Master's Degree in Criminal Justice

If you are looking to advance your career in the criminal justice field or enter this field at an advanced level, earning a criminal justice master's degree will put you above the competition. Studying criminal justice at the master's level prepares students for leadership and managerial positions in this exciting field. Specializations in a particular area of interest can make students even more desirable in the job market. Some possible criminal justice specializations include:
  • correctional administration and treatment
  • global issues in criminal justice
  • leadership/executive management
  • police management
  • prevention and control.

Time and Money

A master's in criminal justice can be completed in one years if you choose to study full-time. On a part-time basis, two to three years of study may be required to earn your degree. While tuition costs vary greatly from school to school, expect to spend at least $400 per credit.

Criminal Justice Masters Degree Classes

Masters programs offer a broad understanding of all aspects of criminal justice. Some of the subjects covered may include:
  • advanced abnormal psychology
  • applied police management
  • at-risk youth
  • civil liberties
  • conflict resolution and dispute mediation
  • criminal procedure and rules of evidence
  • crisis negotiations
  • juvenile delinquency in America
  • law as social control
  • legal and ethical aspects in health and mental health service
  • organized crime
  • policing in at democratic society
  • restorative justice
  • social stratification.

Criminal Justice Masters Degree Programs Online

If you are already working full-time or are caring for young children, consider getting your master's degree in criminal justice online. Online degrees are similar traditional on-campus degrees, only you can learn the material on the computer at home.
 
Online tuition costs are generally a bit lower than those of traditional campus schools. When choosing an online program, many educators recommend that your school:
  • be accredited
  • be highly respected and in full-time operation
  • have low student attrition and high student satisfaction
  • require either no or minimal travel.

Types of Master's Degrees in Criminal Justice

Many different types of Master's degrees in criminal justice are available, including:
  • Master of Arts in Criminal Justice (MACJ)
  • Master's of Criminal Justice (MCJ)
  • Master of Public Administration (MPA) in Criminal Justice
  • Master of Science/Administration of Justice and Security (MS/AJS)
  • Master of Science in Criminal Justice (MSCJ)
  • Master of Science in Criminal Justice Leadership (MSCJL).
All of these degree programs offer an excellent education, but the different types have different areas of focus. The MCJ and MSCJ are often focused on specialized areas and are helpful for students already working in the criminal justice field who want to advance their careers and join specialized organizations.
 
The MPA, MS/AJS and MSCJL are more focused on administration, leadership and management areas. For students from related fields who are interested in research beyond the master's level, the MACJ is a good option.

Job Outlook

Criminal justice is a growing field. Some jobs available to graduates of Master's programs in criminal justice include:
  • advanced administrative and research positions
  • corrections facilities manager
  • counter intelligence agent
  • criminal investigator
  • crime prevention specialist
  • FBI agent
  • forensic scientist.

 
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