Purpose

The 4+1 B.S./M.S. Criminal Justice program option offers a unique opportunity to qualified undergraduates in Criminal Justice who wish to pursue their master’s degree at an accelerated pace. The 4+1 program in Criminal Justice will permit students to complete 12 credits of study at the graduate level in their senior year that will count towards both the undergraduate and graduate degrees. Please see the academic sequence map on how students will complete the program.

Students need to meet with the Graduate Program Director and their advisor to ensure that they follow the sequence map and complete all requirements for this specific track. During spring of junior year, students can apply to the 4+1 program via the interest form through the Office of Admission. Once the interest form is complete, the Program Director of the MS in Criminal Justice will review the applicant qualifications and those who are selected for an interview will be contacted. If the applicant is accepted, they will submit a change of major form to move into the BS/MS 4+1 Criminal Justice program.

Students admitted to the 4+1 program take 12 prescribed credits in the MS Criminal Justice program at the undergraduate level which will fulfill their undergraduate degree requirements and will also apply towards their graduate degree requirements.

Each student pursuing the BS in Criminal Justice who expresses an interest to apply to the 4+1 BS/MS Criminal Justice Program is appropriately counseled by advisors at Mercy University regarding all required undergraduate pre-requisite courses, graduate admission criteria, and timeline for completion.

The BS in Criminal Justice degree will be awarded by Mercy University upon successful completion of the undergraduate coursework and program requirements. The MS in Criminal Justice degree will be awarded by Mercy University upon successful completion of the graduate coursework and program requirements. Students should speak with their financial aid counselor regarding the cost of the courses at both the undergraduate and graduate level.

Admission Requirements

Students must meet the following criteria to be considered for acceptance into the 4+1 program:

• Minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA in major courses
• A “B” or better in CRJU 396 Research Methods
• A personal statement describing the reason they are pursuing a master’s degree, why they are choosing Mercy, and their future career goals.
• 2 Letters of Recommendation
• Resume
• Interview

Program Requirements and Academic Standards

If accepted into the program, students will take six graduate credits in each semester of their senior year (for a total of 12 graduate credits), which will apply as open electives for their undergraduate degree and will count as required courses for their graduate degree.

Completion of the undergraduate portion of the 4+1, BS in Criminal Justice does not guarantee progression into the graduate portion of the 4+1, MS in Criminal Justice. Students must earn a GPA of 3.0 and a grade of B or better in each of their graduate courses.

Advisement

Students in the 4+1 B.S/M.S. program must meet with their PACT Mentor or MS Criminal Justice Program Director to plan their courses and to review the plan of study prior to course registration.

Course Load

Students must consult with the program director regarding required courses and electives for the MS Criminal Justice program. Full-time students may register for up to 9 credits per semester without special permission. Part-time students may register for either three or six credits per semester. 6 credits is considered full-time on the graduate level.

Transfer Credits

Graduate courses taken at other institutions prior to admission at Mercy University may, if pertinent to the plan of study, be credited to the graduate degree. Permission to transfer credits must be requested in writing at the time of admission and official transcripts and course descriptions must be submitted to the school dean for evaluation. Transfer credit will be granted only for courses taken in the five-year period prior to acceptance into the Mercy University program and for courses in which the student earned a grade of B or above. Students may request transfer credit for up to six credits. Courses with a grade of B- are not acceptable for transfer.

Maintenance of Matriculation

It is expected that students will fulfill the requirements for their graduate degree by registering over successive sessions. Registration is accomplished by either enrolling in classes or maintaining matriculation. The Maintaining Matriculation fee is $100 per session and is processed as registration. Students who have not maintained matriculation and wish to return to their program within one year after their last course registration will be charged the Maintenance of Matriculation fee of $100 for each missed session. Maintenance of matriculation without attending classes is limited to one year. Activated U.S. Military Reservists are not required to pay the Maintenance of Matriculation fee. Students must register for CRJU 899 Maintenance of Matriculation in order to continue work toward their degree in semesters when they are not registered for classes.

Maintenance of Good Academic Standing

A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 in all courses applicable to the degree is required for both good academic standing and degree conferral. A student admitted as a Special Matriculant is required to achieve a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 after completion of six credits. Please note, certain graduate programs may have more stringent program policies. Please check the specific program regulations. Grades are subject to review by the faculty advisor and program director at the end of each term. If the academic average falls below 3.0, the student will be placed on academic probation.

Academic Probation

A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 in all courses applicable to the degree is required for both good academic standing and degree conferral. All students who have a cumulative GPA below 3.0 will be placed on academic probation. If a student will not be able to achieve a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 within a reasonable time, the student may be subject to dismissal from the academic program of study. If a student receives a grade of F or FW in any course, the student will be subject to dismissal from the program. For all students on probation, future registrations must be reviewed and approved by the Academic Unit Head of the student’s program or graduate Associate Dean. In all subsequent terms in which the student is on probation, the student is required to achieve a term GPA of 3.0 or higher. If a 3.0 or higher is not achieved the student will be dismissed. Students who receive a grade of less than B may be required to repeat the course.

Time Limit

Requirements for the Master in Criminal Justice must be completed within five years from the date of the candidate’s admission (exclusive of time spent in the Armed Forces). Exceptions will be made only if a student requests an extension of time in writing and in advance and receives the approval of the director.