Online Master's Degrees in Criminal Justice: Finding Your School

Comparing Online Criminal Justice Master’s Programs

Even if you’ve already decided that you want to pursue an online master’s in criminal justice, it can be daunting to choose which program is the best fit for you. One thing to consider is what learning format you want and how it will fit into your lifestyle. Many MCJ programs are offered entirely online, with no mandatory campus visits, although some schools do include hybrid options.

Beyond that, you’ll want to look at specializations and elective course options at different schools, as well as course formats (such as synchronous or asynchronous classes), financial aid options, and course scheduling options. Below are some examples of accredited online master’s programs in criminal justice you can choose from today.

Answering Online Criminal Justice Master’s FAQs

What are the requirements for getting into an MCJ Program?

The standards that prospective students are required to meet depend on the specific program that they are interested in, and your prospective school will lay out its admissions requirements on its website. Many schools also include fees as part of their application processes, though you may be able to reduce these costs with application fee waivers.

In general, as you can see in the profiles above, people who apply to MCJ programs are expected to:

• Have at least a 3.0 GPA
• Have or anticipate having by the start of the program a bachelor’s degree from an accredited school
• Submit a statement of purpose that describes your goals in pursuing a master’s in criminal justice degree
• Submit letters of recommendation
• Submit a resume

What’s the timeline for finishing an MCJ program online?

Students can usually complete an MCJ program in about two years, but the exact time it takes to earn this degree depends on the requirements of a specific criminal justice department. Your studies may also take longer if you choose a part-time study option for your degree.

Can I afford to get an online MCJ degree?

Although factors like the curriculum and accreditation status are important when choosing an online criminal justice master’s program, finding an affordable online criminal justice degree is also something that people weigh heavily when making their decisions.

In your program search, try checking your prospective school’s tuition costs and the financial aid opportunities they might offer. Beyond your chosen program, you may also find funding opportunities in the form of scholarships for criminal justice students offered by outside organizations. Remember to fill out your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and any additional scholarship applications on time.

Can I work while studying for my online master’s in criminal justice?

Many students choose to work during graduate school to gain professional experience, help fund their degree, or both. This can be especially feasible for students in online degree programs, which are often more flexible than campus programs.

If you’re considering working a paid job while studying for your online master’s in criminal justice, be sure to look into what your work schedule will be like and consider if you can balance it with the academic responsibilities of your program. Developing successful study techniques can help you manage this balance better.

Should my online MCJ program be accredited?

It is absolutely critical that your program come from an accredited school. Institutional accreditation means an accrediting body has recognized that your school meets the necessary standards to award master’s degrees and that your degree will be recognized as legitimate by future schools and employers. Additionally, some master’s degrees have programmatic accreditation, which is subject-specific and can be an additional mark of prestige and quality.

Popular Concentrations for Criminal Justice Master’s Students

Many master’s programs, such as the one at Boston University highlighted above, offer online criminal justice students the opportunity to choose an area of concentration. This may or may not lead to additional certification, but either way, denotes you’ve attained a degree of expertise. Here are some popular concentrations to consider:

Criminology

A criminology specialization can be an especially interesting option if you’re hoping to make a career after graduation in either law enforcement or public policy. Gaining a specialized, graduate-level understanding of the wide array of forces that impact both crimes and criminals can help guide you in making decisions to bring criminals to justice or craft policies to prevent or decrease crime more broadly. This specialization may also lead to further study and a career in research or academia.

Cybercrime and Defense

Cybercrime and defense is a highly technical field within criminal justice, which can lead to a career in information security or a similar discipline in the public or private sector. If you choose this specialty, you can expect to learn skills that stand at the intersection of criminal justice and computer science. You can also expect to enter the job market after graduation with skills anticipated to remain in high demand in the coming years.

Forensic Behavior Analysis

This is a great specialization for those who want to combine a career in criminal justice with work in psychology or sociology. The forensic behavior analysis specialization is dedicated to understanding criminal behavior from a scientific perspective and can have a variety of applications.

Forensic behavior analysis experts not only work with law enforcement but also in criminal rehabilitation. During their job duties, they often advise public officials on crime prevention efforts at the policy level.

