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JLCP Graduate Program
Frequently Asked Questions...
May I have a waiver allowing me an exception to the GRE within the five year rule?
No. You must have GRE scores from within five years of your application date.
How are admissions decisions made?
Applications to the JLCP Master’s and Ph.D. programs are decided as a total package. It is important that prospective students ensure all materials are complete and included in the application. The admissions committee considers GRE scores, GPA, letters of recommendation, relevant work experience and the purpose statement for every prospective student.
What are the opportunities available for Financial Aid?
Financial Aid is available for both Master’s and Ph.D. candidates. Interested students can apply for Research or Teaching Assistantships within the department. More information can be found here. http://chss.gmu.edu/grad/funding.php
If I already have a JD/MA/MS in an area related to JLCP, how will my prior degree be treated?
If the admissions committee determines that your degree is in a related area from an accredited institution, our policy is to provide incoming PhD students with a 24 hour course reduction applied to 72 hours required for a Ph.D. Further, if you have completed additional courses beyond your JD/MA/MS prior to admission into the JLCP Ph.D. Program, you may seek to have up to 12 credit hours transfered.
Do you offer spring admittance in the JLCP Program?
No. We only offer fall admittance.
What type of sole-authored work should I include in the application packet?
This essentially refers to any critical, technical, theoretical, research, or work-oriented writing that you were solely responsible for.
Is it possible to complete a Ph.D on a part-time basis?
We fully expect that some of our PhD students will be part-time. As you may note from a review of courses offered at the graduate level at GMU, most are available either at 4:30 pm or 7:30 pm.
What courses should I take in my first year?
Both the Master’s and Doctoral JLCP degrees require a few core courses. These are
- JLCP 700 – Theories of Justice
- JLCP 720 – Behavior of Law
- JLCP 740 – Justice Organization and Administration
- JLCP 760 – Crime and Crime Policy
- JLCP 780 – Research Methods
These courses are prerequisites for other courses available in the program, and are typically completed during the first year of study.
For more information please contact the JLCP office at (703) 993-9417.