Deadlines and key dates:

• You may apply to start the program in fall, winter, or spring terms.

Graduate Student Assistant Positions are a form of student employment, earning a compensation package including both salary and tuition remission for the performance of research or teaching services to the University as part of a student’s academic and professional training and development. If you are interested in applying for a Graduate Assistant Position, please apply for this position no later than February 1st for priority processing.

Detailed application requirements:

Application materials required for WOU Graduate admission:

• Application Fee $60
• Transcripts
  • You can upload an unofficial copy of your transcript to complete your application for admission. Save as a PDF with your first and last name in time from all previous colleges. We will require an official transcript from the Colleges or Universities you have attended for formal admission.
  • Transcripts are used as Evidence of completion of a four-year baccalaureate degree (or international equivalent) from a regionally accredited institution as defined by the American Association of Collegiate Registrars, with a cumulative B average (equivalent 3.00 on a U.S. 4.00 grading scale) on the most recent baccalaureate degree. Applicants who hold a master’s degree will have the 3.0 GPA requirement waived. Students with less than 3.0 can also provide passing MAT/GRE scores to be fully admitted.
• Current Resume
  • Save as a PDF with your first and last name in the title. Applicant’s resume must include 3 references that can vouch for your ability to be successful in the program.
• Biographical Letter
  • Please provide a biographical letter explaining why you are seeking a graduate degree and how it meets your professional and academic goals.
• Writing Sample
  • Your ability to write well is an important factor in your success in a graduate program. Please submit a writing sample that demonstrates your writing abilities. This should be an academic or professional writing sample written within the last three years. This can be a paper you submitted for a class, a report you wrote at work, etc. The writing sample should be 4 pages of text at minimum. Alternatively, you may write an essay on a criminal justice topic of your choice. Ideally, this should be academic in nature and contain sources to support your points (4 pages minimum).

Process: Applications will be reviewed once all application materials have been submitted. Please refer to the Application Checklist in your Graduate Application Portal to confirm the status of your submitted materials. The Graduate Application Portal will also provide additional details about the checklist items for further clarification. You will be notified via email regarding changes in the status of your application or if you are missing any application components.

MA in Criminal Justice curriculum overview:

Provides students with an academic foundation for managerial and other advanced professional roles in criminal justice. The program is also designed to prepare individuals to teach at the community college level or to prepare those interested in furthering their education at the doctoral level. Students complete five professional core classes, six electives, and complete an exit requirement consisting of a thesis, professional project, or comprehensive exams.

Your plan of study:

Once admitted to MA in Criminal Justice , you will work with an advisor to plan the courses you will take and how you will complete the academic requirements of the program. By filing this Program Plan (PDF form), you have a road map for completing your degree and clarity on what to expect.

Core Courses