Criminal justice professionals who wish to gain new insight and develop new skills often pursue a master’s in criminal justice degree.
Students who earn a bachelor’s degree often choose to improve their career opportunities by enrolling in a master’s degree program.
Completing a master’s in criminal justice degree program is likely to open new doors for current professionals and for students who want to work in a criminal justice administration position or as a criminal justice educator.
Students have the option of completing the program in a traditional on-campus format, or an online format.
Some schools offer both options.
Consider these best master’s in criminal justice degrees when deciding on the best program to fulfill your educational and career goals.
1 Arizona State University Online
About the School
Arizona State University was named to the Top 5 Best Online Master’s in Criminal Justice program for veterans by U.S. News and World Report.
The school was also named to the list of the Top 10 Best Online Master’s in Criminal Justice programs.
Courses Offered
Arizona State University (ASU Online) offers the Online Master of Arts in Criminal Justice program for graduate students who want to gain more in-depth knowledge of crime and the legal system.
Students learn why crime exists, the impact that it has on society, and how justice is applied in the legal system.
The master’s degree program prepares students to become more competitive for advanced roles in criminal justice.
The 33-credit hour program provides students with in-demand skills, such as report preparation, risk assessment and management, and academic research and writing.
Students demonstrate proficiency in program evaluation, statistical analysis, and how to address questions and issues in the field of criminal justice.
Some required courses include a Seminar in Criminal Justice, Applied Data Analysis in Criminal Justice, a Seminar in Criminology, and Criminal Justice Planning and Program Evaluation.
Examples of the elective courses include Seminar on Policing, Seminar on Sex Crimes, and Seminar on Homeland Security.
Contact Information
- Address: 1151. S. Forest Ave., Tempe, AZ., 85281
- Phone: 866-277-6589
- Website: Visit School Website
2 New Mexico State University Global Campus
About the School
The New Mexico State University Online Master of Criminal Justice program ranks among the top programs in the U.S.
The university, accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, offers affordable tuition, with a generous tuition discount for active duty military personnel.
Courses Offered
Enjoy the flexibility of completing the Online Master of Criminal Justice program at New Mexico State University in a 100 percent online format.
The university refers to the program as a “program for scholarly, experiential, and applied research endeavors.”
Students typically complete the 36-credit program in two years if they enroll on a part-time basis, or 1.5 years if they enroll in the program as a full-time student.
Examine the primary decision-making issues and ethical considerations that criminal justice professionals face today.
Learn how to conduct criminal justice research and analyze policy.
Study topics that include criminological theory, crime causation, data analysis, and an advanced analysis of the relationship between race and crime in the U.S.
Sample program courses include Nature of Crime, Issues in Ethics, Law, and Criminal Justice, and Seminar in Criminal Justice Policy Analysis and Planning.
Contact Information
- Address: 2980 S. Espina St., Ste 202, Las Cruces, N.M., 88003
- Phone: 575-646-3121
- Website: Visit School Website
3 North Carolina Central University
About the School
North Carolina Central University, accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, offers more than 40 graduate programs, including the Master of Science in Criminal Justice (M.S.C.J.) program.
Courses Offered
The North Carolina Central University Master of Science in Criminal Justice program prepares students for conducting research, and for working in areas that include policy development, supervisory roles, and administrative roles across the field of criminal justice.
The coursework enhances critical thinking skills and places an emphasis on the practical application of knowledge.
The university department is the home of two institutes, which are the Juvenile Justice Institute and the Institute for Homeland Security and Workforce Development.
These institutes provide research opportunities.
Courses offered in this program may vary somewhat, depending on the track chosen by the student.
Some students follow the traditional program, while others follow the professional program.
Coursework focuses on theories of crime and deviant behavior and the systems that respond to crime and deviant behavior.
The curriculum also focuses on leadership management and social justice.
Contact Information
- Address: 1801 Fayetteville St., Durham, N.C. 27707
- Phone: 919-530-6100
- Website: Visit School Website
4 University of Southern California
About the School
The University of Southern California recognizes that graduate students in criminal justice lead busy lives.
The school offers its master’s in criminal justice degree program so that students have the option of completing it in one year or two years.
Courses Offered
The University of Southern California Bovard College Online Master of Science in Criminal Justice Program prepares students for advanced careers in criminal justice.
Professionals already working in the field gain the skills to become criminal justice leaders.
The program is also ideal for staff in the field who are looking to advance to become mid-level managers and supervisors.
Program graduates are skilled and ethical decision-makers.
The curriculum for the 24-credit program includes Criminology, Criminal Justice Leadership, and Applied Statistics and Data Analysis in Criminal Justice.
Contact Information
- Address: 1150 S. Olive St., SCT-300, Los Angeles, CA., 90089
- Phone: 213-764-4399
- Website: Visit School Website
5 University of Cincinnati
About the School
The University of Cincinnati Master of Science in Criminal Justice online program is ranked 9th best in the U.S. on the U.S. News and World Report.
The program had a 93 percent first-term retention rate between 2018-2022.
