Advance your career in public service with Lindenwood University’s Accelerated Online Master of Science (MS) in Criminal Justice. Designed for working professionals, this flexible online program equips you with the knowledge, analytical insight, and ethical leadership skills needed to navigate the evolving landscape of law enforcement, policy, and justice reform.
Coursework emphasizes critical thinking, constitutional principles, and evidence-based practice, while exploring how artificial intelligence (AI) and data analytics are transforming criminal investigations, policy development, and public safety strategies. Students learn to apply these tools ethically and responsibly, ensuring fairness, accountability, and integrity in every decision.
By graduation, you’ll be prepared to lead with purpose and influence positive change across the justice system. Whether your path leads to law enforcement leadership, corrections administration, policy analysis, or criminal justice reform, this program builds the expertise to uphold justice and strengthen communities in a rapidly changing world.
100%
Asynchronous Online
12 Mo
Program Length
33
Credit Hours
$595
Cost per Credit
Essential Skills & Insights
Coursework in this online master’s in criminal justice program is designed to prepare you for leadership roles that demand ethical decision-making, analytical thinking, and a deep understanding of the justice system. You’ll build the expertise to influence policy, uphold constitutional principles, and lead with integrity in diverse criminal justice settings.
- Ethical Leadership – Develop advanced ethical awareness and apply a people-centered approach to leadership across criminal justice organizations.
- Critical Thinking – Strengthen your ability to analyze systems, evaluate scenarios, and craft solutions that address complex challenges in law enforcement and justice.
- Public Policy & Criminal Justice – Gain a comprehensive understanding of how policy is shaped through the lens of criminal justice, preparing you to engage in reforms and initiatives that improve systems and communities.
- Constitutional Law – Explore the key principles of constitutional law and learn to apply them to real-world situations, ensuring fairness and justice in your professional practice.
AI-Powered Learning, Real-World Impact
Our accelerated online programs integrate opportunities to engage with Artificial Intelligence (AI) as a powerful tool for learning and career preparation. Students apply AI in ways that build authentic skills and mirror how businesses are leveraging it across industries. We emphasize ethical and responsible use, ensuring that students develop the judgment to apply AI appropriately. This approach helps graduates enter the workforce with both technical knowledge and a clear understanding of AI’s role in their discipline.
Careers in Criminal Justice
From law enforcement leadership to policy reform and investigative analysis, careers in criminal justice are expanding to address today’s complex public safety challenges. A Master’s in Criminal Justice equips graduates with advanced leadership skills, legal knowledge, and analytical tools to make an impact in law enforcement, corrections, homeland security, and beyond.
- Police or Detective Supervisor — Median salary: $99,400
Lead investigative teams, oversee operations, and ensure that law enforcement strategies are carried out effectively and ethically. Supervisors play a critical role in training, accountability, and community trust. - Criminologist or Policy Analyst — Median salary: $85,000
Study crime patterns, evaluate justice system policies, and recommend reforms to improve community safety and reduce recidivism. Analysts often work with government agencies, think tanks, or advocacy groups. - Corrections Administrator — Median salary: $96,340
Manage correctional facilities or rehabilitation programs by overseeing staff, ensuring compliance with legal standards, and creating initiatives that balance security with opportunities for reintegration. - Homeland Security or Federal Agent — $100,000+
Protect national security by working with federal agencies on counterterrorism, cybercrime, border protection, or intelligence analysis. Roles demand advanced analytical and leadership skills combined with a strong understanding of constitutional law.
Admissions Requirements
For admission to your Accelerated Online MS Criminal Justice degree, simply complete the 2 step application process.
- Complete the Graduate Admissions Online Application by visiting my.lindenwood.edu/register
- Request official transcripts from your undergraduate institution(s) showing a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher.
Only transcripts with the final degree posted are required if you attended multiple institutions.
Request your official transcript to be sent directly to Lindenwood University Accelerated Online via one of the methods below:- Electronically to: [email protected]
- By Mail to:
Office of Admissions
Lindenwood University Accelerated Online
8205 S Priest Dr #11480
Tempe, AZ 85284 - By Fax to: 480-393-1826
Curriculum Overview
Lindenwood University’s accelerated online MS in Criminal Justice with Administration emphasis program offers an advanced curriculum designed to prepare you for leadership roles in the dynamic field of criminal justice. With the guidance of our expert faculty, courses explore critical issues in law enforcement, corrections, criminal behavior analysis, public policy, administration, and criminal justice leadership. Upon completion, you will be equipped with the knowledge and skills needed to pursue leadership roles in the dynamic field of criminal justice.
Foundation Coursework – 0-3 Credit Hours
CCJ 51600 is required foundation course for all students who have no experience in criminal justice or have a non-criminal justice undergraduate degree.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| CCJ 51600 | Foundations of Criminal Justice | 3 |
Foundations of Criminal Justice
This course is designed for students seeking a Master of Science in Criminal Justice Administration who do not possess a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, sociology, or psychology, or lack experience working in criminal justice or a criminal justice related field. The course provides students the foundation needed to understand the criminal justice system and to critically analyze criminal justice issues within a theoretical and pragmatic framework.
