Bachelor’s Degree

Must hold a bachelor’s degree (or international equivalent) from an accredited institution. 

Minimum Undergraduate GPA

Many graduate programs require a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher. 

Applicants with GPAs below 3.0 may still apply by providing explanations or relevant experience. 

Letters of Recommendation

Typically two letters of recommendation are required (academic or professional). 

For certain programs (e.g. forensic psychology), three letters may be required. 

Personal Statement / Statement of Purpose

A statement explaining interest in the program, career goals, and intended research areas (if applicable). 

Prerequisite Coursework

Many programs require specific undergrad courses, such as statistics, research methods, or subject-specific prerequisites. 

Example: for the MA in Criminal Justice program, one undergraduate statistics course (with grade B or better) is required (or conditionally satisfied after admission). 

GRE / Standardized Test (if required)

Some master’s programs may waive the GRE requirement (not required for MA in Criminal Justice). 

In other programs, GRE scores may still be considered or required depending on the specialization. 

Transcripts & Application Documentation

Official transcripts from all prior institutions must be submitted. For CUNY graduates (post-2004), John Jay has access to electronic transcripts and may not need duplicates. 

Graduate application includes listing recommender names, uploading personal statement, and paying application fee.