Criminology and Criminal Justice Campus Bachelor’s + Master’s Program

Criminology and Criminal Justice (CCJ) offers a Bachelor + Master (B+M) degree program that allows undergraduates to complete both a BA/BS and MS at an accelerated pace. Students currently majoring in CCJ’s BA or BS program may be admitted directly into the MS in CCJ program and take 18 graduate-level credits that will apply to both their bachelor’s and master’s degrees. Students will pay undergraduate tuition for the 18 graduate credits. 

Upon completing their undergraduate degree, students in good academic standing are automatically admitted into the Master of Science in CCJ. They can complete their graduate degree in only one additional year of study. These programs are often called a 4+1 because you can add a master’s degree with only one additional year of study.

Program Requirements

Students who complete a BA/BS and MS in our CCJ B+M degree must meet both CCJ’s bachelor’s and CCJ’s MS degree requirements with their regular and shared credits. See Portland State University Bulletin for the requirements of both programs.
 

Admission Requirements

CCJ majors may apply for admission to the B+M program provided the following conditions have been met: 

• Completed CCJ 200, 230, and 240, all with a B or higher before the start of the program. 
• Completed with a B or higher, or currently enrolled in CCJ 340 or 380 prior to applying 
• On track to complete at least 139 undergraduate credits, including at least 32 upper-division credits towards the bachelor’s degree, before they begin the B+M program. 
• Students must meet PSU residence credit requirements (excluding credit by examination, earn 45 of their final 60 or 165 total credits toward the bachelor's degree from PSU). Exceptions can be made when there is an articulation agreement between the PSU department offering the program and another institution. 
• A cumulative GPA of 3.30 or above is required for all CCJ Classes taken before entry into the program 
• PSU institutional GPA of 3.30. 
• After admission to a B+M program, students must maintain an institutional undergraduate GPA of 3.30 or higher throughout their bachelor’s program and earn a B grade or higher in graduate courses taken for shared credit.

Applying for Admissions

Students apply for the MS in CCJ B+M program before completing their junior year, usually in the Spring of their junior year, to be eligible to take 500-level courses in their senior year. Students can only begin the B+M program in the fall of their final year as undergraduates. 

Meet with your Advisor and CCJ Graduate Coordinator

Prior to applying, students should discuss the program with their undergraduate advisor. Before formally applying, students should meet with the CCJ Graduate Coordinator. To make an appointment, submit an interest form (you must be signed in to your PSU Odin to access the form). For all other questions, email wuschke@pdx.edu.

Students wishing to apply must submit the following material by May 1 through the Slate application portal. The application fee is waived.

• Applications will require evidence of having met the admissions criteria
• Answering specific questions (e.g., career goals) in a personal statement
• Submit the names of two CCJ faculty members who support the application
• An (unofficial) transcript from PSU  Students will not be required to submit GRE scores
• Indicate that they have met with the CCJ Graduate Coordinator 

Ready to Submit an Application?

1. Start an Application (please select entry for the fall term following completion of your undergraduate degree)
2. Select Graduate Application
3. Select College of Urban and Public Affairs
4. Select Criminology & Criminal Justice, B+M

B+M Course Plan

Upon admission to the program, B+M students will begin in the Fall Term. An MS in CCJ requires 45 credits. Students will complete 18 credits during their B+M year and 27 in the regular MS program. Students will take additional undergraduate requirements to fulfill their undergraduate degree requirements during their B+M year. 

Students will take CCJ 513 in the fall, CCJ 520 in the winter, and CCJ 530 in the Spring of their B+M year. Additionally, they will take either CCJ 515 or a 500-level CCJ elective in the fall, CCJ 525 or a 500-level CCJ elective in the winter, and a 500-level CCJ elective in the spring. The 6 CCJ graduate-level courses taken constitute the 18 graduate credits that will count towards both their undergraduate and graduate degrees. The 18 graduate credits will count towards their undergraduate elective requirements. 

Students who complete CCJ 515 may use it to satisfy CCJ 320U or an elective, and students who complete CCJ 525 may use it to satisfy CCJ 330U or an elective. 

Students may not register for 503 or 506 credits until they have completed their bachelor’s degree.

B+M Graduate Course Plan (18 Credits)

Admissions to the Graduate Program

Upon completing the bachelor’s degree, students who meet admissions requirements will be automatically admitted to the CCJ master’s program. Students who do not meet these requirements must apply for admission to the master’s degree program without the benefit of B+M shared coursework. 

Students who indicate that they plan to complete the CCJ MS program by February 1 of their B+M year will be considered for funding (Graduate Assistantships). Students offered assistantships but fail to meet any of the requirements before the start of the MS program will lose their assistantships. However, they may still be able to apply and be admitted to the MS program without funding.

Second Year Course Plan after admission to the MS program (27 Credits)

CCJ Culminating Experience 

Students continuing the MS program after completing the B+M requirements must also complete a culminating experience in addition to their coursework. The culminating experience may be a field placement, project, or thesis. Students will work with the Graduate Coordinator and their Faculty Advisor to fulfill the requirements and determine the most appropriate culminating experience.