Graduate Program Orientation Handbook Department of Criminal Justice
College of Community Innovation and Education
Did You Know?
• UCF is one of the largest universities in the nation with over 68,000 students.
• The UCF Criminal Justice program is rated a top program in the nation for criminal justice education.
• UCF CJ faculty are rated among the top 7 criminal justice faculty in the nation for scholarly publications and books.
• Our criminal justice faculty are worldrenowned, working with policing, courts, and corrections in Russia, Europe, Australia, Asia, Africa, and Canada.
• Criminal Justice faculty are actively involved in community research and grant projects ESTABLISHED 1963 FIRST CLASSES
Keys to Success
• Get Involved
- Student organizations (LAE, APS)
- Get to know your professors and fellow students.
• Participate
- Prepare for class, read ahead, do outside research, and formulate questions and opinions about the issues.
-Speak up and state your informed opinion.
• Engage your Professors
-Ask educated questions.
-Challenge the professor’s point of view (respectfully, of course…)
We have research opportunities!
• Develops excellence in key areas of graduate study and research
• Faculty are dedicated to teaching, research, scholarship, and the transmittal of that scholarship to students
• Many CJ faculty are actively involved in research and students can be provided opportunities for involvement
Contact department faculty or program coordinator to discuss opportunities further
Program Requirements
PhD in Criminal Justice
• 57 credit hour research degree
42 credits coursework
15 credits dissertation
• Specializations
Policing Theory and Research
Corrections Theory and Research
Juvenile Justice Theory Research
• Traditional on campus, full-time program
Full time enrollmet is 9 credits fall and spring
• Students complete series of milestone exams before entering candidacy and completing a dissertation
• Approxmiate completion time is 4-5 years
Note: University policy stipulates program must be completed in 7 years
MS Criminal Justice
36 credit hours (12 classes)
• 21 Hours of Core Requirements
No particular order is required but CCJ 5015, CCJ 5456 and CCJ 6704 are strongly encouraged in the first two semesters
CJE 6718 is only to be taken in the graduating semester
• 6 Hours of Restricted Electives (Pick 2 of 5)
CJE 5021, CJC 5020, CJJ 6020, CJL6568, CJL 6520
• 9 Hours of General Graduate Electives
Criminal Justice electives are preapproved and several offered each semesters. Courses from outside CJ program must be approved prior to taking the course.
Semester Enrollment Requirements
Full time enrollment= 9 credits fall/spring 6 credits summer
Part time enrollment= 6 credits fall/spring 3 credits summer
As little as one course a semester is allowed
For this department’s purposes you are not required to be full or part time and can switch between the two at any time (if you receive financial aid check requirements at www.ucf.edu/financial-aid/).
Approximate completion time is 2 years
Note: University policy stipulates program must be completed in 7 years
The program can be completed entirely online or a mixture of online and very limited face-to-face classes.
Program referred to as MSCJ throughout handbook
Dual Degree Public Admin/CJ 51 credit hours (17 classes)
Dual degree Public Admin/ CJ 51 credit hours (17 classes)
• 33 Hours of Core Requirements
May complete all courses on one discipline at a time or mix classes each semester
• 6 hours of Research Methods/Statistics
Take one course in each discipline
Options: CCJ 6704 and PAD 6701 or PAD 6700 and CCJ 6706
• 6 hours of Restricted Electives (Pick 2 of 5)
CJE 5021, CJC 5020, CJJ 6020, CJL6568, CJL 6520
• 6 hours of Capstone
One capstone in each discipline, PAD 6062 and CJE 6718
Two master’s degrees are earned at the completion of the program!
The program can be completed entirely online or a mixture of online and limited face-to-face classes. Public Administration face-to-face classes are held on the UCF Downtown campus
Semester Enrollment Requirements
Full time enrollment= 9 credits fall/spring 6 credits summer
Part time enrollment= 6 credits fall/spring 3 credits summer
As little as one course a semester is allowed
For this department’s purposes you are not required to be full or part time and can switch between the two at any time (if you receive financial aid check requirements at www.ucf.edu/financial-aid/).
