Online Masters Degree in Criminal Justice - Best of 2024

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Why Earn a Master’s in Criminal Justice?

A traditional or online master’s degree in criminal justice can cover a wide range of topics in the criminal justice system. Some prospective students pursue a strict law enforcement path (such as local, state, and federal law enforcement, corrections and correctional institutions, and public safety and public administration) while others are venturing into new learning fields in the criminal justice system such as cyber-crime or international law enforcement. With the rising awareness of white-collar crime, programs have also begun offering certificates or concentrations in forensic accounting, or students can become leaders and emergency management directors.

No matter how you focus your graduate studies in a criminal justice program, an online master’s in criminal justice degree will promote student success and can certainly be a boon to criminal justice careers by giving you leadership skills, a deeper understanding of forensic psychology and mental health that leads to violent crime, critical thinking skills based on real world examples, and a better understanding of the legal system and public safety. Raises, promotions, and new career opportunities in the criminal justice system including career advancement are very likely to follow a criminal justice professional's graduation for years to come.

Compare Popular Online Criminal Justice Programs

PROS

The pros of obtaining a criminal justice master's degree are many. Where your baccalaureate or associate degree provided a solid foundation, criminal justice master's programs will further sharpen your knowledge and skills in the criminal justice field. An online or in-person graduate student can also focus on the specific topics that interest them, such as criminal investigations, criminal justice sciences, studying criminal behavior, homeland security, cyber-crime, or research methods in the criminal justice system.

Criminal justice master’s programs can also prepare you for a new level of opportunity, pay raises, and promotions. You could focus your degree on topics related to public administration and move up in your city government. You might even consider running for public office. Some criminal justice master graduates work as emergency management directors, a vital role in many small and large cities. If you have significant experience on top of your academic graduate degrees, you are sure to be a viable candidate in multiple arenas and criminal justice organizations.

You can earn a master's degree in criminal justice online by taking graduate-level criminal justice courses to obtain your online master degree at one of many colleges and universities country-wide that are an accredited institution. This may save time and money taking criminal justice online programs when compared to traditional in-person graduate degrees.

CONS

Though a master’s degree is nearly universally considered to be an unqualified boon to anyone, there can be drawbacks to a graduate degree. For one thing, a criminal justice master’s degree is not an easy undertaking and it will take a lot of your time and energy, even if you attend online. It can be very difficult to set aside the time necessary so that students complete a master’s program while also managing a family and career unless you are willing to take extra time to attend part-time through an online criminal justice program.

Furthermore, a master’s degree does not guarantee actual job growth and is not a guarantee of anything. After you graduate, you might find that your pay doesn't meet up to your expectations and you might still be passed over for promotion. Nonetheless, you will still have to pay off your student loans, which accrue interest all the time.

Before you start applying to graduate programs, applicants must make sure that they have the time, resources, and deep desire to do so. That is, make sure that criminal justice is your passion and that you wish to study the material simply because you love it. When you start out with that sort of attitude, a degree should always pay off.

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Top 25 Best Online Masters in Criminal Justice Programs

University of Southern California

Score: 87.34

Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $66,640
- Out-of-State: $66,640
Net Price: $36,808
Acceptance Rate: 12%
Retention Rate: 97%

Graduation Rate: 92%
Total Enrollment: 48,945
Undergrad Students: 20,699
Graduate Students: 28,246
Grads Salary: $92,000
Student-to-faculty: 9:1

Boston University

Score: 86.07

Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $63,798
- Out-of-State: $63,798
Net Price: $27,829
Acceptance Rate: 14%
Retention Rate: 94%

Graduation Rate: 89%
Total Enrollment: 36,714
Undergrad Students: 18,459
Graduate Students: 18,255
Grads Salary: $85,000
Student-to-faculty: 11:1

Northeastern University

Score: 84.02

Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $27,728
- Out-of-State: $27,728
Net Price: $35,827
Acceptance Rate: 7%
Retention Rate: 97%

