M.S.
This unique interdisciplinary program combines solid academic learning at one of the nations top research universities with practical knowledge that can enhance careers in research and in criminal justice-related policy and practice settings. One of the few terminal Masters degree programs offered at Penn, this unique Master of Science in Criminology program runs on a one year academic schedule (August - May).
The program aims to shape criminal justice "change agents", preparing students to spend their career applying criminological research in public and non-profit domestic and international organizations. As a result of working under a standing faculty member on a semester-long crime analysis project, using their analytical and research skills, students will be able to address a specific crime problem. This degree is designed for those research oriented students who are preparing themselves for graduate or professional education at leading research universities.
Ph.D.
Penn's highly interdisciplinary Ph.D. in criminology combines the traditional concerns of criminologists with concepts, theories, and empirical research from a wide variety of academic disciplines. The program seeks to produce scholars of unusual breadth who can work creatively in academic or policy settings.
Working closely with faculty, students are encouraged to design their own curriculum and begin research very early in their graduate education. That curriculum will include several core courses that will be taken in the first, second, and third year. Typical time for a degree is approximately four years.