Approximate completion time is 2.5-3 years
Note: University policy stipulates program must be completed in 7 years
Students completing the Master of Public Administration/Criminal Justice dual degree program are not eligible for several graduate certificates due to share credit policy restrictions. Please discuss with an advisor prior to pursing a certificate.
Certificates
12 credit hours (4 classes each)
Crime Analysis
Police Leadership
Corrections Leadership
Juvenile Justice Leadership
• Graduate certificates may be earned independently or while working on a master ’s degree
Certificates are separate programs and require a separate application at https://applynow.graduate.ucf.edu/apply/
If in the MSCJ (Master’s in Criminal Justice) and wanting to complete a certificate as well, you should apply as soon as you take a course towards the certificate requirements. You will be responsible for the requirements in the catalog year you apply not when you start taking courses.
Students completing some certificates are not eligible to complete the Master of Public Administration/Criminal Justice dual degree program due to shared credit policy restrictions. Discuss with advisor prior to pursing a certificate.
• You must apply before all requirements of the certificate are met.
• You may share courses between the MSCJ degree and one certificate
• Courses cannot be shared between multiple certificates
• Courses may transfer into MSCJ degree if accepted to the MSCJ after completion
• Credits in certificates are valid for 7 years.
•
• If you do not apply for or file an intent to graduate from a certificate it cannot be awarded retroactively.
• No course transfers or substituted allowed into certificates.
Can be completed online
Grade Expections
Individual Course Grades
• MSCJ students must earn a B (3.0) or better in all CJ core classes. B- grades or below will require a re-take
A maximum of 2 “C” grades are allowed in restricted and general elective coursework. A third “C” may not dismiss you (remember GPA must stay above a 3.0) but will not count towards program requirements.
• Dual degree students must earn a B (3.0) or better in all CJ classes and a B- or better in all PAD courses. This includes core, methods/statistics, and capstones
• Certificate students must earn a grade of B or better for all certificate courses
Other considerations:
No grades below C- are permitted in either master’s degree program
There is not graduate level grade forgiveness. All grades are calculated into your GPA.
Keep in mind that some professors use the +/- scale which hold different weight to a GPA then a solid grade.
Graduate GPA
Overall and program GPA must both be at least a 3.0. This means if you take a course that does not count towards your program requirements it will only raise/ lower your overall GPA not your program GPA.
If your GPA drops below a 3.0 you are placed on academic probation for either 18 credit hours of course work or through the remaining credit hours to degree completion if less than 18 hours. Failure to raise GPA back to a 3.0 during the probation period will result in program dismissal.
Plan of Study
Failure to complete and send in will generate an account hold
Required of all MSCJ and Dual Degree students
Dual degree students should submit immediately to complete martriculation process
The plan of study is to be used as a guide for enrollment in the program.
The form shows the program requirements and some common program policies. Fill in the top portion- name, UCFID (not NID log in), term admitted to program, courses you are enrolled in presently or future semesters and sign the bottom. Send via email to elexis.ritz@ucf.edu.
This should be completed for the MSCJ when admitted but no later than second semester or a hold will be placed on your account.
Dual Degree students need to complete immediately upon admission to be fully matriculated into the dual program. There may be enrollment errors if not sent upon admission.
Not required for certificate programs.
Form can be found attached to welcome email after being admitted, listed as a course assignement and under the Files tab and Helpful Guides link in the CJ Graduate Program webcourse.
Any transfer credits must be approved by program advisor and listed on this form in your first semester. This includes UCF courses taken prior to admission.
many papers. Be careful not to plagiarize
• Plagiarism is when you present other writer’s words and ideas as your own.
• You must provide a citation when using another author’s work to support your own.
• Do not copy and paste or close paraphrase.
• Plagiarism will lead to a failing grade and/or expulsion from the program.
