MASTER OF SCIENCE IN CRIMINOLOGY

OFF CAMPUS PROGRAM

22 AUG 2008 - 10 JULY 2010

FOR DIRECTIONS TO THE CLASSES CLICK HERE
Links are functional when reviewing this page on the Web at:

http://zimmer.csufresno.edu/~haralds/downtowngraduateprogram08.htm
Download this page in pdf

DOCUMENTS THAT MUST BE RECEIVED PRIOR TO THE FIRST CLASS ON 22 AUG 08

Application for Graduate Study in Criminology (PDF for hard copy submission)

Application for Graduate Study in Criminology (Web Based Submission)

Above forms should be emailed as an attachment directly to Dr. Schweizer at haralds@csufresno.edu
The required essay can be emailed as a WORD or RTF attachment, or submitted on line with the on line application.

HOW THE PROGRAM WORKS

The downtown (off campus) criminology Master of Science degree program is sponsored and supported by the City and County of Fresno. It is offered exclusively to city, county, state, and federal government employees. The program provides for 10 graduate level courses leading to the Master of Science in Criminology Degree. The criminology degree program consists of seven graduate criminology courses, and three graduate public administration courses taught by political science faculty. Each course is taught every other weekend (Friday evening and all day Saturday) for a period of two months, and instruction is spread over 20 months, not counting the months of December and January, when no classes are held.

All Students MUST begin the degree program as a cohort, with the first class being held in August 2008. Classes are held in the training room of the Fresno Police Department Annex.

Students registering for downtown graduate classes must qualify for and successfully complete the formal university admissions process before beginning their coursework, or at the latest during their first six units of graduate study.

Fresno PD personnel can also contact LT Dennis Montejano who is the FPD liaison for the Downtown Undergraduate Criminology Degree program, and who will expand his role to also assist FPD personnel interested in joining the graduate program that is set to begin this August.

STUDENTS WITH CONFLICTING SCHEDULES

Faculty will work with students who have uncontrollable work responsibilities such as being called to duty during hours class, being sent out of the area for in-service training, and other job related complications.

REQUIREMENTS FOR JOINING THE GRADUATE PROGRAM

Employment with any governmental agency or entity (federal, state, county, city, etc)

Admission to the Criminology Department

Admission to the University - Students are issued a Student ID number, if they do not already have one, which can then be used for university business and for obtaining a university email address. You can then apply for that address.

A baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution with a grade point average (GPA) of at least a 3.0 (on a 4-point scale) during the last sixty units of study. Exceptions can be made on a case by case basis after evaluating the applicant's career responsibilities, GRE score, and other relevant information for assessing conceptual thinking skills and writing ability. Downtown graduate program applicants completing their B.S. or B.A. requirements in Fall 2008 may be permitted to take up to six units concurrently but must complete their four year degree requirements, submit GRE scores, and apply for graduate admission before continuing their graduate coursework in 2009.

Prior criminology related coursework at the undergraduate level. Students without prior criminal justice or criminology related coursework but with significant experience in criminal justice organizations may be considered for the program based on an assessment of their CJ experience by the criminology graduate coordinator, a graduate program committee, or a representative designated by the graduate coordinator.

Completion of the general aptitude portion of the Graduate Records Examination (GRE). We generally require that the general aptitude portion of the GRE be taken prior to a student being admitted into graduate criminology course work, or graduate status. Applicants for the off-campus program without GRE scores can be conditionally permitted to enroll for up to six graduate units but cannot be admitted to the university until the GRE scores and all other required documents have been submitted.

Click here for GRE test preparation course

A completed A pplication for Graduate Study in the Criminology Program at CSUF. This application can be completed on a computer and then scanned and emailed, or sent via regular mail to Dr. Schweizer at: haralds@csufresno.edu

Three completed recommendation forms for Graduate Study in Criminology. Can be downloaded and emailed.

A personal essay consisting of no more than 500 words explaining your reasons for wanting to pursue a Masters Degree in Criminology and what benefits you expect to derive from your studies. The essay must also include an explanation of anything you may be able to contribute to the downtown program and the students in the graduate cohort. This contribution could be your particular work experience in the field of C.J. and/or management, and any other professional expertise that could benefit the program as a whole. This essay can be emailed to Dr. Schweizer as an attachment in WORD or RTF format and should be received on or before the first class meeting.

An interview may be required by the Criminology Graduate Committee.

ADDITIONAL GRE INFORMATION

The admission's process requires applicants to submit test results from the General Graduate Record Examination, which is given at the Testing Center of CSU Fresno and other locations across the state. It is important to take the GRE as quickly or early as possible.

The GRE (general) is a fully computer-based test (CBT). Appointments are available Tuesdays through Fridays and some Saturdays throughout the year. To schedule an appointment for GRE, call the CSU Fresno testing center at (559) 278-2457. Appointments can be scheduled over the phone with a credit card number. Credit cards accepted are American Express, Visa, or Master Card. To schedule an appointment using a personal check or money order, you must visit the Test Office in the Family and Food Sciences Building, Room 110.

