Top Online Master of Criminal Justice Degrees
In a rapidly changing world, the field of criminal justice offers opportunities for stable, long-term careers in law, the legal system and social services. An online Master of Criminal Justice degree can set you on a path to solid work and earnings.
Entry-level positions in criminal justice are available to those with a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice. An advanced degree in criminal justice from an accredited online university can open doors to new opportunities in local, national and international settings.
The top ten online programs for a master’s degree in criminal justice are offered by accredited public and online universities and include the following.
1. University of Colorado Denver
The CU Denver online master’s degree in criminal justice is offered through the university’s School of Public Affairs. The 36-credit-hour program is equivalent to the traditional classroom version and is taught by the same faculty.
The program can be completed entirely online and includes courses in major areas of criminal justice, such as corrections, juvenile justice, the judiciary and law enforcement. Students complete either a thesis or an applied research capstone. An internship is required for those entering without previous criminal justice experience.
CU Denver — Master of Criminal Justice
2. Boston University
Boston University offers an eight-course online Master of Science in Criminal Justice degree totalling 32 credit hours. The program is conducted completely online, with no campus attendance required.
Designed for working professionals, the degree provides an in-depth examination of applied and theoretical issues in criminal justice. Optional concentrations include Crime Analysis, Cybercrime Investigation and Cybersecurity, and Strategic Management.
Boston University — Master of Science in Criminal Justice
3. Loyola University New Orleans
Loyola University New Orleans offers a 30-credit online Master of Criminology and Justice. The degree can be completed in one year through full-time study.
Coursework includes criminal justice administration, criminology, research methods, statistics and program evaluation. The program prepares graduates for analytical and leadership roles in public and private institutions.
Loyola New Orleans — Master of Criminology and Justice
4. University of Massachusetts Lowell
The UMass Lowell online campus offers a Master of Arts in Criminal Justice with 33 credit hours of study. Like the Boston University program, the UMass degree is intended for working criminal justice professionals seeking to further their careers in administrative and leadership positions.
The program includes numerous electives that allow students to tailor their studies to specific needs. Available subjects include policing, victimology, criminal profiling, forensic psychology, terrorism and emergency management.
UMass Lowell — Master of Arts in Criminal Justice
5. University of Cincinnati
The University of Cincinnati’s 30-credit Master of Science in Criminal Justice is comprehensive and academically rigorous. The online degree can be completed in one year of full-time study.
Designed to provide a thorough understanding of the criminal justice field, the program examines theories of criminal justice, administration and research. Concentration options are available in areas such as criminal behaviour, corrections, law enforcement and crime prevention.
University of Cincinnati — Master of Science in Criminal Justice
6. Florida State University
Florida State University’s online Master of Science in Criminology with a major in Criminal Justice Studies can be earned in 36 credit hours. The degree is offered through the College of Criminology and Criminal Justice.
The program is aimed at working professionals seeking to move into administrative, research or leadership positions. Numerous elective options allow students to tailor the degree to specific needs and interests.
Florida State — MS in Criminology: Criminal Justice Studies
7. Arizona State University
Arizona State University offers an online Master of Arts in Criminal Justice consisting of 11 courses. The degree provides a broad understanding of criminological theory, criminal justice systems, research, policy evaluation and data analysis.
Electives are available in areas such as corrections, homeland security, juvenile justice and policing. A final capstone project requires students to examine a policy or program used by a criminal justice agency.
Arizona State — Master of Arts in Criminal Justice
8. Walden University
Longtime online education provider Walden University offers a Master of Science in Criminal Justice with several options for specialisation. Available areas include behavioural sciences, cybercrimes, emergency management and homeland security policy.
Coursework examines criminal behaviour, research methods, constitutional policy, victims, offenders and the relationships between law enforcement, courts and corrections. Some study plans are also available through Walden’s self-paced Tempo Learning format.
Walden University — Master of Science in Criminal Justice
9. Purdue Global
Purdue Global, formerly Kaplan University, offers an online Master of Science in Criminal Justice for people already working in the field and those seeking career advancement. The program consists of nine courses totalling 45 quarter credits.
Coursework examines criminal justice leadership, criminological theory, organisational behaviour, research methods and management. Students complete an applied research project addressing a current criminal justice issue.
Purdue Global — Master of Science in Criminal Justice
10. Penn State World Campus
Penn State World Campus offers a 30-credit Master of Professional Studies in Criminal Justice Policy and Administration. The online program includes criminal justice theory, research methods, criminal procedure, ethics, statistics and organisational management.
Designed for criminal justice professionals and others seeking to enter the field, the degree develops skills in policy analysis, administration and leadership. Students finish with a capstone project on a criminal justice issue.
Penn State World Campus — Master of Professional Studies in Criminal Justice Policy and Administration
Online master’s degree programs in criminal justice offer flexibility and convenience, with numerous options for preparing students to advance their careers or launch new ones in the fields of criminal justice and criminology.
