A total of 12 credits may be taken outside of the School of Criminal Justice, but within Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, in such related areas as alcohol studies, business administration, computer science, law, political science, public administration, psychology, social work, sociology, and women's studies. Any course selections outside the School of Criminal Justice must be approved by the graduate program director or a member of the M.A. Scholastic Standing Committee.

The average full-time load per term is 9 credits. If a student wishes to take 15 credits or more per term, approval must be obtained from the graduate program director or the associate dean of the School of Criminal Justice.

The student must complete all program requirements no later than three years after the first registration, unless an extension of time is granted by the M.A. Scholastic Standing Committee. The student must continue in registration from the time of admission until the time the degree is conferred, unless absence of registration is approved by the associate dean for academic and student services.