Choosing a Masters Degree in Criminal Justice
There are some things you need to know to aid you in choosing a masters degree in criminal justice. Before you can know for sure if this is the right choice for you, you will need to get the facts. The more information you can receive about your master's degree and courses in criminal justice, the better prepared you will be to take your programs and advance both your education and your career. If you are planning on going further than your master's, you will still need to get your master's to make your way up in your graduate education.
What do you need to get into a graduate program? The exact requirements can vary from school to school but here are some guidelines to help you have a general idea. You need to have a GPA (grade point average) of 2.5 or higher in most cases and also at least an average or above average score on the GRE to help you apply for a master's degree program in criminal justice. If you also have good letters of recommendations, it will help you all the more. Currently, there is a shortage of people in these fields so there is a high demand for you.
About the Program
To get your masters degree in Criminal Justice, you are going to need 36 credit hours of study. Usually this will include 15 hours of core courses, 15 hours in a specific area of concentration and 6 hours for your thesis or non-thesis research. You will take different courses which add up to these credit hours that you need to complete the program. In most schools and universities, the courses are the same or very similar. In many, the very same books will be used. Most courses equal 3 semester hours each so this helps you calculate how many you will need to take to get your masters degree.
In your first year, you will probably take basic courses that introduce you to law and police work as well as criminology and behavioral sciences. Many criminal justice basics will be covered in this year. By your second year, you will get more advanced with your courses and the work may become more specialized. This is when you should have a good idea of what you plan to do with your future in criminal justice or law.
What School to Attend
Deciding what school to attend is one big step when it comes to getting your master's degree in criminal justice. There are so many different schools out there that it can be difficult to know which one is right for you. If you ask other's opinions of what school to go to, you are probably going to get more answers than you know what to do with. Everyone seems to have their own opinions of what's right and what school is best but the real answer can only be told by you.
Formulate a list of questions that you need to know the answers to help you decide if a school is right for you. The list should contain all of the things that are important to you in choosing a school. Then you can begin to form a list of your favorite schools and what you think you'd like to go to. You can then begin to compare these lists along with the information you receive from other people and you can narrow it down to the best school choices for you. Remember that then you will also have to get admissions and application information before you can know for certain if you will be able to attend the school of your choosing.
Taking Your Degree Further
What can you do after you graduate and receive your Master's Degree in Criminal Justice? There are many jobs that will open up for you when you get your masters degree in criminal justice. Exactly what you do with your degree is up to you but you should find it easier to find a job or get a promotion in an existing job once you get your masters degree.
Be sure you take time to investigate all the ways that you can benefit from your degree and how you can really make the most out of your masters degree in criminal justice. Whatever area of law enforcement you are considering, you should be able to benefit from this degree to help you advance your career and make more money as well as get a better position. Enjoy your master's degree and make the most of it. You worked hard for it!
