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Penn's distinctive Master of Science in Criminology program cultivates future leaders in criminal justice reform, equipping students to apply research insights across public, nonprofit, and global organizations. The program also serves research-focused students planning to pursue advanced degrees at prestigious institutions. This interdisciplinary curriculum blends rigorous academic training at a top-tier research university with practical skills for careers in research, policy, and criminal justice practice. Through weekly sessions with justice system professionals, students gain firsthand understanding of the field. Each scholar collaborates with faculty on a semester-long crime analysis project, employing research methodologies to tackle real-world crime issues. Final projects are showcased during Penn's Criminology Day in April through poster presentations, oral defenses, and publishable research papers.
Applicants for master’s and doctoral programs must have obtained a bachelor’s degree from an accredited School or University prior to intended matriculation date.
A strong command of the English language is necessary for successful study at Penn. Applicants whose families do not speak English at home, or applicants who have not attended a high school or secondary school where the primary language of instruction is English, are asked to take the TOEFL, the Test of English as a Foreign Language, administered by the Educational Testing Service. In the event the TOEFL is not readily accessible, Penn will accept results from the IELTS, the International English Language Testing System.