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    The Pennsylvania State University

    Criminal Justice (M.A.)

    Last verified against the official program page on .

    Harrisburg, USMAIn-person2 years
    $41,400.00
    Tuition
    over 24mo
    30
    Credits
    $85.00
    App fee

    Criminal Justice (M.A.) at The Pennsylvania State University is a 30-credit, 2-year, in-person MA program based in Harrisburg, US. Tuition is $41,400.

    About the program

    The program covers advanced criminological theory, research methods, public policy, statistics, and criminal justice organization and management. It prepares students for leadership roles in criminal justice agencies, policy research, and doctoral studies, with options for thesis or master's paper tracks.

    Focus: both
    Part-time option

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    Admissions

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    GPA thresholds, GRE/TOEFL/IELTS minimums, essay counts, recommendation letters, prerequisites, admissions contacts, and country-specific requirements like APS certification, portfolio submissions, or GATE scores.

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    Standardized tests

    GRE
    optional
    Min If GPA is less than 3.0, a satisfactory score on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE), Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT), or Law School Admissions Test (LSAT) is required. Students who seek funding must take one of the above standardized tests, preferably the GRE.
    TOEFL
    required
    Min English proficiency test scores (TOEFL/IELTS) may be required for international applicants. See GCAC-305.
    IELTS
    required
    Min English proficiency test scores (TOEFL/IELTS) may be required for international applicants. See GCAC-305.

    After the program

    Post-study work rights

    12 months OPT (US)

    $20,700.00
    Annual living cost

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    Self-reported profiles of past applicants to this program.

    Prerequisites

    Specific coursework this program expects you to have completed: calculus, linear algebra, programming, statistics, and subject-specific prerequisites where applicable.

    Recommendations

    Exact count of letters required, whether academic vs professional references are preferred, and any program-specific guidance on who to ask.

    Essays

    Number of essays required (statement of purpose, personal statement, diversity statement), prompts where the program publishes them, and whether supplemental essays are optional or mandatory.

    Contact

    Direct email and phone for the admissions office handling this program, plus a link to the program-specific inquiry page where available.

    Frequently asked questions

    How much does Criminal Justice (M.A.) at The Pennsylvania State University cost?
    The total estimated tuition for Criminal Justice (M.A.) at The Pennsylvania State University is $41,400 across 30 required credits.
    Is Criminal Justice (M.A.) at The Pennsylvania State University online or in-person?
    Criminal Justice (M.A.) at The Pennsylvania State University is offered in-person.
    How long does Criminal Justice (M.A.) at The Pennsylvania State University take to complete?
    Criminal Justice (M.A.) at The Pennsylvania State University is structured around 2 years and 30 credits.
    What GPA is required for Criminal Justice (M.A.) at The Pennsylvania State University?
    Per the program's published guidance: Minimum GPA of a 3.0 for the last 60 credits of undergraduate study
    What work-permit options follow Criminal Justice (M.A.) at The Pennsylvania State University?
    Post-completion work rights for Criminal Justice (M.A.) at The Pennsylvania State University: 12 months OPT (US)