EARNING THE MASTER OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE DEGREE
The Department of Criminal Justice at New Mexico State University provides two program options for earning the Master of Criminal Justice degree (MCJ), the traditional campus-based program and the online program. The online program is intended to serve students who are unable to relocate to Las Cruces or are in professions that prevent students from completing the traditional campus-based MCJ program. For information about the Online MCJ Program, please visit
There are three options for completing the MCJ degree, the Focused Coursework option, the Project option, and the Thesis option. Information on each option is available at
Admission into the MCJ Program
All applicants to the MCJ program must declare in writing to the Director of the MCJ program if the application is for the campus-based MCJ program or the online MCJ program. This declaration of intent may be included in your written essay that is part of the application process, or you may send the Director of the MCJ program a separate letter indicating your intent. Once a program is chosen you must remain in that program for one full academic year, a complete Fall and Spring semester cycle. Students may apply to switch between the online and campus-based programs between academic years, with the switch taking effect at the start of the Fall semester. Applicants admitted into the online program may only enroll in online courses. Applicants admitted as campus-based students may only enroll in campus-based Criminal Justice courses unless the course is offered as part of the NMSU Weekend College. Students enrolled in the campus-based program may enroll in online courses during the two five-week summer sessions.
Admission into the MCJ program is competitive. Class cohorts are limited in size and there are frequently more applicants than there are openings into the program. Applicants are admitted for the Fall or Spring semester and admission is based upon the strength of a student’s application packet and the number of positions available for admission in any given semester. For full admission consideration for the Fall semester, the Director of the MCJ needs to be in receipt of ALL application materials no later than April 1. For full admission consideration into the Spring semester, the Director of the MCJ program needs to be in receipt of ALL application materials no later than November 1. Although admission into the program is possible after these deadlines, a decision to admit an applicant after the deadline has passed is made on a case-by-case basis and is a function of space availability in the MCJ program and the relative merit of individual application packets.
The minimum requirements for admission into the MCJ program are:
1. a minimum overall undergraduate cumulative GPA of 3.000 or a minimum 3.500 cumulative GPA for your last 60 hours of earned credit;
2. three letters of recommendation from individuals who are able to comment upon your ability to complete graduate work; and
3. a three to five page essay that introduces you and discusses the following topic, “The most important change needed in the criminal justice system is …” Remember, this essay is your sample of written work and will be evaluated by the MCJ Admission Committee.
The enrollment process for the MCJ is:
1. You need to be admitted to the Graduate School at NMSU. You can apply to the Graduate School online. Once the Graduate School receives your application, transcripts from prior universities and/or colleges, and your application fee, they will make an admission decision and notify you directly of that decision. It is very important that you submit this application form to the Graduate School 30 days prior to the MCJ program admission deadlines listed above. Failure to comply with this stipulation may cause your application file in the Department of Criminal of Justice to be incomplete by the deadline and could result in an unfavorable admission decision.
2. Send three letters of recommendation directly to the Director of the MCJ program from professors, employers, etc. who can comment on your strengths and potential for success in the MCJ. These letters may be mailed directly by the individual writing the letter, or collected by you in sealed and signed envelopes and included in one package along with your written essay. Recommendation forms that can be used in conjunction with letters of recommendation are not required but are preferred. These forms can be downloaded at
3. Send the essay described in #3 above directly to the Director of the MCJ program.
The address for the three letters of recommendation and the essay is:
Dr. L. Thomas Winfree, Director, Master of Criminal Justice Program
Department of Criminal Justice, MSC 3487
New Mexico State University
PO Box 30001
Las Cruces, NM 88003-8001
You can also contact via email Dr. Winfree .
If you are an international student, you must make application through the Office of the International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS).