The test fee is paid at the time you schedule your appointment. The exam fees are $140.00 and the exam takes 4.0 hours to complete.

There is a $50.00 rescheduling fee for the GRE. For GRE, the rescheduling and cancellation policy is you must call ETS (1-800-967-1100) no later than ten business days prior to your scheduled appointment or the entire test fee is forfeited. To reschedule an appointment for any of the computer-based tests, call ETS (1-800-967-1100). To cancel an appointment, call the appropriate test (see below for the appropriate phone number)

Selected PRAXIS tests and NBPTS are additional computer tests offered by the Test Office.

Test candidates are responsible for knowing all the information in the information bulletins prior to scheduling their test appointments and taking their test. Information bulletins are available on the internet at the web sites listed below. For more information, contact the Test Office at 559-278-2457 or one of the test companies (their phone numbers are listed below).

GRE Contact Information:
Phone: 1-800-GRE-CALL (1-800-473-2255)
Web Address: www.gre.org

CLASS SCHEDULE

Friday classes are from 1800-2200; Saturday classes are from 0800-1600.

Fall 2008

1. Crim 203 Criminal Justice Administration taught by Dr. Schweizer

Aug 22/23; Sep 12/13; 26/27; Oct 10/11
Click here for Course Registration Form. Complete it on your computer, print it out, and bring it with you to the first day of class.
Students who have not completed the required admissions forms/applications/GRE, but who qualify for admission, will be guided through the process while attending this class in August/Sep/Oct.

TEXTS:

1. Why Law Enforcement Organizations Fail; P. O'Hara (Carolina Academic Press, 2005) can be ordered from Amazon with used books as low as $9.50

2. Other readings will be web based and serve as background and research material, along with providing issues for class discussion.
The following articles/documents can must be downloaded and read:
(passwords to open the passworded documents have been emailed)

LAW ENFORCEMENT MANAGEMENT

Law Enforcement Agency Management Study in MS Word
(password will be emailed)
Los Angeles P.D. pedestrian and vehicle stop form requirements

COURT MANAGEMENT

2006 Fresno Superior Court Annual Report

Superior Court of California, County of Fresno
5 Executive Core Qualifications 27 Core Competencies

CORRECTIONS MANAGEMENT

Readings will be posted before class begins

OTHER MANAGEMENT AND ADMINISTRATION READINGS

Customer Service Excellence Program

The Customer Service Excellence Standard (pdf document)

I am currently in contact with the UK Government to see if we can utilize their CSE self rating process to review our own agencies here.

CREATING QUALITY LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT

Additional course assignments and other readings will be posted here soon.

A separate class web page will be available on the first day of class.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

2. Crim 200 Research Methods in Criminology taught by Dr. Kissner

- Oct 24/25; Nov 7/8; 21/22; Dec 5/6

Spring 2009

1. Crim 202 Law and the C.J. System new instructor
- Jan 16/17; 30/31;February 13/14; 27/28

2. MPA 215 State and Local Gov’t taught by Dr. Schecter

- Mar 13/14; 27/28 Apr 10/11; 24/25

Summer 2009

1. MPA 230 Public Budgeting taught by Dr. Cummins

- May 29/30; June 12/13; 26/27 Jul 10/11

Fall 2009

1. Crim 270T Homeland and Border Security taught by Dr. Clement

- Aug7/8; 21/22; Sep 11/12; 25/26

2. Crim 201 History of Western Crim. Thought taught by Dr. Hughes

- Oct 9/10;23/24; Nov 13/14; 27/28 Dec 11/12

Spring 2010

1. Crim 270T The Intelligence Function* taught by Dr. Ryan

- Jan 15/16; 29/30 Feb 12/13; 26/27

2. Crim 270T Program Evaluation taught by Dr. Cline

- Mar 12/13; 26/27; Apr 9/10; 23/24

Summer 2010

1. Crim 295 Controversial Issues in Crime taught by Dr. Muscat

- May 28/29; June 4/5; 18/19 July 9/10

2. Comprehensive Exams Exact date to be announced

*These classes may be used towards the four-course minimum required for an upcoming graduate Homeland Security Certificate.

Classes in bold are classes specifically required for the degree. Other classes fulfill the elective course requirements.

Classes will be held every other weekend as indicated.

Friday 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Saturday 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

ADMISSION APPLICATION PERIOD

Applications for university graduate admission are submitted on-line only. This application is separate from the application to the department of criminology. The on-line university admissions process is currently closed, but will again become available on 1 August. At that time, students who have been found admittable by the criminology department and who are beginning their graduate classes downtown in August, will be applying for SPRING 2009 graduate admission. This does not affect their ability to begin their classes in Fall 2008. The admissions application can be accessed directly at www.csumentor.edu/AdmissionApp/

COSTS OF THE PROGRAM

The cost of a three (3) unit course is $825, and all course costs are calculated at $275 per unit. Other than the cost of books, there are no other fees. The total cost for each set of two courses is $1650. The cost for all four classes in spring or fall is $3300. The actual cost per unit may be somewhat higher depending on the number of students in the graduate cohort.