Graduation Rate: 91%
Total Enrollment: 30,013
Undergrad Students: 16,302
Graduate Students: 13,711
Grads Salary: $87,000
Student-to-faculty: 16:1

California State University-Long Beach

Score: 81.47

Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $7,176
- Out-of-State: $16,680
Net Price: $9,346
Acceptance Rate: 40%
Retention Rate: 85%

Graduation Rate: 73%
Total Enrollment: 38,973
Undergrad Students: 32,931
Graduate Students: 6,042
Grads Salary: $79,000
Student-to-faculty: 22:1

University of South Florida

Score: 78.8

Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $8,350
- Out-of-State: $19,048
Net Price: $11,004
Acceptance Rate: 44%
Retention Rate: 90%

Graduation Rate: 74%
Total Enrollment: 49,600
Undergrad Students: 38,047
Graduate Students: 11,553
Grads Salary: $73,000
Student-to-faculty: 22:1

University of Massachusetts-Lowell

Score: 77.72

Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $15,330
- Out-of-State: $27,706
Net Price: $17,240
Acceptance Rate: 86%
Retention Rate: 84%

Graduation Rate: 71%
Total Enrollment: 17,153
Undergrad Students: 12,389
Graduate Students: 4,764
Grads Salary: $82,000
Student-to-faculty: 17:1

Michigan State University

Score: 77.68

Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $20,808
- Out-of-State: $40,884
Net Price: $22,803
Acceptance Rate: 88%
Retention Rate: 89%

Graduation Rate: 82%
Total Enrollment: 50,023
Undergrad Students: 39,201
Graduate Students: 10,822
Grads Salary: $79,000
Student-to-faculty: 17:1

University of Central Florida

Score: 76.61

Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $6,916
- Out-of-State: $25,759
Net Price: $13,108
Acceptance Rate: 41%
Retention Rate: 93%

Graduation Rate: 76%
Total Enrollment: 68,346
Undergrad Students: 58,662
Graduate Students: 9,684
Grads Salary: $71,000
Student-to-faculty: 29:1

Texas A&M International University

Score: 76.5

Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $3,350
- Out-of-State: $10,712
Net Price: $5,383
Acceptance Rate: 48%
Retention Rate: 79%

Graduation Rate: 49%
Total Enrollment: 8,505
Undergrad Students: 6,979
Graduate Students: 1,526
Grads Salary: $80,000
Student-to-faculty: 19:1

Webster University

Score: 76.2

Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $13,140
- Out-of-State: $13,140
Net Price: $23,069
Acceptance Rate: 55%
Retention Rate: 79%

Graduation Rate: 59%
Total Enrollment: 6,396
Undergrad Students: 2,197
Graduate Students: 4,199
Grads Salary: $86,000
Student-to-faculty: 12:1

Florida International University

Score: 75.59

Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $9,119
- Out-of-State: $21,600
Net Price: $9,881
Acceptance Rate: 64%
Retention Rate: 91%

Graduation Rate: 69%
Total Enrollment: 55,609
Undergrad Students: 45,688
Graduate Students: 9,921
Grads Salary: $71,000
Student-to-faculty: 24:1

University of Oklahoma

Score: 75.31

Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $8,903
- Out-of-State: $25,163
Net Price: $22,601
Acceptance Rate: 73%
Retention Rate: 88%

Graduation Rate: 76%
Total Enrollment: 28,308
Undergrad Students: 21,282
Graduate Students: 7,026
Grads Salary: $75,000
Student-to-faculty: 16:1

Arizona State University

Score: 74.84

Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $12,376
- Out-of-State: $25,722
Net Price: $14,808
Acceptance Rate: 90%
Retention Rate: 85%

Graduation Rate: 67%
Total Enrollment: 80,065
Undergrad Students: 65,492
Graduate Students: 14,573
Grads Salary: $77,000
Student-to-faculty: 19:1

Wayne State University

Score: 74.52

Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $18,301
- Out-of-State: $39,639
Net Price: $15,347
Acceptance Rate: 75%
Retention Rate: 84%

