Master of Science in Victim Services Management
Chair: Shelly Clevenger, Ph.D.
Department of Victim Studies
Telephone: 936-294-4735
Website:
Department of Victim Studies
About
Be a part of the new, path-breaking Department of Victim Studies, the only one of its kind in the nation! The department is home to the Master of Science in Victim Services Management program, one of the most innovative criminal justice programs in the United States.
The Master of Science in Victim Services Management program remains a leader in providing high-quality education to students in the field of victim services and has broad application to policy analysts, program administrators, and direct service providers. Through a rigorous online curriculum developed and delivered by experienced faculty, the program is committed to promoting professionalism in victim services nationwide. Students earning this advanced degree will be educated on evidence-based best practices to provide more optimal programming for victims of crime.
Faculty include renowned victimology scholars and esteemed victim service professionals with a combination of extensive education and field experience. Online graduate programs in the College of Criminal Justice have been consistently ranked among the top criminal justice programs in the United States. The M.S. in Victim Services Management degree program is acknowledged in this distinguished ranking.
Mission
The M.S. in Victim Studies Management degree program is committed to providing high-quality instruction to students in the field of victim services with a goal to produce a population of leaders prepared to administer quality programs based on a solid understanding of industry trends and evidence-based practices.
As a graduate student in the Victim Studies Department at SHSU, you will:
- Learn from renowned victimology scholars and faculty with extensive field experience
- Enroll in courses that are National Advocate Credentialing Program-approved
- Have exposure to service learning opportunities
- Have access to academic advising services and a job and information portal
Contact Information:
Department of Victim Studies (General Information): Mayra Pena, mxp159@shsu.edu or 936-294-4735
College of Criminal Justice graduate programs (General Information): Aarianna Longino, Graduate Coordinator, 936-294-1695
Department of Victim Studies Administration: Shelly Clevenger, Professor and Department Chair, 936-294-1647
Master of Science in Victim Services Management (Coordinator): Philip Mulvey, 936-294-4174
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:
- Graduate Application
- Application fee
- An undergraduate degree from an accredited institution in an allied field.
- Unofficial transcripts of all academic work previously undertaken.*
- A cumulative undergraduate degree grade point average of 2.5 or 2.8 for the final 60 baccalaureate credits.
- 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.
*Applicants may submit unofficial transcripts for review by the admission committee. However, under university policy, admissions decisions are contingent upon receipt of official transcripts.
A holistic review of each student's application file will be completed with admission offered on a competitive basis.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Master of Science in Victim Services Management | ||
| Required Courses | ||
| CRIJ 5330 | Critical Analysis Of Justice Administration | 3 |
| CRIJ 6334 | Research Methods and Quantitative Analysis | 3 |
| CRIJ 6392 | Program Evaluation In Criminal Justice | 3 |
| VCST 5364 | Seminar in Victimology 1 | 3 |
| VCST 5365 | Seminar in Crime Victim Services and Management | 3 |
| VCST 5366 | Advocacy and Case Management 1 | 3 |
| VCST 5385 | Non-Profit Grant Writing | 3 |
| VCST 6338 | Coordinating Victim Services 2 | 3 |
| Prescribed Electives | ||
| Select four of the following: | 12 | |
| Special Topics-Criminal Justice (Violence Against Women or Human Resources Mgt.) | ||
or VCST 6394 | Special Topics in Victim Studies | |
| Human Sex Trafficking | ||
| Elder Abuse and Victimization 1 | ||
| Interpersonal Violence | ||
| Family Violence 1 | ||
| Child Abuse and Neglect 1 | ||
| Neurobiology of Trauma | ||
| Total Hours | 36 | |
- 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.