• Visit the University Writing Center uwc.cah.ucf.edu/
The University Writing Center is a great resource that will can help with developing a variety of skills throughout the writing process. Appointments can be made for face-toface meetings or online meetings.
-Develop ideas
-Plan and organize your writing
-Identify and address some key aspects of your writing for you tobrevise
-Learn to cite and document sources
Pick up an APA manual for guidelines
Important Information
UCFID and NID
NID
• Login for UCF applications- myUCF, Webcourses, Library, etc.
• First 2 letters of your first name and 6 numbers
UCFID
• Identification purposes for all UCF departments
• 7 numbers
• It is also sometimes referred to as your PID
Be prepared to learn both ID numbers. You will be asked for your UCFID when contacting university departments. Include your name and UCFID (not NID) in all emails myUCF > Student Self Service > Personal Information > UCFID Info It can also be found on your ID Card
myUCF and Student Center
MyUCF is the portal where you will do most UCF business including enrolling in courses, dropping/withdrawing from courses, accepting financial aid, holds, viewing Graduate Plan of Study, viewing final grades, filing intent to graduate, edit personal information, etc…
The Student Center is the main page to myUCF. It is found in the menu on the left hand side under Student Self Service.
UCF Email
• Official University communication
• After program admission an email will be assiged to you. It will be your NID@ucf.edu
• Information and questions must be sent and received through UCF email Include your 7 digit UCFID (not NID login) in all emails
• Response will generally not be given to personal accounts (gmail,etc..)
• Include first name, last name, and UCFID/PID (not NID) in all emails
• Proof read emails before sending. An email is not a text message
• Plan to log in daily or at least 4-5 times a week
• If a department in the university needs to contact you for an issue or to disseminate information they will use UCF email. You will not be given extensions or exceptions if something is missed for failure to check this email.
For assistance with resetting a password or logging into to UCF email contact the service desk at 407-823-5117 or itsupport@ucf.edu or chat online at ucf. service-now.com/ucfit https://office365.ucf.edu/
CJ Graduate Program
webcourses.ucf.edu
Program announcements, updates, important dates and deadlines, course/ schedule information, career opportunities, program and university events, exit survey
• Located on Canvas (Webcourses), the same place you will have online courses. Check it often
• Log in with NID and NID password. Same as log in to myUCF
• Check the Files tab for helpful guides, plan of study form, and FAQs.
• The Webcourse inbox is a secured messaging area you may use to contact professors, other students, or graduate advisor Include 7 digit UCFID (not NID login) in message
• Check announcements on a regular basis-several times a week. Many of your common questions or concerns can be answered with these announcements
• Unless you change settings in webcourses, you will receive an email when a new announcement is posted. Also remember that if you respond or post to an announcement it is open for everyone to view.
UCF Apps
UCF Apps provides you access to software you need for your coursework from any device, at any time, from anywhere.
it.ucf.edu/ucf-apps/
Library Resources
To access many library resources off campus you will need to log in with your NID. There are hundreds databases and journals to find scholarly research. If you are searching for a book or article not available at UCF you can request it through Interlibrary loan. In most cases they will email you a PDF of the article being requested. Library.ucf.edu/
Graduate Student Center
The Graduate Student Center provides a space for graduate students to gather for professional development, workshops, rehearsal of presentations, defenses of their thesis or dissertation research, guest lectures and colloquia series, study, and collaborate.
The Graduate Student Center contains four main areas: multipurpose study and collaboration area, presentation room, conference room, and study and data analysis rooms.
Rooms can be reserved for meetings, lab time, presentation, etc
graduate.ucf.edu/graduate-student-center/
Pathways to Success program offers free development opportunities for graduate students and postdoctoral scholars including workshops in Academic Integrity, Graduate Grantsmanship, Graduate Teaching, Personal Development, Professional Development, and Research.
Career Services
career.ucf.edu
• Career specialists can help with resume and cover letters, interview prep, job searches, work experience, and more.
