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College of Applied Arts School of Criminal Justice and Criminology
Texas State College of Applied Arts School of Criminal Justice and Criminology Degrees & Programs Master's Degree in Criminal Justice MSCJ Research Concentration Thesis Option

MSCJ Research Concentration Thesis Option

The MSCJ Research Concentration (MSCJ-RES) program requires 30 credit hours of graduate-level coursework. This program is specifically designed for students seeking employment as an analyst in a criminal justice agency or to enter a doctoral program in criminal justice in preparation for a variety of academic and research careers. 

Program Requirements

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    • CJ 5310 Administration of Justice
    • CJ 5315 Advanced Research Methods
    • CJ 5316 Quantitative Data Analysis
    • CJ 5325 Statistics
    • CJ 5335 Advanced Criminological Theory

  • To choose from:

    • CJ 5319 Crime Analysis
    • CJ 5320 History and Philosophy of Justice
    • CJ 5321 Current Legal Issues in Criminal Justice
    • CJ 5322 Police in Society
    • CJ 5324 Investigations
    • CJ 5330 Management Principles in CJ
    • CJ 5333 Race, Class, and Crime
    • CJ 5334 Sex Offenders and the Criminal Justice System
    • CJ 5350 Current Issues in Criminal Justice
    • CJ 5355 Intelligence Gathering and Operational Issues As Applied to Terrorism and Counterterrorism Operation
    • CJ 5360 Independent Studies in Criminal Justice
    • CJ 5380A Ethics and the Criminal Justice System
    • CJ 5380Q Qualitative Research Methods and Data Analysis
    • CJ 5380R Criminal Justice Policy

    For course descriptions, see Graduate Catalog. Please note some of the courses listed in the Catalog are currently not being offered. If you have any questions, please email the graduate advisor on cjmasters@txstate.edu.

  • You will enroll for CJ 5399A Thesis (three credit hours) and then a minimum of three credit hours of CJ 5399B Thesis, until you complete and successfully defend your thesis.

  • During your thesis defense, you will undertake your oral comprehensive exam.

Admissions Requirements

  • A baccalaureate degree in criminal justice or related field from a regionally accredited university
  • A minimum 3.25 GPA in your last 60 hours of undergraduate coursework (plus any completed graduate courses)
  • A resumé / curriculum vitae (CV)
  • A statement of purpose, outlining your personal career goals and how this program will assist you in advancing them (300 to 500 words)
  • Two letters of recommendation

Students applying to enter the program in Fall who meet the February 1 priority deadline are eligible to apply for graduate assistantships and scholarships.