NFSU Gandhinagar M.A Criminology: Fees 2026, Course Duration, Dates, Eligibility

Ans. The M.A. Criminology (with specialization in Forensic Psychology) and M.Sc. Forensic Psychology are both offered by NFSU's School of Behavioural Forensics, but they differ in focus and approach. M.A. Criminology is a broader program that covers the criminal justice system, crime causation, victimology, penology, and criminal law, with forensic psychology as a specialization in the later semesters. M.Sc. Forensic Psychology, on the other hand, is more deeply focused on psychological assessment, psychopathology, and the application of psychology in forensic and legal settings from the very beginning. If you are interested in the criminal justice system as a whole with a psychological lens, M.A. Criminology is the right choice. If you want to specialize purely in forensic psychology, M.Sc. Forensic Psychology is more appropriate.

Ans. Graduates of M.A. Criminology from NFSU can pursue careers in a wide range of fields. In the government sector, roles include Crime Analyst, Probation Officer, Correctional Officer, Juvenile Justice Officer, and positions in agencies like CBI, NIA, state police, and NHRC. In the private sector, graduates can work as Victim Support Counsellors, Security Consultants, NGO workers in crime prevention, and researchers in think tanks. The forensic psychology specialization also opens doors to roles as Forensic Psychologists in courts, prisons, and rehabilitation centers. Many graduates also pursue PhD programs or civil services (IPS/IAS) after completing this degree.

Ans. Yes, for AY 2026-27, NFSU has made CUET-PG 2026 mandatory for admission to M.A. Criminology. Candidates must appear in the Criminology paper (SCQP10) of CUET-PG 2026 conducted by NTA. This is a change from previous years when NFAT was the primary entrance exam. Candidates who have already appeared in CUET-PG 2026 with the Criminology paper can apply directly on the NFSU admission portal. Those who have not appeared in CUET-PG 2026 will not be eligible for admission to this program for AY 2026-27.

Ans. Yes, M.A. Criminology (with specialization in Forensic Psychology) is offered at both the Gandhinagar and Delhi campuses of NFSU. The Gandhinagar campus has an intake of 40 students and the Delhi campus also has 40 seats. The curriculum, fee structure, and admission process are the same at both campuses. Candidates can indicate their campus preference during the application process on the NFSU admission portal.

Ans. The M.A. Criminology program at NFSU includes a mandatory Internship in Semester 4 (4 credits). Students are placed with criminal justice agencies, forensic laboratories, NGOs, correctional facilities, or research organizations for their internship. NFSU's strong network with government agencies including CBI, state police, and the Ministry of Home Affairs facilitates meaningful internship placements. The internship is followed by a Dissertation (4 credits) in the same semester, where students undertake original research on a criminology or forensic psychology topic under faculty supervision.

Ans. Yes, the M.A. Criminology program at NFSU is open to graduates from any discipline, including arts, commerce, science, law, and social work. The only requirement is a minimum of 55% marks in the qualifying Bachelor's degree (50% for SC/ST/PwD candidates). This makes the program highly accessible to students from diverse academic backgrounds. However, candidates must appear in the CUET-PG 2026 Criminology paper (SCQP10) regardless of their undergraduate discipline. Students from psychology, sociology, law, and social work backgrounds tend to find the curriculum particularly relevant to their prior studies.