To apply, submit Temple’s online graduate application along with an application fee of $60.
Applicants must have completed their bachelor’s degree. A degree in a related field is preferred; however, all applications will be considered.
Candidates will be asked to submit the following along with their application.
Submit official transcripts from every college and university you have attended.
A baccalaureate degree in criminology/criminal justice, geography, history, law, political science, social work, sociology or a related field is required. A master’s degree is not required.
Submit three letters of recommendation from faculty and professionals.
Letters should be obtained from college/university faculty members familiar with the applicant’s academic competence. Letters from employers and other nonacademic assessors are accepted but generally carry far less weight.
In approximately 500 to 1,000 words, discuss your specific interest in Temple’s program, your research goals, your future career goals, and your academic and research achievements.
Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) test scores are required. The minimum acceptable scores are 153 verbal and 144 quantitative. Applicants with scores just below are considered if other aspects of their application are especially strong.
A current professional résumé is required.
Submit a writing sample that demonstrates your ability to research and write a scholarly paper. The paper should not exceed 10 pages in length, and it should be fully referenced according to a professional, scholarly style manual. Although it need not be related directly to criminal justice, it should reflect your ability to prepare a social science paper.
Graduate coursework taken as part of a master’s degree program at an accredited institution prior to matriculation at Temple may be accepted for advanced standing credit, provided the coursework is relevant to Temple’s Criminal Justice PhD. To request advanced standing, the applicant must provide an official transcript from her/his prior graduate institution to the Graduate Chair that clearly states “MA awarded” and the date of its awarding.
Only grades of “B” or better are accepted. If the request is granted, the student receives advanced standing and is awarded a maximum of 15 credits. Students with transferred credits should expect that they will have to complete much of the required coursework in residence to ensure that they are adequately prepared to take their PhD comprehensive exams.
Electronic transcripts should be sent to Jennifer Horton, senior graduate coordinator in the Criminal Justice Department.
Email: cjgrads@temple.edu
Original transcripts can be mailed to the following address.
Temple University College of Liberal Arts
Dept. of Criminal Justice
522 Gladfelter Hall
1115 W. Polett Walk
Philadelphia, PA 19122-6089
For applicants whose native language is not English, the TOEFL, IELTS or PTE scores are required. The minimum scores for these tests are as follows.
Applications are evaluated from the end of October until the deadline. Late applications may be considered for admission.
