10 Best Online Criminal Justice Master’s Programs
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Criminal justice programs engage learners in the interdisciplinary study of justice institutions, their policies, and their impacts. Master’s students explore the advanced analysis of criminal behavior and how justice institutions affect the people who interact with them. They also learn about research methods and solutions-based strategies for addressing crime and criminality.
This degree guide ranks 10 of the best online criminal justice master’s programs. Discover how an advanced degree can support entry into and advancement within the field.
Popular Online Criminal Justice Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
10 Best Online Criminal Justice Master’s Programs
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$57,256
- Out-of-state$57,256
- In-State$46,272
- Out-of-state$46,272
- Retention Rate96%
- Acceptance Rate11%
- Students Enrolled48,321
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment17%
- AccreditationYes
University of Central Florida
- Orlando, FL
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$4,478
- Out-of-state$19,810
- In-State$6,916
- Out-of-state$25,759
- Retention Rate91%
- Acceptance Rate44%
- Students Enrolled69,402
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment59%
- AccreditationYes
Florida State University
- Tallahassee, FL
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$4,640
- Out-of-state$19,084
- In-State$9,684
- Out-of-state$24,116
- Retention Rate93%
- Acceptance Rate36%
- Students Enrolled42,450
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment47%
- AccreditationYes
Averett University
- Danville, VA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$11,520
- Out-of-state$11,520
- In-State$11,790
- Out-of-state$11,790
- Retention Rate50%
- Acceptance Rate24%
- Students Enrolled485
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment97%
- AccreditationYes
Boston University
- Boston, MA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$54,720
- Out-of-state$54,720
- In-State$54,720
- Out-of-state$54,720
- Retention Rate94%
- Acceptance Rate19%
- Students Enrolled33,720
- Institution TypePrivate
- Percent Online Enrollment10%
- AccreditationYes
Florida International University
- Miami, FL
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$4,721
- Out-of-state$16,529
- In-State$8,912
- Out-of-state$21,393
- Retention Rate89%
- Acceptance Rate58%
- Students Enrolled58,711
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment68%
- AccreditationYes
California State University, Long Beach
- Long Beach, CA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$5,742
- Out-of-state$17,622
- In-State$7,176
- Out-of-state$16,680
- Retention Rate87%
- Acceptance Rate39%
- Students Enrolled38,674
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment30%
- AccreditationYes
University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee
- Sarasota, FL
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$4,206
- Out-of-state$15,121
- In-State$8,350
- Out-of-state$19,048
- Retention Rate81%
- Acceptance Rate24%
- Students Enrolled2,207
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment69%
- AccreditationYes
Michigan State University
- East Lansing, MI
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$15,555
- Out-of-state$40,384
- In-State$18,858
- Out-of-state$37,056
- Retention Rate91%
- Acceptance Rate71%
- Students Enrolled49,809
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment26%
- AccreditationYes
Georgia Southern University
- Statesboro, GA
- 4 year
- Campus + Online
- In-State$4,371
- Out-of-state$15,425
- In-State$4,977
- Out-of-state$19,890
- Retention Rate78%
- Acceptance Rate54%
- Students Enrolled26,054
- Institution TypePublic
- Percent Online Enrollment41%
- AccreditationYes
What Is a Master’s in Criminal Justice?
The best online master’s in criminal justice programs function as advanced extensions of bachelor’s programs in the field. Some programs take an academic approach, focusing on research and analysis. Others maintain a practical focus, preparing students for careers with leadership and growth potential.
Academic programs often attract students with in-field research interests, including individuals interested in doctoral degrees in criminal justice. Practical programs typically appeal more to learners focused on professional development.
Program Length and Format
Master’s degrees in criminal justice usually cover 30-36 credits across required courses and electives. Concentrated programs commit most or all electives toward specialization areas, such as criminology, corrections, criminal investigation, or homeland security. Programs typically culminate in master’s thesis classes or capstone projects.
Many schools accommodate full-time or part-time enrollment. You can also choose from fully online classes, traditional face-to-face instruction, or hybrid learning options.
Degree Types
Colleges and universities may offer criminal justice as a major or specialization within the following types of master’s programs:
- Master of Arts: MA programs in criminal justice typically emphasize interdisciplinary viewpoints and academic theory. Enrollees learn to synthesize various professional and research perspectives to analyze criminal justice systems and understand their benefits, shortcomings, and social and political impacts.
- Master of Science: Criminal justice programs with MS degree designations usually engage with quantitative research, statistical analysis, and technical skills. While MA, MS, and other master’s programs can all lead to doctoral studies, learners planning to pursue doctorates may prefer MS degrees due to their stronger focus on research.
- Master of Criminal Justice: The MCJ designation applies to professional programs that emphasize a combination of research, academic theory, and practical training. MCJ programs support research and practitioner careers but may also lead to doctoral studies.
- Master of Public Administration: MPA programs cover budgeting, strategic planning, human resource management, and other operational aspects of public-sector organizations. You can pursue an MPA with a criminal justice concentration if you’re interested in managing justice organizations or institutions.
- Master of Business Administration: Some business schools offer MBA programs with criminal justice concentrations. These degrees also explore operational management but tend to focus more on the private sector. They may lead to management-level careers in security, private investigations, cybercrime consulting, and related areas.
