WSU Graduate Application Gateway
The Criminal Justice program at Wichita State University is one of the oldest in the United States. Founded by renowned police chief and scholar O.W. Wilson in 1937, only one other active criminal justice department has a longer history.
O.W. Wilson is considered one fo the most important reformers in American history. He is credited with being the lead architect of the professional police movement from the 1920s through the 1960s. A protégée of Chief August Vollmer, Wilson worked for Vollmer as a police officer in Berkeley, California. Wilson eventually became Chief of Police at Fullerton, California; Wichita, Kansas, and Superintendent of Police in Chicago, Illinois.
While Wilson was Chief in Wichita, the Wichita Police Department became known as the West Point of Law Enforcement and developed an international reputation of innovative police practices. He started the first police science program in the nation at the Municipal University of Wichita (Wichita State University since 1964). Wison developed a list of major aspects of a police officer's job. From the list, he eliminated low level skills, tasks which could be best taught by a police department or a training academy, and subjects which could not achieve a degree of academic respectability among professors. From those tasks remaining he consturcted seven courses: criminal law, personal identification, police patrol practices, criminal evidence, traffic control, criminal investigation, and police administration. Subsequently, these seven courses were added to the college curriculum in 1936.
Through the years the program at Wichita State has evolved from strictly a police science program into a program that encompasses the entire criminal justice system including criminological theory.
Faculty in the program have an international reputation and have conducted research and published books and academic papers, which have contriubted to our growing understanding of crime, criminals and the criminal justice system. The interdisciplianry faculty hold degrees in criminology, criminal justice, psychology, sociology, law, and public administration.
At Wichita State University criminal justice is viewed as a broad, interdisciplinary study which encompasses the scientific study of crime, criminals, the criminal justice system and the process of law-giving.
The Master's program focuses on solid theory and criminal justice practice in the belief that neither stands alone. The integration of theory and practice prepares students for positions in criminal justice system practice, management, policymaking, as well as in research, teaching, and preparation for law school or further graduate study.
Admission Requirements:
Applications for degree-bound students are accepted for FALL, SPRING, AND SUMMER ADMISSIONS. In addition to the Graduate School admission requirements, applicants must submit: (1) three letters of reference from people acquainted with the applicant's background and potential; (2) a brief autobiographical statement describing particular interests, experiences and goals related to academic and professional work in criminal justice.
Applicants are evaluated with respect to (1) undergraduate grade point average (a minimum GPA of 3.0 based on the last 60 hours is required for consideration of admission to degree status; (2) amount, type and scope of undergraduate preparation; and (3) reference letters. Final recommendation on a candidate's admission to the MACJ program is made to the Graduate School by the graduate coordinator of the Criminal Justice program.
How to Apply to the MACJ Program:
STEP 1: Apply to the Wichita State University Graduate School
For a direct link to the graduate application gateway please click here.
STEP 2: Two Official Transcripts of all Previous Academic Work, except work completed at Wichita State University, must be submitted with the Application for Admission and the Application Fee. These items must be received before any evaluation of your application may begin.
Send the application and transcripts to:
Graduate School
Wichita State University
1845 N. Fairmount, Campus Box 4
Wichita, Kansas 67260-0004
Step 3: Send the three letters of recommendation and your personal statement to:
Criminal Justice Graduate Studies Committee
School of Community Affairs
Wichita State University
1845 N. Fairmount, Campus Box 135
Wichita, Kansas 67260-0135
THE GRE IS NO LONGER A REQUIREMENT FOR ADMISSION TO THE MACJ PROGRAM!
Degree Requirements:
The MACJ degree requires a minimum of 36 hours, including 24 hours taken in courses numbered 700 or above.
Core Curriculum:
All degree candidates are required to complete CJ 802, 893, 894, and CJ 897. CJ 802 and CJ 894 must be completed in the first two semesters of study with a grade of B or better. CJ 802 is a prerequisite for CJ 897. Candidates must pass a written comprehensive examination during their final semester.
It is recommended that MACJ students complete the core requirements prior to enrollment in elective classes. Each core requirement course will be offered once each academic year. Elective courses will be selected in consultation with the student's graduate advisor.
Core Courses (12 hours):
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CJ 802 | Quantitative Methods for Public Sector Professionals (must be completed in the first two semesters of study with a grade of 'B' or better). |
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CJ 893 | Seminar in Applied Criminal Theory |
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CJ 894 | ProSeminar in Crimianl Justice (must be completed in the first two semesters of study with a grade of 'B' or better). |
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CJ 897 | Advanced Research Methods (should be taken in the semester following completion of CJ 802. |
Electives (24 hours):
Certificates in Criminal Justice
The certificate program in criminal justice are groups of related courses that address a special topic. Completion of these course indicates achievement in a specialized area.
They are designed to enhance the career needs of students desiring employment in the criminal justice system and of those individuals who are already employed in the criminal justice system and of those individuals who are already employed in the system and wish to further their knowledge in their particular field.
A certificate is not a substitute for an academic degree and will not qualify a person for a position which requires a degree. Individuals completing any one of the certificate programs are highly encouraged to continue their education at Wichita State University by choosing Criminal Justice as their major. The program offers the Bachelor of Science and the Master of Arts in Criminal Justice.
To begin course work on the certificate program, students must first be admitted to W.S.U. Also, a completed application must be filed with the undergraduate advisor. A certificate of completion will be issued to applicants upon meeting the requirements for the certificate program and will be posted to the student's official W.S.U. transcript.
Currently there are three certificates available in criminal justice emphasizing: corrections; forensic criminology; and law enforcement.