Graduation Rate: 60%
Total Enrollment: 23,630
Undergrad Students: 15,958
Graduate Students: 7,672
Grads Salary: $77,000
Student-to-faculty: 14:1

St. John's University

Score: 74.3

Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $33,386
- Out-of-State: $33,386
Net Price: $26,052
Acceptance Rate: 85%
Retention Rate: 82%

Graduation Rate: 69%
Total Enrollment: 19,663
Undergrad Students: 15,652
Graduate Students: 4,011
Grads Salary: $83,000
Student-to-faculty: 16:1

CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice

Score: 74.27

Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $11,090
- Out-of-State: $20,520
Net Price: $5,001
Acceptance Rate: 51%
Retention Rate: 76%

Graduation Rate: 54%
Total Enrollment: 13,921
Undergrad Students: 12,061
Graduate Students: 1,860
Grads Salary: $71,000
Student-to-faculty: 16:1

Lewis University

Score: 74.21

Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $15,210
- Out-of-State: $15,210
Net Price: $19,184
Acceptance Rate: 74%
Retention Rate: 81%

Graduation Rate: 62%
Total Enrollment: 6,513
Undergrad Students: 3,933
Graduate Students: 2,580
Grads Salary: $79,000
Student-to-faculty: 14:1

Saint Joseph's University

Score: 73.77

Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $19,786
- Out-of-State: $19,786
Net Price: $33,777
Acceptance Rate: 89%
Retention Rate: 86%

Graduation Rate: 82%
Total Enrollment: 7,861
Undergrad Students: 5,071
Graduate Students: 2,790
Grads Salary: $77,000
Student-to-faculty: 10:1

University of Cincinnati

Score: 73.39

Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $13,224
- Out-of-State: $24,996
Net Price: $20,149
Acceptance Rate: 86%
Retention Rate: 86%

Graduation Rate: 72%
Total Enrollment: 41,155
Undergrad Students: 29,663
Graduate Students: 11,492
Grads Salary: $74,000
Student-to-faculty: 18:1

University of Mississippi

Score: 72.96

Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $9,252
- Out-of-State: $26,820
Net Price: $14,289
Acceptance Rate: 97%
Retention Rate: 89%

Graduation Rate: 68%
Total Enrollment: 22,300
Undergrad Students: 17,302
Graduate Students: 4,998
Grads Salary: $70,000
Student-to-faculty: 16:1

American Public University System

Score: 72.73

Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $7,650
- Out-of-State: $7,650
Net Price: $11,172
Acceptance Rate: 100%
Retention Rate: 90%

Graduation Rate: 55%
Total Enrollment: 48,668
Undergrad Students: 39,206
Graduate Students: 9,462
Grads Salary: $79,000
Student-to-faculty: 24:1

Lincoln Memorial University

Score: 72.34

Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $22,451
- Out-of-State: $22,451
Net Price: $19,162
Acceptance Rate: 78%
Retention Rate: 77%

Graduation Rate: 51%
Total Enrollment: 5,418
Undergrad Students: 1,560
Graduate Students: 3,858
Grads Salary: $80,000
Student-to-faculty: 8:1

DeSales University

Score: 72.23

Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $22,960
- Out-of-State: $22,960
Net Price: $29,104
Acceptance Rate: 77%
Retention Rate: 78%

Graduation Rate: 68%
Total Enrollment: 2,991
Undergrad Students: 2,225
Graduate Students: 766
Grads Salary: $79,000
Student-to-faculty: 11:1

Texas Christian University

Score: 71.85

Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $35,730
- Out-of-State: $35,730
Net Price: $44,190
Acceptance Rate: 56%
Retention Rate: 92%

Graduation Rate: 84%
Total Enrollment: 12,273
Undergrad Students: 10,523
Graduate Students: 1,750
Grads Salary: $77,000
Student-to-faculty: 14:1

New Mexico State University

Score: 71.7

Graduate Tuition
- In-State: $5,181
- Out-of-State: $18,023
Net Price: $10,407
Acceptance Rate: 78%
Retention Rate: 72%

