Best Online Master’s in Criminal Justice Degrees

Overview

The University of Nebraska Omaha is a public research institution founded by faculty of the Omaha Presbyterian Theological Seminary. The University exists to provide a Christian-based education free from ecclesiastical control.

There are several different options for those who are interested in a Masters of Science in Criminal Justice. A Master of Public Administration degree is available online with a specialization option in Criminology and Criminal Justice. A Master of Science in Criminology and Criminal Justice is another fully online degree option. The program enhances professional skills, introduces new competencies, and can lead to career advancement. The 36-hour degree can be customized through a graduate certificate in Managing Juvenile and Adult Populations. Also, worth noting is the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice sponsors a small number of graduate assistantships for MA students. A graduate assistantship provides an opportunity to pursue graduate studies while working in an academic setting. An assistantship consists of tuition remission plus a stipend of approximately $12,000 for the academic year. Students who receive assistantships are expected to work as a teaching assistant and/or research assistant for a faculty member for 20 hours per week during the academic year. This is a great option for those who are not otherwise employed and are looking for a way to pay for their degree.

Overview

With regional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission and six start dates throughout the year, Regis University offers both a high-quality and highly flexible online criminal justice masters program. After taking introductory classes in areas like criminal psychopathology and transnational crime, students can further customize their learning by pursuing a concentration in either leadership, human behavior, cyber crime, or terrorism. Regis allows students to complete their coursework asynchronously, making it easier to balance your studies with a full-time job or family obligations. While you must possess a bachelors degree, you do not need to submit entrance exam scores in order to apply.

Overview

Located in Williamsburg, Kentucky, University of the Cumberlands is a private liberal arts college affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention. The University was founded in 1889 and was known as Cumberland College until 2005. The founding principle of the University is to provide first-class education at affordable rates. For over a century, tuition and fees have been priced to accommodate most budgets without compromising educational quality, and the University of the Cumberlands provides an excellent education to students from all over the nation.

Among other graduate programs, the Master of Science in Justice Administration is available online at UC. The program welcomes pre-professional students as well as those who already have experience in the field. Community service and ethical leadership are emphasized as students develop the leadership skills and academic preparation to shape the profession. The degree can be customized through a variety of elective courses. Students in the program are given the opportunity to interact with criminal justice personnel throughout the nation, including state and federal authorities. The cost per credit is the lowest on the list, at only $315 per credit; students are required to complete 31 credit hours that can be completed in as little as 12 months.

Overview

The University of Wisconsin Platteville, founded in 1866, is a public institution offering bachelors and masters degrees to more than 11,000 students. Part of the University of Wisconsin system, the University has three colleges and five distance education programs. Nearly 3,000 students are pursuing degrees through Plattevilles online distance learning programs.

The online Master of Science in Criminal Justice features a selection of three emphasis areas, including Criminal Justice Theory, Criminal Justice Management, and Victim and Offender Services. Graduate certificates and a broad range of elective courses allow the degree to be further customized. Students graduate with the ability to exhibit managerial skills and extensive understanding of the criminal justice system. Students in the program can customize their area of emphasis and create their own academic plan to suit their goals, whether it be to go on into research, pursue a PhD program, go into law enforcement, or specialize in one of the numerous areas within criminal justice. To earn a degree, students must complete 30 credit hours of coursework. Additionally, students can earn a credential in Child Advocacy Studies by completing a nine-credit hour program separately or within the Master of Science Criminal Justice degree.

Overview

Columbia College of Missouri is a private liberal-arts college with a campus in Columbia and 36 extension sites throughout the United States as well as an online campus. Columbia is nonsectarian but has a covenant with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). Originally a womens college, the University now admits men and women to a variety of degree programs and serves more than 29,000 students per year. The College offers 10 associate degrees, 59 bachelors degrees, and four masters degrees, including the Master of Science in Criminal Justice.

A Master of Science in Criminal Justice is available online with optional emphases in Law Enforcement Administration and Corrections Administration. The program prepares those aspiring to doctoral or law studies, as well as current law enforcement and criminal justice professionals seeking to enhance their administrative skills. It is designed primarily for those who are already in the field of criminal justice, but can accommodate others. The degree focuses on four areas: trends in criminal justice, policy development and analysis, research design, and ethics in criminal justice. An excellent option for those who are looking for affordability without sacrificing quality, Columbia College delivers at a cost per credit of $395.

Overview

Pace University is a private institution in New York, serving over 12,000 students. The University was founded in 1906 by the Pace Brothers as a school for accounting and business. Today Pace has a much broader selection of academic programs, including on-campus and online programs at the undergraduate and graduate level.