Online Master’s in Criminal Justice Curriculum
The best online master’s in criminal justice programs have variable coursework. While the exact classes you take depend on your degree designation, the program’s purpose, and your concentration area, the subsections below can provide a general idea of what to expect.
Core Coursework
Core coursework typically covers theories of crime and criminality, criminal justice research methods, and technical studies of justice systems and institutions. Many programs also explore statistical analysis methods, especially if they have MS or MCJ designations.
Schools balance core courses and electives in differing proportions. Electives let you study targeted topics of personal or professional interest.
Concentrations
Specialized programs typically focus most or all electives on a specialized study area. Concentration credits complement a lineup of core courses, which are typically common to all specialization options within a school.
If you have specific academic or professional interests, a concentrated program may appeal to you. Some potential criminal justice concentration areas include:
- Criminal justice research and evaluation
- Investigative criminology
- Victimology
- Behavioral crime analysis
- Leadership in criminal justice
- Forensic linguistics
- Digital forensics
- Investigative forensics
- Homeland security
Culminating Project
Criminal justice master’s programs usually culminate in a master’s thesis or a capstone project.
A master’s thesis is a long-form work of original scholarly research on a topic selected by the student and approved by faculty supervisors. Capstones are intensive projects that require learners to synthesize and demonstrate everything they learned in their program. They may involve case studies and usually have a practical or applied focus.
The Cost of an Online Master’s in Criminal Justice
| Field of Study | Annual Cost |
|---|---|
| Security, law enforcement, firefighting, and related protective services | $22,690 |
| Public administration and social services | $24,808 |
| Business, management, and marketing | $22,457 |
The table above examines the average annual cost of online master’s programs in criminal justice-related fields. Your costs may be higher or lower, depending on factors like:
- Institution Type: Private schools tend to charge higher tuition fees than public schools. However, they often provide more in-house financial aid and scholarship programs.
- Degree Designation: Graduate schools may apply different rates for their programs. On average, MBA students pay more in annual tuition and fees than MA, MS, and MPA students.
- Learning Format: Studying online may lead to tuition breaks and relief from costs like relocation, transportation, and parking.
Budget-conscious learners can reduce costs by studying online, attending in-state public institutions, and seeking non-repayable aid like scholarships, fellowships, and grants.
Choosing the Best Online Criminal Justice Master’s Program for You
Many features differentiate the best online criminal justice master’s programs. To choose the right learning opportunity, you’ll need to consider your options from multiple perspectives. The subsections below highlight specific aspects to evaluate when comparing programs.
Review the Admission Requirements.
To qualify for the best online criminal justice master’s programs, you will likely need:
- A bachelor’s degree, ideally in a related field
- Multiple authoritative letters of recommendation
- A compelling reason for pursuing the degree, articulated in a well-written personal essay
Schools maintain different admission standards, and they can vary considerably. Some programs have more flexible GPA requirements than others. Similarly, some schools require GRE or GMAT scores, while others make them optional.
Always review admission requirements early in your program selection process. To save time and money, apply only to programs with admission standards that match your achievements.
Know Your Career Goals.
Criminal justice programs vary in their intent and career preparation. For instance, if you want to become a criminal justice researcher, a research-focused MS program likely makes a better match than a theory-heavy MA degree.
By knowing where you’re trying to get by earning your degree, you can select a concentration option to help advance your goals.
Identify Your Preferred Program Format.
Online programs use various delivery formats, and you should know about their differences. Synchronous online courses follow rigid schedules and occur in real time, just like face-to-face classes. They offer more interactivity with less flexibility. Asynchronous courses involve pre-recorded lectures that allow you to study on your own schedule.
Beyond investigating delivery formats, you should also check whether your program requires face-to-face components. For instance, many criminal justice programs include optional or required internships that you’ll need to complete in person.
Finally, consider whether you prefer a full-time or part-time schedule and how each of these enrollment options works in the program’s context.
Compare Costs and Aid.
Tuition fees are the primary determinant of program costs, but they don’t always tell the full story. You can reduce costs with scholarships and financial aid packages, which lower your net cost of attendance.
To this end, carefully consider schools’ in-house scholarships and financial aid opportunities. Factor these sources in when comparing costs, and use the net cost of attendance as your main financial indicator.
Verify That the Institution Is Accredited.
The best online criminal justice master’s programs are always hosted at accredited institutions. Accreditation ensures that employers, federal financial aid agencies, and other schools will recognize your program and credentials.
Because accreditation has a critical impact on these areas, always ensure the school you choose holds a valid accreditation credential recognized by the Department of Education or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.
What Can You Do With a Master’s in Criminal Justice?
Master’s degrees in criminal justice can lead to many career options. Some programs prepare students for specific criminal justice careers, while others offer the latitude to pursue various potential paths upon graduation.
Criminal justice graduates often work in law enforcement, criminal court, corrections, or security agency settings. Some join academic or research institutions, while others pursue careers in the private sector.
Below, you will find detailed profiles of careers available to candidates with master’s degrees in criminal justice.
Related Programs
Not sure about criminal justice? Check out our best lists for related programs of study.
FAQ About Criminal Justice Master’s Programs
A master’s in criminal justice may help you qualify for careers with advancement or leadership potential, and professionals with graduate degrees tend to earn more money. From these perspectives, a graduate degree in criminal justice may lead to a favorable return on your investment.
