Master's of Criminal Justice MSCJ Online Student Orientation

1. Master's of Criminal Justice MSCJ Online Student Orientation

2. College of Applied Arts

3. Graduate Studies 101 What’s the difference between my Undergraduate and Graduate Studies? • Academic Rigor / Grading • Time Requirements • Critical Thinking Skills

4. Academic Preparedness • Classes are reading intensive • Most classes are writing intensive • Develop good study habits & time management skills • Cultivate networking relationships • Attend research conferences, departmental speakers

5. Tools to help • Writing Center Workshops • Thesis/Dissertation Workshops • Online Writing Tutorials • Library Tools • IRB Workshop (Fall & Spring)

6. Graduate College Orientation • Texas State Graduate College Orientation • In person or online http://www.gradcollege.txstate.edu/Orientation.html

7. Criminal Justice at Texas State • The Master's program in criminal justice consists of a 36 credit-hour curriculum, which may be completed with a thesis or non-thesis option to earn a Master's of Science in Criminal Justice (MSCJ). • Candidates who choose the thesis option will complete the 18 credit-hour criminal justice core curriculum, six thesis hours (CJ 5399A, CJ 5399B), and 12 hours of graduate elective courses.  • Non-thesis candidates complete the 18 hour core curriculum, three professional paper hours (CJ 5370), and 15 hours of graduate elective courses. 

8. MSCJ Required Classes • CJ 5310 Administration of Justice • CJ 5315 Research Methods • CJ 5321 Current Legal Issues • CJ5325 Statistics • CJ5330 Management Principles • CJ5335 Criminological Theory • CJ 5370 Professional Paper or CJ5399A & CJ5399B Thesis • 4 CJ electives for thesis students • 5 CJ electives for professional paper students

9. Registration for Classes • Course catalogs are available ONLINE only • Course Schedules are ONLINE only • Late Registration (see registrar web page for dates) • Schedule Changes after classes start (registrar page) • Registrar provides specific information regarding registration each semester www.txstate.edu/registrar/

10. Tuition & Fees • http://www.txstate.edu/ • http://www.appliedarts.txstate.edu/Graduate-Studies/Financial-Opportunities.html (* Tuition is subject to change)

11. Professional Paper • The Professional Paper (CJ 5370) is the culminating experience for the majority of MSCJ students, both those who leave with a MS or go on to pursue a PhD. • A professional paper is an intensive review of the literature and problems of a specific topic in criminal justice. Unlike a thesis, the professional paper does not require the collection and analysis of data; however the paper should demonstrate the students understanding of crime, theory, and public policy.

12. Thesis • A thesis involves the student undertaking an original research project including data collection and analysis. • Students must take 6 hours of thesis credit, CJ 5399A and CJ 5399B. Note that A and B may not be taken in the same semester, and you must be enrolled in thesis hours during the semester you intend to graduate. • More thesis information can be found on The Graduate College website: http://www.gradcollege.txstate.edu/Thes-Diss_Info.html

13. Graduate Student Travel • The Graduate College encourages student travel to enhance research and scholarly development. Students may be reimbursed for air fare, lodging, and transportation. • Travel funds are limited to students who are presenting at the conference. See your MSCJ advisor for more information Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences meetings are in late Feb/early March of each year. The 2014 meetings will be in Philadelphia, Feb. 18-22 American Society of Criminology annual meetings are in November. The 2013 meetings will be in Atlanta, November 20-23

14. Frequently Asked Questions • What kind of electives are offered? Electives include classes on Police, Crime Analysis, Race, Sex Offenders, Drugs and Society, Terrorism, and a wide variety of other classes. • Should I take my classes in a particular order? There is some flexibility, but student should take CJ 5310 their first fall semester along with Legal Issues and one elective. In the spring, you should take either Statistics or Methods and one elective. In your second year, you should take Management, Crime Theory, and begin your thesis or professional paper. Many required classes are offered every semester, but a few required classes are offered only once a year.

15. Frequently Asked Questions • Should I write a Thesis or a Professional Paper? It depends on your interests. You do not have to write a thesis in order to be accepted into a doctoral program. A thesis is most appropriate for students who have a specific research question and are able to work closely with their committee to collect data and complete an original research project. A professional paper is appropriate for students who are interested in examining the policy or existing research literature surrounding a specific topic. • I decided not to write a thesis. Is it also possible to switch from thesis to non-thesis? Yes, this requires a petition from the Graduate College, but your Graduate Advisor (The MSCJ Coordinator) can do this for you.

16. Frequently Asked Questions • How can I become a Graduate Assistant? Contact the Graduate Coordinator for an application. Applications are due June 15 and Oct. 15. This is a competitive process; students who are awarded a GA receive a stipend and work 20 hours a week for the School of Criminal Justice assisting with teaching duties. Sometimes, Research Assistant positions are available as well. • If I have been to another graduate school and have taken classes, can I transfer them in? You can transfer up to 6 hours of graduate credit from an accredited institution if the grades are B or better. These can be used to replace required courses, but only if the content is very similar, otherwise they will be counted as electives.

17. Frequently Asked Questions • Do I need a minor? And Is it possible to change minors? You do NOThave to declare a minor. If you are a part-time student, a minor may add 1-2 semesters to the time it takes to finish your degree. If you want to declare or change a minor, email the MSCJ Coordinator and the change can be made by sending a request to the Graduate College. • I need CJ 5330 to graduate, but it’s not the schedule this semester, what can I do? Most of our required classes are offered frequently, so try to follow your advising checklist. However, if you are missing a class needed to graduate, look for a class similar in content, offered by another department. Usually you can find a class in the Political Science/Public Administration department. When you find one, send the course description to the MSCJ Coordinator who can petition the Graduate College to use that class to substitute.

18. Financial Aid • Graduate Scholarships http://www.gradcollege.txstate.edu/Prospect_Students/Fin_Grad_Ed/Scholarships.html • FAFSA – submit on January 1, complete by March • Graduate loans are unsubsidized only • Out-of-State Tuition Waivers are available at Financial Aid office

19. Health Insurance • Students are recommended to have health insurance, only international students are required to do so. • Graduate Assistants may obtain health insurance through Texas State as part of their benefits. • For more information see the Health Centers website: http://www.healthcenter.txstate.edu/INSURANCE/student-health-insurance-2013-2014.html

20. Campus Safety • Bobcat Bobbies provide an escort for both female and male students on campus after dark. • KravMaga self-defense classes are available for free to students and their families. • University Police (UPD) urges you to register your bicycle on campus, it is free and helps in locating lost or stolen bicycles. • For more on Campus Safety go to the University Police website: http://www.police.txstate.edu/Services/Bobcat-Bobbies.html

21. Parking Decal • Purchase your Parking Decal Online. • Perimeter lots have free parking until Sep. 13. • Most color zones, including those around Hines open up after 5 pm for students with evening classes – check your map. • See the web page for bus schedules and a parking map: http://www.parking.txstate.edu/

22. Graduation College of Applied Arts Master’s Hooding Ceremony http://www.appliedarts.txstate.edu/Graduate-Studies/CAA-Hooding-Ceremony.html

23. For More Information • Masters Student Handbook online: http://www.cj.txstate.edu/degrees-programs/graduate.html • Contact the MSCJ Coordinator: CJMasters@txstate.edu • The Graduate College Pages: http://www.gradcollege.txstate.edu/