The combined bachelor/master’s degree program is designed for undergraduate students who have the ability to pursue an accelerated program in criminal justice leading to the Master of Science in Criminal Justice. The main feature of the program is that up to 12 semester hours of approved graduate level criminal justice courses (i.e., course number of 5000 and higher) may be used as dual credit for both the undergraduate and graduate degree. All other requirements for both the bachelor and master’s degrees must be met.
Eligibility Requirements
Program Requirements
Program acceptance will be determined by the Chair or designee. After receiving approval, you will meet with an advisor to obtain a program of study to fulfill the requirements for both the bachelor and master’s degree, which may include up to 12 credit hours of graduate level course work as dual credit toward both degrees.
Students should apply to the Master of Science in Criminal Justice program before the end of the final semester of their senior year. Assuming that you have successfully completed the four graduate classes in the undergraduate program, you would then complete an additional 24 credits in the graduate program to earn your Master of Science degree in Criminal Justice. The 12 graduate credits that you earned as an undergraduate student are applied to this program (assuming that you earned a B or higher).
Approved Graduate-Level Courses
A maximum of 12 credits of approved criminal justice graduate courses (i.e., course numbers of 5000 and higher) with the prefixes CCJ, CJC, CJE, CJJ, CJL and DSC can apply dually to both degrees. You must earn a B or higher in each class to receive credit for these courses in the graduate program. It is recommended that you select courses that are required by the graduate program.
Frequently Asked Questions
| What if I do not continue in graduate school? | The graduate credits still satisfy undergraduate degree requirements. |
| What about my financial aid? | Bright Futures and/or Florida Prepaid will pay only the undergraduate tuition rate for graduate courses; you have to pay the difference. |
| How long can I wait to start the MSCJ portion of the combined program? | You must register for graduate classes in the MSCJ within one year of being admitted to the graduate program to still receive credit for the graduate classes you completed in the undergraduate program (up to 12 credits). |
| Why would I want to pay additional tuition to enroll in graduate courses? | If you continue in graduate school you will have saved the tuition costs for the 12 graduate credits taken as an undergraduate. The graduate course costs may be partially paid by your undergraduate financial aid. |
| What if my upper-division GPA falls below a 3.2 GPA upon graduation from the bachelor’s program? | You may still apply to the MSCJ program, but you will not qualify for the dual usage of the 12 graduate credits in Criminal Justice. The standard graduate admission requirements will apply. |
| How do I apply? | Contact the undergraduate advisor and complete the Combined Bachelor/Masters Degree Program Application Form. |