Gender and Criminal Justice

Crime is often impacted by issues of gender — particularly regarding crimes like domestic abuse and assault. Specializing in gender and criminal justice can lead to studying and eventually working in areas like domestic violence prevention, the psychology of abuse, and rehabilitation and restorative justice.

This subspecialty within the field can deal with highly personal, intimate issues, so be sure to consider that before choosing this specialization. That said, it can be a rewarding path to pursue for those interested in helping victims of these crimes.

Trauma and Crisis Intervention

If you entered the field of criminal justice because you’re passionate about helping people and can also keep a cool head in stressful situations, you may be suited to a specialty in trauma and crisis intervention. This is a specialization that involves diffusing high-stakes, dangerous situations.

Pursuing this specialization can also lead to work helping victims of crime in the immediate aftermath. Your studies will include learning the best practices from psychology, as well as criminology.

Exploring the Online Criminal Justice Curriculum

The specific curriculum of an online master of criminal justice program varies depending on the school. Coursework for some programs might be dictated by specific specializations they offer, such as public administration, cybersecurity, behavior analysis, or corrections. The following are common examples of the coursework that students in MCJ programs may be required to complete.

Criminological Theory

A class that combines psychology with law, this is a foundational class in many criminal justice programs. The class provides a deep dive into the reasons why people commit crimes and the factors that contribute to criminal activities. Specific topics covered may include social deviance and contemporary issues in criminology.

Psychology and the Legal System

Students who are interested in how psychological research theories apply in a legal environment can take this class to learn the relationship between psychology and law enforcement, corrections, and the judiciary system. The course may discuss such issues as eyewitness testimony, jury selection, inmate counseling, and criminal profiling.

Restorative Justice

This can be an important class, especially for those with a passion for social issues. Students in this class will explore the theory and practice of restorative justice and how it affects offenders and crime victims, as well as the justice system and the entire community. The course may also provide an overview of how restorative justice is handled on a global level.

The Judicial Process

This class provides an understanding of how the court system works through discussions of the ways the judiciary handles crimes from the first court appearance through the appeals process. Examples of controversial cases may be discussed to illustrate how the theories covered in the course can work in the real world.

White Collar Crime

Laws and practices governing white collar crime can be very distinct from violent offenses. Students in this class are taught the ways that white collar crime is detected, as well as the types of crimes other kinds of criminals commit. The class may cover how these crimes impact organizations and consumers.

Your Future Career: Jobs for Criminal Justice Master’s Holders

Crime Analyst

There are many different types of crime analysts, from those who work with forensic science techniques to analyze crime scenes to information security analysts who specialize in cybercrime.

While demand for the different types of crime analysis can vary (information security specialists are in especially high demand), crime analysts across the board are highly trained experts who play a vital role in identifying criminals to bring them to justice. This can be a great career path for those wishing to use their education to help protect their communities.

Detective

Detectives are among the highest-ranking professionals in law enforcement. To become a detective, you’ll need both specialized on-the-job training and relevant education. A master’s in criminal justice can help you meet some of these requirements and rise to the rank of detective more quickly.

As a detective, you’ll be gathering evidence and investigating crimes in your jurisdiction. You’ll follow appropriate procedures while collaborating with other professionals, like police officers and forensic technicians, at every turn.

Victim’s Advocate Social Worker

While social workers typically earn a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree, some social workers specialize in working with and advocating for those who have been victims of crime. These professionals may find that a master’s in criminal justice helps equip them for the challenges they face every day.

With demand for social workers expected to remain high in the next decade, this career is a great option for compassionate professionals who are good at keeping a clear head, even when those around them are deeply distressed.

Best-Ranked Online Master’s Programs in Criminal Justice

While it’s up to you to decide which program best suits your personal goals and needs, it can also be important to consider some objective program elements. That’s where rankings come in.

Below, you’ll find rankings of accredited online master’s programs in criminal justice which take into account the ease and availability of online learning, financial aid opportunities, student services and resources, and more. For more details, see the “About the Rankings” tab, or keep reading to learn about today’s top online MCJ programs.