Printer FriendlyWhy Choose UMass Lowell
WHAT CAN I EXPECT TO GAIN FROM EARNING A MASTER OF ARTS DEGREE IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS LOWELL?
We are nationally recognized as a leader in criminal justice education. In Twenty-first century America, the criminal justice professions are one of the largest growing segments within the labor market. As such, our Master of Arts degree in Criminal Justice program may provide you with a number of opportunities:
A. You may want to earn a the Master of Arts degree because it is now a pre-requisite for many positions in the criminal justice field.
B. You may be currently working in the criminal justice field, and want to broaden your skills and expertise, and possibly prepare for career advancement into management positions.
C. You may be currently working in the criminal justice field, but may wish to specialize in a particular area of the system and/or prepare yourself to work in another area of the criminal justice system.
D. There is an increased demand for teaching criminal justice at the community college level, and the Master of Arts degree may provide you with the necessary training and experience to take this career path.
E. If you wish to pursue a Doctoral degree in Criminal Justice or related fields, the Master of Arts degree you receive from the University of Massachusetts Lowell will prepare you for doctoral level work.
HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE TO EARN A MASTER OF ARTS DEGREE?
A. You need to complete 11 courses (33 credits) to earn the M.A. in Criminal Justice.
B. You can take classes during the two (2) sixteen week semesters (Fall & Spring) and also during the Summer Session.
C. As a full-time graduate student, you will take 3 courses (9 credits) per semester. You may elect to take 4 courses (12 credits) with permission of the Graduate Coordinator or Department Chair.
D. If you take nine (9) credits per traditional semester, and also take courses during the Summer Sessions, you may be able to complete the program in about eighteen months.
E. If you choose to take courses part-time (1 to 2 courses or 3 to 6 credits), it may take two (2) through three (3) years or longer to complete the degree.
F. You have a total of 5 years from the time of acceptance into the program to complete the degree.
WHAT CREDENTIALS CAN THE GRADUATE CRIMINAL JUSTICE DEPARTMENT OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS LOWELL OFFER ME?
By attending the Graduate Criminal Justice Department, you may elect to obtain a Master of Arts Degree in Criminal Justice (33 credits), and/or a Graduate Certificate in Domestic Violence Prevention and/or a Graduate Certificate in Leadership and Policy Development, and/or a Graduate Certificate in Forensic Criminology and/or a Graduate Certificate in Criminal Justice Informatics and/or a Graduate Certificate in Security Studies.
Admissions & Applying
HOW DO I RECEIVE MATERIALS TO APPLY TO THE GRADUATE ADMISSIONS?
You may obtain materials to apply to Graduate Admissions at UML in one of three ways:
A. You can apply online at Graduate Admissions.
B. You can obtain applications and forms by writing to the University of Massachusetts Lowell Graduate Admissions, 883 Broadway Street, Dugan Hall, Lowell, MA 01854;
C. You can obtain applications and forms by calling 1-800-656-GRAD (1-800-656-4723) or 978-934-2390.
D. All applications must be accompanied by a non-waivable and non-refundable application fee:
$20.00 for In-State (Massachusetts) residents and $35.00 Out-of-State and International residents. No application will be processed without receipt of this fee.
WHAT ARE THE ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS?
To be admitted you must have:
A. Graduated from an accredited four (4) year college or university with a baccalaureate degree.
B. A minimum Grade Point Average (GPA) of 2.8 or higher in your undergraduate studies.
C. Two (2) copies of a complete and official transcript from each undergraduate and/or graduate university attended sent directly to the University of Massachusetts Graduate School Admissions Office. If an international transcript is unclear, verification will be required by the Center for Educational Documentation, Boston, MA or a similar independent agency.
D. Acceptable scores on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) Aptitude Test or the Millers Analogies Test (MAT) sent directly to the University of Massachusetts Graduate School Admissions Office.
E. Three (3) letters of references from individuals who are familiar with your educational and/or professional performance (former professors, employment supervisors, etc.).
F. For students from countries where English is not the official language, the official score report of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) must also be submitted.
G. All test scores and transcripts submitted must be official and sent directly from the testing agency and/or college or university to the University of Massachusetts Graduate School Admissions Office.
H. You may also be requested to have an interview with the Graduate Admissions Committee.
I. Fulfillment of the above criteria does not guarantee admission. More restrictive criteria may be applied (e.g. undergraduate GPA of 3.0 (or higher)) based on availability of space in the program.
WHAT IF MY UNDERGRADUATE GPA IS NOT 2.8 OR HIGHER?
A. If you possess a bachelor's degree with an undergraduate GPA of 2.5 to 2.8, you may request the Graduate Coordinator's permission to take 44.501 Foundations of Criminal Justice Scholarship and 44.503 Administration of Justice as a non-degree student.
B. If you successfully complete these courses with a grade of B or better, you may make a formal application, supplying all of the information listed above. The Graduate Committee of the Criminal Justice Department shall make a decision regarding your admission.
MUST I TAKE THE GRE IN ORDER TO BE CONSIDERED FOR ADMISSION TO UMASS LOWELL? AND WHAT IS A QUALIFYING SCORE?
