Graduate FAQ

Pre-Admission

• Do I need to take the Graduate Record Exam (GRE)?

  A Graduate Record Exam (GRE) score is not required for application to the on-campus MS CJ or on-line programs: MS LEIA, MS Cybercrime, MA CJ.

• I attended more than one college/university for my undergraduate degree. How is my overall undergraduate GPA calculated?
  All credits and quality points earned throughout your undergraduate studies will be combined to determine your overall undergraduate GPA.
• Do you need transcripts from each college/university I attended? What if credits transferred from one school to the next?
  We will need official transcripts from all schools attended, whether credits transferred or not.
• I earned my undergraduate at Michigan State University. Do you need those transcripts?
  No. We will have access to them and any other transcripts you have sent to MSU in the past.
• Where can I find information about tuition rates?
  You can find current tuition rates at the Office of the Controller.
• Where can I find information about housing?
  You can find information about on-campus graduate dorms and university apartments at www.liveon.msu.edu.
• Where can I find information about financial aid?

  Visit the Office of Financial Aid for information about financial aid as well as a link to the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form.

  Students are often eligible for certain loans if they take at least 6 credits. Loans are also available for computer equipment required in the program. Information may be obtained by visiting the Office of Financial Aid website.

  Since this is a degree-granting program, veteran benefits may be applicable. Students eligible for veterans benefits must submit the required certificate to the VA Office on campus. Information may be obtained by visiting the Center for Veterans and Military Affiliated Students website or the Office of Financial Aid website.

• How many credits can I transfer into the program?
  Students may transfer up to nine (9) credits towards a masters degree upon approval of an MSU academic advisor. These can be MSU Lifelong Education credits, credits from other accredited institutions with graduate programs, or a combination of both. Please contact the Graduate Academic Advisor for procedures. A grade of 3.0 or higher must have been received in the course you wish to transfer.

Post-Admission

• I've been admitted into the program. What are the next steps?

  Once you are admitted into MSU, you will need to go into your Graduate Admissions Portal and accept your admission to MSU. Within 2-4 business days of your acceptance, the PAN (Personal Access Number) will be available. The PAN is needed to active the MSU Net ID.

  MSU NetIDs provide access to the official MSU e-mail system and many other online services. You will use your NetID and password to access SIS, enroll in courses, check your MSU e-mail, log into library services, and log onto D2L (the online classroom platform), among other services.

• How do I find out what courses are being offered?
  To obtain the course schedule information, log into student.msu.edu.
• Where can I get a description of the offered courses?
  Click here for a list of offered courses on the School's website. For the most up-to-date course listings, please visit the Registrar's website.
• How do I find textbook information?

  To obtain textbook information, log into student.msu.edu.

  Select Classes tile/ Search for Courses/ Class Information/ Textbooks tab. Once you have the ISBNs, you can order your books at a variety of retailers.

• When is the drop/add period?
  MSU maintains an academic calendar with all relevant information related to drop and add periods. Please visit the Registrar's website for more information.
• Whom do I contact about curriculum questions?

  If you are a Criminal Justice masters student, Barbara Kolar will be your advisor throughout the program. She can assist you with curriculum questions.

  First-year doctoral students may address questions to Dr. Scott Wolfe, Director of Graduate Studies.

• When do I enroll in courses?

  Students have specific enrollment periods and will be sent notification by the Registrar’s Office when the enrollment period is approaching. Students begin enrollment for Fall in April. Students begin enrollment for Spring and Summer in October.

  You can enroll in classes through student.msu.edu.

  If you have difficulty enrolling in a criminal Justice course, you may need an override. If you are seeking an override, please complete the CJ Override Request form.

• What is the website for the enrollment system?

  Enrollment Information can be found here.

  Enroll using student.msu.edu.

• How do I contact the Registrar's Office?

  MSU Office of the Registrar

  Phone: 517-355-3300

• Where can I view the academic calendar?
  View each academic year’s important dates and deadlines here.
• Where can I view the billing calendar?
  View the current billing calendar here.
• Where can I get information on student services?

  Please refer to the student handbook for complete list of student services available to graduate students.

• Who do I contact with questions about enrollment assistance or graduation?

  Barbara Kolar - Graduate Advisor

  Email: kolarba@msu.edu