Best Online Criminal Justice Master’s Programs

The criminal justice system is responsible for the identification of crimes, the apprehension of criminals, judgement, and punishment. The main three parts of it are law enforcement, courts, and corrections.

Students in criminal justice programs learn how all three segments of the criminal justice system work together, as well as more specific knowledge regarding their chosen concentration.

A criminal justice master’s degree program offers students advanced knowledge in criminal behavior, organizational leadership, court systems, and law enforcement. Graduate students can then work in any of the three criminal justice sectors while demanding respectable salaries and taking on leadership roles.

There are many reasons someone may pursue a Master’s Degree in Criminal Justice, with the most common being an increase in pay. This degree offers a good return on investment; with only a bachelor’s degree, you can expect to earn about $55,000 in the field whereas with a Master’s Degree in Criminal Justice, your average salary would be closer to about $80,000.

Before we get to the best program to earn your Master’s Degree in Criminal Justice, let’s look over some of the possible career paths you can take upon graduation.

Jobs with a Master’s Degree in Criminal Justice

There are many different jobs someone with a Master’s Degree in Criminal Justice can secure. Many supervisory roles become attainable with a post-graduate degree in criminal justice. You could also demand a higher salary as a profiler, examiner, or criminologist with a master’s degree.

Below is a list of some of the possible roles graduates of a criminal justice master’s program can fill, along with their average salary and expected job growth as provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Correctional Officer Supervisor

Average Salary: $62,500

Job Growth: Decrease through 2026

Police and Detective Supervisor

Average Salary: $87.910

Job Growth: 7% increase by 2026

Forensic Psychologist

Average Salary: $77,030

Job Growth: 14% increase by 2026

Criminal Profiler

Average Salary: $80,000

Job Growth: 25% increase by 2020

Criminologist

Average Salary: $82,000

Job Growth: 15% increase by 2022

District Attorney/Attorney General Investigator

Average Salary: $119,250

Job Growth: 8% increase by 2026

Criminal Investigator Supervisor

Average Salary: $83,170

Job Growth: 17% increase by 2026

Forensic Examiner

Average Salary: $87,623

Job Growth: 17% increase by 2026

Emergency Management Director

Average Salary: $81,130

Job Growth: 8% increase by 2026

Security Management

Average Salary: $105,610

Job Growth: 8% increase by 2026

Best Online Criminal Justice Master’s Degree Programs

Michigan State University

• Tuition: $774 per credit hour
• Length: 30 credit hours, 2 years
• Minimum GPA to Apply: 3.0 GPA
• Concentrations Available: Security Management
• Graduation Rate: 80%

Michigan State University’s Master of Science in Criminal Justice program has a 10-course degree plan. Classes prepare online students with “executive-level skills” in areas like technology, legal studies, and communication. Topics include counterterrorism, crime control strategies, and law enforcement intelligence. Students can choose their electives as they please or follow the concentration plan for security management. 

While the minimum GPA to apply is 3.0, applicants who have below a 3.2 GPA will have to submit their GRE scores. Applicants will also need to send in three letters of recommendation and official transcripts.

University of Central Florida

• Tuition: $327 per credit hour for in-state students, $1,152 for out of state students
• Length: 36 credit hours, 2 years
• Minimum GPA to Apply: 3.0
• Graduation Rate: 73%

The University of Central Florida’s Master of Science in Criminal Justice program prepares students to become a criminal justice professional through online courses. 

Applicants should send in a resume, written statement of career goals and two letters of recommendation. 

UCF also offers Juvenile Justice Leadership, Police Leadership, and Corrections Leadership programs that are each 12 credits long. This is a great option for students who want a quick program to give them a competitive advantage in their field.

Arizona State University 

• Tuition: $709 per credit hour
• Length: 33 credits, 18 months
• Minimum GPA to Apply: 3.0
• Graduation Rate: 48%

Arizona State University’s Master of Arts in Criminal Justice degree consists of 11 accelerated courses that are just 7.5 weeks long. Courses include applied data analysis in criminal justice, criminal justice planning, program evaluation, and a capstone. Electives available for students include etiology of martyrdom and forensic mental health. 

The program prepares students for a career in criminal justice in positions like police chief, detective, corrections officer, and secret service agent. Applicants will need to submit two recommendation letters and a written statement of professional goals.

Florida State University

• Tuition: $554 per credit hour for in-state students, $584 for out of state students. 
• Length: 36 credits, 2 years
• Graduation Rate: 83%

Florida State University’s Master’s Degree in Criminal Justice Studies allows students to take courses like criminology and advanced computer applications, and applied statistics. There are also electives students can choose from such as penology and crime policy evaluation. 

