The top online Criminal Justice master’s degree programs offer working professionals a flexible and affordable path to advance their careers. In today’s society, there are many opportunities for individuals who want to build a career in the criminal justice field. Areas of interest include criminology, law enforcement, the court system, and correctional facilities.
A wide range of job options are available to those with a higher educational level and the skills for a successful career path in criminal justice. Criminal justice professionals need to handle the high demand and challenges of what is expected of them. Earning a master’s in criminal justice online is a significant investment and can be very rewarding. In addition, professionals in criminal justice need to be able to think critically.
How We Ranked the Top Online Criminal Justice Master’s Degree Programs
The editors at Online Schools Guide found schools offering online master’s degrees in Criminal Justice. Then, based on cost and reputation, we ranked the programs.
The master in criminal justice online program is for individuals who want to make a difference, whether in their community, state, or federal. So, keep reading for the top ten colleges and universities that offer online Criminal Justice master’s programs!
1. Boston University
Boston University’s MS in Criminal Justice offers an online degree for professionals working in criminal justice. The program is thirty-two credits and can be completed in as little as sixteen to eighteen months. The MSCJ program at Boston University provides three concentrations for students to choose their direction within the field.
- Crime Analysis
- Cybercrime Investigation & Cybersecurity
- Strategic Management
This program helps professionals understand law enforcement’s sociological, legal, theoretical, and practical arenas. Graduates have problem-solving skills, technical skills to evaluate evidence, and knowledge of criminological and criminal justice theories.
Students should also understand leadership theories and skills in managing and leading criminal justice organizations. U.S. News & World Report ranks Boston University’s master in criminal justice online program as one of the Best Online Master’s in Criminal Justice Programs. According to the school’s website, tuition costs are low, and several scholarships are available.
Program Highlights: 32 credits required, 16–18 months completion time, concentrations available.
2. University of Louisville
University of Louisville’s online masters in criminal justice provide fifteen credits of core courses focused on the legal aspects of the criminal justice system, theories of crime and delinquency, applied statistics, and research methods in criminal justice. Graduates can transfer up to six credits from another regionally-accredited college or university.
The MS in Criminal Justice at the University of Louisville offers a thirty-six credit program available 100 % online. Courses are only eight weeks long, so students can complete their MCJ degree in less than eighteen months.
The University of Louisville allows graduate students in the program to skip the GRE for admission. Faculty members of the criminal justice department are renowned experts in the field and are here to help students expand their lifelong careers in criminal justice. Introduction courses will include ethics, history, personnel management, corrections, cybercrime, juvenile justice, and also international terrorism. Violent crime, domestic violence, and capital punishment are also discussed.
Program Highlights: 100% online, 36 credit hours, finish in three semesters, 8-week terms.
3. Bowling Green State University
| Degree: MS in Criminal Justice |
Bowling Green State University offers the MS in Criminal Justice program online for working adults looking for an accelerated degree option. The program consists of eleven courses over thirty-three credits. BGSU’s criminal justice program will cover studies in crime analysis, criminal justice processes and institutions, and major topics in criminal justice.
The small class sizes in the program offer closer interaction between students and exceptional faculty members. The online criminal justice program courses are only seven weeks and take less than two years to complete. The University also provides a BS to MS criminal justice program that completes in as little as five years. In addition, there are six start dates for students to apply for the program throughout the year.
The school offers over 175 graduate programs, available in seventy-five majors, and is named one of the best in the country by US News & World Report’s Best Grad School Rankings.
Program Highlights: 100% online, 7-week courses, two years to complete.
4. University of Massachusettes at Lowell
The Master of Arts in Criminal Justice at the University of Massachusetts offers an online degree with flexible scheduling for working adults in the criminal justice field. The evidence-based program is an 11-course degree available for students to work independently.
This program provides a variety of classes in leadership, crisis, criminal profiling, public policy, and crime analysis. Courses may also touch on the law and legal system about criminal justice, terrorism, victimology, sex crimes, and forensic psychology. The faculty members of the University offer prestigious backgrounds and are experts in transnational crime, global terrorism, mental health, and the justice system.
The BA in criminal justice at UMass is among the Best Online Master’s in Criminal Justice Programs Nationwide to U.S. News & World Report. As graduates, students will leave with crisis and emergency management administrative skills for the rewarding criminal justice career path.
Program highlights: finish in 18 Months, No GRE Required, Financial aid and scholarships available.
5. the University of Colorado in Colorado Springs
| Degree: Master of Criminal Justice |
The Master of Criminal Justice at the University of Colorado in Colorado Springs offers a comprehensive graduate program. This program is for professionals in the criminal justice career field.
Having a background or specialization in CJ is a plus. The program will provide the fundamental instruction study of the criminal justice system by commissioning students on how to evaluate crises, investigate facts of cases, and criminal research action. The master of criminal justice will prepare graduates for the complexity of challenges within the field at the local, state, and federal levels.
Courses in the program include Introduction to Criminal Justice, Contemporary Issues in Social and Public Policy, and also Women and Crime. Some classrooms focus on law enforcement, the judiciary, correctional systems, juvenile justice, and the formulation of laws and codes. The University of Colorado provides flexible class scheduling, scholarship options, and military discounts to eligible graduate students.
Program Highlights: 36 credit hours; includes a 3-credit capstone, 3-credit internship, 12 core courses.
