About This Program
The Master of Arts in Criminology and Criminal Justice program provides a deep understanding of the social and psychological factors that contribute to crime and criminal behavior. With courses taught by experienced faculty and a focus on research, this program equips you with the skills needed to succeed in a wide range of criminal justice careers. Read more...
Contact Information
Program Delivery
Examples of Possible Careers and Salaries*
Criminal justice and law enforcement teachers, postsecondary
- 6.7% faster than the average
- 16,800 number of jobs
- $63,560 potential earnings
First-line supervisors of correctional officers
- -7.8% decline
- 48,700 number of jobs
- $60,910 potential earnings
First-line supervisors of police and detectives
- 5.2% faster than the average
- 126,100 number of jobs
- $92,970 potential earnings
* Source of occupation titles and labor data comes from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Outlook Handbook. Data comprises projected percent change in employment over the next 10 years; nation-wide employment numbers; and the yearly median wage at which half of the workers in the occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less.
For more information about graduate admissions, visit the graduate admission website. For more information on international admissions, visit the international admission website.
Admission Requirements
- Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university
- Minimum 2.750 undergraduate GPA on a 4.000 point scale
- Official transcript(s)
- Goal statement
- Three letters of recommendation (preferably academic)
- English language proficiency - all international students must provide proof of English language proficiency (unless they meet specific exceptions) by earning one of the following:
- Minimum 587 TOEFL PBT score (paper-based version)
- Minimum 94 TOEFL IBT score (Internet-based version)
- Minimum 82 MELAB score
- Minimum 7.0 IELTS score
- Minimum 65 PTE score
For more information about graduate admissions, please visit the Graduate Studies admission website. For more information on international admission, visit the Office of Global Education’s admission website.
Application Deadlines
- Fall Semester
- Spring Semester
- Summer Term
Program Learning Outcomes
Graduates of this program will be able to:
- Demonstrate a practical understanding of criminological theory by using it to better understand crime and criminal behavior, pose and attempt to answer research questions and see its connection to crime policy.
- Demonstrate mastery of the significant empirical findings in the major areas of criminology and criminal justice.
- Demonstrate an appreciation for the use of the scientific method in the study of crime, a practical understanding of research methods used in the field and a practical understanding of statistics in social science research.
- Develop basic skills in planning and conducting research projects, including evaluation research in particular.
- Describe the role of race/ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation and social class as they relate to crime and victimization.
- Effectively communicate criminological knowledge and write a clear and concise analysis of issues, policies and research in the field.
Full Description
The Master of Arts degree in Criminology and Criminal Justice is designed to challenge experienced and aspiring professionals who want to expand their scope of knowledge and move into career and leadership positions. The program prepares graduates as next-generation leaders in this complex, global, and interconnected field. The flexible online program is structured to fit the lives of full-time working professionals.
The Criminology and Criminal Justice major comprises the following concentrations:
- The Global Security concentration focuses on issues related to global security, U.S. national security policy and strategy, as well as transnational issues and the concerns of other countries or regions. It provides students with a strong foundation to confront the ever-changing, fast-paced, and challenging international security environment. With an emphasis on traditional and emerging transnational security threats, students are prepared for analytical, operational and leadership careers in global security in the public and private sectors. The goal is to produce a new generation of analysts, policymakers and scholars knowledgeable about the wide range of international and national security problems and foreign policy issues of the 21st century.
- The Policing concentration examines the historical ideas of police service and the lessons that can be learned from those ideas. Students learn about the research that has challenged traditional ideas and the implications of that research for revision. The program provides students the tools to analyze the implications of contemporary research to guide new innovations in policies, management, strategies and tactics of police service delivery.
- The Victimology concentration provides specialized knowledge about the scientific study of crime victims, their treatment within the criminal and juvenile justice systems, the legal rights of victims and victim assistance and restorative justice programs. This concentration will prepare students to develop and lead initiatives that help prevent victimization, to engage in victimological research and evaluation, and to respond to victims in culturally appropriate ways.