Major Coursework – 15 Credit Hours
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| CCJ 50300 | Ethics in Criminal Justice Administration | 3 |
| CCJ 50330 | Criminal Justice Leadership Theory | 3 |
| CCJ 50400 | Public Policy and Criminal Justice | 3 |
| CCJ 50500 | Criminal Justice Research Methods | 3 |
| CCJ 60100 | Capstone I | 3 |
Ethics in Criminal Justice Administration
This course emphasizes concepts, principles, and theories of ethical practice for criminal justice administrators. Students use course concepts to examine ethical issues, demonstrating critical thinking and reasoning skills. The course provides sound coverage of theory and emphasizes the contribution of the ethics field to understanding and addressing moral issues that arise in criminal justice and criminal justice related organizations.
Criminal Justice Leadership Theory
This course examines leadership and management theories applicable to effective administrative oversight of criminal justice organizations. The course will establish a theoretical foundation to enhance criminal justice administrators’ ability to use critical thinking skills effectively when creating organizational systems, processes, and change. Students will also gain comprehensive knowledge and significance of various leadership styles.
Public Policy and Criminal Justice
This course examines the public policy process, factors influencing policy development within the criminal justice system, and the nexus between law and public policy. A review of historic, critical issues shaping the criminal justice system provides the insight needed to better understand current criminal justice policy.
Students learn to conduct a policy analysis and to research the literature to identify support for the proposal of new policy and to compare and contrast criminal justice policies globally.
Criminal Justice Research Methods
In preparation for and in conjunction with the graduate capstone course, students will learn about qualitative, quantitative, and mixed method approaches to research. This course explores various ways of acquiring knowledge and research philosophies. Students will learn to identify current problems or issues in the field of criminal justice and related gaps in the literature, formulate research questions, gather and analyze the data relevant to the research questions in preparation for graduate capstone course in which they will present findings, and make recommendations for future research. Ethical, political, and practical issues related to research are also examined.
Capstone I
This course is the culminating project of the Master of Science in Criminal Justice Administration. Students will use the knowledge gained in the CCJ 50500 Criminal Justice Research Methods course to prepare a graduate-level written report, a scholarly project demonstrating the ability to conduct and present research and methodology orally and in writing. Students will demonstrate the ability to synthesize and analyze the literature, discuss the implications of the research in the field of criminal justice, and recommend future research.
Emphasis Coursework – 9 credit hours
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| CCJ 51700 | Crisis Management | 3 |
| CCJ 51800 | Corrections Administration | 3 |
| CCJ 51900 | Police Administration | 3 |
Crisis Management
This course addresses various types of internal and external crises faced by criminal justice administrators, from a micro level to a macro level. Students will learn to analyze issues and formulate solutions to crises ranging from those faced by the individuals to crisis and disaster management. Students will also learn the significance of preparation and planning for crises.
Corrections Administration
This course teaches students effective leadership, management, and administration in the field of corrections, including people, services, and programs in jails, prisons, and community corrections. Students gain insight regarding issues involving the management of corrections staff and the environment. Students will integrate knowledge of the history of corrections.
Police Administration
This course teaches students effective leadership, management, and administration in the field of corrections, including people, services, and programs in jails, prisons, and community corrections. Students gain insight regarding issues involving the management of corrections staff and the environment. Students will integrate knowledge of the history of corrections.
Elective Coursework – 9 credit hours
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| CCJ 50320 | Criminal Justice Leadership: Strategies and Practice | 3 |
| CCJ 51800 | Corrections Administration | 3 |
| CCJ 51900 | Police Administration | 3 |
Criminal Justice Leadership: Strategies and Practice
This course prepares criminal justice administrators to cultivate strategies and identify best practices for confronting challenging workplace issues, managing crises, and supervising diverse populations. Students will have the opportunity to formulate solutions to problems that leaders, managers, and administrators face in criminal justice organizations in the United States and globally.
Program Length Details
Lindenwood University’s (LU) Accelerated Online programs offer you choice and flexibility to support your education journey. Time to complete a master’s degree can vary based on course load, transfer credits, and individual pacing. You will tailor a course schedule that keeps you in the driver’s seat
- Transfer Credit: LU allows 9 transfer credits toward a master’s degree and you can complete your degree in as few as 27 credits.
- Accelerated Courses: LU accelerated online programs offer 10 5-week terms per year. By enrolling in two courses per term, you can potentially begin and complete up your master’s degree in 7 months.
- Frequent Start Dates: LU offers multiple start dates throughout the year so you can begin your studies when you are ready allowing you to graduate sooner.
- Personalized Degree Plan: LU academic advisors will work with you to tailor your degree plan to support your education goals while balancing your personal and professional responsibilities.
Transfer Credits
Lindenwood University’s accelerated online programs offer a generous transfer policy of up to nine credits toward your MBA degree completion to further offset tuition costs. This means you can complete your degree in as few as 24 credit hours—saving you time and money on your education!
Plus, you can personalize your transfer experience through Lindenwood’s Transfer Guides. These guides are part of our articulation partnerships with area community college to help you get the most value from your transfer credit.
Related Programs
We’re Accredited
Lindenwood University’s current accreditation status can be viewed at the Higher Learning Commission.
Lindenwood University’s HLC accreditation is exclusive to Lindenwood University and does not extend to other institutions(s) of higher education within the Lindenwood Education System.
The Higher Learning Commission
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Chicago, IL 60604-1411
Telephone: (800) 621-7440 or (312) 263-0456
Fax: (312) 263-7462
https://www.hlcommission.org
[email protected]
We are committed to helping you succeed.
You’re never alone on your Lindenwood University Accelerated Online journey.. From the moment you enroll to the day you graduate, your support team is right beside you—helping with tuition planning, keeping you on track, and cheering you on every step of the way.