Department of Political Science and Criminal Justice

Dr. Reed Welch, department head

Old Main, Room 414B • WTAMU Box 60807
806-651-2433
rlwelch@wtamu.edu • Department Website

For a listing of Graduate Faculty Membership, go to the following link: Graduate Faculty Membership.

The Department of Political Science and Criminal Justice offers master of arts degrees in political science with two options. The first option is the traditional thesis program in which the student completes 36 semester hours, six of which are for the thesis. With approval of the graduate adviser, the student may elect an additional field of a minimum of six and maximum of 12 semester hours. At least 27 of the 36 semester hours must be taken at the 6000 level.

The second option is the non-thesis program. This program requires 36 semester hours, 24 hours of which must be completed at the 6000 level. The student must demonstrate proficiency in research and writing in graduate seminars. With approval of the graduate adviser, the student may elect an additional field of a minimum of six and maximum of 12 semester hours.

Applicants to the Political Science Program are required to submit all relevant paperwork that is required by the Graduate School to be admitted to the University. All applicants are required to submit the following documents to the graduate coordinator of the Political Science Program for full admission to the program: a writing sample and two letters of recommendation.

The Department of Political Science and Criminal Justice offers a master of arts degree in criminal justice. One option is the traditional thesis program in which the student completes 36 semester hours, six of which are for the thesis. With approval of the graduate adviser, the student may elect an additional field with a minimum of six and maximum of 12 semester hours. At least 24 of the 36 hours must be taken at the 6000 level. Another option is the non-thesis program. This program requires 36 semester hours, 24 of which must be completed at the 6000 level. The student must demonstrate proficiency in research and writing in graduate seminars. With approval of the graduate adviser, the student may elect an additional field with a minimum of six and maximum of 12 semester hours.

Following completion of each long semester, the criminal justice graduate faculty will review the status of each graduate student. Those who are not making satisfactory progress will be placed on probationary status within the department for the next long semester in which the student is enrolled. The student will be notified in writing of his or her probationary status by letter that includes the specific reasons for the probation and what must be done to rectify the probationary status. Unsatisfactory progress includes, but is not limited to, (a) being placed on probation for grades by the Graduate School; (b) failure to timely complete courses after taking a grade of Incomplete; and (c) poor performance in class, attendance, class writing assignments.

In addition to extensive offerings in political science and criminal justice, the department offers graduate courses in public administration and international politics. These programs are designed to prepare students for a career in their respective fields.

Discipline - Course Prefix
Criminal Justice - CRIJ
Political Science - POSC

NOTE: See the “Course Descriptions ” section of this catalog for a complete list of courses offered by the University.

Programs

Master