How to Apply-Criminal Justice

1. Research the Criminal Justice program to see if it’s right for you
   • Review the program info on our website
   • Learn more about scholarships and financial aid
   • Attend an Online Info Session
   • Schedule a meeting with an Admission Counselor
   • Schedule a campus tour
2. Understand the Statistics prerequisite
   • Undergraduate introductory statistics course with 'C' grade or better. Exceptions considered on an individual basis. Please feel free to contact us if you have questions or need to request an exception.
3. Review Admissions Dates & Deadlines
   • Applying by the application deadline ensures consideration for the cohort and institutional aid scholarships.

Once you start an application you will be able to save your progress and will not have to complete it all at once.

The Criminal Justice application includes the following elements:

1. Statement of Purpose
   • A three-page (maximum) (12pt font, 1-inch margins) statement of purpose outlining your background (personal, academic, etc.), interests and goals for the Master's in Criminal Justice program. 
2. Résumé
   • A one-to-two-page professional résumé documenting education, work and volunteer experience.
3. One Recommendation Form
   
   • Choose an employer, supervisor or mentor who can assess potential to do graduate study.
   • Do not choose peers, friends or family members.
   • Once you've started your application, you will add their email address and they will receive a link to upload a letter of recommendation.  
   • If you have difficulty meeting this requirement, please contact us.
4. Writing Sample
   • A writing sample is optional.
   • Writing samples could be: 
     • An undergraduate paper
     • Research and/or published work
     • Writing related to your current profession
     • A new sample written for this application
   • Writing samples can be graded or ungraded and do not need to be on a criminal justice topic.
5. Bachelor’s degree or higher
   • Evidence of a four-year bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution. Preferably in criminal justice or related social, behavioral, or physical science.  
   • Applicants with an undergraduate degree in a field outside of the stated disciplines may be considered with 45 quarter/30 semester credits of related coursework or significant supervised work/volunteer experience as outlined on the MACJ Supplemental form in the application.
6. Minimum of 3.00 GPA
   • For information on GPA calculations for admission, please visit the Graduate Admissions How to Apply page.
   • Applicants with less than a 3.00 GPA might be considered for probationary admission and can submit an additional GPA explanation statement. Applicants with a non-graded bachelor's degree are required to submit a GRE/GMAT test score.
7. Required Transcripts
   • Submit official or unofficial transcripts for your most recent coursework to the Office of Graduate Admissions.
     • For additional information on transcript requirements for admission, please visit the Graduate Admissions How to Apply page. 
   • Transcripts may be submitted electronically to  grad-application@seattleu.edu or mailed.
   • Once accepted to the program, students will need to submit official transcripts within their first quarter of enrollment.

1. Submit your application
   • Make sure you hit “Submit” on your application.
   • Submitted applications are only considered complete once all application materials have been received including your recommendation forms.

1. Check Your Status
   • You can login here to check the status of your application anytime.
2. Monitor your email
   • Make sure to regularly check the email you listed on your application for updates, including your admission decision. 
   • Applicants should review the application timeline for information on when to expect an admission decision.