General Requirements
The Graduate Program Directors, in conjunction with their Graduate Admissions Committees, render their admission decisions based on the evaluation of the overall academic potential of applicants. Applicants should submit all documentation on time to allow proper evaluation of their accomplishments. Applicants may apply before obtaining their baccalaureate degrees, but must receive their undergraduate degrees prior to commencing graduate study. John Jay College requires the following:
- An earned baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college or university or,
- An earned international degree equivalent to a U.S. bachelor’s degree
ALL APPLICANTS MUST SUBMIT:
- An online application located at app.applyyourself.com/AYApplicantLogin/fl_ApplicantConnectLogin.asp?id=cunyjjaygr
- A non-refundable application fee of $125.00 in the form of a check or money order made payable to “John Jay College” mailed to the Office of Admissions. Please include a cover letter indicating the program and the semester for which you are applying. John Jay College alumni, as well as veterans who submit a copy of their DD214 form to the Office of Admissions, are waived from the application fee. This courtesy is limited to one application.
- Letters of recommendation
- A personal statement
- Official transcripts from all previously attended colleges or universities
- Official standardized test scores, if required by the program (i.e. GRE, TOEFL).
The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is required for admission to the Master programs in Forensic Psychology, Forensic Mental Health Counseling, International Crime and Justice, Forensic Science, and Digital Forensics and Cybersecurity. The GRE institutional code for John Jay College is 2115.
Applicants with undergraduate grade point averages below a 3.0 applying to the Public Administration or Protection Management programs should submit GRE scores in support of their application.
Applicants with earned master degrees, who have taken the GRE within the last seven years and who have achieved the required score for admission to graduate programs requiring the GRE, do not have to re-test. Applicants with earned master degrees, who have not taken the GRE, who scored below the required score or whose GRE scores are older than seven years, have to submit the GRE. The LSAT may substitute for the GRE for some graduate programs.
Applicants who have not studied in English-speaking countries are required to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). John Jay College’s code is 2115. The minimum acceptable TOEFL score is 550 for the paper-based test, 213 for the computer-based test and 79-80 for the Internet-based test.
Program Special Requirements
Knowledge of statistics is required of all MA, MS and MPA candidates except for those applying to the Graduate Program in Protection Management. Statistics is a prerequisite for Criminal Justice, International Crime and Justice, Public Administration, and Forensic Psychology. If an applicant does not have this prerequisite, they may be admitted conditionally and must fulfill this requirement within the time frame specified by the program in which they are admitted. Completion of an equivalent course at another institution approved by the Committee on Graduate Admissions, or demonstrating proficiency through a qualifying examination, are other options to fulfilling this prerequisite. No graduate credit is given for meeting this requirement.
MA Forensic Psychology and JD Dual Program
The four-year Forensic Psychology MA/JD offers qualified students the opportunity to earn both a Master of Arts degree in Forensic Psychology and a Juris Doctor degree in Law from New York Law School. The curriculum is composed of the existing required and elective courses for the MA and for the JD, requiring a combined total of 128 credits, including 42 credits for the completion of the MA Program in Forensic Psychology and 86 credits for the completion of the JD Program in Law. However, 12 New York Law School credits focusing on mental disability law will be credited towards both the JD and the MA Program. Likewise 12 MA credits from the John Jay Forensic Psychology MA Program will be credited to the New York Law School JD program. Consequently, due to the 24 transfer credits applied in the dual degree program, the actual number of credits taken will be 104, resulting in graduation for full-time students in four years instead of five. More information can be found at www.jjay.cuny.edu/ma-jd-forensic-psychology-and-law. Program Coordinator: Professor James Wulach, jwulach@jjay.cuny.edu.