Enrolling in Courses
Once the admission process is complete and you have been formally admitted into the MCJ program, you will be able to enroll/register for specific courses offered in a given semester. You may register online following the instructions provided at that location. If you encounter difficulties in completing the course registration process you should contact the following places for assistance in order: the NMSU Graduate School at or (505) 646-2736 or the Director of the MCJ program, Dr. L. Thomas Winfree at (505) 646-1592.
Frequently Asked Questions for the MCJ Student
What is the course sequence and schedule?
The course sequence is both flexible and rigid. It is rigid in terms of the MCJ required core courses and flexible in terms of the elective courses. At least two of the required core courses are offered each Fall and Spring semester and the remaining courses offered are electives. Graduate students will receive graduate credit for all courses numbered 450 or higher across the university. Four elective courses are offered online each summer, two in the first five-week session and two in the second five-week session. ALL MCJ students (campus-based or online) may enroll in the online courses offered during the summer.
The required core course sequence is:
Fall CJ 501 Research Methods in Criminal Justice
CJ 511 Nature of Crime
CJ Electives
Spring CJ 502 Criminal Justice Statistics
CJ 521 Law and Social Control
CJ 541 Policy Analysis and Planning
CJ Electives
Summer I Two CJ Electives
Summer II Two CJ Electives
What is the process for admission into the MCJ program?
All applicants to the MCJ program must declare in writing to the Director of the MCJ program if the application is for the campus-based MCJ program or the online MCJ program. This declaration of intent may be included in your written essay that is part of the application process, or you may send the Director of the MCJ program a separate letter indicating your intent. Once a program is chosen you must remain in that program for one full academic year. Students may apply to move between the two programs only between academic years. Applicants admitted into the online program may only enroll in online courses. Applicants admitted as campus-based students may only enroll in campus-based Criminal Justice courses unless the course is offered as part of the NMSU Weekend College. Students enrolled in the campus-based program may enroll in online courses during the summer sessions.
Admission into the MCJ program is competitive. Class cohorts are limited in size and there are frequently more applicants than there are openings into the program. Applicants are admitted for the Fall or Spring semester and admission is based upon the strength of a student’s application packet and the number of positions available for admission in any given semester. For full admission consideration for the Fall semester, the Director of the MCJ needs to be in receipt of ALL application materials no later than April 1. For full admission consideration into the Spring semester, the Director of the MCJ program needs to be in receipt of ALL application materials no later than November 1. Although admission into the program is possible after these deadlines, a decision to admit an applicant after the deadline has passed is made on a case-by-case basis and is a function of space availability in the MCJ program and the relative merit of individual application packets.
The minimum requirements for admission into the MCJ program are:
1. a minimum overall undergraduate cumulative GPA of 3.000 or a minimum 3.500 cumulative GPA for your last 60 hours of earned credit;
2. three letters of recommendation from individuals who are able to comment upon your ability to complete graduate work; and
3. a three to five page essay that introduces you and discusses the following topic, “The most important change needed in the criminal justice system is …” Remember, this essay is your sample of written work and will be evaluated by the MCJ Admission Committee.
The enrollment process for the MCJ is the same for both the campus-based and online options and is a three-step process.
1. You need to be admitted to the Graduate School at NMSU. You can apply to the Graduate School online. Once the Graduate School receives your application, transcripts from prior universities and/or colleges, and your application fee, they will make an admission decision and notify you directly of that decision. It is very important that you submit this application form to the Graduate School 30 days prior to the MCJ program admission deadlines listed above. Failure to comply with this stipulation may cause your application file in the Department of Criminal of Justice to be incomplete by the deadline and could result in an unfavorable admission decision.
2. Send three letters of recommendation directly to the Director of the MCJ program from professors, employers, etc. who can comment on your strengths and potential for success in the MCJ. These letters may be mailed directly by the individual writing the letter, or collected by you in sealed and signed envelopes and included in one package along with your written essay. Recommendation forms that can be used in conjunction with letters of recommendation are not required but are preferred. These forms can be downloaded at
3. Send the essay described in #3 above directly to the Director of the MCJ program.
The address for the three letters of recommendation and the essay is:
Dr. L. Thomas Winfree, Director, Master of Criminal Justice Program
Department of Criminal Justice, MSC 3487
New Mexico State University
PO Box 30001
Las Cruces, NM 88003-8001
Dr. Winfree may also be contacted via email .
