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 graduate degrees in Criminal Justice (MA) and Public Administration (MPA). The Master of Arts (MA) in Criminal Justice is for students seeking advanced professional development within criminal justice agencies or preparation for doctoral study in related fields. Students may choose either a non-thesis or a thesis option based on their academic interests and career goals.

The non-thesis program requires 36 semester hours, including 24 hours at the 6000 level. Students must demonstrate proficiency in research and writing through successful performance in graduate seminars. With approval of the graduate director, students may include an additional field of study consisting of 6 to 12 hours. Students completing the non-thesis option will take a comprehensive examination during their final semester. The thesis option also requires 36 semester hours, including 6 hours of thesis credit and at least 24 hours at the 6000 level. This option is recommended for students who anticipate pursuing doctoral studies or research-oriented careers. Students must receive approval from the Criminal Justice graduate director to pursue the thesis option and will form a committee of three graduate faculty members to supervise the thesis. With approval of the graduate director, students may include an additional field of study consisting of 6 to 12 hours.

Applicants must submit a graduate school application, a writing sample demonstrating academic writing ability, a statement of purpose, and letters of recommendation. Applicants may be admitted fully or conditionally. The Criminal Justice graduate director reviews student progress regularly to support academic success and timely degree completion. Students who are not making satisfactory progress will receive written notice and guidance for improvement in the following semester. Students who do not demonstrate improvement may be dismissed from the program.

The Master of Public Administration (MPA) is for professionals pursuing opportunities for growth and promotion within government and non-profit agencies as well as for students wishing to pursue graduate training immediately after completion of an undergraduate degree. Students may choose either a non-thesis or a thesis option based on their academic interests and career goals.

The non-thesis option requires 36 semester hours, including 21 core hours, nine concentration hours in either rural and local governments, public management, or criminal justice administration, and six hours of graduate electives and the completion of a comprehensive exam in the final semester. The student must demonstrate proficiency in research and writing.

The thesis option requires students to take the same first 30 hours as the non-thesis option, but students will take six hours of thesis credit instead of electives. Students wanting to explore the thesis route must have a 3.5 GPA, approval from the program director, and form a committee of three faculty members willing to mentor the project through the six hours of thesis work. Successful completion of the thesis will be determined by the committee.

Applicants to the MPA are required to submit the graduate school application, a writing sample showing their proficiency with academic writing and analysis, and a statement of purpose for their desire to pursue the MPA degree. Letters of recommendation are accepted but not required. Applicants may be awarded full admission or conditional admission for students not meeting the admissions standards but showing promise for graduate success. Students who receive conditional admission will take six hours and must earn a B or better in both courses to continue in the program.

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