MA in Criminology
In the GW Master of Arts in Sociology program, students focus on social stratification and inequality while honing their skills in sociological theory and research methods. Students develop specific expertise in their chosen major and minor fields, with elective options including Race and Urban Development; Principles of Demography; and Race, Gender and Class. Students also have the option to complete criminology courses as electives for the MA in Sociology. All MA in Sociology students must complete a thesis.
Our MA graduates have gone on to win Fulbrights, publish papers and books and help shape the future of society through careers in policy, law, public administration and more.
Program Highlights
Flexible Curriculum
The foundation of the degree lies in three research methods classes, two criminological theory and policy classes and one sociology theory class. Students can specialize in particular areas within criminology, criminal justice or forensics by taking classes and conducting research in areas including policing, criminal law, punishment, victimology, race, gender and crime scene investigation, among other subjects. Students may take up to four elective courses in the Forensic Sciences Department, four in Sociology/Criminology and, with permission, pertinent classes throughout the university or Consortium.
Diverse Student Body
The faculty and their research areas are decidedly international in origin and study although, like most U.S. universities, most of the substantive materials in our classes focus on the United States. Likewise, our master’s students are diverse in their national origins, racial and sexual identities and academic and socioeconomic backgrounds. Most of our students are full time, but some complete their degree on a part-time basis. We are a proudly small program that gives our graduate cohorts strong support and a sense of community.
Thesis Option
Criminology MA students have the option of writing a thesis or taking a comprehensive examination (and enrolling in two additional courses). Most criminology students select the thesis option, consistent with our emphasis on students’ research skills.
Prestigious Career Paths
The MA in Criminology prepares students for policy, advocacy, academic and professional careers in and beyond criminology and criminal justice. Some of our alumni subsequently work in law enforcement, while others are engaged in criminal justice reform, policy research and other fields. For some students, the MA is a prelude to a Ph.D. or J.D., but most continue to full-time work.
Sample Schedules
Thesis Option
First Year Fall
- SOC 6230: Sociological Research Methods
- SOC 6258: Deviance and Control
- SOC 6238: Sociological Theory OR Elective
First Year Spring
- SOC 6231: Data Analysis
- SOC 6259: Criminology
- Elective
Second Year Fall
- SOC 6998: Thesis Research
- SOC 6232: Qualitative Methodology: Doing Field Research
- FORS 6224: Criminal Law for Forensic Scientists OR SOC 6257: Criminal Law
Second Year Spring
- SOC 6999: Thesis Research
- SOC 6239: Sociological Theory OR Elective
- Elective
Comprehensive Exam Option
First Year Fall
- SOC 6230: Sociological Research Methods
- SOC 6258: Deviance and Control
- SOC 6238: Sociological Theory OR Elective
First Year Spring
- SOC 6231: Data Analysis
- SOC 6259: Criminology
- Elective
Second Year Fall
- Elective
- SOC 6232: Qualitative Methodology: Doing Field Research
- FORS 6224: Criminal Law for Forensic Scientists OR SOC 6257: Criminal Law
Second Year Spring
- Elective
- Elective
- SOC 6239: Sociological Theory OR Elective
Course Requirements
The following requirements must be fulfilled:
The general requirements stated under Columbian College of Arts and Sciences, Graduate Programs.
Non-thesis option—36 credits, including 21 credits in required courses, 15 credits in elective courses, and successful completion of the master's comprehensive examination; thesis option—36 credits, including 21 credits in required courses, 9 credits in elective courses, and 6 credits in thesis.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required | ||
| SOC 6230 | Foundations of Research Methods | |
| SOC 6231 | Quantitative Methods | |
| SOC 6232 | Qualitative Methods | |
| SOC 6238 | Development of Sociological Theory | |
| or SOC 6239 | Contemporary Sociological Theory | |
| SOC 6257 | Criminal Law for Forensic Scientists | |
| SOC 6258 | Deviance and Control | |
| SOC 6259 | Criminology | |
| Electives | ||
| Non-thesis students take five graduate-level elective courses (15 credits); thesis students take three graduate-level elective courses (9 credits). Electives should be chosen in substantive areas relevant to criminology and criminal justice. These courses might be in Sociology (SOC) (see elective courses, below), in other departments (e.g. Forensic Science) and schools (e.g. Elliott School), or through the Consortium of Universities of the Washington Metropolitan Area. Students must have the permission of their advisor or the Director of Graduate Studies to take classes out of the department. | ||
| SOC 6260 | Special Topics in Criminology | |
| SOC 6261 | Sociology of Law | |
| SOC 6262 | Punishment, Prison, and Power | |
| SOC 6263 | Race and Crime | |
| SOC 6264 | Organized Crime | |
| SOC 6266 | Gender and Criminal Justice | |
| Required for non-thesis students | ||
| Successful completion of a master's comprehensive examination. | ||
| Required for thesis students | ||
| SOC 6999 | Thesis Research | |
| Taken for 3 credits in each of the final two semesters for a total of 6 credits. | ||