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Accelerated Graduate Degree Program in Criminal Justice & Criminology
BS, MS
The Accelerated Graduate Degree Program 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.
A graduate degree is becoming a necessity for many occupations within the criminal justice system. The Accelerated Graduate Degree Program 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
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
Year 1
Fall Semester
Course
Credits
CRM JST 105: Orientation
1
CRM JST 110: Introduction to Criminal Justice
3
Math (if necessary)
3
English (if necessary)
3
GER Humanities
3
GER Social Science
3
TOTAL
16
Spring Semester
Course
Credits
CRM JST 271: Introduction to Policing
3
GER Arts
3
GER Humanities
3
U.S. History 151/152
3
General Elective
3
TOTAL
15
Year 2
Fall Semester
Course
Credits
CRM JST 273: Introduction to Corrections
3
CRM JST 275: Introduction to Criminal Courts
3
COM 103
3
GER Natural Science
3
U.S. History 151/152
3
TOTAL
15
Spring Semester
Course
Credits
CRM JST 305: Criminological Theory and Policy
3
CRM JST Elective
2
GER Natural Science Lab
3
GER Social Science
3
General Elective
3
CRM JST Elective
3
TOTAL
17
Year 3
Fall Semester
Course
Credits
CRM JST 671: Juvenile Justice
3
CRM JST 310: Race, Ethnicity, and Justice
3
GER Social Science
3
General Elective
3
General Elective
3
TOTAL
15
Apply for graduate program in the third year, semester I.