Our graduate program in criminal justice prepares students for leadership positions in the field of criminal justice and provides a strong foundation for students who anticipate advanced study at the doctoral level.
The curriculum offers criminal justice professionals a broad foundation for understanding criminal justice policy. Legal, organizational, political and behavioral frameworks are used to analyze the operation of the U.S. criminal justice system. Students are introduced to advanced knowledge on the nature and causes of crime, the justification and means of social control, the administration of the justice system, and the evaluation of criminal justice programs.
- Crime Analytics UWM is the first school in the state to offer courses in crime analysis, which is one of the fastest-growing areas of criminal justice. Learn about our crime analytics concentration for master’s students.
- Joint Degree in Public Administration The combination of public administration and criminal justice courses provides you with theoretical and practical exposure to evolving professional practice in the criminal justice field. Learn about our joint MPA program.
- Joint Degree in Social Work This dual degree program blends criminal justice courses with an evidence-based social work practice curriculum. Learn about our coordinated master’s degree in social work and criminal justice.
Field placements provide students with the opportunity to work in a criminal justice related setting while earning course credit in the process. Find a field placement opportunity
Teaching assistantships are awarded for the academic year in the fall. If you apply for spring admission, you may submit an application for the following fall. If you wish to apply, your application is due March 1 (or the following Monday if 3/1 falls on a weekend) for the following fall semester.
Download application for Teaching/Project Assistant Position
All students must take the following proseminars in each of three core areas. For a full list of courses, please visit the UWM Graduate School.
| Criminal Justice | |
|---|---|
| CRM JST 713 Measuring Crime and Analyzing Crime Data | 3 cr |
| CRM JST 756 Analysis of Criminal Justice Research | 3 cr |
| CRM JST 743 Administration of Criminal Justice Systems | 3 cr |
| CRM JST 773 Perspectives on Crime and the Criminal Justice System | 3 cr |
| CRM JST 920 Criminal Justice Masters Capstone Seminar | 3 cr |
| Criminal Justice Electives (4) | 12 cr |
| Electives (2 Criminal Justice or outside electives with advisor’s consent) | 6 cr |
| TOTAL | 33 Credits |
- Graduation Requirements Minimum GPA of 3.0; Minimum of 33 graduate credits; A grade of B or better in the following: CRM JST 743, CRM JST 756 and CRM JST 773. All students complete a minimum of 33 graduate credits; 27 credit hours must be taken within the criminal justice program and the other 6 may be taken elsewhere in the Helen Bader School of Social Welfare or in other UWM departments with the consent of the student’s advisor. Students must complete all degree requirements within seven years of enrollment.
- Thesis Option (Essay Option) Ideal for students intent on pursuing a doctoral degree. Required: 3 credits of approved research and an oral exam in defense of the essay.
- Capstone Option (Non-Essay Option) Students who do not complete the essay option are required to complete the capstone seminar course (CRM JST 920, Masters Capstone Seminar). This seminar integrates learning from the degree coursework and synthesizes criminal justice theories, empirical research, and program creation and implementation.
- Undergraduate degree from an accredited university in criminal justice, a related social science, or other relevant educational experience.
- Undergraduate cumulative GPA of 3.00 (for good-standing admission). In addition, applicants with an undergraduate cumulative GPA between 2.75-2.99 may also be considered for admission but must also submit satisfactory scores on the verbal and quantitative sections of either the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or the Miller Analogies Test (MAT).
- Two letters of recommendation from those familiar with applicant’s academic record and suitability for graduate work.
- It is recommended that applicants have completed a research methods course and a statistics course at the undergraduate level prior to beginning the program.
- Submit the following through the Graduate School: 1) Graduate School application, 2) official transcripts, 3) GRE or MAT scores (if required – see above under “Admission Requirements”), and 4) application fee.
- Submit 2 letters of recommendation to the Criminal Justice Program at this address:
- Tina L. Freiburger, Ph.D.
Department Chair and Professor
Department of Criminal Justice & Criminology
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
P.O. Box 786
1119 Enderis Hall
Milwaukee, WI 53201
- Assistant Professor
and Graduate Program Coordinator
Danielle Romain, Ph.D.
(414) 229-6953
dmromain@uwm.edu
Learn more about our graduate students.