Although the GRE or MAT is a requirement for admission to our program, it is not the only criterion when considering an applicant for admission. Please visit www.gre.org for information regarding the GRE. Both exams are offered daily in some areas.
UMass Lowell does not have a qualifying score for the GRE of MAT.
Again, the exam is one factor of many when considering a student for graduate admission.
CAN THE GRE OR MAT EVER BE WAIVED?
The GRE or MAT may be waived for students who already possess a master's degree from an accredited U.S. University.
MAY I TAKE COURSES BEFORE OFFICIALLY APPLYING TO THE PROGRAM?
Students may take up to 2 courses (6 credits) as a non-matriculated graduate student prior to being formally accepted into the program. These courses will count towards degree requirements as transfer credit if and when you choose to apply to the program provided you receive a grade of "B" or better.
WHAT IF I HAVE BEEN PREVIOUSLY ADMITTED TO U MASS LOWELL'S GRADUATE SCHOOL OR IF I CHOSE TO WAIT TO ENTER THE PROGRAM (DEFERRED ADMISSION)?
A. If you formerly matriculated, and then withdrew in good standing from the University, you may be re-admitted to the program by completing an academic petition, signed by the Graduate Coordinator of the Criminal Justice Department and submitted to the Graduate Admissions office within two (2) years of your initial withdrawal.
B. If you were accepted into the program and did not matriculate, and you were dropped from the Program because you failed to register, you can submit an academic petition to Graduate Admissions within one (1) year requesting re-instatement. Beyond the one (1) year time period, you must submit a new application and fee.
C. If accepted to the program, you may request a deferment of acceptance up to one year beyond the date when you were scheduled to begin your graduate program. Beyond the one (1) year time period, you must submit a new application and fee.
CAN I TRANSFER GRADUATE CREDITS FROM OTHER COLLEGES/UNIVERSITIES?
A. Under certain circumstances, graduate credits earned from other colleges and universities may be transferred. Only graduate courses taken from an accredited Graduate School in the United States or Canada within a five year period prior to the date of admission to the degree requirement may be considered for transfer.
B. A maximum of twelve (12) graduate credits [four (4) graduate courses] earned with a grade of B or better may be transferred toward the master's degree program at the University of Massachusetts Graduate School. A separate assessment is made of each course to determine its suitability for transfer.
C. These graduate level courses must not have been used in earning another master's degree.
D. The courses presented must be appropriate to the Criminal Justice Graduate degree program.
E. Transfer graduate credits may not be granted for research seminars, clinical courses, practica, internships or special projects.
F. An official transcript and description of the course(s) must be submitted directly to the Graduate Admissions Office.
G. If you wish to transfer graduate credits from an accredited graduate school, you must file within the first semester of matriculation the Academic Petition Form from the Graduate School.
Financial Considerations
CAN I WORK FULL-TIME WHILE GETTING MY MASTER'S DEGREE?
A. You certainly can! Over one half of the graduate students in the Criminal Justice Department are already employed in law enforcement, probation, the courts, corrections, private security or social/human services (or even other unrelated jobs).
B. You will have to learn to budget your time well, so that you can complete all of the required reading and assignments which graduate school requires.
C. But, with a bit of organization, self-discipline and motivation, and learning how to balance the many parts of your life, you can successfully complete course requirements and obtain your master's degree, all while working full-time.
D. The Graduate School advises you to start slowly, by taking one (1) graduate class a semester, in order that you can more effectively gauge the demands of graduate study, and make necessary adjustments as necessary.
WHAT IS THE COST OF THE PROGRAM?
A. Tuition and fees vary depending on residence as well as how many courses you will be taking. (In-state is approximately about half the cost).
B. Online course tuition can be found at Continuing Education.
C. To view tuitions and fees, go to Accounts Receivable.
WHAT FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE OPTIONS ARE AVAILABLE?
Overview of Options:
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FAFSA
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On-Campus Employment
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University Scholarships
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Private Scholarships
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Teaching/Research Assistantships
A. FAFSA and On-Campus Employment
As a graduate student you may qualify for loans (money lent to a student that requires repayment during a specified period, usually following the termination of studies) or Employment (Federally funded on campus work for all or a portion of an academic year). To qualify for financial assistance you must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), available from any high school guidance office or UMass Lowell's Office of Student Financial Assistance. You can also choose to apply online at The U.S. Department of Education's FAFSA website. http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/
B. University Scholarships
A list of University of Massachusetts scholarships is available.
C. Private Scholarships
These can be found on the UML Scholarships Database, or on Fastweb.com.
D. Teaching and Research Assistantships
A limited number of Teaching Assistantships are available for qualified graduate students. Teaching Assistantships are based on merit, not financial need. For further information, please contact the Criminal Justice Department at 978-934-4106.
AS A GRADUATE STUDENT, AM I ABLE TO OBTAIN ANY HOUSING ASSISTANCE?
A. If you are an unmarried graduate student, you may live in a traditional on-campus residence hall where graduate students reside with other graduate students and undergraduate students who are at least 23 years of age.
