Oklahoma City University : Sociology & Criminal Justice Studies

OCU : Petree College of Arts & Sciences : Sociology and Justice Studies

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Master of Science in Criminology
Accelerated Format - Complete in One Year!

The Master of Science in Criminology can be completed in one year. Two required courses are offered in an accelerated format each eight weeks during the regular semester.

"I attended OCU for my bachelor's degree and graduated in December 2008. As for me, I am now entering my 2nd year at Southern Illinois University School of Law. I think I am actually one of the few people that enjoys law school. I know that this was the right path for me. Right now, I am volunteering for a legal aid clinic in Carbondale, and working as part of our school's domestic violence clinic. Having a criminal justice and sociology background from Oklahoma City University has helped me tremendously in preparing me for the domestic violence clinic. I am also taking classes to become certified to volunteer at our local Women's Shelter which takes in battered and homeless women and their children. I miss Oklahoma City University and hope to come back for a visit someday." Elizabeth Adams, Southern Illinois University School of Law

"The courses in the program challenged me, both academically and as an individual. The faculty at OCU was genuinely interested in my personal growth and academic success. My OCU education has been, and continues to be, essential to the attainment of my professional endeavors." Beth Green, Agent, Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation

" The program taught me ways to critique and analyze information, as well as to solve problems that affect people with their everyday lives. I was able to use my degree to advance myself into a new career and expand my personal goals." Larry McCallister, Forensic Interviewer, CARE Center

Although graduate students can begin the Master of Science in Criminology at any time experience has revealed that it is best to begin the program during the fall semeseter. The fall 2011 course offerings are listed below.

Fall 2011
1st 8 weeks
Critical Issues in Criminal Justice -- Dr. Cowgill
Law and the Social Sciences -- Dr. Wright

2nd 8 weeks
Advanced Research Methods -- Dr. Cowgill
Punishment -- Dr. Wright

Spring 2011
1st 8 weeks
Criminal Justice Evaluation -- Dr. Kurtz
Gender, Race, and Crime -- Dr. Cowgill

2nd 8 weeks
Statistics -- Dr. Cowgill
Advanced Criminological Theories -- Dr. Wright

You have three additional courses of your choosing to complete the 33-hour degree. Call 405-208-5456 or 405-208-5023 for more information.

The Mission of the Oklahoma City University Master of Science in Criminology program is to prepare students to be researchers, administrators, or policy-makers in agencies dealing with justice-related issues. For those interested, the program also prepares students to continue their graduate education. Academic excellence guides faculty and graduate work. Each student’s unique potential is nurtured through faculty interaction and mentoring. The faculty provides a solid base for critical thinking, reading, and writing in a curriculum infused with intellectual, spiritual, and moral development.

Graduate students in the Oklahoma City University Master of Science in Criminology program should expect to master the following areas:

• Criminological Theory
• Research and Writing
• Evaluation, Policy Making, and Problem Solving Skills
• Issues of Diversity
• Ethics in criminal justice


Avv. Alessandro Cernetig meeting OCU President McDaniel during his visit to the OCU Criminal Justice Department. Mr. Cernetig is a Prosecutor from Venice, Italy.	Dr. Jody Horn, Chair of the Department of Sociology and Criminal Justice, posed between two SWAT members from Bergamo, Italy.