Master of science with a major in criminal justice

The Master Science with a Major in Criminal Justice program is designed for practitioners already in the field or in military service and others that are seeking to improve their credentials and knowledge base for professional advancement. The focus of the program is on international crime and justice. The program will facilitate an academic understanding of the intricate links between political and social systems and criminal behavior.

• 36 semester hour program
• all program instruction is delivered online
• applicants may apply for admission for spring, summer, and fall semesters

 Graduate Admissions Procedures

• Application materials may be obtained from the Office of Graduate Admissions.
• Applicants may apply online or submit a paper application.
• Applicants may email letters of intent and resumes to grads@northgeorgia.edu.
• Electronic official transcripts should be submitted to grads@northgeorgia.edu.
• International applicants requiring an F1 visa to attend school in the U.S. may not enroll in this program.
• When all application materials required to make an admission decision have been received by the Office of Graduate Admissions, notification will be sent to the applicant and a copy of materials will be forwarded to the program.
• Upon review, a letter from the program coordinator will be sent to the applicant verifying acceptance or denial.

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General Admissions Requirements for Master of Science with a Major in Criminal Justice

1. Graduate Admission Application or apply online.
2. $40 application fee.
3. Official transcripts from all regionally-accredited institutions of higher education previously attended. Transfer credit posted on the records of other institutions is not accepted in lieu of transcripts from the original institutions.  Official transcripts for these credits must be submitted.  You do not need to request official transcripts if you graduated from North Georgia. International transcripts must have a foreign course-by-course credential evaluation done an independent evaluation service that is a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services, Inc. (NACES). Evaluations must include certification that the applicant has received a baccalaureate degree from a regionally-accredited institution and a cumulative gpa of at least a 2.50 (4.0 scale).
4. Completion of at least 15 undergraduate credit hours in criminal justice, criminology, or related discipline as by the program coordinator.
5. 1-2 page letter of intent specifying the applicant's interest in the program, professional motivation to advance in the field of criminal justice, and the applicant's academic background.
6. Current professional resume.
7. 3 North Georgia recommendation forms.
8. North Georgia Certificate of Immunization in accordance with Board of Regents' policy (check the exemption for distance learning/online, sign, date, and submit to the Office of Graduate Admissions). Former North Georgia students are not required to submit new documentation.
9. If applying for in-state tuition, proof of lawful presence in the U.S.

Application materials are kept for 1 year for incomplete files and for 3 years for individuals who complete an application and are accepted, but do not enroll.

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Regular Admission Requirements

1. Hold a baccalaureate from a regionally accredited 4-year institution with at least a cumulative grade point average of 2.75 (4.0 scale) calculated in accordance with North Georgia Graduate's Graduate Admissions procedures.
2. Or hold a baccalaureate from a regionally accredited 4-year institution with at least a cumulative grade point average of 2.75 (4.0 scale) calculated in accordance with North Georgia's Graduate Admissions procedures and have received a score of at least 800 (verbal & quantitative combined) on the General Record Exam (GRE) if taken prior to August 1, 2011, or 143 verbal and 143 quantitative if taken on or after August 1, 2011.
3. Meet all other program admission requirements.

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Provisional Admission Requirements 

1. Hold a baccalaureate from a regionally-accredited, 4-year institution with at least a cumulative grade point average of 2.50 (4.0 scale) calculated in accordance with North Georgia's Graduate Admissions procedures.
2. Or hold a baccalaureate from a regionally accredited 4-year institution with at least a cumulative grade point average of 2.50 (4.0 scale) calculated in accordance with North Georgia's Graduate Admissions procedures and have received a score of at least 700 (verbal & quantitative combined) on the General Record Exam (GRE) if taken prior to August 1, 2011, or 140 verbal and 140 quantitative if taken on or after August 1, 2011.
3. Meet all other program admission requirements.

• Students admitted provisionally may register for no more than a cumulative total of 9 hours of graduate credit while enrolled with this status.
• Provisionally admitted students who earn a grade less than a "B" in any graduate criminal justice course taken during the provisional period will not be allowed to continue in the  program.
• Students who have been removed because of a deficient grade may reapply for admission by submitting a letter to the program coordinator after a period of 1 year from the date the student was removed.
• Provisionally admitted students are not eligible for financial aid.