B. If space is available, you may also live in any of the traditional or suite-style halls with other graduate or undergraduate students.
C. The residence halls may have one to four bedrooms (housing one to eight people).
D. If you are married, you may have the opportunity to reside with your family at the East Meadow Lane Apartments. These apartments are furnished studio, and unfurnished one and two bedroom units. If you wish to apply for this option, you should contact the Office of Residence Life at (978) 934-2112.
E. If you have any questions about housing, go the Office of Residence Life website, or write to the Office of Residence Life, Cumnock Hall, 1 University Avenue, Lowell, MA 01854.
Degree Requirements & Options
WHAT ARE THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE MASTER OF ARTS DEGREE IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE?
Information on degree requirements is available in the Course Catalog.
WHAT DO I DO IF I CHOOSE TO WRITE A MASTER'S THESIS?
A. You must decide to do a thesis before you complete 24 credits.
B. You must plan, discuss, and prepare your thesis under a thesis advisor (a criminal justice faculty member) who is willing to supervise you.
C. You must set up a thesis committee consisting of your thesis advisor and at least two other members.
D. You must submit your thesis proposal to the Thesis Committee for approval.
E. You must file an approved copy of the proposal with the Graduate Coordinator.
F. You must defend your thesis before your committee. The thesis defense is open to the public.
G. Thesis forms and guidelines are available to you to assist you if you choose this option.
H. If you complete a Master's Thesis, you will receive six (6) graduate credits.
I. The Graduate Department of Criminal Justice encourages you to consider a Master's Thesis, especially if you intend to pursue entrance into a Doctoral program and/or intend to conduct scholarly research.
CAN I TAKE GRADUATE COURSES IN OTHER DEPARTMENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY?
A. Yes! You may elect to take courses in other departments, as long as you can demonstrate relevance to your own course of study.
B. You can take a maximum of three courses (nine credits) from other departments.
C. The Graduate Coordinator and/or your advisor can discuss these options with you, and determine the number and type of courses which would be acceptable for your Master's Degree in Criminal Justice.
WHEN AND WHERE ARE CLASSES HELD?
A. Graduate criminal justice classes are generally available during the evening to accommodate varied schedules, especially those of working professionals.
B. Most graduate classes meet once a week for 2 1/4 hour sessions; for example, from 4:30 - 6:45 p.m., or from 7 - 9:15 p.m.
C. The University offers a Summer session with classes meeting a couple of times a week.
D. Classes are held at the University of Massachusetts Lowell, the VA Hospital in Bedford, and at other locations as designated.
E. Classes may also be taken in the online format. Please see continuing education for complete details.
CAN I BE ELIGIBLE FOR A TEACHING ASSISTANTSHIP?
A. A limited number of Teaching Assistantships are available for qualified graduate students.
B. If you are interested, you should contact the Criminal Justice Graduate Department (978-934-4106) as soon as possible, and file both your application materials and your request for consideration as a Teaching Assistant.
C. There are two (2) types of Teaching Assistantships: Full-Time (18 hours/week) and Part-Time (9 hours/week).
D. The Teaching Assistantship will cover all of your tuition and will provide a bi-weekly taxable stipend. Fees may apply.
E. Teaching Assistantships are not guaranteed and are based on merit, not financial need.
Certificate Requirements
The Master of Arts in Criminal Justice and Criminology offers five, 12-credit certificates:
- Domestic Violence Prevention Leadership & Policy Development Forensic Criminology Security Studies Criminal Justice Informatics
Online Classes
IS THE ADMISSION PROCEDURE THE SAME FOR ONLINE AND ON-CAMPUS?
Yes. For information on applying please visit the Requirements section of the Criminal Justice Graduate web page.
CAN I TAKE BOTH ONLINE AND ON-CAMPUS COURSES?
Yes. There is no restriction on your course location. You may take any combination of on-campus, off-campus, and/or online courses. This allows you to tailor your schedule to meet your needs. (Please note that tuition for Online courses and On-campus courses vary.)
WHAT IS THE COST OF THE ONLINE PROGRAM?
The current cost per 3-credit course can be found at Continuing Education. There is a $30 course registration fee. There are no other fees or charges (excluding textbooks) associated with doing your course work online. Massachusetts and out of state residents pay the same fees for online courses.
AM I ELIGIBLE FOR FINANCIAL AID AS AN ONLINE STUDENT?
Yes. Financial Aid applies equally to on-campus, off-campus, and online students. Financial aid may be available for matriculated students enrolled in 6 or more credits per semester. You may contact the Financial Aid Office at (978) 934-4220 for more information. For a list of options please click on the Financial Considerations link at the top of this page.
HOW ARE TESTS ADMINISTERED FOR ONLINE CLASSES?
A. If you live within 60 miles of campus, you will be required to take exams at the University. Continuing Education will assist you in scheduling a time.
B. If you live more than 60 miles from campus, exams will be faxed to your selected proctor. Continuing Education will help you select a proctor and schedule exams.
HOW DO I PREPARE FOR ONLINE CLASSES?
Visit Continuing Studies for information on preparing for online leaning, registration and more.