Paces Department of Criminal Justice and Security offers a Master of Arts in Management for Public Safety and Homeland Security Professionals through the Dyson College of Arts and Sciences. The degree is designed to be completed online with six weekends of residency over two years. Students complete 36 credit-hours and a masters project for graduation. The program is a result of the departments partnership with the Center for Homeland Defense and Security and works to train professionals in both the public and private sector to respond to and prevent future attacks using existing resources. The Manhattan location is mere blocks away from the World Trade Center site, offering a unique perspective and training ground for students. The cost per credit hour is $1,190, a more expensive option, but the median salary 10 years after graduation is $63,300. There is no doubt that this degree deserves recognition.

Overview

Indiana University of Pennsylvania, located in Indiana County, is one of the two largest institutions in the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education. This public research university enrolls approximately 10,600 undergraduates and 2,200 graduates in eight different colleges. There are 140 undergraduate and 70 graduate programs available. Grounded in the history that makes our nation great, several of the buildings on campus are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

IUPs Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice offers a Master of Arts in Criminology online. The program, designed primarily for those currently working in the criminal justice field or for those wishing to change careers, can be completed part-time in two years or full-time in one year. Since 2009, the program has been preparing students for career advancement and doctoral study. Online students have access to many of the same resources as those studying on campus, allowing for extensive and enriching research opportunities. Students are required to take the following courses: Criminological Theory, Research Methods, Legal Issues in Criminology, and other classes related to criminal justice. The cost per credit hour is $725, and the median salary 10 years after graduation is $40,800 making IUP an excellent choice both economically and academically.

Overview

The University of Louisville, a member of the Kentucky State University System, is a public institution that was founded in 1798. Today it is home to approximately 22,000 students from all 50 states and 116 countries. Not only is the University one of the first universities chartered west of the Allegheny Mountains, the University Hospital is credited with the first civilian ambulance or the nations first accident services, which is now known as an emergency room. Additionally, it is home to one of the first blood banks in the United States.

The Master of Science in Criminal Justice at U of L can be earned entirely online in two years. The 36 required credit hours include the completion of a professional paper. Courses are offered in six-week terms year-round, and students may transfer up to six hours of graduate credit from another institution. The programs curriculum includes required courses in theories of crime and delinquency, legal issues, and advanced statistics, while elective courses cover topics like capital punishment and criminal justice in media. The University offers financial aid and payment plans for military students, as well as scholarships to First Responders in the Metro-Louisville area, and for members of the National Sheriffs Association. At a cost per credit-hour of $714, the University of Louisville delivers an excellent education and ultimate flexibility at an affordable cost.

Overview

Founded as a normal school in 1923, Rowan University is now a public institution with campuses in Glassboro and Camden, New Jersey. The Universitys Division of Global Learning Partnerships offers 30 online and hybrid programs for adult degree seekers and those looking for professional development opportunities.

Rowan University offers a Master of Arts in Criminal Justice as a part-time program in an accelerated online format. The degree is designed for students preparing for doctoral study or for those aspiring to hold leadership positions in the field. Thirty semester hours are required for the degree and can be completed in only five semesters through Rowan Global. Coursework includes Management Of Criminal Justice Organizations, Police And Society , Law And Society, and more. Admission requirements include a bachelors degree, minimum 2.5 GPA, two letters of recommendation, CV or resume, a personal statement, GRE scores; undergraduate introduction courses in Criminal Justice and Research and Statistics are highly recommended. The MA at Rowen is offered in two tracks: Thesis or Non-Thesis. If you choose the Non-Thesis, electives in contemporary issues are taken and a comprehensive exam is issued. With a cost per credit at $730 and a flexible yet intense accelerated program, Rowen may be a perfect fit.

Overview

Founded in 1907 as a teacher training school on 43 beautiful acres, East Carolina University now owns 1600 acres and is a comprehensive university. Located in Greenville, North Carolina, ECU is the third largest university in the state with nearly 30,000 students enrolled.

ECUs Thomas Harriot College of Arts and Sciences offers a Master of Science degree in Criminal Justice that can be completed on-campus or online. Admission requirements include a bachelors degree, transcripts, three letters of recommendation, a personal statement of 500-750 words, GRE scores, and a personal interview. Knowing that ECU graduates are employed by diverse organizations such as the FBI, Department of Homeland Security, Secret Service, Sheriff Department, Police Department, Crime Laboratory, and Court adds credibility. The program at ECU prepares students to excel in criminal justice careers and does not require a thesis. Core courses include Criminal Justice Principles, Research Methods and Statistical Interpretation, and Criminal Behavior; this is followed by electives such as Juvenile Justice, Terrorism, and a Field Practicum of 30-40 hours a week for a semester. At an affordable $876 per credit combined with a flexible/non-thesis curriculum, ECU may be exactly what youre looking for.

