Master of Science in Victim Services Management

The Master of Science in Victim Services Management is designed to prepare graduates to work in various areas of victim services1, including but not limited to, direct service provision, organizational management, and social policy development. This degree will benefit persons with or without previous employment experience. However, the ideal candidate will have had professional experience in the field of victim services. Courses are sequenced so that students can complete the degree in two years.

1

Select courses meet National Advocate Credentialing Program (NACP) standards.

Additional information: Reference the Program Landing Page for additional information, such as cost, delivery format, contact information, or to schedule a visit.

Applications to the Master of Science in Victim Services Management Degree Program are reviewed on a rolling basis, with a Fall semester priority deadline of August 1st. The Spring semester priority deadline is December 15th.  The application deadline for Summer  is May 15th.  A review of each student’s application file will be completed with admission offered on a competitive basis. Please submit all documents to the University Office of Graduate Admissions. Admission considerations include:

  1. Graduate Application
  2. Application fee
  3. An undergraduate degree from an accredited institution in an allied field.
  4. Official transcripts of all academic work previously undertaken.
  5. A cumulative undergraduate degree grade point average of 3.0 or higher.
  6. Resume
  7. A personal essay regarding career background and goals.
  8. A minimum of two recommendation letters from academic sources or current supervisor of recent victim-related work (either paid or volunteer).
  9. International students ONLY: Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). A minimum score of 550 (paper-based), 213 (computer-based), or 79 (internet-based) is required.

A holistic review of each student's application file will be completed with admission offered on a competitive basis.

Master of Science in Victim Services Management
Required Courses
CRIJ 5330Critical Analysis Of Justice Administration3
CRIJ 6334Research Methods and Quantitative Analysis3
CRIJ 6392Program Evaluation In Criminal Justice3
VCST 5364Seminar in Victimology 13
VCST 5365Seminar in Crime Victim Services and Management3
VCST 5366Advocacy and Case Management 13
VCST 5385Non-Profit Grant Writing3
VCST 6338Coordinating Victim Services 23
Prescribed Electives
Select four of the following:12
CRIJ 5367
Gender and Criminal Justice
CRIJ 6394
Special Topics-Criminal Justice (Violence Against Women or Human Resources Mgt.)
or VCST 6394
 Special Topics in Victim Studies
VCST 5368
Human Sex Trafficking
VCST 5370
Elder Abuse and Victimization 1
VCST 5371
Interpersonal Violence
VCST 5383
Family Violence 1
VCST 5384
Child Abuse and Neglect 1
VCST 6330
Neurobiology of Trauma
Total Hours36
1

National Advocate Credentialing Program (NACP)-approved course.

2

A grade of B or better in VCST 6338 is required for graduation.

Note: A one year accelerated Master of Science in Victim Services Management Program is available for students. In order to complete a one-year program, students would enroll in four courses per semester over three semesters (i.e Fall, Spring, Summer or Spring, Summer, Fall). 

The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) marketable skills initiative is part of the state’s 60x30TX plan and was designed to help students articulate their skills to employers.  Marketable skills are those skills valued by employers and/or graduate programs that can be applied in a variety of work or education settings and may include interpersonal, cognitive, and applied skill areas.

The MS in Victim Services Management is designed to provide graduates with the following marketable skills:

  • Grant writing.
  • Interpersonal communication.
  • Leadership knowledge, skills, and abilities.
  • Problem solving.
  • Program development and evaluation.