Advance your career in criminal justice.
Pursuing our Master of Science degree in Criminal Justice with a concentration in Theory and Research at the University of North Texas is the next step forward in furthering your career and developing advanced analytical skills. You can pursue this degree as a campus-based program allowing you to better balance your work, personal and academic obligations. This degree plan enhances your ability to take informed and thoughtful actions in your career path.
Many MSCJ alumni are serving in various careers such as:
- Analyst
- Scholar
- Administrator
- Researcher
- Police officer, probation officer or caseworker
You can pursue your degree as part of this campus-based program allowing you to take advantage of your particular learning style and better balance your work, personal and academic obligations.
This is a campus-based program with courses offered at the Denton campus on weekdays between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. Applicants of the Master of Science in Criminal Justice with Concentration in Theory and Research at the University of North Texas must complete an application packet to be considered for admission. The complete application packet is due August 1st for Fall admission or December 1st for Spring admission. Please follow this process for completing your application packet:
1. Submit Application
Applications are accepted for Fall or Spring terms only. To apply for FALL 2024 or Spring 2025, submit an application through ApplyTexas selecting the University of North Texas. Within 2-3 days, you will receive login credentials to set up your MyUNT portal and pay your application fee.
If you're applying for FALL 2025 OR LATER, click here to learn about the new UNT GradCAS (Centralized Application System) - a portal that makes the application process even easier!
2. Submit Official Transcripts
All official college-level transcript(s) must be sent directly to the Toulouse Graduate School for processing. Official transcripts can either be sent electronically to gradadmission@unt.edu or mailed to:
Toulouse Graduate School 1155
Union Circle #305459
Denton, TX 76203-5017
Transcripts cannot be sent directly to the Criminal Justice Department for processing. They must be received by the Toulouse Graduate School. Please contact the Toulouse Graduate School if guidance on submitting official transcripts is needed.
3. Submit Additional Application Items
In addition to the ApplyTexas application and submission of official transcripts, applicants are required to submit a Reference List and Personal Statement.
For the Reference List (linked below) two individuals must be listed to serve as professional or academic references of your ability to perform graduate work. All fields of the form must be completed. These references may be contacted during the application process.
The personal statement should be a typed essay with an explanation of the following: career goals, why you are pursuing a Master’s degree, prior experience in the criminal justice field, prior research experience in criminal justice, and anything in your personal background that you deem relevant to your admission decision.
Both the Reference List and Personal Statement must be uploaded to the MyUNT Portal by clicking on “To Do’s,” then selecting the respective item, then “add attachment” and click save.
When all application items are received, the UNT Toulouse Graduate School will send communication confirming that this portion of the application is complete, and that the application has been deferred to the Department of Criminal Justice for review.
Please note, international applicants may have additional requirements beyond what is listed here. Information for international applicants can be found on the Toulouse Graduate School website here.
Incomplete applications are not reviewed for admission. It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure all elements of the application have been received by UNT. Applicants can track the status of their applications through the MyUNT portal.
For any additional admissions and application related questions, please send an email to MSCJAdvising@unt.edu. Please allow 5 business days for a reply when classes are in session. Replies may take longer between academic terms. We appreciate your patience.
Scholarships & More
Criminal Justice graduate students may apply for the Department of Criminal Justice’s Tory J. Caeti Memorial Scholarship and other scholarships offered by the College of Health and Public Service each year.
Your academic advisorGraduate students are advised by department faculty. Director of Graduate Programs Jessica Craig can help connect you with potential faculty advisors based on your unique interests. Jessica Craig, Ph.D. Associate Professor & Director of Graduate Programs Jessica.Craig@unt.edu 940-565-3464 Chilton 273A |
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Criminal Justice
cjus.unt.edu
D'Ann.Hammett@unt.edu
940.565.2548
Chilton Hall 265