Online master's in criminal justice
New technology and methodologies have transformed the field of criminal justice. With an online master's in criminal justice, you can stay at the forefront of these developments and qualify for higher-paying roles without taking time off from your career.
Explore masters in criminal justice programs
Why earn a master's in criminal justice online?
Advance to higher-paying leadership roles
Qualify for higher-paying administrative roles by earning this degree.
Work while you study
Online programs can give you the flexibility to expand your knowledge and job opportunities while you work.
Develop specialized skills
If you want to shift your career focus, an online master's in criminal justice can help you develop a specialty.
Explore related criminal justice programs and courses
What can you do with a master's degree in criminal justice?
After completing a master's in criminal justice, you may qualify for higher-paying administrator or specialist roles. For example, graduates often accept leadership positions like detective, federal agent, and agency director after graduation.
A master's in criminal justice may also improve your candidacy for law school, doctoral degree programs, or education roles. Many schools offer certificates or specialization tracks so you can customize your education for your desired career. Common specialization paths include:
- Public policy
- Cybercrime and digital forensics
- Juvenile justice
- Addiction studies
- Criminal psychology
Discover salary expectations and career outlook
- Probation officers and correctional treatment specialists: Probation officers and correctional treatment specialists coordinate post-disciplinary and societal reintegration measures for people convicted of a crime. These professionals often have a bachelor's in criminal justice, but a master's degree can improve your job opportunities and pay and qualify you for leadership roles.
- First-line supervisors of police and detectives: First-line police and detective supervisors manage police department personnel and daily operations. Many police supervisors have a master's in criminal justice and work in local or federal government.
- Forensic science technicians: Forensic science technicians collect and review evidence from crime scenes. Some specialized positions within forensic science may include data analysts, pathologists, or biologists. A forensic science technician often has a bachelor's degree in biology, physical science, or forensic science and a master's in criminal justice.
- Postsecondary criminal justice and law enforcement teachers: Postsecondary criminal justice teachers create and implement curricula for law enforcement training and education. Most institutions require these professionals to have higher education credentials and field experience.
| Job | Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) median annual salary (2023) | BLS projected job growth (2023-33) |
|---|---|---|
| Probation officers and correctional treatment specialists | $61,800 | 4%, as fast as average job growth for all occupations |
| First-line supervisors of police and detectives | $101,750 | 4%, as fast as average job growth for all occupations |
| Forensic science technicians | $64,940 | 14%, much faster than the average for all occupations |
| Postsecondary criminal justice and law enforcement teachers | $69,030 | 3%, faster than the average for all occupations |
What can you learn in a criminal justice master's program?
Many master's in criminal justice programs focus on how the justice system responds to crime. Students can research and analyze data to learn what causes crime and how law enforcement and the criminal justice system should react for the best societal outcome.
Some schools offer tracks within their criminal justice master's programs, such as:
- Criminology
- Forensics
- Leadership and management
Students generally need to complete 30 to 36 credits to graduate with a master's in criminal justice, which often takes 1-3 years. Programs can cost between $7,000 and $50,000, but tuition varies with each institution.
Understand admissions requirements
Criminal justice master's programs often require applicants to have a bachelor's degree with a minimum of a 2.75-3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale. While some schools also require work experience, many accept bachelor's degree holders who haven't yet entered the workforce.
The application package for an online criminal justice master's program typically includes the following materials:
- Résumé
- Undergraduate transcripts
- Letters of recommendation
- Statement of purpose
- Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores
- Application fees
Explore the criminal justice curriculum
Master's in criminal justice program curricula teach students about criminal theory. Many classes explore how to apply research-based methods in everyday field scenarios.
Common course offerings in a master's in criminal justice program include:
- Criminology: Identify societal causes of crime and learn how to prevent it.
- Ethics: Explore how to apply criminal justice theory in order to minimize harm.
- Research and application: Collect and review quantitative data. In this course, you will apply data-based criminal justice theories to real-life scenarios.
- Crime policy: Learn how society responds to crime. Students explore the converse relationship between crime and policy.
- Statistics: Understand the stories that data tell. Students can learn how to assess and draw conclusions based on data.
Take the next step in your career
Are you interested in pursuing job opportunities in law enforcement? Explore criminal justice master's degrees or sign up for an edX online course today.