Graduation Rate: 51%
Total Enrollment: 14,268
Undergrad Students: 11,591
Graduate Students: 2,677
Grads Salary: $76,000
Student-to-faculty: 16:1

Overview of an online Master's in Criminal Justice & Law

A master’s in criminal justice degree explores the social roots of crime and criminal behavior and how to solve it as a social problem. Some approaches to the subject can be highly quantitative and rely on statistical information, research methods, and analysis in criminal justice, while others are more philosophical and rely on pure reasoning as their basis. There are also a wide range of criminal justice degree concentrations you can pursue, which may focus on the critical thinking needed to conduct investigations into violent crime as criminal profilers or private detectives, corrections, criminology and criminal justice, or how to create greater safety through the field of criminal justice by use of various methods of law enforcement and shifts in the criminal justice system as a whole.

For instance, your online or traditional criminal justice program might offer concentrations in Homeland Security, Emergency Management, Corrections, Cyber-crime, Criminology Research Methods, Justice Reform, or even a concurrent Juris Doctor (criminal law) degree on top of your core courses. Depending on your career goals, you could also consider earning online certificates in separate, but related, fields. Some criminal justice professionals return to campus for graduate certificates in social work, public administration, or public safety policy, among other options and some criminal justice students earn these online in one of many online master's degree programs available to online students at a graduate college.

Ultimately, your master’s in criminal justice is sure to be a personal and professional achievement in criminal justice careers that will offer rewards for a lifetime. If you are devoted to the criminal justice system and desire to become a true master of the field, you should start looking into graduate programs near you or those which are available online from all over the country. There are a huge variety of degree programs to choose from, including online programs for criminal justice professionals, and there is financial aid available for most prospective students.

What Criminal Justice & Law Master’s Degrees are Available Online?

Master of Arts in Criminal Justice:
This degree type is for the criminal justice professional who seeks to study social sciences and issues of a more philosophical nature. MA Degrees might also focus on criminal justice studies of real world examples on issues such as leadership, forensic psychology, mental health of crime victims, public policy, policy analysis, or criminal justice administration, while the information in an MA program is valid from an academic standpoint, it is not of the scientific or STEM variety.
Master of Science in Criminal Justice:
An MS in Criminal Justice is not unlike an MA. Sometimes the same criminal justice programs will offer both degrees as an option regardless of your specific coursework. However, the degree type is designed to prepare students with a focus on STEM and strictly analytical research and information. That is, students learn to look at crime from a purely statistical standpoint, or study cybercrime, computer forensics and related problem solving skills, which are decidedly STEM-related topics and core classes.
Master of Applied Arts and Sciences in Criminal Justice:
While applied degrees are a dubious prospect at the associate and bachelor levels, one might be a great option for your graduate criminal justice program. That is because these degrees are clearly focused on occupationally relevant material for criminal justice students. There is less focus on academic research, criminological theories, organizational theory or peer-reviewed facts and information. If you desire a PhD you might consider a traditional MA or MS, but if this is your final degree it could be a great option for a master's in criminal justice.

Admission Requirements

It's not always easy to enter a graduate program. Master’s programs for criminal justice typically require a higher minimum GPA from your criminal justice bachelor's, letters of recommendation, GRE scores, and a personal statement of purpose. Though all programs have their own specific guidelines, you can expect to find the minimum criteria for your baccalaureate grades to be somewhere around 2.25 GPA. You might also need to show your resume and some measure of professional distinction. In fact, some programs might prefer to see a distinguished career over high grades. As for the essay portion of your application, make sure to read their essay question(s) carefully and respond to each program's essay individually.

How long does it take to earn an online Criminal Justice & Law Master’s?

As a general rule, graduate schools vary in length from one to three years. Of course, those time frames assume that you carry a full-time course-load and don't take extra terms off. There are also programs that have multiple time frames for graduation. They might have a full-time, an accelerated, and a part-time graduation schedule for students.

