University of Nevada, Reno Criminal Justice Master’s Program
Required supplemental application questionnaire
Please submit to mkmiller@unr.edu at the time you submit your application.
PLEASE DO NOT REMOVE QUESTIONS FROM THIS FORM. You can leave questions blank if they are
not applicable, but please do not alter this form.
Name __________________________________ Email __________________________________
Semester of expected entry into MA program ______________
Are you planning on attending full time or part time? _______
Undergraduate major/minor _____________________________
University attended for undergraduate __________________ Date of graduation __________
GPA ____________ Grade in statistics class _______ Grade in research methods class ______
GRE scores:
Quantitative score ______ percentage ______
Verbal score _____ percentage ______
Analytic score _____ percentage _____
Date GRE taken _____
Do you have any experience with spreadsheets, databases or data analysis using software such as Excel,
Access, GIS, SPSS or similar programs? Please describe your experience.
Have you had any work experience in the criminal justice system or related fields? Please describe your
experience.
Please respond to each of the following questions in essay format. Most will require one to two
paragraph responses. This will help us learn if you and the University will be a good “fit.”
1. Why are you seeking a master’s degree in criminal justice?
2. Why have you chosen the University of Nevada, Reno? What makes you a good “fit” with the
University’s criminal justice master’s program and its faculty?
3. What topics or areas are you interested in studying?
4. What are your future career goals, and how does a master’s degree further those goals?
5. Do your career goals include teaching as an occupation?
Thesis versus non-thesis
Although most students are “non-thesis” track, outstanding students can complete a thesis after
demonstrating excellence in statistics, research methods and writing skills. These students plan to go to
a doctorate program or find a job that requires substantial understanding of statistics, research
methods and report writing. Students who are seeking an advanced knowledge of the Criminal Justice
system generally are non-thesis students. A thesis is a data-driven research paper that builds off of the
advisor’s research. Thus, a student seeking to write a thesis should find a program where a faculty
member is doing research that they are interested in, and the advisor is willing/able to take on that
student. Note: If the student has not demonstrated the skills necessary to do a thesis, the student will
complete the “non-thesis” track.
1. Are you planning on completing the “thesis track” or the “non-thesis track?”
2a. If you chose non-thesis, which faculty member has interests similar to yours such that they could
advise you on classes and educational choices to prepare you for your career interests?
2b. If you chose thesis track, why do you want to do a thesis (e.g., how will doing a thesis further your
education/career goals)?
3. If you chose thesis track, which faculty member are you interested in working with at the University
(i.e., which faculty member has interests the most similar to yours)? Have you spoken to this faculty
member to see if s/he is interested in advising you?
4. If you chose thesis track, how have you demonstrated excellence in statistics, research methods and
writing skills necessary to complete a graduate level thesis?
Teaching Assistantship
Are you interested in being a Teaching Assistant? _______
If yes, explain what qualifications you have for such a position.
How did you find out about the Criminal Justice master’s program at the University of Nevada, Reno?
(e.g., gradschools.com, www.unr.edu, from a professor).
Please provide a writing sample as a separate document. It can be a paper you have written from any
class (although one written in a criminal justice context is most relevant). Writing is a major component
of a graduate education; we’d like to see how well you can communicate on paper.