About Master’s Program,
Criminology & Criminal Justice at Portland State brings together passionate students with award-winning faculty who prioritize a high-quality, career-relevant education. Whether they choose to take courses on campus or through our fully online degree pathway, our students are provided the tools they need for a meaningful career as a leader and a changemaker. We value empirical inquiry, access to higher education, diversity, social justice, and community engagement.
Students graduating from our programs leave equipped with extensive knowledge about the criminal justice system and criminological theory, as well as analytic, problem-solving, and communication skills that prepare them for lifelong professional success. While their career interests vary — from law enforcement to victim advocacy, adult and youth corrections, human and social services, criminal justice reform and community organizing, law and legal professions, politics and public policy, homeland security, crime analysis, and crime prevention nonprofits — what our students all have in common is a drive to make a real difference.
Explore our programs, research, and weekly newsletter to learn more.
Master’s Program Degree Eligibility with GPA,
To be admitted to PSU for a graduate certificate, master’s, or doctoral program, applicants must satisfy University requirements and be accepted by the academic department in which the graduate study will occur. The Graduate School reserves the right to request official or updated transcripts at any time.
- Complete a four-year baccalaureate degree program with a minimum undergraduate GPA of 2.75 or the equivalent (on the U.S. 4.0 scale) from the degree granting institution(s). Applicants who have earned 9 or more letter-graded graduate credits must have a minimum graduate GPA of 3.0 or the equivalent; the graduate GPA supersedes the undergraduate GPA. Admission eligibility is based on receipt of a baccalaureate degree equivalent to a United States four-year bachelor’s degree from a college or university recognized as an institution of higher education by the Ministry of Education in the relevant country or be regionally accredited within the U.S. prior to matriculating into a graduate program.
- Copies of transcripts
- Meet the University’s minimum English language proficiency requirement.
Master’s Funding Coverage,
The Criminology and Criminal Justice Department offers two internal funding options to graduate students as Graduate Assistants (GAs). Additionally, funding through other sources may be available through search assistantships or positions with a community partner. While the number of funded positions varies from year to year, several of our students receive some form of assistance to help offset the costs of their graduate degree.
A GA receives both a tuition remission and a stipend for the 9-month academic year for two years of graduate studies. Summer work is often available but not guaranteed. The tuition remission covers the first 9 credits of tuition and the mandatory university and student fees. GAs are unionized, and their Stipends are determined by their collective bargaining agreement. All GAs must register for and complete at least 9 credit hours per term and remain in good academic standing to retain their funding. The position is renewable for one additional year, contingent on available funding and satisfactory performance.
The department currently offers two internal Graduate Assistantships (GAs). Those positions are described below:
- Campus Graduate Assistantship: GAs assigned to work in our campus program hold a .30 FTE position that requires them to work roughly 13 hours a week assisting a faculty member. This primarily involves grading assistance, leading discussion groups, or facilitating a lab. Additionally, there may be opportunities to collaborate on research projects.
- Online Graduate Assistantship: GAs assigned to work in our fully online undergraduate program work as online course facilitators. This position is a .45 FTE, meaning they work about 19 hours a week assisting a faculty member in their online course.
The Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice participates in the Western Regional Graduate Program (WRGP), and our students are eligible for Federal Financial Aid. Additional information about funding your graduate education can be found at the Office of Graduate Studies.
If you are from Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI), Guam, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, or Wyoming, in addition to Oregon residents, you qualify to pay in-state tuition. Please review the program guidelines for consideration.
Prospective students wishing to be considered for any one of the Department’s internally funded positions must answer the following questions and submit them with their online application: 1) Why are you interested in an assistantship? 2) What work experience do you have that might be applicable to the graduate program? 3) Do you have any teaching experience (if yes, describe)? 4) Do you have any prior research experience (if yes, describe)?
Application Requirement,
A department may have additional admission requirements based on previous academic achievement, scores on Graduate Record Examinations or other tests, letters of recommendation, a portfolio, or an autobiographical statement. Information regarding departmental requirements can only be obtained directly from the specific department. Admission is selective and meeting minimum requirements does not guarantee admission. The number of students admitted to a particular program is limited to the resources available.
Special approval request: In cases when a student does not meet minimum University admission requirements, departments may choose to submit a Request for Special Approval to Graduate Admissions. This process may only be initiated by a department.
Application Deadline,
Feb 01, 2025
Application Fee,
$65 Application Fee