The Most Affordable Online Master’s in Criminal Justice Degree Programs

The Advantages of an Criminal Justice Education

Criminal justice programs prepare students for careers as police officers, criminal investigators, corrections officers, and federal law enforcement agents. Criminal justice professionals with higher levels of education typically take home higher wages. Criminal justice professionals with an associate degree earn about $47,000 per year, according to PayScale, while those with a master's degree earn an average of $54,000 annually.

Pursuing an advanced degree in criminal justice often leads to additional career opportunities. Many criminal justice positions require education beyond an associate degree. For example, the Federal Bureau of Investigations requires special agents to hold at least a bachelor's degree.

Candidates with a criminal justice master's degree can also qualify for management roles, including positions in police departments and federal law enforcement agencies. These jobs typically offer significantly higher salaries than entry-level criminal justice positions.

Source: PayScale

Criminal Justice Degree Salary Information

An online master's degree in criminal justice qualifies graduates for a variety of career paths in areas related to law enforcement, emergency management, and corrections. With a master's degree, individuals can advance into leadership roles, such as detectives or criminal investigators in federal law enforcement agencies. The following careers offer advancement opportunities for professionals with a graduate degree in criminal justice.

Detective

Detectives gather evidence and investigate possible crimes. They work in local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies, interviewing witnesses and suspects to solve cases. Detectives also write reports on suspected crimes, prepare cases with prosecutors, and testify in court. Many detectives specialize in a particular type of crime, such as homicide, white-collar crime, or vice.

Emergency Management Director

Emergency management directors create plans to respond to natural disasters and other emergencies. They lead responses after emergencies to minimize the risk of hazards to people and property. Emergency management directors also create emergency training programs to promote preparedness. Law enforcement experience and a master's in criminal justice meet the qualifications for this position.

Correctional Officer

Correctional officers oversee individuals in detention who are awaiting trial or have received a jail or prison sentence. These officers supervise inmates, enforce rules and regulations, and write reports on inmate behavior. Correctional officers may also transport inmates to court.

Correctional Treatment Specialist

Correctional treatment specialists create rehabilitation plans for probationers and parolees, advising them on court-ordered probation and parole rules. These specialists write case reports, set up counseling for clients, and keep written accounts of clients' progress. Related positions include probation officer, parole officer, and pretrial services officer.

Criminal Investigator

Criminal investigators solve crimes by conducting interviews, examining records, observing suspects, and arresting suspected criminals. They investigate violations of local, state, and federal law, which involves studying crime scenes to identify suspects and build a case. Investigators at the federal level can work for the FBI as special agents.

Source: PayScale

Choosing an Online Criminal Justice Degree Program

Prospective criminal justice master's students may feel overwhelmed by the number of options. As more schools offer criminal justice master's degrees online, learners must spend more time choosing the right program that matches their interests and career goals. Factors to consider include program cost, on-campus requirements, and program duration.

In-state public institutions generally offer the lowest tuition rates, while private schools typically cost the most. However, some schools charge all online students the same rates, regardless of residency, which can reduce the cost of attending a public institution in another state.

• Program Cost: The cost of earning a master's in criminal justice online varies depending on the program. In addition to tuition expenses, students should consider costs such as technology/online fees. Calculating the total cost of the degree, rather than only considering tuition, can help students find the least expensive program.
• Transfer Policies: Some criminal justice programs accept transfer graduate credits. A generous transfer policy can save graduate students time and money. Students can contact program advisors to learn about a program's transfer policies.
• School Size and Type: Prospective students may prefer a program with smaller class sizes and a lower student-to-faculty ratio. However, larger schools often provide opportunities to work with more faculty members and graduate with a larger cohort. In addition to school size, prospective students should consider whether they prefer public or private institutions.
• Program Length: Criminal justice master's programs typically require two years to complete. However, program length varies depending on a student's enrollment status and program requirements. Prospective students should consider the total degree completion time, including time necessary to complete practicum or thesis requirements. Learners should also look for programs with enrollment options that meet their scheduling requirements, such as part-time or accelerated options.
• On-campus Requirements: Some online criminal justice master's programs include on-campus requirements, which may involve an on-campus orientation or weekend residency periods. Local students may prefer a program with on-campus requirements, which provide opportunities to meet faculty members and fellow students. Learners considering out-of-state institutions may prefer programs with no on-campus requirements.

Accreditation for Online Criminal Justice Degrees

Prospective criminal justice master's students should check the accreditation status of a program before applying. Many professional certifications are only available to candidates with a degree from an accredited institution, and some employers only hire candidates with an accredited degree. For example, FBI special agents must hold a degree from an accredited U.S. college or university.

To earn accreditation, colleges and universities voluntarily submit to an independent review by a nonprofit accrediting agency. During this review, accrediting agencies evaluate variables like an institution's student learning outcomes, degree requirements, and faculty qualifications. Regional accrediting agencies typically evaluate liberal arts and research institutions, including most institutions that offer graduate degrees in criminal justice. Alternatively, national accrediting agencies generally evaluate vocational and technical programs.

The Department of Education (ED) and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) oversee accrediting agencies, maintaining standards for accreditation reviews. Students can review lists of accredited institutions on the websites of the ED and CHEA.