• Meet with a specialist, attend a workshop, or review resources on the website
• Several career fairs are held each year
Student ID Card
The UCF Card can be used everywhere on campus including…
Knight Cash:
Restaurants and Retail
Pay for print, Vending, Laundry and Copiers
Parking decals/fines
Health center appts., Prescriptions
Access (some access restricted for UCF Online students): Student/SGA events
Athletics events
Recreation center
Testing Labs
Pick up at the UCF card office or request via email for distance learners!
State Employee Registration and Overrides
State Employee Waiver
• Students who work for a State of Florida agency may qualify to have tuition waived
• Registration begins Friday before classes begin each semester at 3pm
• Enrollment based on courses with available seats
• Waiver form due by payment deadline each semester
Course Overrides
• Student must already have taken all available courses being offered
• Student must need the course to graduate in current term
• Almost all courses utilize the waitlist feature in myUCF indicated with an orange triangle. Add your name to that waitlist in myUCF
If a seat opens and you are next on the list the system will automatically enroll you in that course.
• Overrides are rarely given
• Do not contact professors
Any overrides given are done through the CJ graduate office
Parking on Campus
• On-campus parking requires an up-to-date virutal pass or day pass.
• Nose in parking only. Backing in will result in a ticket
• Student Rates (virtual passes connect to plate #)*
365 days: $95.88
150 days: $47.94 Day: $5.00 day of only/ $8.00 24 hours
• To purchase a parking permit, go online to: http://www.parking.ucf.edu
*Subject to change. View parking website for current prices
ACADEMIC CALENDAR
Important Contacts
Semester deadlines and important dates
CAREER SERVICES CSEL, Room 140 407-823-2361
calendar.ucf.edu
career.ucf.edu
Sponsors expos and fairs, career planning classes and employer recruiting visits. Provides information on occupation Outlook for various careers.
CJ ADVISOR HS1, Room 311 407-823-2603
ccie.ucf.edu/criminaljustice
Provides information about graduate degree requirements, course planning, university procedure navigation, etc
COUNSELING AND PSYCHOLOGICAL SERVICES CAPS, Room 101 407-823-2811 caps.sdes.ucf.edu
Provides psychological and academic testing. Mental health counselors and test administrators help students explore and resolve issues / concerns.
Assist with admissions, appeals, record changes, academic progress. Review university policy and procedures. Most up to date graduate catalog
It is the student’s responsibility to keep informed of rules, regulations, and procedures required for graduate studies. Graduate program regulations will not be waived, or exceptions granted because students plead ignorance of the regulations or claim failure of the adviser to keep them informed.
FINANCIAL AID Millican Hall, Room 107 407-823-2827
finaid.ucf.edu/
Provides program eligibility chart and requirements for financial aid opions.The website also includes access to forms and information about FAFSA and work study requirements and opportunities.
Provides information and individualized services for students with documented disabilities. Services include assistance with registration, disabled parking decals, counseling and referral to campus or community services.
STUDENT HEALTH SERVICES HC building 407-823-2701 studenthealth.ucf.edu
Provides quality care for illnesses and accidents with an aggressive health education and lifestyle enhancement
STUDENT LEGAL SERVICES SU, Room 304 407-823-2538 sls.sdes.ucf.edu
Provides a variety of legal services, at no cost, to UCF students.
UCF IT SUPPORT CENTER CSB, Room 103 407-823-5117 it.ucf.edu
Provides a variety of computer support, e-mail password assistance and canvas questions.
UCF ONLINE CONNECT CENTER 855-903-8576 ucf.edu/online
General support for exclusively UCF Online students.
UNIVERSITY WRITING CENTER TCH, Room 109 407-823-2197 uwc.cah.ucf.edu
Assists students who would like to improve their college-level writing skills.
MILITARY AND VETERAN STUDENT SUCCESS Arena, Room 100 407-823-2707 varc.sdes.ucf.edu
Provides information regarding educational benefits for veterans and their dependents. Provides counseling for personal and academic concerns, tutoring and referral to community agencies.