6. University of Wisconsin Platteville
The MS in Criminal Justice at the University of Wisconsin in Platteville offers students a degree based on foundational knowledge in the criminal justice field. Students will gain skills in organizational management, communications, problem-solving, and research.
The MCJ program is designed for continuing education graduates working toward their PhD. The emphasis of the degree will fall on advocacy and governmental organizations and provide careers in administrative positions. Career opportunities available for those with a master’s in criminal justice from UWPlatt will find employment in law and legal services, victim and offender services, and criminal justice management.
The online criminal justice program degree is thirty credits toward completion, and courses will include criminological theory, evaluation and program analysis in criminal justice, the law as social control, and research and statistical methods. UWPlatt offers over 150 years of academic excellence and a variety of opportunities for career success. The college is known for its state-of-the-art labs and facilities, exceptional faculty support, and opportunities for undergraduate research.
Program Highlights: 30 credits to completion, renowned faculty, and scholarship opportunities for eligible students.
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7. University of San Diego
The University of San Diego offers students an MS in Law Enforcement and Public Safety Leadership. This online criminal justice degree program is a leadership-focused curriculum designed to provide practical, analytical, and critical thinking skills and support a rapidly growing professional career for graduates in the criminal justice field.
The MCJ program at USD can be completed in just five semesters. The courses in the program will cover organizational leadership, critical thinking strategies, legal awareness, and financial and management acumen. The program is affordable to most graduates and offers a flexible online format to working professionals.
USD’s MS in Law Enforcement and Public Safety Leadership is among the best online criminal justice programs nationwide and has been on the Top 100 nationally ranked universities, according to US News and World Report. In addition, most degrees at USD can be finished within twenty months, and Up to 12 units of transfer credits may be accepted.
Program Highlights: 20 months to completion, 12 transfer credits accepted, Military-friendly.
8. Sam Houston State University
| Degree: Masters in Criminal Justice |
The Masters in Criminal Justice online degree at Sam Houston State University prepares working professionals pursuing a career in law enforcement and social services.
The MCJ program will consist of courses in critical analysis of justice administration, research method and quantitative analysis, and emergent issues in CJ Leadership. Career choices with the MCJ degree program can be found in law enforcement, corrections, securities, and social services.
The criminal justice program at Sam Houston State University takes approximately two years to complete and provides a total of thirty-six semester hours. The degree in criminal justice is available in the spring and fall semesters. SHSU has a diverse student body, with almost 25% of Hispanic descent. The University is among the most affordable accredited online colleges. One thing that makes SHSU stand out is that it is named the safest campus in Texas and listed as 28th in the Nation for safety.
Program Highlights: 36 Credit Hours, two-year program, Fall and Spring enrollment, safest campus in Texas.
9. Texas A&M University at Commerce
| Degree: MS in Applied Criminology |
The Texas A and M University in Commerce offers the MS in Applied Criminology to all working professionals in the criminal justice field. The master’s program is entirely available online, students can apply at any time, and courses are only five weeks long. Graduate students can finish the program in as little as eighteen months.
There is no specific start time, making it convenient for students to start in the fall, spring, summer I, or summer II. The MS in Applied Criminology is a non-thesis program as well. There are twelve courses in the criminology program, consisting of seminars in policing & law enforcement, research methods in criminal justice, data interpretation and analysis, and research literature and techniques.
TAMU-C provides students with faculty members who are successful in academic excellence and have strong career backgrounds in the criminal justice industry. Graduate students in the program can choose a concentration, such as the General Criminology track, Criminal Justice Administration & Management track, or Homeland Security track.
Program Highlights: 100% online, non-thesis, 5-week courses, 18 months to graduation, concentrations, start or apply anytime.
10. University of Central Florida
| Degree: Master in Criminal Justice |
The Master’s in Criminal Justice at the University of Central Florida stands out among the top programs nationwide in criminal justice. The thirty-six credit program prepares graduates for a degree that will bring better insight and apply real-world situations that will shape their perspective of the criminal justice field.
The master of criminal justice will also provide the tools for a deeper understanding of the program and a support team of expert instructors who coach graduates in the criminal justice field. The courses will cover the nature of the crime, criminal justice theory, and the connection between the legal and judicial systems.
The total degree can be completed within eighteen months to two years. UCF’s MCJ program is ranked on the US News and World Report as one of the most innovative programs in the nation.
Program Highlights: 36 credits, affordable tuition, concentrations, and many career opportunities.
Job Outlook with a Master in Criminal Justice
A career in criminal justice offers outstanding opportunities and is filled with rewarding experiences that are not found in many other job careers. Graduates will receive the best training from top-notch instructors already working in the field, including opportunities to promote and advance within the criminal justice career. Jobs in criminal justice are different. However, each career path offers its own set of distinctive benefits in the field.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects the employment of criminal justice jobs will grow by two percent from 2021 through 2031. Below is a short list of an MCJ program’s employment opportunities.
- Criminal Investigator
- Juvenile Justice Supervisor
- Police Chief or Police Commissioner
- Probation Supervisor or Parole Officer
- Security Planning Manager
- Special Agent (DEA or FBI)
- US Marshall
- Forensic Scientist
- Industrial Security Consultant
- Information Security Analyst
- Victim Advocate
Careers in criminology and criminal justice come with many challenges yet provide successful positions. Areas that require the master’s in criminal justice program will bring higher salaries and potential increases in promotions, as well as possible concentrations to help focus their career path.
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