Best Master's In Criminal Justice Degrees

Northeastern’s year-long master of science in criminology and criminal justice program explores both the causes and prevention of crime and the systems set up to deal with it law breaking. The interdisciplinary 32-credit program includes classwork in sociology, psychology, political science, law, and public administration, and you can tailor your course of study using electives. You can enroll either part or full-time, and the Boston institution schedules classes to fit around the work day of professionals. An experiential option gives degree candidates the opportunity to work with a mentor in the field.

At Indiana State, students in the master of science in criminology and criminal justice program build a portfolio of expertise in an area of interest. This might include criminology, intelligence analysis, cybercrime, security studies, or any number of other fields. The 36 required credits take you through core courses in ethics, theory, and research, along with “systems” courses in public administration, organizational behavior, and investigation. Applicants must have taken sociology, psychology, and political science, and classes in juvenile delinquency, at the undergraduate level. Culminating experiences and comprehensive exams close out the program.

Rowan University offers its master of arts in criminal justice from its campus in Glassboro, New Jersey. The school designed its 30-credit curriculum to prepare graduates for leadership positions in law enforcement agencies, for roles in private and public research institutions, and to step into doctoral programs in criminal justice. Students can elect to do a thesis or a comprehensive exam after completing required classes in theory, research methods, and criminal justice policy. Electives include an array of subjects – courts, prevention and rehabilitation, white-collar crime, violence, and race and ethnicity. Admission to the program requires submission of a resume, two letters of recommendation, and a GPA of 2.5 or better. Rowan recommends the GRE but does not require it.

The University of Cincinnati set up its master of science in criminal justice to give graduates information processing and problem solving skills no matter what direction they go after grad school. You can graduate in a single year, working full time and taking two classes per semester, or finish in two, taking one class at a time. The 33-credit curriculum consists of 11 total courses in law, administration, sociology, and core criminal justice subjects. Through research, you gain a theoretical understanding of crime and criminality and the various methods that can work toward solving those problems. The university stresses that the program also prepares social scientists for careers in research.

Illinois’ Lewis University has produced more than forty police chiefs and superintendents over the years. As a member of the Academic Alliance of the FBI National Academy Associates, the school has placed dozens of graduates in high-level positions in the FBI, the Secret Service, and homeland security. Classes in administration, management theory, and research form the core of Lewis’ 36-credit master of science in criminal justice. Program participants can use electives in law enforcement, public administration, juvenile justice, homeland security, and corrections to focus their studies. For full admission, you must hold an undergraduate degree in a related field or currently work in criminal justice.

The 36-credit curriculum of the University of Central Florida’s master of science in criminal justice program delves into the problems facing criminal justice practitioners today and the various ways of approaching them. Built around a research core, where students learn to use analytical skills to pore over data to find solutions, the course of study typically takes 1-2 years to complete. The university stresses management and administrative skills throughout the program. Participants can either pursue a thesis track or do a comprehensive examination at the culmination. Admission requires a GPA of 3.0 on the last 60 undergraduate credits, two letters of recommendation, a resume, and a statement of career goals.

Troy, Alabama-based Troy University’s master of science in criminal justice takes a solid look at the state of modern law enforcement, including personnel issues. Program participants can sign on for a 36-credit thesis option or a 30-credit non-thesis track. You also have the option of pursuing a concentration in security studies. You must work your way through a curriculum that tackles the evolution of crime law, current criminal justice theory, juvenile justice, and criminal justice research. Like other graduate-level programs, the course of study at Troy emphasizes critical thinking, problem solving, communication, and other management skills.

Founded in 1962, the criminal justice department at the University of Central Missouri offers a master of science in criminal justice with deep roots. Based at the Warrenburg campus, the 36-credit program combines theory and practice, involving heavy research and study of practical applications. You may elect to complete a thesis project or not. The university also works to develop the administrative skills of each participant, including effective communication, critical thinking, and problem solving. Graduates leave ready to pursue careers in law enforcement, corrections, and security, or to continue their studies toward a doctorate.

Leadership skills sit at the core of Columbia College’s master of science in criminal justice program. The Columbia, Missouri institution includes management topics in most courses, and you can opt into management tracks in both law enforcement and corrections. The school hosts the degree program at its campuses in Missouri, Georgia, Texas, New York, and Florida. Faculty use a hands-on format that encourages participation and gives participants action skills. To qualify for the management tracks, you must earn a B or better in coursework in that area of specialty. Everyone must complete core courses in legal issues, current trends, management, and research.

UMass Lowell developed its master of arts in criminal justice and criminology with three types of students in mind. These include current law enforcement professionals looking to advance their careers or change their specialization, those who want a terminal degree to enter the field, and individuals looking to enter academia or research in the field. Degree candidates must complete 33 credits of classwork, and can decide whether they want to produce a thesis. The university will accept up to six credits transferred in from an approved program. Once you complete the five required courses you can design your own course of study with an advisor. This provides the freedom to focus in any area of criminal justice that fits their career needs.

UC Denver master of criminal justice program has prepared law enforcement professionals for almost 50 years. A rigorous, competitive course of study, it includes classwork in juvenile issues, corrections, the judiciary, and the legal system, along with more traditional classes in law enforcement. You may also select from concentrations in such specialized areas as crime analysis, emergency management, and gender-based violence. The university also offers a dual major pairing the master of criminal justice with a graduate degree in public administration. UC Denver requires either the GRE or the LSAT exams for admission. Most students complete the required 36 credits in two and a half years or less.

Indiana University of Pennsylvania has hosted its master of arts in criminology program for over two decades. While the Greater Pittsburgh institution initially gave the program a law-enforcement focus, it has since grown into a research heavy course of study. Today, the degree aims to equip you with the skills you need to enter careers in criminal justice administration or research. The 30-credit curriculum includes rigorous classes in criminology theory, the dynamics of organizations, the ethical and philosophical underpinnings of criminal justice, and the practical application of quantitative analysis and research. IUD does not require the GRE for admission.

The University of Louisville established its master of science in criminal justice as an intensive, three-semester degree program. The 36-credit curriculum includes coursework in advanced social and behavioral skills, combined with management and leadership expertise to prep you to step into mid- or upper-level administrative positions in a law-enforcement agency. It also readies you for advanced research or academic work in criminal justice or the social sciences. The faculty encourage you to broaden your degree with electives from areas like law, business, public administration, and social work, to give you a multidisciplinary, well-rounded education. The program allows you the discretion to design a curriculum that meets your career goals.

St. Leo University ranks among the elite criminal justice schools chosen by the Federal Bureau of Investigation as a partner in its FBI National Academy Associates program. The Florida Catholic institution’s master of criminal justice degree takes a hands-on experiential approach, giving you the opportunity to intern at crime-fighting organizations like U.S. Customs, the Drug Enforcement Agency, and the Secret Service, among others. You can select from two options, an accelerated program, in which you complete the 36 required credits in less than two years, or a traditional program that finishes in two.