MA in Criminal Justice Admission & Application Requirements
Apply and complete your graduate application in October for Spring 2025 enrollment and have your $35 application fee reimbursed!
Deadlines
- Spring: December 1 (flexible)
- Online graduate application
Submit the Graduate Online Application - This is only the first step in the application process.
- $35 Non-Refundable application fee for all graduate applications
After you complete the Graduate Online Application:
- Log in to eServices with your StarID.
- Click on Bills and Payment, and you will be able to pay the application fee using a credit or debit card.
Note: Upon completion of the application form in step one, you will receive an email in 1-2 business days giving instructions for the remaining steps and completing the program application in Part 2. Please note that the steps below cannot be completed until you receive that email. If you do not receive the email with Self Service Center instructions, please contact the Graduate Studies Office.
- Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended
Contact ALL the colleges and universities you have attended and have your transcripts sent to:
Graduate Studies Office, MSU Moorhead
1104 7th Avenue South
Moorhead, MN 56563
You do not need to order transcripts from MSUM or other Minnesota State system institutions. See Transcript Policy for more details.
- Baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution; no specific major is required
This requirement will be verified by the Graduate Studies Office and the Criminal Justice program.
- Undergraduate cumulative GPA of 3.0 or at least 3.25 for the last 30 semester credits*
This requirement will be verified by the Graduate Studies Office and the department.
*If you think your undergraduate GPA does not represent your potential for success in graduate school, you can appeal this requirement. If you have questions about this, be sure to contact the MA in Criminal Justice Program Coordinator.
- Log in to the Self Service Center site (allow 24 hours after application submission before logging in).
- Select the “Applications” tab, where you will see your graduate application listed.
- Select “Summary” to see a list of all program requirements and corresponding statuses.
- Upload document by selecting the “Upload” link under the respective “Action” column.
Criminal Justice Application Deadlines
- Summer: April 15
- Fall: August 1
- Spring: December 15
Steps to Apply
You may begin your application before all documents are ready. GradCAS saves your progress, and you may return any time to continue updating your application.
- Create your account in GradCAS
- Select your program from the list and click “+” to add to your cart.
- Complete the three general application sections.
- Complete the fourth, MSUM section (See Application Requirements below).
- Make sure to request all documents before submitting your application. Once you submit, you can no longer amend or upload additional documents.
- Pay the $50 application fee.
The Admission and Graduate Studies Offices will verify your documents and requirements.
Criminal Justice Admission Requirements
- A baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution. No specific major required.
- Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 or at least 3.25 for the last 30 semester credits.
Criminal Justice Application Requirements
- GradCAS application
- A current resume.
- Unofficial transcripts are required from all institutions you list on your application.
- If you attended MSUM or other Minnesota State system institutions, you can retrieve your unofficial transcripts from eServices, contact graduate@mnstate.edu and we can assist.
- Upon admission, you must request official transcripts from your degree-conferring institutions and any other transcripts listing possible graduate transfer coursework. Official transcripts can be requested through Parchment or the National Student Clearinghouse and sent directly to processing@mnstate.edu.
- MSUM or MN system institution students do not need to request official transcripts. The admission team will do this on your behalf.
International Student Requirements
- An official comprehensive course-by-course transcript evaluation by Educational Credential Evaluator (ECE), World Education Services (WES) or any other NACES accredited evaluation firm, from post-secondary institutions outside the U.S.
- The ECE, WES, or NACES evaluation must certify your international degree is equivalent to a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution.
- For students whose native language is not English, or who were not taught in English, an official score from either TOEFL (6678 MSUM code) or IELTS (Minnesota State University Moorhead) is required.
- TOEFL scores-550 (paper-based) or 78-80 (online)
- IELTS score of 6.5
For questions about the program or the application process please call Graduate Studies 218.477.2134 or email graduate@mnstate.edu.
Visit the GradCAS Applicant Help Center for detailed application instructions.
Questions about completing the application:
Call | GradCAS Customer Service at 857.304.2086
Email | support@gradcas.myliaison.com
Chat help for applicants is available.
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