FSU does not have a minimum GPA requirement for applicants, but students must have proof of strong academic abilities. Applicants with five or more years of professional experience can have their GRE scores waived. Applicants must send in a resume and a 300- to 500-word statement of intent. 

University of San Diego

• Tuition: $699 per unit
• Length: 31 units, 20 months
• Minimum GPA to Apply: 2.75
• Graduation Rate: 80%

The University of San Diego works with law enforcement to constantly update its Master of Science in Law Enforcement and Public Safety Leadership program. Current classes available include public safety law, community assessment practices, conflict resolution, and a capstone project. This program teaches students essential skills to be a criminal justice professional, such as community engagement techniques, resource allocation, research methods, and constitutional law.

Applicants must have a minimum 2.75 GPA, as well as professional work experience in either law enforcement, public safety, active-duty military, or a related field. 

Florida International University

• Tuition: $4,310 per semester for in-state students, $9,224 per semester for out-of-state students
• Length: 36 credits, 2 years
• Minimum GPA to Apply: 3.2
• Graduation Rate: 58%

Florida International University’s Master of Science in Criminal Justice program has a research-centered curriculum. The required coursework includes classes such as applied research methodologies and transnational crimes. Students can choose from a variety of electives and can have an internship or independent research project count toward required credit hours. This program can be completed either completely online or through a hybrid format at its Miami campus.

Applicants must submit two recommendation letters and a statement of intent. 

Colorado State University

• Tuition: $500 per credit hour
• Length: 36 credits, 1 to 2 years
• Minimum GPA to Apply: 3.0 preferred 
• Concentrations Available: Information Technology; Fraud Management
• Graduation Rate: 54%

Colorado State University’s Master of Criminal Justice program equips online students with skills to handle cyberterrorism and crime prevention, as well as excel in leadership positions. Core courses in this program include social control, restorative justice, and ethics. Students can align their electives with the two available concentrations. 

Applicants with a GPA of less than 3.0 can still be considered if they have other accomplishments that indicate academic success, like a high GRE score. All applicants must turn in a 500-word statement of intent and a current resume. 

Boston University 

• Tuition: $27,360 per semester 
• Length: 32 credit hours, 16 to 18 months
• Concentrations Available: Crime Analysis, Strategic Management, and Cybercrime Investigation
• Graduation Rate: 88%

Boston University’s Master of Science in Criminal Justice program offers three concentrations for their students with specific career goals. Its core courses like analyzing criminal behavior, criminological theories, and leadership within organizational settings prepare students for the always-evolving criminal justice field.

Applicants will need to submit three letters of recommendation, a resume and a statement of intent.

Northeastern University

• Tuition: $32,700 total
• Length: 45 credits, 2 to 3 years
• Concentrations Available: Global Criminal Justice, Security, Leaderships, Corrections, Policing, and Community & Family Justice
• Graduation Rate: 88%

Northeastern University’s Master of Science in Criminal Justice program is available in both a hybrid format at the Charlotte, Massachusetts campus as well as completely online.  

Northeastern University offers an impressive six concentrations for students to customize their education. Each concentration has different elective courses to prepare students for their chosen area of criminal justice.

Prospective students will need to submit two letters of recommendation, a resume and a 500-word statement of intent. 

Should I Get My Criminal Justice Master’s Degree Online?

Enrolling in an online program has many benefits. For example, online students do not have to commute to school or move closer to campus. If you have already entered the criminal justice workforce, choosing to earn your master’s degree online will also allow you to balance work and school as digital programs offer more flexibility.

Online programs also offer cheaper tuition rates. The average price for an online master’s program in criminal justice is about $5,700 per year. Compare that to the $30,000 average annual tuition for an in-person program and choosing to earn your degree online becomes a no-brainer.

Most online Master’s Degree in Criminal Justice programs consist of around 30 to 40 credits, or 10 to 13 classes. These are usually completed over two years, but many online programs offer accelerated programs, allowing you to earn your degree in half that time.

Conclusion

An online criminal justice master’s degree offers a flexible alternative for students looking to further their education. The best schools offer coursework relevant to modern criminal justice areas and topics, proactively challenge students, and teach skills necessary to excel in the field. 

If you are looking to get your Master’s Degree in Criminal Justice, be sure to review the online programs listed above as part of your ongoing research to find the right program.