Apply for Undergraduate Admission
The Office of Undergraduate Admissions manages online applications to the university and provides the most comprehensive information on the application process. The admissions office also provides the latest information on application deadlines and university scholarships for S.C. residents and nonresidents. So whether you are applying as a freshman, are looking to transfer to South Carolina or are planning to come to Columbia from another USC campus, you can check the requirements based on your current status and apply now.
Apply to Graduate School
The Graduate School coordinates online applications to our master's and doctoral programs. There may be supporting materials that are required along with your online application for graduate admission, so be sure to review the degree requirements before you apply.
Prospective applicants to Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice graduate programs must meet specific criteria, deadlines, and requirements to apply for admission. Questions about graduate assistantships should be directed to Brandon Applegate, crimgrad@mailbox.sc.edu.
Master's in Criminology and Criminal Justice
Prospective students applying to the M.A. program must possess a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university. An undergraduate degree in criminology, criminal justice, or a related social science is desirable.
Admissions to the M.A. program is competitive and based on the merits of the application materials.
In addition to meeting all the requirements of the University’s Graduate School, applicants must submit the following materials directly to the Graduate School:
- University application through the Graduate School website, including a statement of interest and study or career objectives (500-750 words). This statement should describe the applicant's interests in the criminology and criminal justice field and goals or objectives for the applicant's degree and career.
- Two letters of academic reference from faculty members or other persons qualified to evaluate the applicant’s abilities to undertake graduate‐level studies.
- Test scores obtained within the last five years on the Miller Analogies Test (MAT), Graduate Record Examination (GRE ‐ both verbal and quantitative sections of the general exam), or Law School Admission Test (LSAT).
- Official grade transcripts from all previous institutions.
We admit M.A. students during the fall and spring semesters. The deadline for applying to the M.A. program for fall admission is July 1st. The deadline for spring admission is December 1st. Students interested in receiving department funding (i.e., assistantships) should apply for fall admission and submit a completed file on or before March 1st for full consideration of funding. All application materials must be received by the university on or before these deadlines.
Prior to obtaining admission to the combined degree program, a student must be admitted to both the School of Law and the Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice. Follow the above process to apply to the Masters program with CCJ.
Ph.D. in Criminology and Criminal Justice
Prospective students applying for admission to the Ph.D. program must possess a baccalaureate degree or a masters degree from an accredited college or university. An undergraduate or graduate degree in criminology, criminal justice, or a related social science is desirable.
Admissions to the doctoral program is competitive and based on the merits of the application materials.
In addition to meeting all the requirements of the University’s Graduate School, applicants must submit the following materials directly to the Graduate School:
- University application through The Graduate School website (on-line), including a statement of research goals and objectives (500-750 words). This statement should outline the applicant's interests in criminology and criminal justice and discuss plans for developing a research agenda during the doctoral program of study.
- A sole-authored writing sample such as a course paper or thesis chapter written during your previous degree program (please limit the sample to no more than 25 pages and include course number, date, and name of professor). Writing samples are uploaded electronically by applicants at the time they complete the on-line application.
- Three letters of academic reference from faculty members or other persons qualified to evaluate the applicant’s abilities to undertake graduate-level studies.
- Test scores obtained within the last five years on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE - both verbal and quantitative sections of the general exam). NOTE: we only accept GRE scores for the doctoral program.
- Official grade transcripts from all previous institutions.
We admit doctoral students only during the fall semester. The deadline for applying to the Ph.D. program is April 15th, however students interested in receiving department funding (i.e., graduate assistantships) should submit a completed file on or before December 1st for full consideration of funding. All application materials must be received by the university on or before these deadlines.