Overview

Western Kentucky University offers a fully online and asynchronous criminal justice masters program, meaning students can pursue their degree entirely at their own pace and on their own schedule. You can also begin the program at any time during the year, providing even more flexibility for students who need to arrange their studies around personal or professional obligations. The program features core coursework in areas such as advanced social statistics and criminology, as well as a diverse slates of electives covering topics like family violence, adult corrections, and crime and popular culture. Applicants must hold a bachelors degree and submit GRE scores.

Overview

The University of Cincinnati, enrolling more than 40,000 students, is the second largest university in Ohio. More than 600 total programs of study are offered, many of which are nationally ranked. More than 2,000 students have graduated from the Universitys Criminal Justice Program throughout its fourteen years of existence.

The Master of Science in Criminal Justice consists of 11 courses to be taken over six 15-week semesters. Students can choose to follow the General Track or specialize in Analysis of Criminal Behavior, Law Enforcement Crime Prevention, or Corrections Offender Rehabilitation. The core curriculum consists of courses such as Criminology, Applied Statistics in Criminal Justice, Basic Research Methods in Criminal Justice, and a culminates in a research project. Students then choose six electives of 12 ranging from Biosocial Factors in Serial Offending to Computer Criminology: Cybercrime Digital Security. The 33-credit program can be taken in both full-time or part-time format, taking one to two years on average. Worth considering is the fact that UCs MSCJ is 100 percent online, up to nine credits can be transferred, admission does not require a GRE and there are no prerequisites. This equates to a perfect degree for working professionals who are looking for the flexibility to move into a new career or advance in one currently held.

Overview

There is a city called California in southwestern Pennsylvania, about 35 miles from Pittsburgh that is home to the California University of Pennsylvania. Set on a campus of 294 acres, and educating 8000 students, Cal U is a mid-sized public university. It is a member of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) and was founded in 1852.

Cal U now offers a variety of online degree programs, including the Master of Science in Legal Studies. The criminal justice concentration option prepares students for advanced study of the justice system or for career advancement in the areas of policing, law, corrections, investigations, and human services. An interdisciplinary approach is utilized, allowing for diverse perspectives to influence the criminal justice field. This is accomplished through a 27 credit core concentration followed by 10 elective credits culminating in a thesis. Also offered online is a Master of Arts in Social Science Applied Criminology. This degree consists in learning criminal investigative analysis, equivocal death analysis, and geographical crime analysis. It is 30 credits and culminates in one of three options: Criminology Thesis, Criminology Internship, or Criminology Studies Abroad. With faculty who are authors, scholars, legal consultants, and whove held political office, students are instructed by experts.

Overview

A private Christian university, Faulkner University is affiliated with the Church of Christ. Faulkner was founded in 1942 as Montgomery Bible School in Montgomery, Alabama. The University now enrolls approximately 3,500 students and has satellite campuses in Mobile, Huntsville, and Birmingham.

A convenient Master of Justice Administration (formerly Criminal Justice) degree is available entirely online. It is one of the most flexible programs around. It is designed to drive students toward professional success while emphasizing Christian principles and ethics. The programs ten five-week courses can be completed in as little as 14 months. Also worth noting is that enrollment is year-round, and students take only one course at a time. If you decide to earn your degree at Faulkner, an intentional Biblical perspective is emphasized with academically excellent faculty. You can expect about 12-15 hours of classwork a week, an achievable balance assuming many in the program are working professionals. Admission requirements include a bachelors degree, minimum undergraduate GPA of 2.5 (if over 3.0 there is no entrance exam requirement), letters of recommendation, resume, a personal statement, and MAT scores. If you are looking for a convenient, flexible, and Christian training in Criminal Justice at an affordable $635 per credit, look no further than Faulkner.

Overview

Nova Southeastern University, founded in 1964, is a private nonprofit institution in Davie, Florida. The university comprises 18 colleges and schools, offering various fields of study to more than 24,000 students.

In addition to offering courses through regional campuses, Nova makes distance education possible through several online degree programs. The Master of Science in Criminal Justice is offered exclusively online, allowing working students to continue their careers while studying. The platform utilized is Blackboard. The degree program requires 36 credit hours in core, specialty track, and elective courses. Admission requirements include a bachelors degree, minimum undergraduate GPA of 2.5, two letters of recommendation, transcripts, and a 150-300 word personal statement of purpose. NSUs online program is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS). If you are currently a police officer, veteran, military, or first responder, NSU offers the Valor Award, a 20 percent scholarship for the program. For those who complete the MS in Criminal Justice they will be prepared to pursue careers as police officers, detectives, animal cruelty investigators, FBI special agents, and more.