If you are an international student, you must make application through the Office of the International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS).
How do I register for a course(s)?
Once the admission process is complete and you have been formally admitted into the program, you will be able to enroll/register for specific courses offered in a given semester. You may register online by following the instructions provided at that location. If you encounter difficulties in completing the course registration process you should contact the following places for assistance in order: the NMSU Graduate School at or (505) 646-2736 or the Director of the MCJ program, Dr. L. Thomas Winfree at (505) 646-1592.
How much does it cost to be a MCJ student?
All students (in-state and out-of-state) registering for six credit hours or less per semester are charged the in-state tuition rate that is $175.25 per credit hour ($525.75 per 3 credit course) for the Spring 2006 semester. Out-of-state students registering for seven or more credit hours per semester are charged the non-resident tuition rate with the following exceptions: Students in active military duty are charged the resident tuition rate.
The NMSU MCJ program is a member of the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE) Western Regional Graduate Program (WRGP). Students who are residents of one of the member states of the Western Region of the United States are eligible for a significant discount from NMSU’s non-resident tuition rate. For information on states that qualify and the process for receiving the tuition discount visit the WICHE WRGP website.
For up-to-date tuition information visit
http://www.nmsu.edu/%7Euar/schecosts/schcosts.htm
How do I pay for my courses?
Students have a variety of options for paying tuition. Students have the option of paying in person, phoning the automated credit card payment system at 646-1680 (from Las Cruces) or 1-888-PAY-NMSU (toll-free), accessing the World Wide Web by using the 'PAY-NMSU online' option or mailing a payment to NMSU Accounts Receivable-MSC 4570, PO Box 30001, Las Cruces, NM 88003. Our phone credit card and on-line payment systems are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Note: All payments made after 5:00pm Mountain Time are processed on the next business day.
For up-to-date payment option and payment deadline information visit
http://www.nmsu.edu/%7Euar/tuitionops.htm
Is financial aid available?
Contact the Office of Student Financial Aid and Scholarship Services .
How do I get textbooks and other required material?
Textbooks can be ordered online through the NMSU bookstore
There are a variety of online retailers specializing in textbooks making it possible to do comparison-shopping once you have determined the exact textbook(s) required for your courses.
Is the Thesis required?
No. There are three degree options are available to MCJ students, the Focused Coursework Option, Project Option, and Thesis Option. Most students purse the Focused Coursework option because the level of complexity is more amenable to their work schedules. If you are contemplating pursuing the Ph.D. after completing the MCJ it is highly advisable that you pursue the Project or Thesis options. For more information please consult the Focused Coursework option
MCJ Project Option FAQ document
or the MCJ Myths and Misconceptions about the Thesis Option.
I know that you may have additional questions. Please consult the MCJ Student Information link
or contact the Director of the MCJ program, Dr. Thomas Winfree at (505) 646-1592.
Am I eligible for a Graduate Assistantship?
NMSU provides the Department of Criminal Justice with a small number of graduate assistantships each year. Each spring these graduate assistantships are awarded to students for the upcoming academic year on a competitive basis. If you wish to be considered for a graduate assistantship award you must indicate in writing your desire to be considered for a graduate assistantship. For full consideration, the Director of the MCJ must be in receipt of all materials for admission, including your written request to be considered for a graduate assistantship, by April 1. The formal allocation of graduate assistantships occurs after the Graduate School informs the Department of Criminal Justice of the number of graduate assistantship allocations.
Only campus-based students are eligible for Graduate Assistantships in the Department of Criminal Justice.
Approved Minors
