Criminology and Criminal Justice (CRIM)
Graduate Degree Program
College: Behavioral and Social Sciences
Abstract
The program of graduate study leading to a Traditional Master of Arts and Doctorate of Philosophy degrees in the area of Criminology and Criminal Justice is intended to prepare students for research, teaching and professional employment in operational agencies within the field of criminal justice. This program combines an intensive background in a social science discipline such as criminology, criminal justice, sociology, psychology and public policy with graduate-level study of selected aspects of crime and criminal justice.
In addition, the Department offers a joint J.D./M.A. degree with the University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law, located in Baltimore.
A recent study of Department M.A. and Ph.D. alumni reveals that master’s degree graduates have found employment in both public and private institutions in virtually every kind of activity associated with the criminal justice system: research; teaching; federal, state and local law enforcement; courts; corrections; private security; and funded programs. Ph.D. graduates have found employment mostly in teaching, research, and government agency administration.
Financial Assistance
Graduate research assistantships, teaching assistantships, scholarships, and fellowships are available to select individuals applying to our doctoral program. In recent years many admitted doctoral students receive funding through assistantships, and some may be awarded supplemental scholarships or fellowships offered by the Department, the BSOS Dean’s Office, or The Graduate School. Applications should be received by December 1st of the preceding Fall term for best consideration.
If you're interested in applying for the Fellowships in Support of Diversity and Inclusion in the Behavioral and Social Sciences, please be sure to upload your materials under "Supplementary Application" when submitting your online admissions application.
Contact
Graduate Program Coordinator
Department of Criminology
2220 LeFrak Hall
7251 Preinkert Drive
University of Maryland
College Park, MD 20742
Telephone: 301.405.6838
Email: criminologydept@umd.edu
Website: https://ccjs.umd.edu/landing/Graduate
Courses: CCJS
General Requirements
- Statement of Purpose
- Transcript(s)
- TOEFL/IELTS/PTE (international graduate students)
Program-Specific Requirements
- Letters of Recommendation (3)
- Graduate Record Examination (GRE)
- CV/Resume
- Writing Sample (1 required, up to one more optional)
- Description of Research/Work Experience (optional)
- Supplementary Application (optional for Ph.D., not required for M.A.)
In addition to the general Graduate School rules, special admission requirements include a major in a social science discipline and nine hours of coursework in appropriate areas of criminal justice.
Application Deadlines
| Type of Applicant | Fall Deadline |
|---|---|
| Domestic Applicants | |
| US Citizens and Permanent Residents | December 13, 2024 |
| International Applicants | |
| F (student) or J (exchange visitor) visas; A, E, G, H, I and L visas and immigrants | December 13, 2024 |
RESOURCES AND LINKS:
Program Website: https://ccjs.umd.edu/landing/Graduate
Application Process: gradschool.umd.edu/admissions
The Department has various opportunities for graduate students to participate in current projects. Recent students have worked in research centers at the Maryland State Commission on Criminal Sentencing Policy, National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism (START), and the National Institute of Justice. In addition, our faculty maintain an array of ongoing, funded research projects where students can assist. These resources provide numerous opportunities for students to engage in policy development, research, and professional activities.
