Best Online Master's Degrees in Criminal Justice

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*Tuition information is based on published tuition and required fees, per data by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES).

Criminal justice and criminology are very similar; some of the subject matter for both degrees cross each other, and both degrees can qualify individuals for some of the same positions. They are different degrees for specific reasons, however. Criminology studies the psychology and sociology of crime and examines criminal behavior. Criminal justice studies this to an extent, but through the lens of the criminal justice system overall. Criminology more so focuses on the individual, while criminal justice focuses on how each role (criminal, law enforcement officer, judge, corrections and probation officers) plays a part.

Criminology careers involve asking why and using research and analysis of criminal behavior to prevent future crimes. Like the degree itself, careers in criminology focus on the individual. A few of these careers include criminologist, detective, researcher, and corrections officer. Criminal justice careers involve asking who and using law enforcement and rehabilitation to prevent future crimes. A few of these careers include criminal investigator, police officer, corrections officer, and deputy juvenile officer.

While free online criminal justice classes are available, a master's degree in criminal justice is beneficial for those who want to advance their career in the field. These programs teach leadership skills as well as explore organizational management, which is important if your goals are to lead other professionals. They are also a stepping stone to more research-based positions or degrees. Aside from professional advancement, these programs take an in-depth look at the criminal justice system and all that contributes to it, which can increase your understanding of the field and better prepare you for any position you may choose.

How Long Does It Take to Earn an Online Master's in Criminal Justice?

Online master's programs in criminal justice take about 2 years to complete, with an average of 33-55 credit hours required. However, there are some programs that can be completed in 1 year of full-time study. Since there's no physical classroom requirement, online programs are more flexible and may follow a more condensed format than their traditional counterparts. Courses may be taken one at a time and last around 6-8 weeks. This can allow you to earn the degree a bit sooner. However, other online programs are designed primarily for working adults and may follow a part-time schedule, which can increase the time to completion.

The curriculum for online master's degree programs in criminal justice is broad and robust, exploring all of the facets of the criminal justice system at the local, state, and national levels, as well as in the private and public sectors. Courses cover subjects such as criminology, psychology, sociology, law, and data analysis, among others. Students can choose electives that cover topics more related to their personal or professional interests. The program typically culminates with a research or capstone project that is related to a student's chosen career path.

Criminal Justice Foundational Courses

Criminal justice foundational courses cover the core concepts of the criminal justice field. Students take courses that teach them how psychological and sociological factors influence crime and criminal behavior and how to use this knowledge to improve outcomes for offenders. They also learn how to use statistical research to prevent crime and improve the system as a whole. Other core courses explore approaches to corrections, correctional institutions, and social programs. Overall, foundational courses in criminal justice programs teach students about crime and the legal system from both the offender's and legal system's perspectives. A few courses can include:

• Research Methods in Criminology
• Data and Analysis in Criminal Justice
• Organizational Behavior
• Criminological Theories
• Criminal Justice Theory and Research
• Criminal Justice Seminar
• Criminology Seminar

Criminal Justice Specialist and Elective Courses

Criminal justice specialist and elective courses allow students to explore topics that are related to their specific career interests, whether it be in law enforcement, research, advocacy, or corrections. Some schools' programs have concentrations that pertain to these interests; they may be known as criminal behavior analysis, law enforcement and crime prevention, or corrections and rehabilitation. Elective courses can also explore certain types of crime and the populations that commonly commit those crimes, such as white-collar crime, terrorism and homeland security, juvenile delinquency, or sex crimes. A few criminal justice specialist and elective courses include:

• Crime and Delinquency Prevention and Treatment
• Correctional Theory and Policy
• Corrections
• Policing
• Juvenile Delinquency
• Victimology
• Police and Society

Licensure and Certification in Criminal Justice

There is no singular certification for criminal justice professionals since the field is so broad and consists of many careers. However, individuals who are looking to become supervisors of police or police departments have a couple of certifications available to them. These aren't always required for advancement but can be beneficial.

The International Association of Law Enforcement Planners (IALEP) has 2 certifications for law enforcement planners; the Certified Law Enforcement Planner and the Advanced Law Enforcement Planner. These certifications demonstrate professional ability and uphold standards. Both levels of certification require IALEP membership, signatures of supervisors, college transcripts, and work experience. Both certifications also require 12-18 credits in topical knowledge related to law enforcement planning, such as budgeting, crime analysis, policy development, and community policing.

Certified Law Enforcement Planner requires 3 semester hours each of data and analysis or statistics and research and/or evaluation methods. Applicants also need a college degree and 1-3 years of law enforcement planning experience. Advanced Law Enforcement Planner requires previous certification in law enforcement planning, a 4-year degree, and 5 years of law enforcement experience, 3 of which must be in law enforcement planning.

Admissions for online criminal justice master's programs can vary by school. All programs require a bachelor's degree, but it does not have to be in criminal justice or another closely related field. However, a degree in this field can help. Some colleges will accept students without an undergraduate criminal justice degree on the condition that they take certain courses in the master's program. Other requirements can include:

• Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores (some schools will waive this if the applicant has a certain amount of criminal justice professional experience)
• A minimum GPA of 3.0
• A statement of purpose or a personal essay
• Letters of recommendation from at least 2-3 academic or professional contacts

There is a lot you can do with a criminal justice master's degree that doesn't involve being in law enforcement. Since the field is so broad, the skills and experience earned can translate to a number of positions that work with many populations. Graduates can work with offenders, lawyers, detectives, courts, and victims in positions dedicated to rehabilitation, corrections, or advocacy. Additionally, many leadership positions are made possible. With the right training and certification, a position as a criminal justice teacher is even possible. A few careers that are possible with a criminal justice master's degree include:

• Probation officer
• FBI research analyst
• Detective
• First-line supervisor of police and detectives
• Cybersecurity manager
• Child and family services supervisor
• Secret Service

There are also several careers involving psychology and criminal justice but these require a bit more training and coursework relating to psychology or forensic psychology. A master's in criminal justice can broaden your knowledge as a psychology professional in the criminal justice system, but will usually not meet all of the requirements.

