser.
Where should I get advice?
The Graduate Coordinator initially advises all new students. Students are assigned a faculty advisor after the completion of their first year in the program. Faculty advisors normally serve as the main source of information about the requirements of the program, how best to achieve your educational goals, and will serve as advisor for their final project (either a Portfolio, Field Project, or Thesis). New students receive additional guidance from other faculty as well as they proceed through the program.