Criminal Justice Concentrations

Criminal justice graduate students can pursue a concentration to specialize their skills and prepare for specific careers. In addition to concentrations in law enforcement and corrections, many criminal justice programs offer specializations in criminal justice administration, homeland security, and criminology. A concentration also prepares master's students for further study.

• Criminal Justice Administration:
  A concentration in criminal justice administration prepares students for leadership roles in the field, including at the managerial or director level. Learners strengthen their leadership skills by completing coursework related to overseeing criminal justice systems, with optional focuses in law enforcement and corrections.
  • Careers this concentration prepares for: Court administrator, corrections administrator, federal law enforcement administrator
• Criminology:
  Students specializing in criminology explore crime and criminal behavior. Learners examine theories of crime, causes of criminal behavior, and crime prevention. Coursework may also cover forensic psychology, criminology theory, and investigative methods. This concentration prepares students for positions in law enforcement, including detective and investigator roles.
  • Careers this concentration prepares for: Police officer, sheriff, detective, private investigator, FBI agent
• Forensic Science:
  A forensic science concentration prepares criminal justice students for leadership roles in crime scene investigation and evidence collection. Coursework covers forensic laboratory methods, analysis of forensic data, and how to build cases based on forensic evidence. While this concentration can lead to positions as forensic science technicians, it also helps law enforcement officers strengthen their forensic skills.
  • Careers this concentration prepares for: Crime scene investigator, forensic science technician, criminal investigator
• Cybersecurity:
  A growing number of criminal justice programs offer concentrations in cybersecurity, which emphasizes computer investigative skills. Students in this concentration explore cybercrime, including homeland security threats like cyberintrusions. Students also learn how to investigate data and security breaches.
  • Careers this concentration prepares for: Cybercrime investigator, fraud investigator, e-crime specialist
• Homeland Security:
  A homeland security concentration focuses on national security threats. Graduate students learn to address threats such as natural disasters and terrorism. This concentration prepares graduates for careers in federal law enforcement, including disaster response manager positions.T
  • Careers this concentration prepares for: Emergency response manager, security specialist, disaster response manager

How Long Does It Take to Get a Degree in Criminal Justice?

Full-time students typically earn their online master's degree in criminal justice in two years. Most criminal justice programs require 30-40 credits of coursework, which may include a practicum or a master's thesis.

Several program characteristics affect the length of a criminal justice master's degree track, including enrollment options. Some programs offer a part-time enrollment option, which can increase completion time to three or more years. Other programs provide accelerated enrollment options, which often include compact courses and reduced program duration. Additionally, incoming graduate students with applicable transfer credits can often graduate more quickly.

Some criminal justice programs incorporate optional or required practica, which can extend a student's graduation timeline. However, a practicum also provides valuable professional experience, which can help graduates transition into the workforce more easily. Online programs often appeal to working criminal justice professionals seeking career advancement, and many online programs include curricula designed for working professionals.

Courses in an Online Master's in Criminal Justice Program

Paying for Your Online Master's in Criminal Justice Degree Program

Funding your education might prove easier than you think. Many schools offer scholarships for students with excellent academics and private organizations offer scholarships to students who meet specific requirements. Work studies, loans, and grants can also help you finance your degree. Completing the FAFSA allows you to quickly apply for these types of financial aid in one place. The FAFSA application typically takes about one hour to complete.

Scholarships for Accounting Students

Captain James J. Regan Memorial Scholarship

Who Can Apply: Students who wish to study criminal justice or law enforcement may apply for this scholarship. Applicants must write at least 250 words about how technology will affect law enforcement in the 21st century and submit three recommendation letters, two of which must be from outside of law enforcement. The recipient must demonstrate strong leadership skills.

Amount: $2,500

Lincoln Legal Professionals Association Scholarship

Who Can Apply: Nebraska residents who intend to study a major in the legal support field may apply with an application, resume, and transcripts. They must also submit a one-page essay about why they want to pursue a degree in the legal support field. The recipient needs at least a 3.0 GPA.

Amount: Varies

Ritchie-Jennings Memorial Scholarship

Who Can Apply: The Association of Certified Fraud Examiners offers this scholarship to students who plan to study fraud examination. Applicants need a declared major or minor in accounting, business administration, finance, or criminal justice. This scholarship requires two recommendation letters in addition to the application.

Amount: $1,000-$10,000

Out to Protect Scholarship Fund

Who Can Apply: Students who identify as gay, lesbian, bi-sexual, or transgender and who are currently enrolled in a basic law enforcement training program in America may apply for this scholarship. Applicants must demonstrate being a positive role model for other law enforcement professionals. Applicants can apply by completing an application. Finalists must submit references.

Amount: $500-$1,000

Kush Arora Federal Justice Reform Scholarship

Who Can Apply: Individuals who demonstrate an interest in criminal justice reform may apply for this scholarship. The recipient must attend an accredited institution in the United States and maintain at least a 3.0 cumulative GPA. Applicants must submit their resume and transcripts and write a 1,000-word essay about a policy in the criminal justice system that needs reform or one that should stay the same.

Amount: $500