Our graduates go on to pursue successful and rewarding careers in criminal justice. The U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook (OOH) projects "Employment in protective service occupations [...] to grow 8 percent from 2020 to 2030, about as fast as the average, and will result in about 286,400 new jobs." The OOH also notes that "the median annual wage of $43,710 in May 2020, which was slightly higher than the median annual wage for all occupations of $41,950."  

Possible career paths for graduates include correctional officers and bailiffs, police and detectives, and private detectives and investigators.

For admission to the program, a student is expected to have a bachelor’s degree in criminology, criminal justice, or another social or behavioral science. However, other complimentary degrees may be considered. Students can be admitted without the expected degree with the stipulation that selected undergraduate and/or graduate-level courses must be completed. Applicants for graduate study in criminology must meet the College of Social Sciences requirements and:

• 3.0 cumulative undergraduate GPA on a 4.0 scale (If a student does not meet the GPA requirements for regular admission, s/he may be admitted provisionally);
• Obtain three strong letters of recommendation from individuals knowledgeable of your academic and/or professional abilities.
• Resume or curriculum vitae
• Submit a 750-word intellectual autobiography highlighting your reasons for pursuing a graduate degree at UWG. Within this intellectual biography the candidate may want to comment upon:
  
  1. When and where the candidate’s interest in Criminology developed
  2. How the field of Criminology was incorporated into the candidate’s undergraduate coursework
  3. How the field of Criminology has been incorporated into the candidate’s current professional work or will be incorporated into the candidate’s future career goals
  4. Theoretical or methodological interests of the candidate
  5. The candidate’s plans or ideas for original research
  6. A faculty member that the candidate is interested in studying with

The Department of Criminology does not require a GRE score; however one can be submitted to support an application for admission and funding.

How to Apply Additional Information

For more information, check the updated Graduate Student Handbook (pdf). 

FORMS FOR GRADUATE STUDENTS:

• Independent study form (pdf)
• Prospectus approval form (pdf)
• Thesis application (pdf)
• Comprehensive Exam Study Packet (pdf)