At a Glance
$551
Cost per Credit
33-39
Credit Hours
100%
Online
2-4 Years
Program LengthMaster’s in Criminal Justice, MS
Program Overview
At a Glance
$551
Cost per Credit
33-39
Credit Hours
100%
Online
2-4 Years
Program LengthWhy Study Criminal Justice?
Ready to take the lead in serving justice and your career? A criminal justice online master’s degree from Lindenwood University can prepare you for a leadership role in the courts, law enforcement, or corrections. Choose from two emphasis paths, including Administration and Crisis Response Support.
Designed for professionals currently serving in the field, this criminal justice master’s degree online builds on expertise in criminal law and theory and constitutional law, as well as leadership topics in criminal justice, such as ethical practices, critical thinking, and decision making within the justice system.
Graduates are equipped to pursue roles in criminal justice at the local, state, and federal levels.
What You'll Learn
Leaders in the criminal justice field rely on a broad foundation of expertise that covers all the moving parts of the justice system. This online master’s in criminal justice offers the well-rounded education students need to effectively oversee a number of areas —from the courts to corrections to crisis intervention. Some of the course topics that help students prepare for careers in these roles include:
- Corrections Administration
- Crisis Management
- Police Administration
- Criminal Justice Leadership Theory
Essential Skills & Insights
Coursework in this online master’s degree in criminal justice program covers the following:
- Ethical Leadership: develop a high level of ethical awareness within a people-centered leadership approach.
- Critical Thinking: learn to analyze entire systems of thought down to specific scenarios within your oversight to effectively solve problems and create the right solutions.
- Public Policy and Criminal Justice: gain an advanced understanding of policymaking through the lens of criminal justice principles and practices.
- Constitutional Law: harness the major insights of constitutional law as they relate to criminal justice, and learn to apply these insights to particular scenarios within the criminal justice system.
Career Outlook
A criminal justice online master’s degree can help alumni take on specialized or leadership paths in this vast field after graduation, with the qualifications to serve a wide variety of industries. Many of these career paths for criminal justice can be lucrative, with police detectives earning a median annual salary of $74,910, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Those who aspire to serve behind the scenes can pursue information security analyst roles, earning a median annual salary of $120,360. Additional career paths in this field include Chief of Police, Emergency Service Dispatcher, Police Records Clerk, Police Support Officer, Corrections Supervisor, Crisis Response Support: Substance Abuse Counselor, Crisis Response Specialist, Crisis Counselor, Care Manager, and Outreach Supervisor.
Essential Skills & Insights
Coursework in this criminal justice online master’s degree program covers the following:
- Ethical Leadership. Develop a high level of ethical awareness within a people-centered leadership approach.
- Critical Thinking. Learn to analyze entire systems of thought down to specific scenarios within your oversight to effectively solve problems and create the right solutions.
- Public Policy and Criminal Justice. Gain an advanced understanding of policymaking through the lens of criminal justice principles and practices.
- Constitutional Law. Harness the major insights of constitutional law as they relate to criminal justice, and learn to apply these insights to particular scenarios within the criminal justice system.
Tuition Details
The cost per credit hour for this program is $551. Besides being ranked No. 17 on Niche.com’s list of Best Value Colleges in Missouri, we build in unique benefits such as our 20 percent discount per credit hour for returning alumni pursuing their master’s degree.
Admissions Requirements
For admission to your program, you will need to complete your online application and submit the following documents:
- Online Application
- Résumé
- Letter of intent/personal statement, including a personal statement regarding your interest in the program and career goals
- Official undergraduate transcript(s) as well as official transcript(s) from any graduate school(s) attended
- Transcripts demonstrating completion of undergraduate degree in related field with a minimum of a 3.0 GPA in all major coursework.
- The official results from the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) may be required if GPA is below 3.0.
- Contact information for three academic and/or professional references.
- 1,000-word statement of purpose describing applicant’s goals.
- Specific deliverables depending on area of study, such as a writing sample and/or portfolio of work.
TRANSFER CREDITS
Lindenwood offers a generous transfer policy of up to nine credits toward your criminal justice online master’s degree completion to further offset tuition costs. This means you can complete your degree in as few as 24 credit hours at Lindenwood—saving you time and money on your education!
Learn MoreCurriculum Overview
The online MS in Criminal Justice 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, online courses explore critical issues in law enforcement, corrections, and criminal behavior analysis. Upon completion, you can be equipped with the knowledge and skills needed to pursue a variety of high-level roles in this dynamic field.
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 |
Elective Coursework – 9 Credit Hours
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| CCJ 50320 | Criminal Justice Leadership: Strategies and Practice | 3 |
| CCJ 51500 | Constitutional Law | 3 |
| CCJ 51600 | Foundations of Criminal Justice | 3 |
| CCJ 51700 | Crisis Management | 3 |
| EDSBA 51001 | Concepts and Principles in Behavior Analysis | 3 |
| EDSBA 51101 | Philosophical Foundations of Behavior Analysis and Introductory Concepts | 3 |
| FIN 52005 | Fundamentals of Financial Management | 3 |
Criminal Justice Emphasis Options
Administration
The criminal justice administration degree emphasis builds out a solid grasp of key aspects in criminal law and theory, leadership development, global awareness, and organizational change. This online masters in criminal justice equips graduates to pursue leadership within criminal justice and beyond.
Crisis Response Support
The master’s in criminal justice crisis response support degree emphasis covers counseling essentials such as personality theories, psychopathology, social and cultural foundations and more. This program equips graduates to pursue leadership within crisis intervention and beyond.
Career Opportunities
Corrections Administrator
Manage correctional facilities, including inmate oversight, rehabilitation programs, and regulatory compliance.
Crime Analyst
Analyze crime data and statistics to provide intelligence and recommendations to law enforcement agencies to prevent and solve crimes.
Criminal Justice Professor
Teach and prepare college-level students for careers in law enforcement, corrections, and other related fields.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a master’s degree in criminal justice online worth it?
Yes, earning your master’s in criminal justice degree online can give you the flexibility to learn at your own pace and transfer your classroom learning immediately to the field, so you can take on new challenges in your current role or pursue career advancement.
Why do people get a master’s degree in criminal justice online?
People earn a master’s in criminal justice for a number of reasons, including advancement in a current role or to enter the field of criminal justice through career paths in law enforcement, corrections, the courts, and more.
What hard skills are needed for criminal justice?
There are a number of vital hard skills necessary for success in criminal justice, including the following: research, physical fitness, computer skills, and statistical analysis.
How long does it take to complete a master’s in criminal justice degree program?
You can earn your criminal justice online master’s degree from Lindenwood in as little as two years.
How can I get a master’s in criminal justice?
You can earn your criminal justice online master’s degree from Lindenwood, taking advantage of fully remote learning, providing you with a flexible schedule.
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learn moreWe are committed to helping you succeed.
Throughout each step of your online degree program, you will receive support. From enrollment and tuition planning to staying on the right track, your support team is there to ensure your success.
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