A young woman (Native American) who is a graduate of the accelerated graduate degree in Criminal Justice & Criminology holding a textbook and standing in front of a courthouse building. She is wearing a black turtleneck and dangling turquoise earrings.

The Accelerated Graduate Degree in Criminal Justice and Criminology provides high-achieving students the option of an accelerated course of study. Students can earn a bachelor’s and master’s degree in as little as five years. Consistent with other accelerated graduate degrees, it includes three years of undergraduate study and two years of graduate study.

Program Type

Accelerated Graduate

Program Format

On Campus

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A graduate degree is becoming a necessity for many occupations within the criminal justice system. The Accelerated Graduate Degree in Criminal Justice and Criminology helps students obtain their bachelor’s and master’s degrees in a more cost-effective and efficient manner.

High School Graduates

  • GPA of 3.0 on all high school work
  • No math or English deficiencies
  • Admitted in good standing to UWM
  • A one- to two-page statement explaining the student’s interest in a particular field of study and reasons for entering an accelerated program
  • Two letters of recommendation from high school teachers/counselors attesting to the student’s maturity and suitability for an accelerated program
  • If you are a high school graduate or will be graduating from high school this year, make sure you 1) apply to UWM and 2) apply to the Accelerated Graduate Degree in Criminal Justice & Criminology.

Continuing/Transfer Students

  • GPA of 3.0 on all prior university work
  • A one- to two-page statement explaining the student’s interest in a particular field of study and reasons for entering an accelerated program
  • Two letters of recommendation attesting to the student’s maturity and suitability for an accelerated program
  • It’s recommended that you transfer prior to obtaining junior status (58 credits). If you apply after junior standing, it may take longer to complete the accelerated program.
  • If you are a continuing or transfer student, make sure you 1) apply to the accelerated program and 2) apply to the Graduate School by the second semester of junior year in order to register for graduate classes.

This is only one model of selecting courses for a five-year sequence to meet criminal justice and criminology degree requirements. This chart is not intended to be a guide for the selection of specific courses or to substitute for academic advising. For suggestions about specific courses and other schedule options, students are strongly encouraged to meet with their academic advisors.

Sample Course of Study Covering 10 Full-Time Semesters

Undergraduate Year 1

Fall Semester

CourseCredits
CRM JST 105: Orientation1
CRM JST 110: Introduction to Criminal Justice3
Math 103 or 1053
English 1023
GER Humanities3
GER Social Science3
TOTAL16

Spring Semester

CourseCredits
CRM JST 271: Introduction to Policing3
GER Arts3
GER Natural Science3
General Elective3
General Elective3
TOTAL15

Undergraduate Year 2

Fall Semester

CourseCredits
CRM JST 273: Introduction to Corrections3
CRM JST 275: Introduction to Criminal Courts3
COMMUN 1033
GER Natural Science Lab3
General Elective3
TOTAL15

Spring Semester

CourseCredits
CRM JST 305: Criminological Theory and Policy3
CRM JST Elective3
CRM JST Elective3
GER Social Science3
General Elective3
General Elective2
TOTAL17

Undergraduate Year 3

Fall Semester

CourseCredits
CRM JST 671 G: Juvenile Justice3
CRM JST 310: Race, Ethnicity, and Justice3
General Elective3
General Elective3
TOTAL12
Apply to graduate program.

Spring Semester

CourseCredits
Soci 261 or InfoSt 3703
CRM JST 520 G3
CRM JST Elective3
General Elective3
General Elective3
TOTAL15

Graduate School Year 1

Fall Semester

CourseCredits
CRM JST 662: Methods of Social Welfare Research3
CRM JST 663: Criminal Justice Capstone Seminar3
CRM JST Elective3
General Elective3
TOTAL12

Spring Semester

CourseCredits
CRM JST 743: Proseminar: Administration of Criminal Justice Systems3
CRM JST BKWD Elective3
CRM JST BKWD Elective3
CRM JST BKWD Elective3
TOTAL12

Graduate School Year 2

Fall Semester

CourseCredits
CRM JST 713: Measuring Crime & Analyzing Crime Data3
CRM JST 716: Advanced Analytic Techniques for Crime Analysts3
CRM JST 756: Proseminar: Analysis of Criminal Justice Research3
TOTAL9

Spring Semester

CourseCredits
CRM JST 773: Criminological Perspectives3
CRM JST 910: Methods and Practice Capstone for Crime Analysts3
CRM JST BKWD Elective3
TOTAL9
PROGRAM TOTAL132
  • Assistant Professor, Criminal Justice & Criminology
  • Graduate Program Coordinator, Criminal Justice & Criminology