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M.A. Degree Joint J.D./ M.A. Degree Ph.D. Degree Other Procedures and Rules



"Non-degree Seeking" Student Policy

Non-degree seeking students can be admitted as a transient without matriculating and enroll in graduate seminars on a space-available basis after approval from the graduate committee.

Any interested person should provide the graduate committee with the following items for full consideration:
  1. A letter of intent stating his/her interest in taking seminars as non-degree seeking, the reason for this request, number of credit hours needed and the projected time line (e.g., the semester he/she wants to begin and the semester he/she plans to complete all coursework)
  2. A copy of previous transcripts at the MA and/or BA level (unofficial copies are acceptable)
  3. A letter of recommendation
  4. Other supporting documents (such as GRE scores, TOEFL scores, etc.).
Additional information may be requested by the committee for full consideration.

If approved by the graduate committee, the person can take up to 9 credit hours at the graduate level, assuming satisfactory progress. Additional credit hours can be considered by special request.

Send all materials and requests to:  CLS Graduate Coordinator, Criminology, Law and Society Graduate Program, Box 115950, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611-5950.

[Faculty Approved Oct 26 2005]

Graduate Council Requirement for Final Examinations

The graduate council set a requirement that M.A. candidates be examined on their broader interdisciplinary understanding of criminology and law and society. To meet this requirement, the CLS program has generated the following procedure:

Prior to the time of final examination, a faculty member with graduate status is chosen to serve as a thesis, non-thesis, or dissertation 'reader'. The faculty reader represents the area of specialization not chosen by the student. If there is no representation of the other area on the supervisory committee, then a fourth person is selected. The supervisory committee chair in consultation with the graduate student and CLS director makes the selection of the faculty reader. The reader examines the student's knowledge of the area during the final examination and, in consultation with the supervisory committee, makes the determination as to whether or not the student meets the graduate council requirement. If both areas of specialty are represented within the supervisory committee membership, no additional person is required.

Procedures for Seeking Employment

About one year before finishing, the student should initiate discussions with the supervisory committee chair to prepare a job search plan. Issues to be considered include: preparation of a vita; selection of faculty from whom recommendation letters will be requested; scheduling of an opportunity to present the student's research in a departmental seminar; and identifying information about available jobs. The particular job strategy will depend on the graduate's level (M.A. or Ph.D.), the type of job desired (academic or non-academic) as well as a number of other factors. The supervisory committee chair will assist, guide, and advise on the job search, though responsibility for the search lies with the graduate.

Procedures for Notifying the Graduate Coordinator and Department Faculty of Exams and for Making Required Documents Available

The following notification procedures will be rigidly enforced. The Graduate Coordinator and department faculty must be notified ten business days in advance of the M.A. final examination, the Ph.D. qualifying oral examination, the Ph.D. proposal defense, and the Ph.D. final examination. This notification is the responsibility of the supervisory committee chair and certifies that the committee chair is satisfied the written document is ready for an oral defense. Notification to the Graduate Coordinator must be on paper, using the form which is available from the department office. A copy of the form is included at the end of this document. Notification to the department faculty may be by paper memo placed in faculty mail boxes or by electronic mail; notice to the faculty must include the same information as the department form. Certain documents must be made available for faculty inspection, including the M.A. thesis or non-thesis paper, the Ph.D. proposal, and the Ph.D. dissertation. Each of these documents must be made available ten business days in advance of the oral defense or examination on them. This requirement is met by delivery of one copy of the document to the department office where it will be placed on the office counter until the examination is held. The proposal for the thesis M.A. must also be made available for ten business days, but the timing is not linked to an examination.

Department of Criminology Notification of Student Oral Examination

To: The Graduate Coordinator

From: (Supervisory Committee Chair):

Re: (Name of Student):

I am satisfied that the above-named student's work is ready for an oral defense and have given notice to department members individually.



Examination (check):
  • M.A. final examination
  • Ph.D. qualifying oral examination
  • Ph.D. proposal hearing
  • Ph.D. final examination


Dissertation or thesis title (if applicable):

Examination Date and Time:

Location:

Today's Date:


Note: The Graduate Coordinator must be notified using this paper form ten business days in advance of the examination. All department faculty must also be notified at this time by paper memo or electronic mail. If the exam relates to the M.A. thesis or non-thesis paper, the Ph.D. proposal, or the Ph.D. dissertation, a complete copy of the document must be delivered to the department office ten business days before the exam to make it available for faculty inspection.

Summary of Rules

Please note that this summary of rules is not complete. It does not include all relevant department and Graduate School rules and it does not include full detail of the rules it lists. It is intended for quick reference. In cases of ambiguity or conflict, the main document will govern.

M.A. Degree

Required Courses: 36 semester hours, including the following required courses:

CCJ6001Proseminar in Criminology & Law
CCJ6920Criminology
CCJ6039Law and Society
CCJ6705Research Methods in Crime, Law, and Justice
STA6126Statistical Methods in Social Research I

Course Restrictions: No more than three hours of Individual Work. No more than six hours of "piggy-back" courses.

Oral exams: Final oral exam for both thesis and non-thesis options. All committee members must attend. The supervisory committee chair must give notice to the Graduate Coordinator and department faculty ten business days in advance of the exam. Supervisory Committee: At least two members; to be formed by completion of 12 hours. Plan of study to be filed within 30 days of the supervisory committee's appointment.

Ph.D.

Required Courses: 90 hours taken after the B.A.. In addition to required M.A. courses:

CCJ7742Research Methods in Crime, Law, and Justice II
METHXXXDoctoral Methods/Statistics (Elective from approved list)
CCJXXXElective course in student's track of choice
CCJ7921Professional Development in Criminology
CCJ7979Advanced Research
CCJ7980Research for Doctoral Dissertation

9 elective courses from graduate courses available throughout the university and pertinent to student's interest.

Course Restrictions: No more than three post-M.A. course hours in Individual Work. No more than nine hours of "piggy-back" courses, including hours taken for the M.A. No more than 24 combined hours in courses numbered 7979 and 7980.

Qualifying Exams: Written exams in crime/law and society, and methods.

Oral Exams: Oral qualifying exam; dissertation prospectus hearing; oral dissertation defense. The supervisory committee chair must give notice to the Graduate Coordinator and department faculty ten business days in advance of each exam. All committee members must attend.

Supervisory Committee: Four members of the department and one outside member; to be formed at the end of the first semester after admission. The complete rules specify the expertise of members. Plan of study to be filed within 30 days of the supervisory committee's appointment.

Both Degree Programs

The Graduate School requires a B average in the total graduate program (i.e. graduate course and approved undergraduate courses taken outside the department). The department requires a B average in all graduate courses. In addition, the department requires each required course be completed with a B grade or better.

Department of Criminology, Law and Society | College of Liberal Arts and Sciences | University of Florida

Box 115950, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32611-5950     352-392-1025