Master of Science in Digital Forensics and Cybersecurity
(Formerly Forensic Computing)
Admission requires a background in computer science with the ability to succeed in graduate computer science, criminal justice and law courses. Computer science or related majors are preferred; however, the minimal computer science background required consists of the following undergraduate courses: two courses in programming, and courses in data structures, algorithms, operating systems, computer networks, and discrete math. Factors favoring admission include an undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher, GRE verbal and math scores above the median, a GRE analytical writing score of 4.0 or higher, and relevant professional experience. All applicants are required to submit a resume. Applicants who hold advanced graduate or professional degrees from an English language based program are advised but not required to submit GRE’s. Interested candidates who lack all or some of the required computer science courses may be admitted to CSIBridge, our Computer Science for Digital Forensics preparatory program which leads to seamless transfer to the degree program.
Master of Science in Forensic Science
The typical admitted student has a grade point average of 3.0 or higher, a combined GRE score of 297 or higher (150+ Quantitative Reasoning and 147+ Verbal Reasoning) and a score of 3.0 or higher on the Analytical Writing section. In addition, applicants should have successfully completed at a minimum the following undergraduate STEM 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, one semester of physical chemistry and one semester of statistics. Students may be conditionally admitted but must complete the required courses within the first year of the program. Students who are deficient in several courses should contact the Program Director, Mechthild Prinz (mprinz@jjay.cuny.edu or 212.621.3751), to discuss the option of taking courses as a non-degree or second-degree undergraduate student.
Master of Arts in Criminal Justice
The typical admitted student has a grade point average of 3.0 or higher, a combined GRE score of 276 or higher (138+ Quantitative Reasoning and 138+ Verbal Reasoning) and a score of 3.0 or higher on the Analytical Writing section. It should be noted that the GRE scores are only one component of the application profile. The Admissions Committee takes a holistic view of the applicant’s qualifications to complete graduate studies. Students may be conditionally admitted but must complete the required courses within the first semester of the program.
Master of Arts in International Crime and Justice
The typical admitted student has a grade point average of 3.0 or higher, a combined GRE score of 297 or higher (147 + Quantitative Reasoning; 150+ Verbal Reasoning) and a score of 3.0 or higher on the Analytical Writing section. GRE scores are only one component of the application profile. The Admissions Committee takes a holistic view of the applicant’s qualifications for admissions. In addition, applicants should have 18 undergraduate credits in the social, behavioral or political sciences, including an undergraduate statistics course. Students may be conditionally admitted but must complete the required courses within the first year of the program. Please contact the Program Director for more information about foreign language competency (jarsovska@jjay.cuny.edu).
Master of Public Administration: Public Policy and Administration (MPA); Master of Public Administration: Inspection and Oversight (MPA); National Online MPA Inspector-General Program
A minimum undergraduate cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher is expected. Applicants with undergraduate GPAs lower than 3.0 may be required by the Admission Committee to submit GRE scores with their applications. In addition, applicants should have completed 18 undergraduate credits in the social sciences. The Graduate Admissions Committee seeks students whose writing skills and record of performance at the undergraduate level indicate they are likely to do well in graduate school. Students may be conditionally admitted but must complete the required courses within the first year of the program unless a Degree Completion Plan approved by a Program Director provides otherwise.
Master of Arts in Forensic Psychology
The Graduate Admissions Committee takes a holistic view of the applicant’s qualifications for admissions and seeks students whose GRE scores, writing skills and record of performance at the undergraduate level indicate that they are likely to do well in graduate school. The minimum standards for admission include an undergraduate cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher based on the complete record of undergraduate study, a combined GRE score of 297 or higher (147+ Quantitative Reasoning; 150+ Verbal Reasoning) and a score of 3.0 or higher on the Analytical Writing section. In addition, applicants must have successfully completed, at a minimum, the following undergraduate coursework: 24 credit hours of social sciences (12 of which are in psychology), plus Experimental Psychology (or Research Methods) and Statistical Methods. Applicants who meet the admissions requirements, except for the courses in statistics and Experimental Psychology, may be conditionally admitted but must complete the required courses within the first semester of the program.
