Bachelor of Arts to Master of Science in Criminal Justice / 4+1 Program

Lewis University

The Justice, Law and Public Safety Studies Department (JLPSS) offers a Bachelor's to Master's Fast Track Program option for Lewis University undergraduate Criminal Justice majors. The Fast Track Program option allows qualified undergraduates to complete the graduate MSCSJ (Master of Science in Criminal Justice) in less time than would be possible if the two programs would be taken separately. Nine to fifteen graduate hours may be used to complete the Bachelor's degree (120 hours) and to satisfy specific course requirements for the Master's program. The total number of required graduate credits (36) will remain the same. Students apply for admission to the Fast Track Program option by submitting the Fast Track application form located in the Advising and Academic Support area of MyLewis when they reach senior status 75 completed credit hours and have achieved an overall GPA of 3.0. Qualified students approved for the Fast Track Program option may apply graduate courses to the 18-hour block in the semesters when they take these select graduate courses. Students can start taking classes when they reach 90 completed hours. With planning, the MSCSJ could be awarded within one year of graduating with the Bachelor's degree. Students who take nine to fifteen credit hours of approved graduate courses in Criminal Justice in their senior year and earn a grade of "B" or better in each of those courses will have to complete only 21 to 27 more credit hours of remaining core and elective courses including passing a comprehensive examination to earn the MSCSJ. Students accepted into this Fast Track Program option are required to apply for admission to the MSCSJ.

College of Education and Social Sciences