Graduate Academic Requirements



Our master's programs are among the best in the nation. If you are interested in applying, you must meet specific standards for acceptance which can be reviewed below.

Master of Arts in Criminal Justice (On-campus & Online) 

  • Minimum undergraduate cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher
  • Two letters of recommendations (can be completed within the application)
  • Personal statement highlighting interest, career goals, and intended field of research (if any)
  • Prerequisite undergraduate course in statistics passed with a B or better
  • Students with GPA lower than the minimum are encouraged to apply and include  explanation of academic background and any relevant experience should be highlighted in personal statement
  • Resume is Highly Recommended

Master of Science in Digital Forensics & Cybersecurity

  • Minimum undergraduate cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher
  • Three letters of recommendations (can be completed within the application)
  • Personal statement highlighting interest, career goals, and intended field of research (if any)
  • Preferred prerequisite undergraduate courses in computer science but not required (students can also be consider for the CSI Bridge program)
  • Resume is highly recommended

Master of Arts in Economics

  • Fall entry only
  • Minimum undergraduate cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher
  • Two letters of recommendations (can be completed within the application)
  • Personal statement highlighting interest, career goals, and intended field of research (if any)
  • Prerequisite undergraduate course in Precalculus
  • Resume is highly recommended

Master of Science in Emergency Management (Online & Hybrid)

  • Minimum undergraduate cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher
  • Two letters of recommendations (can be completed within the application)
  • Personal statement highlighting interest, career goals, and intended field of research (if any)
  • Students with lower GPA’s are encouraged to apply and include explanation of academic background and any relevant experience should be highlighted in personal statement
  • Resume is highly recommended

Master of Arts in Forensic Psychology and Master of Arts in Forensic Mental Health Counseling 

  • Minimum undergraduate cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher
  • Three academic letters of recommendations (can be completed within the application)
  • Personal statement highlighting interest, career goals, and intended field of research   
  • 12 credits of prerequisite undergraduate courses in psychology (passed with B or better)
  • 3 credits of a prerequisite undergraduate course Research methods in Psychology or Experimental Psychology (passed with B or better)
  • 3 credits of an prerequisite undergraduate course in statistics (passed with B or better)

**We are currently waiving the GRE requirement for Spring and Fall 2024 however students who have GPA’s of 3.2 and lower are encouraged to submit GRE scores to improve their application since the process is competitive (a GRE score of 297 or higher is preferred from combined scores from quantitative & qualitative sections; 3.0 on writing section required)

Master of Arts in Forensic Psychology & Juris Doctorate (CUNY & NY Law Schools)

  • Fall entry only
  • Minimum undergraduate cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher
  • Three academic letters of recommendations (can be completed within the application)
  • Personal statement highlighting interest, career goals, and intended field of research   
  • 12 credits of prerequisite undergraduate courses in psychology (passed with B or better)
  • 3 credits of a prerequisite undergraduate course Research methods in Psychology or Experimental Psychology (passed with B or better)
  • 3 credits of a prerequisite undergraduate course in statistics (passed with B or better)
  • We are currently waiving the GRE for Fall 2024. The Law Schools require LSAT exam scores and we suggest that students email those scores or expected dates of testing during your JJ application process.

Master of Science in Forensic Science

  • Fall entry only
  • Minimum undergraduate cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher
  • Three academic letters of recommendations (can be completed within the application)
  • Personal statement highlighting interest, career goals, and intended field of research   
  • Prerequisite undergraduate coursework: one year of biology, one year of general chemistry, one year of organic chemistry, one year of calculus, one year of physics, one semester of biochemistry and one semester of statistics
  • Students with GPA’s less than 3.0 can be considered however students cannot be missing more than 3 prerequisite courses. Please include an explanation of academic challenges in the personal statement.

Master of Arts in Human Rights (On-Campus & Online)

  • Desired students should have a strong desire to work in Human Rights or public service area that relates to human rights
  • Two letters of recommendations (can be completed within the application)
  • Personal statement highlighting interest, career goals, and intended field of research (if any)
  • Resume (highly recommended)

Master of Arts in International Crime and Justice (On-campus & Online)

  • Minimum undergraduate cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher
  • A writing sample from a question prompted in the application
  • Three letters of recommendations (can be completed within the application)
  • Personal statement highlighting interest, career goals, and intended field of research (if any)
  • Prerequisite undergraduate course in statistics passed with a B or better
  • Resume is highly preferred for students with relevant experience

Master of Public Administration - Public Policy & Administration (On-campus & Online) and Inspection and Oversight (On-campus & Online)

  • Minimum GPA for admittance is 3.0, however applicants with significant public service experience may be considered for conditional acceptance, if they do not meet the 3.0 GPA requirement
  • Two letters of recommendations (can be completed within the application)
  • Personal statement highlighting any experience or interest in public service
  • Prerequisite undergraduate course in statistics passed with a B or better
  • Resume is highly recommended

Master of Public Administration - Inspection and Oversight & Juris Doctorate (CUNY)

  • Fall entry only
  • Minimum GPA for admittance is 3.0, however applicants with significant public service experience may be considered for conditional acceptance, if they do not meet the 3.0 GPA requirement
  • Personal statement highlighting any experience or interest in public service
  • Prerequisite undergraduate course in statistics passed with a B or better
  • Admissions to CUNY Law School is required for admissions to joint program
  • If not admitted to the law school, admission to MPA I&O is valid

Master of Science in Security Management (Online Only)

  • Minimum undergraduate cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher
  • Personal statement highlighting any experience or interest in public service
  • Letters of recommendation are not required but student with GPA’s below the minimum should submit two letters (academic or professional) to improve their application
  • Resume is highly preferred for students with relevant experience

Graduate Advanced Certificate Programs

Graduate Admissions

Student with notepad in the Atrium
________________
Request Information

Sign up to receive information about John Jay College, graduate admissions, degree programs, events, news, and more!