Graduate Student Learning Outcomes

M.A. Learning Outcomes

  • Disciplinary Proficiency: Students will be generally knowledgeable about criminal justice policy and criminological theory.
  • Contextual Knowledge: Upon completion of the M.A. graduate program, students will understand how the larger historical, social, economic, and political contexts have affected criminal justice and criminological policies, interventions, institutions, and outcomes.  
  • Methodological Competence: Students will be competent in the basics of criminal justice and criminological research, including research design and rudimentary quantitative analysis.
  • Proficient Communication: Students will become capable communicators in terms of research according to professional standards in both written and oral formats.

Ph.D. Learning Outcomes

  • Disciplinary Proficiency: Students will be generally knowledgeable across the entire field of criminal justice and criminology
  • Contextual Knowledge: Upon completion of the M.A. graduate program, students will understand how the larger historical, social, economic, and political contexts have affected criminal justice and criminological policies, interventions, institutions, and outcomes. 
  • Methodological Competence: Students will be competent in the full range research methods and analytical techniques used in the field of criminal justice and criminology.
  • Specialized Expertise: Students will develop a comprehensive understanding of the published scholarship and contemporary research methods in a specific, defined area of study within the field of criminal justice and criminology.
  • Proficient Communication: Students will become proficient communicators in terms of research and pedagogy according to professional standards in both written and oral formats.