When you are applying to graduate schools, devise a plan with a set graduation date. Make sure you are ready to sacrifice your time and energy for school. After all, higher education is there to help you attain long-term goals and provide an enhanced career life. Thus, it's vital to put in the time and effort required that ensures a brighter, better-educated future.

Get Matched With Online Criminal Justice Programs

Potential Careers in Criminal Justice & Law with a Master’s

Forensic Scientist:
This position has been made famous by films and television shows for decades. In this profession you will collect and analyze evidence for analysis. You will take fiber samples, blood, and other biological samples from crime scenes. Later, once you have identified the samples and completed your report, you might be asked to testify in court where you'll present your findings.
The average salary for this job is $58,000.
Private Investigator:
This occupation offers a lot of leeway in how you conduct your career. Some private investigators specialize in finding lost or missing people, others work on financial investigations, and still others seek to solve murder cases that the police have abandoned.
The average salary for a PI is $58,300.
Probation Officer:
This profession is concerned with criminals who are serving their sentences in the civilian world. Some of your caseload might include former prisoners who have been released on a contingency basis or people who need to check in with you in order to avoid any jail time at all.
The average pay for a probation officer is $43,500.
Security Guards:
This job title can fit a wide range of job duties. Some work in art galleries to deter or thwart multi-million dollar theft while others work in department stores to catch shoplifters. You might even work as private security for very wealthy or famous people.
The average income for this position is $33,300.
Emergency Management Specialist:
Given the current changes in our climate, disaster seems to be all the more likely. Thus, more cities are hiring emergency management specialists. You can also work with federal agencies such as FEMA.
The average salary for emergency management specialists is $62,600.

Options to Advance

To advance in the criminal justice field, you will need to first comport your career with honor and dignity. In this way, you can receive departmental kudos and possibly public recognition. Your experience is sure to pay off over time, but you can up the ante with academic degrees.

As you move through your online associate, bachelor’s, and master’s degrees you are sure to see raises in pay, promotions, and new opportunities arising all the time. Eventually this could lead to opportunities in leadership positions. As a public servant you might find that your earnings are rather limited, but your degrees will keep you at the top of the pay scale. Then, once your rank and position reach a certain level you might consider moving into the private sector as a consultant or in your own security firm. Your degrees and previous rank will add credibility to your private ventures and could result in limitless earnings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will a master’s degree help me gain access to a federal law enforcement role?

While there is no requirement that you have a master’s degree in any entry-level federal law enforcement agency, earning a master’s can certainly help. Whether you are planning to enter the FBI, CIA, DHS, or any other agency, a master’s degree can lower the required experience for whatever role you are considering. Additionally, the roles that you are likely to gain once you have a degree at this level will pay more and you may have an easier time gaining promotions.

Best Online Masters in Criminal Justice Degrees for 2024

Get Matched With Criminal Justice Colleges

Why Earn a Master’s in Criminal Justice?

Compare Popular Online Criminal Justice Programs

PROS

CONS

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Top 25 Best Online Masters in Criminal Justice Programs

University of Southern California

Boston University

Northeastern University

California State University-Long Beach

University of South Florida

University of Massachusetts-Lowell

Michigan State University

University of Central Florida

Texas A&M International University

Webster University

Florida International University

University of Oklahoma

Arizona State University

Wayne State University

St. John's University

CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice

Lewis University

Saint Joseph's University

University of Cincinnati

University of Mississippi

American Public University System

Lincoln Memorial University

DeSales University

Texas Christian University

New Mexico State University

Overview of an online Master's in Criminal Justice & Law

What Criminal Justice & Law Master’s Degrees are Available Online?

Admission Requirements

How long does it take to earn an online Criminal Justice & Law Master’s?

Get Matched With Online Criminal Justice Programs

Potential Careers in Criminal Justice & Law with a Master’s

Options to Advance

Frequently Asked Questions

Will a master’s degree help me gain access to a federal law enforcement role?

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