Job Outlook for a Master's in Criminal Justice

Many positions in the criminal justice field are funded by local and state governments, which set a budget each year for how much spending a department has. This can determine employment patterns. Some careers are expected to grow as fast as the average or faster. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the job outlook for probation officers and correctional treatment specialists is expected to increase by 4 percent from 2019-2029. The BLS also noted that first-line supervisors of police and detectives have a job outlook of 5 percent during the same decade.

How to Become a Probation Officer

Probation officers work with offenders, also called probationers, who have been placed on probation instead of serving time in prison. Their primary job is to supervise these people to make sure they don't commit any additional offenses, including bringing harm to any community. Probation officers conduct frequent visits with offenders and help them gain access to any treatment or rehabilitation services that they might need. This results in writing periodic reports on the probationer, detailing things such as their behavior, treatment plan, and progress. Probation officers primarily work with either adults or juveniles.

A bachelor's degree in behavioral sciences, criminal justice, or social work is required for this position. A training program and certification test is also administered by individual employers, with training lasting around one year. Advancement to a supervisory position is possible with experience and a master's degree. Probation officers are among the highest paying jobs with a criminal justice degree with a salary of $54,290, according to the BLS' 2019 salary statistics.

How to Become a First-Line Supervisor of Police and Detectives

First-line supervisors of police and detectives oversee the undertakings of police officers and other law enforcement staff. An advanced position, this usually requires a degree and extensive experience in the field. Job duties can include directing criminal investigations, writing and maintaining operational reports and records, solving workplace conflict, training new employees, collaborating with other law enforcement or security agencies, maintaining inventory, and writing criminal reports, among other things. They may also have to testify in court or other legal settings and ensure crime scene evidence is being properly handled, stored, and recorded.

These supervisors are held responsible for investigations that officers in their departments take on. They need to have strong leadership, communication, and critical thinking skills, especially when overseeing an investigation. According to the BLS, the median annual for first-line supervisors of police and detectives was $91,090 as of 2019.

There are several professional organizations dedicated to the advancement of the criminal justice field. These organizations can help students and professionals alike with resources for networking, education, and advancement, among other things. A few of them include the following:

• The American Correctional Association (ACA) was founded in 1870 and is the oldest association for individuals in the correctional profession. The association encourages diversity in the correctional system staff, promotes exemplary accreditation standards, continuing education, and research, and serves as the voice of corrections to promote positive relationships with the public.
• The Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences (ACJS) has a mission to transform justice through research, education, and practice. There are several types of memberships available, including regular, senior, student, and lifetime. A few benefits include exclusive subscriptions and access to criminal justice journals and articles, professional connections, mentorship opportunities, and the chance to earn awards and present research at the organization's annual meeting.
• The National Criminal Justice Association (NCJA) has been around since 1971. Members come from all facets of the criminal justice system, and benefits include registration discounts for the annual conference, news about federal legislation and policy, exclusive access to a library of funding solicitations, and access to an online member community, among others.

Virtually any undergraduate degree is a suitable prerequisite for a master's program in criminal justice, but there are certain degrees that better prepare you for not only a master's program but future employment. Two of these degrees are a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice and a Bachelor of Science in Criminology. While an undergraduate criminal justice degree explores the same topics as a graduate degree, criminology degrees more so study crime, criminal behavior, and the psychological and sociological factors that can cause it.

After completing a master's in criminal justice, there is an option to enroll in a doctoral program in an on-campus or online format. The most straightforward option is a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Criminal Justice or Criminology and Criminal Justice. These programs examine the field from a more administrative perspective and prepare students for positions in research, leadership, and postsecondary education. Students mostly explore topics relating to criminal justice theory, policy, and research. These programs typically require a dissertation, which consists of a contribution of original research in the field of criminal justice. Because of this, the time to complete the degree can vary by school; some schools give students up to 10 years.

Financial aid can be obtained in many ways, and the first step is to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Using information such as household income and taxes, this form tells students what types of aid they qualify for, usually in the form of federal loans, and grants. Applicants need to meet a few criteria, such as being enrolled or planning to enroll in an accredited postsecondary institution and possession of a valid social security number. But that's not the only way to pay for school.

Colleges and universities have their own scholarship funds. The John Jay College of Criminal Justice offers many scholarships to students studying criminal justice, such as the Alumni Terrorism Studies Scholarship for graduate students who take at least one terrorism studies course each semester. Other scholarships don't have any major-specific requirements, such as the John Jay College of Criminal Justice's Graduate Scholarship of $2,000, open to graduate students who have completed 12 credits with a minimum GPA of 3.75.

Institutes and other organizations dedicated to the communities they serve also offer scholarships. The Virginia Sheriff's Institute offers a scholarship to full and part-time students who are criminal justice majors, registered to vote, and permanent residents of Virginia.