The Master’s in Criminal Justice Online

Florida International University’s Master of Science in Criminal Justice focuses on criminal justice research and is designed for students intending to pursue a career in academia or applied research analysis, or continuing on with their academic studies to earn their doctorate. FIU also offers a Master of Arts in Global Affairs with an International Crime and Justice track that prepares students for careers in international and domestic justice and law enforcement by combining coursework in international crime and justice with courses in subjects such as international relations and economics. Both programs are non-thesis, require completion of 36-credit hours of coursework, and can be earned 100% online.

The University of Colorado Denver’s Master of Criminal Justice degree program features an interdisciplinary curriculum covering criminology and justice issues related to law enforcement, the corrections system, the judiciary, juvenile justice, and the development of relevant laws and codes. Students have the option of customizing their studies by choosing one of four concentrations: Crime Analyst, Emergency Management and Homeland Security, Gender-Based Violence, or Nonprofit Organizations. The 36-credit hour curriculum consists of required coursework in theory, practice and research methods along with concentration and elective courses, and culminates with either a thesis or an applied research capstone project. Students with previous professional experience in the criminal justice field can complete all degree requirements entirely online. Students with no previous criminal justice experience, however, must complete an in-person internship with an approved local, state, or federal justice organization.

Florida State University’s online Master of Science in Criminal Justice is designed to prepare students for a range of career opportunities, including new jobs with law enforcement agencies, leadership positions with current employers, and teaching positions at Florida community colleges. This 36-credit hour, non-thesis degree program is offered 100% online with no campus visits required. Courses are delivered in an asynchronous format, meaning that classes are accessed and coursework completed at times most convenient to the student. Full-time students can complete the entire degree program in two years by taking two courses each semester. Admission requirements include a previously-earned bachelor’s degree, current resume, and personal statement indicating the student’s reasons for pursuing the degree through distance learning. A GRE score is additionally required for applicants with less than five years of relevant professional experience.

The Master of Science in Criminal Justice (MSCJ) degree from the University of Houston – Downtown features coursework that integrates practical and theoretical aspects of criminal justice as they relate to both the juvenile and adult justice systems. The fully-online degree program is designed primarily for currently-employed professionals interested in advancing into leadership positions in law enforcement, corrections, the judiciary system, and other criminology and criminal justice-related jobs. The curriculum consists of 36 credit hours of required and elective courses, and a culminating capstone project. The asynchronous format allows students to conveniently fit their studies around their busy work schedules. Admission requirements include a baccalaureate degree and minimum 3.0 GPA on the last 60 credit hours of undergraduate or graduate study. Applicants with a non-criminal justice bachelor’s degree may be required to complete preparatory coursework prior to program acceptance.

California State University – Long Beach’s online Master of Science in Criminology & Criminal Justice degree program offers a balance of theory and practical knowledge and skills to provide students with a competitive edge in the job market for leadership positions with law enforcement and correctional agencies. The degree program is presented in an accelerated format and features fully-online asynchronous coursework. Students can complete their programs in as little as 24 months. Admission requirements include a previously-earned bachelor’s degree, preferably in a criminal justice or closely-related major or minor. Students whose bachelor’s degree is in an unrelated field may still apply upon school approval. A GRE or LSAT score is also required. However, applicants may be accepted without a test score with submittal of writing samples that evidence the applicant’s research potential.

The Master of Science in Criminal Justice offered by the University of Central Florida’s distance learning division, UCF Online, is a 36-credit hour program aimed at creating future criminal justice leaders. Subjects covered in the curriculum include criminal justice, management, and administrative theory, along with statistics and research methods. All degree requirements can be completed 100% online and with as little as two years of academic study. Some prerequisite and elective courses, however, may only be offered on the UCF campus. Thesis and non-thesis options are available. Students may pursue a MS in Criminal Justice/Master of Public Administration Dual Degree that requires completion of 51 credit hours of coursework.

The purpose of Columbia College’s online Master of Science in Criminal Justice degree is to fill two goals for its students. First is to provide currently practicing criminal justice professionals with enhanced administrative and leadership skills. Second is to prepare students for continued academic study on the doctoral level by providing them with a strong foundation in criminal justice theory and analysis. Coursework emphasizes four specific areas: policy development and analysis, research design, ethics, and trends in criminal justice. Students particularly interested in the development of management skills may opt for a management track in Corrections Administration or Law Enforcement Administration. Earning the degree requires completion of 36 credit hours of coursework culminating in a capstone project in which students apply concepts learned in their studies to leadership-based scenarios. All requirements for earning this degree can be completed 100% online.

West Virginia University offers its online Master of Legal Studies (MLS) degree to accommodate the busy schedules of currently-employed mid-career professionals seeking to gain leadership and administrative skills to advance into management positions in criminal justice, human relations, law enforcement, court administration, and other related fields. Students choose from among three areas of emphasis: Healthcare, Homeland Security, and Justice Systems. Most students complete the 21-credit hour curriculum with five semesters of study, but coursework may be customized allowing for more or less time for completion. No thesis is required with academic work culminating in a research capstone. All degree requirements are completed 100% online.

The online Master of Arts in Criminal Justice offered by Arizona State University’s is geared toward current criminal justice agency professionals seeking to advance their careers. Course subjects include criminology, justice systems operations, research methods and statistics, planning and management, and policy analysis and program evaluation. This 33-credit hour program can be completed in as little as 18 months of full-time study, but part-time study is also allowed. Students can develop their own individualized specializations in areas such as management, corrections, or policing. There is no thesis requirement, with the program culminating with a capstone course in criminal justice theory and practice. All coursework and degree requirements are presented entirely online with no campus visits required. Students residing outside of Arizona pay the same tuition rates as Arizona residents.

The online Master of Science in Criminal Justice degree from the University of Alabama at Birmingham is designed to provide working professionals with a flexible and convenient way to earn their degrees while maintaining their current jobs. The program's curriculum features training in areas such as policy analysis, research methods, and program evaluation to prepare students for advancement into administrative and other leadership positions in the criminal justice field. The degree plan is structured to allow students to complete their studies in a fall, spring, summer, fall sequence of four semesters. All coursework for this MSCJ degree is taken 100% online, with students completing a Demonstration Project in lieu of a thesis.