Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

The Ph.D. is not for everyone. Ph.D. programs, including our program at Texas State University, train students to be cutting-edge researchers so they can generate and use new knowledge. This may be accomplished as a (1) professor in a college or university, or (2) researcher/ administrator in an applied setting, such as a local, state, or federal criminal justice agency.

We prefer that letters of recomendation be written by professors from whom you have taken courses and/or with whom you have worked closely on a research project. Professors should be best able to tell us about your academic abilities and likelihood of success in a rigorous Ph.D. program. We are especially interested in learning what professors have to say about your mastery of basic research skills.

This is an important bit of information we use in making admission decisions. We read your letter to judge your motivation to succeed and the fit between your interest/goals and our department's strengths. We want to learn from your letter why you are pursuing a Ph.D. in Criminal Justice at Texas State University and what you plan to do with the degree when you graduate.

If you wish to be considered for a doctoral assistantship or fellowship, all of your application materials must be submitted by February 1. If you are not seeking funding, your application materials must be submitted by March 15. We accept applications right up to each deadline. However, since there are often delays in getting all of the application materials to us, you are encouraged to begin the application process early.

Effective fall 2016, we no longer offer spring admission.

Related fields are: Sociology, Psychology, Social Work, Political Science, Public Administration, Criminology, Justice Studies, Economics, Law, Anthropology, and Administration of Justice.

A doctoral student can transfer in up to six credit hours as long as the student received a grade of B or better in each course.

Yes, with the approval of the department's Doctoral Executive Council. However, a master's student cannot count doctoral courses toward the Ph.D. degree if those courses were used to complete the degree requirements for the master's degree.

Nine hours a semester.

Yes, about half of our Ph.D. students are part-time. Most of our courses are offered at night or on weekends to accommodate the schedules of working professionals. While full-time students must register for nine or more hours a semester, part-time students usually enroll for six.

No, all of our courses currently are taught on campus in San Marcos.

Yes, we have both Doctoral Teaching Assistants where Ph.D. students teach their own courses and Doctoral Instructional Assistantships where they assist in a professor's class. Students with 20-hour a week assistantships are paid about $26,000 over the nine-month academic year, and those with 10-hour a week assistantships are paid half that.

Full-time students should be able to complete the Ph.D. program in 3-4 years, and part-time students usually will take a little longer.

San Marcos is a very affordable city with reasonable rents and other costs. San Marcos' cost of living is 12% below the national average. Texas and San Marcos have endured recent national economic problems better than most other states and cities, making this a good place to be.