Mission Statement
The Crime Science program provides our students and partners with the skills necessary to effectively lead a law enforcement or community-centered organization in a way that recognizes the value of collaboration, the importance of scientifically tested approaches, the significance of a global and diverse environment, and the benefit of preventive programs designed to create a safer, more vibrant communities.
Master of Science in Crime Science
The psychology, forensic science, and criminal justice programs have joined together to produce an interdisciplinary master’s degree in Crime Science. At its core, crime science is an outcome-centered approach that is grounded in two elements: effective prevention and detection of crime. Crime reduction can be more effectively achieved if, as a profession, criminal justice organizations move to embrace scientifically proven methods that prevent crime from occurring or, alternatively, solve the crime that does occur more quickly.
Crime science is an interdisciplinary program and relies more heavily than some programs on understanding the value gained from merging different disciplines into a more comprehensive platform. Crime science tries to bridge the collaborative gap that exists between practitioners and researchers. This outcome-centered approach will teach the value of scientific methodologies and will teach what can be tested. Currently, unlike the natural sciences where the practitioner and researcher are often one and the same, criminal justice practitioners are unaware of academic advancements and achievements, and researchers have no access or platform to inform policy and practice. In the end, the goal of a crime science program is to teach practitioners, policy makers, and community activists how to collectively, and collaboratively manage resources in a way that effectively prevents criminal behavior.
Program Goals and Student Learning Objectives
Students completing the Master of Science in Crime Science will be able to:
- Create strategies and interventions that use the theoretical concepts of environmental criminology in ways that are designed to evaluate, investigate, or prevent criminal or deviant behavior.
- Create strategies and develop an approach to employee wellness and resiliency that is designed to create career longevity and enhance employee health and well-being. .
- Articulate how to develop an evaluation and assessment plan that is designed to measure the effectiveness of program goals and objectives.
- Identify how someone’s leadership style can influence the behavior of those who they have been directed to lead, whether that be for criminal justice or community-centered organizations.
- Understand the unifying paradigm of forensic science and how it is correctly applied to the management and reconstruction of a crime scene.
- Students will understand how the processes and development of the human mind influence memory and behavior.
Course Rotation and Sequencing
The program is largely a weekend-centered program. This design was created so it might be more attractive to the working professional or to anyone that might work in a shift schedule system.
Much of the course content is delivered in 1, 2, and some 3-credit- learning modules. The program will take approximately 18 months to complete if the student takes all the components in the rotation that is suggested: 15 months dedicated to structuredcourse content and three months dedicated to the capstone project. Since each of the course content concepts is independent from one another, the student may enter the program at any point and become integrated into the 12-month cycle.
The dates of the 12-month cycle will be posted every January and may be slightly different each year, based on instructor availability. For that reason, the rotation is not provided in the catalog.
Course Models
There are three different course models in the Crime Science program and the student will be assigned to the model that best fits his or her experience and academic record.
- Professional model – this model is for students who are currently working in a career that is associated with the crime science field of study.
- Internship model – this model is for college graduates who do not have professional experience. If the student does not have the required work experience this model is mandatory and includes an internship placement. The capstone experience will be based on the internship experience.
- 4 + 1 Undergraduate-to-graduate model – this is available to qualified Cedar Crest undergraduate students majoring in criminal justice, psychology, or a forensic science-related field of study. An internship placement is required for this model.
There are slight variations in the coursework and course rotations for each of the three models. The schedules for each of the modules will be posted on the Crime Science website.
General Admissions Information
Students are admitted to graduate programs at Cedar Crest College on the basis of individual qualifications.
Applications for the Master of Science in Crime Science program are accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis. Students are admitted to the program in the fall, spring, and summer semesters.
Application materials and all correspondence relating to admission should be sent to:
Cedar Crest College
School of Adult and Graduate Education
100 College Drive
Blaney Hall, Room 212
Allentown, PA 18104-6196
Phone: 610-740-3770
Email:
Office hours: Monday-Thursday 8:30 am-6:30 pm; Friday 8:30 am-4:30 pm
International applicants should send materials and correspondence to:
Cedar Crest College
International Admissions
100 College Drive
Allen House, Room 202
Allentown, PA 18104-6196
Phone: 610-606-4666, ext. 4587
Email:
Office hours: Monday-Friday 8:30 am-4:30 pm
Applicants and prospective students may contact the admissions office to schedule a campus tour or in-person, online, or phone appointment with an admissions counselor.
Please see the Admission of Students section at the beginning of the catalog for more information related to admissions processes and policies.
Master of Science in Crime Science Application Requirements
To be considered for admission to the program, applicants must submit the following items:
- A completed admission application, found at www.cedarcrest.edu/apply
- Official transcript from the bachelor’s degree granting institution
- Transcripts from institutions located outside the United States will need to be accompanied by an official course-by-course evaluation, with degree equivalency, completed by a NACES-recognized foreign transcript evaluation agency, such as World Education Services (www.wes.org).
- A current résumé detailing at least one year of full-time work experience
- If the applicant does not have at least one year of work experience, a 1-page statement explaining how the applicant’s career goals align with the curriculum should be submitted.
- Two letters of recommendation from criminal justice practitioners or an academic representative
Master of Science in Crime Science Admission Requirements
To be considered for admission to the program, applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Completion of bachelor’s degree awarded by an accredited college or university. Applicants may apply while finishing their bachelor’s degree requirements, however the degree must be conferred, as shown on an official transcript, prior to the start of the student’s first matriculated semester at Cedar Crest College.
- Minimum bachelor’s degree GPA of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale). However, applications are reviewed holistically, and applicants with a GPA below 3.0 may be granted conditional admission at the discretion of the program director after an interview to determine potential for success in the program.At least one year of full-time work experience is recommended but not required.
Admissions Decisions
Applicants will be considered from a holistic perspective based on the criteria specified above. The Program Director reserves the right to ask the prospective candidate for additional information.
Capstone/Thesis Project
The capstone project is the culminating event for the crime science degree. Beginning in 2025-26 the Capstone experience will be a comprehensive examination where the student must demonstrate mastery of the crime science content.
Completion of the Program and Graduation
To successfully complete the Crime Science Program a student must adhere to the following:
- Fulfill all financial responsibilities to the College.
- Certification candidates must complete all graduate courses with a grade of C- or higher.
- Students must maintain a 3.0 GPA
- Students must apply to the Registrar for graduation by deadlines – see MyCedarCrest
Completion of the Program and Graduation
To successfully complete the Crime Science Program a student must adhere to the following:
- Certification candidates must complete all graduate courses with a grade of C or higher.
- Students must maintain a 3.0 GPA
- Students must apply to the Registrar for graduation by deadlines – see MyCedarCrest
- Fulfill all financial responsibilities to the College.
Graduate 2026-2027 Tuition and Fees
Master in Crime Science Graduate Tuition, per credit $906.00
Full-Time/Part-Time Student Activity Fee/semester$35.00
Full-Time Technology Fee, per semester $175.00
Part-Time Technology Fee, per semester $87.50