| Last Name | First/Middle Name | Graduate Faculty Status | Academic Credentials | Positions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bersani | Bianca E. | Full Member | B.A., University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2002; M.A., University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 2004; Ph.D., University of Maryland-College Park, 2010. | Associate Professor, Criminology and Criminal Justice |
| Brame | Robert | Full Member | B.A., University of North Carolina at Charlotte, 1988; M.S., University of North Carolina at Charlotte, 1991; Ph.D., University of Maryland, 1997. | Professor, Criminology and Criminal Justice |
| Brooks | Laure Weber | Full Member | B.A., University of Maryland-College Park, 1980; M.A., 1982; Ph.D., 1986. | Instructor, Criminology and Criminal Justice |
| Brunson | Rod K. | Full Member | B.S., Criminology and Criminal Justice, University of Missouri at St. Louis, 1996; M.A., Criminology and Criminal Justice, University of Missouri at St. Louis,1998; Ph.D., Criminal Justice, University of Illinois at Chicago, 2003. | Professor, Criminology and Criminal Justice |
| Ellis | Rachel | Full Member | B.A., Georgetown University, 2010; M.A., Sociology, University of Pennsylvania, 2012; Ph.D., University of Pennsylvania, 2017. | Assistant Professor, Criminology and Criminal Justice |
| Hitchens | Brooklynn | Full Member | B.A., University of Delaware, 2013; M.A., Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, 2015; Ph.D., Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, 2020. | Assistant Professor, Criminology and Criminal Justice |
| Jacobsen | Wade | Full Member | B.S., Brigham Young University, 2009; M.S., Brigham Young University, 2011; Ph.D., Pennsylvania State University, 2017. | Associate Professor, Criminology and Criminal Justice |
| Jelveh | Zubin | Full Member | B.A., University of Chicago, 1999; M.S., Columbia University, 2003; M.A., Columbia University, 2011; Ph.D., New York University, 2017. | Assistant Professor, Criminology and Criminal Justice |
| Johnson | Brian D. | Full Member | B.A., Lawrence University, 1997; M.A., Pennsylvania State University, 2000; Ph.D., Pennsylvania State University, 2003. | Professor, Criminology and Criminal Justice Graduate Director, Criminology and Criminal Justice |
| LaFree | Gary D. | Full Member | B.A., Indiana Wesleyan University, 1973; M.A., 1975; Ph.D., 1979. | Distinguished University Professor, Criminology and Criminal Justice Affiliate Professor, Sociology |
| Laub | John H. | Full Member | B.A., University of Illinois at Chicago Circle, 1975; M.A., SUNY-Albany, 1976; Ph.D., 1980. | Distinguished University Professor Emeritus, Criminology and Criminal Justice |
| Lewis IV | Demar | Full Member | B.A., University of St. Thomas-MN, 2011, M.P.P., University of Michigan- Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy, 2016, Ph.D., Yale University, 2023 | Assistant Professor, Criminology and Criminal Justice |
| Lynch | James P. | Full Member | B.A., 1971; M.A., Wesleyan University, 1975; Ph.D., University of Chicago, 1983. | Research Professor, Criminology and Criminal Justice |
| McGloin | Jean M. | Full Member | B.A., Bryn Mawr College, 1999; M.A., Rutgers University, 2001; Ph.D., Rutgers University, 2004. | Professor, Criminology and Criminal Justice |
| Midgette | Greg | Full Member | B.S., University of Connecticut, 2004; M.P.P., University of California-Los Angeles, 2009; Ph.D., Rand Graduate School of Policy Studies, 2014. | Assistant Professor, Criminology and Criminal Justice |
| Porter | Lauren | Full Member | B.A., Dickinson College,2006; M.A., SUNY-Albany, 2010; Ph.D., 2012. | Associate Professor, Criminology and Criminal Justice |
| Reuter | Peter H. | Full Member | B.A., University of New South Wales-Kensington, 1966; M.Phil., Yale University, 1971 Ph.D., 1980. | Professor, Criminology and Criminal Justice |
| Simpson | Sally S. | Full Member | B.S., Oregon State University, 1976; M.A., Washington State University, 1978; Ph.D., University of Massachusetts-Amherst, 1985. | Distinguished University Professor Emeritus, Criminology and Criminal Justice Professor, Risk, Compliance, and the Law Affiliate Associate Professor, American Studies |
| Stewart | Robert | Full Member | B.A., University of Minnesota, 2012; M.A., University of Minnesota, 2017; Ph.D., Sociology, University of Minnesota, 2020. | Assistant Professor, Criminology and Criminal Justice |
| Tahamont | Sarah | Full Member | B.A., Vassar College, 2004; M.P.P., University of California-Berkeley, 2009; Ph.D., Public Policy, University of California-Berkeley, 2013. | Assistant Professor, Criminology and Criminal Justice |
| Vélez | María B. | Full Member | B.A., St. Mary’s University, San Antonio, Texas, 1992; M.A., The University of Texas at Austin, 1994; Ph.D., The Ohio State University, 2002. | Associate Professor, Criminology and Criminal Justice |
| Wish | Eric D. | Full Member | B.S., University of Massachusetts-Amherst, 1968; Ph.D., Washington University, 1977. | Associate Professor, Criminology and Criminal Justice |
| Xie | Min | Full Member | B.A., Beijing University, China 1997; M. A., 2000; Ph.D., SUNY-Albany, 2007. | Professor, Criminology and Criminal Justice |