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 Non-Degree Admission

• Individuals interested in taking graduate criminal justice courses but do not want to pursue a graduate degree, may apply for admission as a non-degree graduate student.
• Individuals must receive pre-approval from the program coordinator before enrolling in courses
• Non-degree students may register for no more than a total of 9 hours of graduate credit. 
• All course work must result in a "B" or higher.

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Application Checklist for Non-Degree Admission

1. Graduate Admission Application or apply online.
2. $40 application fee.
3. Official transcripts from all regionally-accredited institutions of higher education previously attended with a minimum 2.75 (4.0 scale) overall cumulative gpa calculated in accordance with North Georgia's Graduate Admissions procedures. Transfer credit posted on the records of other institutions is not accepted in lieu of transcripts from the original institutions.  Official transcripts for these credits must be submitted.  Official international transcripts must have a foreign course-by-course credential evaluation by an independent evaluation service that is a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services, Inc. Transcripts must include certification that the applicant has received a baccalaureate degree from a regionally-accredited institution with a minimum grade point average of 2.75.
4. Completion of at least 15 undergraduate credit hours in criminal justice, criminology, or related discipline as approved by the program coordinator.
5. 3 North Georgia recommendation forms.
6. North Georgia Certificate of Immunization in accordance with Board of Regents' policy (check the exemption for distance learning/online, sign, date, and submit to the Office of Graduate Admissions). Former North Georgia students are not required to meet to submit new documentation.
7. If applying for in-state tuition, proof of lawful presence in the U.S.

• Non-degree students wishing to apply for degree-seeking admission to the program must notify the program coordinator, submit a new application, and meet all program admission requirements.
• Non-degree admitted students who earn a grade less than a "B" in any graduate criminal justice course taken while holding a non-degree status will not be allowed to continue in the program.
• Non-degree admitted students are not eligible for financial aid.

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Transient Student Admission

An individual currently enrolled at a regionally accredited college or university as a graduate student in good standing may apply to North Georgia as a transient student. Individuals must receive pre-approval from the program coordinator before enrolling in courses. Requests will be considered on a space-available basis.

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Application Checklist for Transient Student Admission

1. Graduate Admission Application or apply online.
2.  $40 application fee.
3. North Georgia Certificate of Immunization in accordance with Board of Regents' policy (check the exemption for distance learning/online, sign, date, and submit to the Office of Graduate Admissions). Former North Georgia students are not required to submit new documentation.
4. If applying for in-state tuition, proof of lawful presence in the U.S.
5. Official transcript from the home institution in order to verify adequate prerequisite knowledge/skills.
6. Letter of good standing or Transient Permission form documenting that the student is not on academic probation or suspension or on disciplinary suspension at his or her home institution. The letter or form should state that the student is in good standing and should indicate the course(s) the student is being allowed to take at North Georgia.

• Transient admission is for 1 term only.
• Individuals who wish to return to North Georgia as a transient student for a subsequent term must re-apply to North Georgia.

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Notice Regarding Online Offerings

Recently enacted federal regulations requiring enforcement of state laws regarding the delivery of distance education degrees, programs and courses to students whose physical presence is in a state other than Georgia may limit North Georgia’s ability to offer online opportunities to these students.  If you wish to enroll in one of our online offerings and are located in a state other than Georgia, please inquire before applying to determine if we have acquired permission to offer online courses in your state.  You may email your inquiry to onlineapproval@northgeorgia.edu. This email address is exclusively for questions regarding state approval of online offerings.  Other inquiries should be directed to the academic department offering the online program or to the Office of Graduate Admissions, grads@northgeorgia.edu.

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Appeal of Graduate Admission

A candidate whose application is denied because the graduate admission cumulative grade point average is below the minimum requirement for the program or because an acceptable test score for an appropriate entrance exam was not earned has the right to appeal the decision. Appeals must be made in written form to the

Master of Science with a Major in Criminal Justice
Department of Criminal Justice
Hansford Hall
North Georgia College & State University
Dahlonega, GA 30597-1001

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• Letter should clearly state the grounds for appeal.
• Students whose appeals are accepted will be admitted provisionally.
• Provisionally admitted students are not eligible for financial aid.
• Students may not appeal for regular admission.