Graduate Degree Programs
Graduate Degree Programs
M.A., Justice Administration
The justice discipline combines both theory and practical knowledge, and the M.A. degree in Justice Administration captures this balance. Students will dive into theoretical models of the criminal justice system and also learn about its structure and management.
M.A. Degree Overview
Admission Requirements
In general, applicants may be admitted to a graduate program if they have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution with at least a 3.0 (B) cumulative undergraduate GPA and a 3.0 (B) GPA in their major. For the purposes of admission to graduate study, all grades, including those generated from retaking a course, are included in calculating GPA.
The Justice Department requires the following:
- Completion of a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution.
- Any students with a GPA lower than 2.75 will be required to submit scores from the GRE.
More information can be requested through our Department Administrator of the Graduate School.
Applications
Applicants should apply to a graduate degree program at least six to nine months before the beginning of the semester in which they plan to enroll.
Graduate students are strongly encouraged to apply early. Applications received near the deadline will be processed as time permits or may be considered for the following semester.
Should you decide to apply for admission to our graduate program, please go to UAF Admissions to begin the application. Please submit all parts of your application to Graduate Admissions, this includes:
Apply online. Applications must be received before the published deadlines, along with a $75 nonrefundable application fee. Applications submitted after the published deadlines have a $100 nonrefundable application fee. Departmental deadlines may allow for applications past the published deadlines.
The Office of Admissions requires official transcripts of all college-level coursework. To be considered official, transcripts must arrive in sealed envelopes or by a secure electronic service from each institution attended. Students with coursework from international institutions must submit transcripts to or .
Transcripts for International Applicants
See page for additional information.
Please submit a sample of your strongest writing, such as a research paper written during your senior year of undergraduate work;
This should be a 500-word statement that addresses:
- Your academic and professional background and what you would bring to the program;
- The line of study you want to pursue in the program (concentration, focus of coursework, and research)
- TOEFL score of 550 or higher if your native language is not English
- GRE-
- Students with a GPA above 2.75 will be required to submit a score from the Watson-Glaser Critical Thinking Exam.
- Any students with a GPA lower than 2.75 will be required to submit scores from the GRE.
Deadlines to apply to the graduate program are:
- October 15: spring semester
- May 1: summer sessions
- June 1: fall semester
- March 1: fall semester
- September 1: spring semester
Course Requirements
Students must complete a minimum of 30 credits, which they can do following either a non-research path OR a research path. The non-research path consists of 30 credits of coursework. The research path consists of 30 credits of coursework where 6 credits are research project or thesis work. Students opting for the research path must pass an oral defense examination of their thesis or project.
Students must complete JUST 605, JUST 610, JUST 615, JUST 620, JUST 625, JUST 640 and Just 690 as well as 9 credits of Justice or other approved electives.
F400-level (up to 6 credits) or graduate-level (up to 9 credits) credits may be used as substitutes if transferred from the FBI National Academy, Command and General Staff College, Command College, Southern Police Institute or similar programs approved by the American Council on Education (e.g., graduate certificate relevant to justice from another institution).
Browse previously published work by Justice Administration graduate students from the University of Alaska.
Funding
There are several ways that Justice graduate students can obtain funding.
Scholarships
Graduate Certificate,
Justice Administration
The graduate certificate in justice administration has been designed as a web-based degree program in order to accommodate the needs of justice professionals for whom taking a year's leave of absence from their profession is not feasible, or for whom relocating to the Fairbanks vicinity is not possible. The graduate certificate program offers candidates an opportunity to pursue graduate-level work without expending the time or resources needed for a full graduate degree.
Graduate certificate programs are designed to provide education past the baccalaureate level and/or to meet clearly defined educational needs of students who have already completed a master’s degree. Completion of a graduate certificate should prepare students to better accomplish their goals or meet employment criteria. This program provides the student with formal recognition of mastery of a clearly defined academic topic.
Graduate Certificate Map
Admission Requirements
The Justice Department requires the following:
- Students must have a completed baccalaureate degree.
- Students must possess either prior education specific to justice, criminal justice, public administration-related work experience or a combination of both with the approval and review of the program director to enter the justice administration graduate certificate program.
- If the degree is in a non justice or public administration-related field and the student has a 3.0 or higher cumulative GPA, students will be required to start with one 400-level course, that is an elective option for the degree.
- Students who have already obtained a graduate degree will not be required to complete an entrance exam or complete a 400-level course first.
- Students with a baccalaureate degree with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher in a related field will not have any additional testing or entry course requirements.
- Students with a cumulative GPA between 3.0 and 2.75, regardless of the field of study, will be required to complete the Watson Glaser Critical Thinking Exam.
- Students with a cumulative GPA below 2.75, will be required to submit results from either the GRE or GMAT.
More information can be requested through our Department Administrator of the Graduate School.
Application
Applicants should apply to a graduate degree program at least six to nine months before the beginning of the semester in which they plan to enroll.
Graduate students are strongly encouraged to apply early. Applications received near the deadline will be processed as time permits or may be considered for the following semester.
Should you decide to apply for admission to our graduate program, please go to UAF Admissions to begin the application. Please submit all parts of your application to Graduate Admissions, this includes:
This should be a 500-word statement that addresses:
- Your academic and professional background and,
- How the Graduate Certificate will help you attain your educational, professional, and/or personal goals.
Applicants with transcripts from non-U.S. colleges and universities must submit a World Education Services (WES) or another National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) certified evaluation as part of their application.
Students from Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington and Wyoming may be eligible for resident tuition through the Western Regional Graduate Program/Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education. This program is for students pursuing a graduate degree in administration of justice, Arctic and Northern studies, or rural development. For more information about this program, contact the Graduate School at 907-474-7464 or uaf-grad-school@alaska.edu. Students with questions may also contact the at P.O. Box 9752, Boulder, CO 80301-9752, or 303-541-0210.
Deadlines to apply to the graduate program are:
- October 15: spring semester
- May 1: summer sessions
- June 1: fall semester
- March 1: fall semester
- September 1: spring semester
Course Requirements
Students must complete the general university requirements, the graduation certificate requirements and a minimum of 12 credits of coursework.
The 12 credits of coursework include JUST 605, JUST 620 and JUST 625, as well as 3 credits from either JUST 610, JUST 615, JUST 640 OR another approved Justice course.
Students may apply 3 units (graduate-level credits) from the FBI National Academy, Command and General Staff College, Command College, Southern Police Institute (Univ. of Kentucky) or similar programs approved by the American Council on Education (e.g., graduate certificate relevant to justice from another institution).
Browse previously published work by Justice Administration graduate students from the University of Alaska.
Funding
There are several ways that Justice graduate students can obtain funding.
Scholarships
For more information