Master of Arts in Forensic Mental Health Counseling
The typical admitted student has a grade point average of 3.0 or higher, a combined GRE score of 297 or higher (147+ Quantitative Reasoning; 150+ Verbal Reasoning) and a score of 3.0 or higher on the Analytical Writing section. GRE scores are only one component of the application profile. The Admissions Committee takes a holistic view of the applicant’s qualifications for completing graduate studies. In addition, applicants must have successfully completed at a minimum the following undergraduate coursework: 24 credit hours of social sciences (12 of which are in psychology), plus Experimental Psychology and Statistical Methods. Applicants who meet the admissions requirements, except for the courses in statistics and experimental psychology, may be conditionally admitted but must complete the required courses within the first semester of the program.
Master of Science in Protection Management
A minimum undergraduate cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher is expected, based on the complete record of undergraduate study. Applicants with undergraduate GPAs lower than 3.0 may be required by the Admissions Committee to submit GRE scores with their applications. The Graduate Admissions Committee seeks students whose writing skills and record of performance at the undergraduate level indicate that they are likely to do well in graduate school. The Admissions Committee takes a holistic view of the applicant’s qualifications for admissions. Practitioners may submit a current resume. Students may be conditionally admitted but must complete the required courses within the first year of the program.
Master of Science in Security Management
A minimum undergraduate cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher is expected, based on the complete record of undergraduate study. Applicants with undergraduate GPAs lower than 3.0 may be required by the Admissions Committee to submit GRE scores with their applications. The Graduate Admissions Committee seeks students whose writing skills and record of performance at the undergraduate level indicate that they are likely to do well in graduate school. The Admissions Committee takes a holistic view of the applicant’s qualifications for admissions. Practitioners may submit a current resume. Students may be conditionally admitted but must complete the required courses within the first year of the program.
Postgraduate Certificate in Forensic Psychology
Admission to the program will be based upon the following criteria: a bachelor’s degree, with a minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher; a graduate degree in psychology, social work, or counseling; a personal statement that supports the applicant’s request for admission to the certificate program; and the appropriate letters of recommendation.
Advanced Certificate in Terrorism Studies
Admission to the program will be based upon the following criteria: a bachelor’s degree, with a minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher; a personal statement that supports the applicant’s request for admission to the certificate program; and the appropriate letters of recommendation.
CAD4SCI: Certificate in Applied Digital Forensic Science
The CAD4SCI can be pursued either as a standalone program or as an optional feature of the degree program. Admission requirements to the standalone CAD4SCI program are the same as for the Master of Science in Digital Forensics and Cybersecurity Program. To apply, select CAD4SCI under Certificate Programs when applying online. Interested mid-career candidates who lack some or all of the required computer science background may pursue an 18 credit program that combines CSIBridge, our Computer Science for Digital Forensics preparatory program, and CAD4SCI.
CSIBridge: Computer Science for Digital Forensics Program
CSIBridge allows candidates to gain or refresh the academic background needed to study digital forensics based on computer science, and qualify for entry to the D4CS Master of Science degree program or the CAD4SCI program. Admission requirements for CSIBridge are the same as for the degree program save the required computer science background. Accepted applicants with successful STEM experience are placed on the intensive and accelerated CSIBridge Express track by default while those without are placed on the undergraduate level or CSIBridge Local to start their preparatory work. To qualify for transfer to the degree program or CAD4SCI, CSIBridge students must earn grades of B or better in all CSIBridge courses taken. To apply, select CSIBridge under Certificate Programs when applying online.
Advanced Certificate in Forensic Accounting
The Advanced Certificate Program is articulated with the Inspector General track of the Master of Public Administration program. The following is a summary of the curriculum. To be eligible for admission to the Advanced Certificate Program, students must have completed 15 credits of coursework in the MPA Program with an average of 3.2 or better and hold a bachelor’s degree in accounting or the equivalent from an accredited college or university, including 24 undergraduate credits in accounting and 18 undergraduate credits in general business electives. Admission to the program will be based upon the following criteria: a bachelor’s degree, with a minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher; a personal statement that supports the applicant’s request for admission to the certificate program; and the appropriate letters of recommendation.