Departmental web based off campus graduate program application
This application may be filed electronically. This page is not secure and information submitted may be intercepted by third parties.

If you prefer, you can complete a departmental graduate application and after printing it out, submit it in person or via regular mail to the criminology department. The form is located at: http://zimmer.csufresno.edu/~haralds/deptdocs/graduate%20program/CrimApplicationforGraduateStudy.pdf

Information submitted via this form is voluntary.

REQUIREMENTS FOR JOINING THE GRADUATE PROGRAM

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

1. Admission to the Criminology Department

2. 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 with your student ID number..

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. A completed Application for Graduate Study in the Criminology Program at CSUF. This Form is posted below and you can complete and submit it on line.

Three completed recommendation forms for Graduate Study in Criminology. Forms are at: http://zimmer.csufresno.edu/~haralds/deptdocs/graduate%20program/CrimGradProgramRecommendationForm.pdf

A thorough letter of recommendation is also acceptable if emailed to Dr. Schweizer (haralds@csufresno.edu) directly by the person making the recommendation.

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. This essay can be entered into the space provided in the form on this page.

An interview may be required by the Criminology Graduate Committee.

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. Two of the seven criminology courses are in the area of Homeland Security. These two courses can also be applied to the four course Graduate Homeland Security Certificate offered by the Department of Criminology beginning with the Fall 08 semester. Each course in the off campus graduate program 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 beginning on 22 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 continuing beyond their first six graduate units. NOTE: Undergraduate course work must have been completed at a regionally accredited college or university. If you graduated from a private (non-public) college or university, you should check for the type of accreditation held by that institution and email Dr. Schweizer (haralds@csufresno.edu) with that information.

Fresno PD personnel can 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.

Fresno County Sheriff's Office personnel can contact LT. Neil DADIAN, who is that agency's downtown program contact person.

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.

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