Bachelor's to Criminology and Criminal Justice, M.A. Accelerated Program

The School of Social Work already offers an accelerated pathway for Saint Louis University undergraduate students in the Criminology and Criminal Justice, B.A. and the Forensic Science, B.S. to earn the Criminology and Criminal Justice, M.A., but now they offer a pathway for students from majors all over SLU to earn the M.A.

This accelerated program allows qualified undergraduate students at SLU to begin coursework toward the M.A. CCJ during their senior year.

Through this program, eligible students may complete up to 12 graduate credit hours that count toward both their undergraduate and graduate degrees, enabling them to complete the M.A. in a shorter timeframe and at a reduced cost.

For additional information, see the catalog entries for the following programs:

SLU Bachelor's Programs

Criminology and Criminal Justice, M.A.

Admission Requirements

SLU undergraduate students will apply for the accelerated program no later than March 1 of their third/junior year and must have room in their schedule senior year to take CCJ MA coursework. Students will select the admit term of the first semester they plan to enter SLU's of their M.A.C.C.J. program and indicate they are applying as part of an approved accelerated program.

• Students must hold a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0.
• Students must hold a minimum GPA of 2.5 in their undergraduate major, or meet the higher GPA requirement specified by their major, whichever is greater.
• Students may have no more than four remaining major courses to complete in their senior year to ensure they can balance undergraduate and graduate coursework and stay on track for timely graduation.

Program Requirements

Students may take up to 12 credit hours of CCJ MA coursework (listed below) during the undergraduate senior year in place of University electives*. 

*Accelerated graduate courses do not meet undergraduate Core course requirements and cannot substituted for Core course requirements. 

Non-Course Requirements

• Fall semester junior year: attend an accelerated M.A.C.C.J. program information session.
• Fall semester senior year: participate in M.A.C.C.J. program new student orientation.

Apply for Admission

For admission questions contact:

Social Work School Graduate Admissions Office
sswadmissions@slu.edu
314-977-2752

For program questions contact:

Dyan McGuire, Ph.D., J.D.
Director of criminology and criminal justice programs
Associate professor of criminology and criminal justice
dyan.mcguire@slu.edu
314-977-2191