Courses Offered
The Master of Science in Criminal Justice online program at the University of Cincinnati focuses on best practice approaches, experience-based learning, and on-field collaborations.
It draws insight from several fields, including law, sociology, and criminology.
The program consists of 11 courses, which students may complete on a part-time or full-time basis. Students have a choice of three concentrations.
The concentrations include Law Enforcement and Crime Prevention, Corrections and Offender Rehabilitation, and Analysis of Criminal Behavior.
Sample courses include Basic Research Methods in Criminal Justice, Correctional Theory and Policy, Advanced Crime Analysis, and Cybercrime.
Contact Information
- Address: 2600 Clifton Ave., Cincinnati, Ohio 45221
- Phone: 513-556-0000
- Website: Visit School Website
6 Florida International University
About the School
The Florida International University Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice, located within the Steven J. Green School of International and Public Affairs, is recognized nationally and internationally.
The school is considered a “prominent center of research, scholarship, and teaching on core issues related to crime and justice.”
Courses Offered
Florida International University offers an online Master of Science in Criminal Justice for professionals who want to further their education or advance their career.
The program consists of 12 courses, which total 36 credit hours.
Some courses in the program include Criminological Theory, Research Methods in Criminal Justice, Transnational Crime and National Security, and Criminal Justice Policy Analysis.
Contact Information
- Address: 11200 SW 8th St., PCA 257, Miami, Florida, 33199
- Phone: 305-348-5890
- Website: Visit School Website
7 Tarleton State University
About the School
Tarleton State University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
The Master of Science in Criminal Justice Program is offered in a traditional setting or online.
Courses Offered
Explore criminal justice systems in the U.S. and outside the country by enrolling in the Master of Science in Criminal Justice program at Tarleton State University.
The program prepares students to evaluate and solve issues related to criminal justice, to respond to changing needs in the field, or to prepare for doctoral studies.
Professionals who choose this program have the option of enrolling in a thesis option, which is 36 credits, or the non-thesis option, which is 30 credits.
Courses in the program include topics on forensic science, theory, research methods, media and crime, victimology, domestic and international terrorism, and crime mapping.
Contact Information
- Address: 1333 W. Washington, Stephenville, TX., 76402
- Phone: 254-968-9000
- Website: Visit School Website
8 Texas A&M University – Central Texas
About the School
Texas A&M University – Central Texas has the commitment to prepare its students for lifelong learning experiences through high-quality, rigorous learning experiences that are both innovative and that advance the mission of the university.
Courses Offered
The Texas A&M University – Central Texas Master of Criminal Justice program prepares students to advance in the field of criminal justice or to further their graduate studies.
Students may complete the thesis option or the non-thesis option.
Program graduates gain skills and knowledge in research analysis, research contributions, theory, and legal principles.
They know the concepts of ethical considerations as they apply to criminal justice.
Some courses in the curriculum include Victimology, Advanced Research, Advanced Ethics, Treatment in Corrections, and Program Evaluation.
Contact Information
- Address: 1001 Leadership Place, Killeen, TX., 76549
- Phone: 254-519-5400
- Website: Visit School Website
9 University of Colorado Denver
About the School
The University of Colorado Denver offers its Master of Criminal Justice program in an on-campus format and an online format.
Courses Offered
The 36-credit hour Master of Criminal Justice program offered at the University of Colorado Denver prepares students to perform research, administer criminal and juvenile justice systems, and analyze and evaluate the responsiveness to those systems.
Some courses in the program include The American Jury System, Criminal Offenders, Police Administration, Courts, Law, and Justice, and Profiling Criminal Behavior.
Contact Information
- Address: 1380 Lawrence St. 500, Denver, CO., 80204
- Phone: 303-315-2228
- Website: Visit School Website
10 Coppin State University
About the School
Coppin State University, a University System of Maryland Member Institution, offers a Master of Science in Criminal Justice program for professionals who want to enhance their knowledge and gain specialized skills.
Courses Offered
The 36-credit Master of Science in Criminal Justice program at Coppin State University features several specializations, which include Crime Control and Delinquency Prevention, Administration, Correctional Counseling, and Criminal Justice Planning and Research.
Students enrolled in the program gain real-world experience as they engage in field training opportunities, cooperative education opportunities, and internships.
The curriculum includes courses such as Advanced Criminology, Statistics in Social and Behavioral Sciences, and Survey in Criminal Justice Administration.
Contact Information
- Address: 2500 West North Ave., Baltimore, MD., 21216
- Phone: 410-951-3700
- Website: Visit School Website
Schools Summary Table
I’m impressed by the diversity of programs featured in this list, catering to different career paths and areas of interest within the field of criminal justice. Whether someone is interested in law enforcement, corrections, or criminology, there’s something here for everyone.
Programs that offer concentrations in areas such as cybercrime, homeland security, and juvenile justice are particularly noteworthy, as they address some of the most pressing issues in today’s society. Additionally, the focus on experiential learning, through internships, practicums, and collaborative projects with law enforcement agencies, ensures that students gain practical skills and real-world experience.