MS in CJ Admission Requirements

The following documents must be received prior to admission:

  1. North Georgia Graduate Admissions application and application fee.
  2. Official transcripts from all institution of higher education previously attended. Official international transcripts must have a foreign course by course credential evaluation by an independent evaluation service that is a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services, Inc. (NACES). Evaluations must include certification that the applicant has received a baccalaureate from a regionally-accredited institution and state a cumulative calculated grade point average.
  3. Completion of at least 15 credit hours in criminal justice, criminology, and/or related discipline as approved by the MS in CJ program coordinator.
  4. Three completed North Georgia recommendation forms.
  5. A 1-2 page single spaced letter of intent specifying the applicant's interest in the program, professional motivation to advance in the field of criminal justice, and the applicant's academic background.
  6. Current professional resume.

The following documents must be received prior to the first day of the term:

  1. North Georgia Immunization Certification form in accordance with Board of Regents' policy. Applicants seeking admission for an online program are required to submit the North Georgia Immunization Certificate form by checking the exemption for distance learning/online. If at any time students choose to take a class on any designated campus site, they are required to submit complete immunization documentation according to Board of Regents' policy.
  2. If applying for in-state tuition, proof of lawful presence in the U.S.

Note: Field, military, POST or outside certifications cannot be used to meet admission requirements or as course credit.

Regular Admission

To qualify for regular admission, applicants must:

  1. Hold a baccalaureate from a regionally-accredited, four-year institution with at least a cumulative grade point average of 2.75 (4.0 scale) calculated in accordance with North Georgia Graduate Admissions procedures OR

    Hold a baccalaureate from a regionally-accredited, four-year institution and have a minimum General Record Exam (GRE) score of 800 (verbal and quantitative combined) if taken prior to August 1, 2011, or 143 verbal and 143 quantitative scores if taken on or after August 1, 2011.

  2. Meet all other program admission requirements.

Provisional Admission

To qualify for provisional admission, individuals must:

  1. Hold a baccalaureate from a regionally-accredited, four-year institution with at least a cumulative grade point average of 2.50 (4.0 scale) calculated in accordance with North Georgia Graduate Admissions procedures OR hold a baccalaureate from a regionally-accredited, four-year institution and have a minimum General Record Exam (GRE) score of 700 (verbal and quantitative combined) if taken prior to August 1, 2011, or 140 verbal and 140 quantitative scores if taken on or after August 1, 2011.
  2. Meet all other program admission requirements.

Students admitted provisionally may register for no more than a cumulative total of nine hours of graduate credit while enrolled with this status. Once nine credit hours are completed the student's status will be reviewed to determine eligibility for regular admission. Provisionally admitted students who earn a grade less than a B in any graduate criminal justice course taken during the provisional period will not be allowed to continue in the Master of Science with a major in Criminal Justice program. Students who have been removed because of a deficient grade may apply for readmission by submitting a new application and a letter to the MS in CJ program coordinator after a period of one calendar year from the date the student was removed.

Non-Degree Admission

Students who do not wish to pursue a degree but who are eligible for graduate study may take up to nine hours of course work for graduate credit as a non-degree graduate student. All course work must result in a grade of B or higher. Individuals must receive pre-approval from the MS in CJ program coordinator before enrolling in courses.

The following documents must be received prior to admission:

  1. North Georgia Graduate Admissions application and application fee.
  2. Official transcripts from all institutions of higher education previously attended. Official international transcripts must have a foreign course-by-course credential evaluation by an independent evaluation service that is a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services, Inc. (NACES). Evaluations must include certification that the applicant has received a baccalaureate from a regionally-accredited institution and state a cumulative calculated grade point average.
  3. Completion of at least 15 credit hours in criminal justice, criminology, and/or related discipline as approved by the MS in CJ program coordinator.
  4. Three completed North Georgia recommendation forms.
  5. A 1-2 page single-spaced letter of intent specifying the applicant's interest in the program, professional motivation to advance in the field of criminal justice, and the applicant's academic background.
  6. Current professional resume.

The following documents must be received prior to the first day of the term:

  1. North Georgia Immunization Certification form in accordance with Board of Regents' policy. Applicants seeking admission for an online program are required to submit the North Georgia Immunization Certificate form by checking the exemption for distance learning/online. If at any time students choose to take a class on any designated campus site, they are required to submit complete immunization documentation according to Board of Regents' policy.
  2. If applying for in-state tuition, proof of lawful presence in the U.S.

To qualify for non-degree admission, applicants must:

  1. Hold a baccalaureate from a regionally accredited four-year institution with at least a cumulative grade point average of 2.75 (4.0 scale) calculated in accordance with North Georgia Graduate Admissions procedures OR hold a baccalaureate from a regionally accredited, four-year institution and have a minimum General Record Exam (GRE) score of 800 (verbal and quantitative combined) if taken prior to August 1, 2011, or 143 verbal and 143 quantitative scores if taken on or after August 1, 2011.
  2. Meet all other program admission requirements.

If a non-degree student wishes to apply for degree-seeking admission to the Criminal Justice graduate program, the student must notify the program coordinator, submit a new application, and meet all program admission requirements.

Transient Student Admission

An individual currently enrolled at a regionally-accredited college or university as a graduate student in good standing may apply to North Georgia as a transient student. Individuals must receive pre-approval from the MS in CJ program coordinator before enrolling in courses. Requests will be considered on a space-available basis.

The following documents must be received prior to admission:

  1. North Georgia Graduate Admissions application and non-refundable application fee.
  2. North Georgia Immunization Certificate form in accordance with Board of Regents' policy. Applicants seeking admission for an online program are required to submit the North Georgia Immunization Certificate form by checking the exemption for distance learning/online. If at any time students choose to take a class on any designated campus site, they are required to submit complete immunization documentation according to Board of Regents' policy.
  3. Transient Permission Form documenting that the student is not on academic probation or suspension or on disciplinary suspension at the student's home institution. The letter or form should state that the student is in good standing and should indicate the course(s) the student is being allowed to take at North Georgia.
  4. Official transcript from the home institution in order to verify adequate prerequisite knowledge/skills.
  5. If applying for in-state tuition, proof of lawful presence in the U.S.

Transient admission is for one term only. Individuals who wish to return to North Georgia as a transient student for a subsequent term must re-apply to North Georgia.

Appeal of Graduate Admission

A candidate whose application is denied because the graduate admission cumulative grade point average is below the minimum requirement for the program or because an acceptable test score for an appropriate entrance exam was not earned has the right to appeal the decision. Appeals must be made in written form to the Master in Science with a major in Criminal Justice Program, Department of Criminal Justice, 343 Hansford Hall, North Georgia College & State University, Dahlonega, GA 30597-1001. The letter should clearly state the grounds for the appeal. Students whose appeals are accepted will be admitted with provisional status and must complete nine hours with a grade no less than B to be considered for regular admission. Provisional students are not eligible for financial aid. Applicants may not appeal for regular admission.