Online Criminal Justice Masters

College Name & Address	Tuition	Graduation Rate
#1 Florida State University 222 S. Copeland Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32306	$9684	83%
#2 California State University, Long Beach 250 Bellflower Blvd, Long Beach, California 90840	$7,176	74%
#3 University of Central Florida 4000 Central Florida Blvd, Orlando, Florida 32816	$6,916	72%
#4 Michigan State University East Lansing, Michigan 48824	$18,858	81%
#5 University of San Diego 5998 Alcala Park, San Diego, California 92110	$27,288	81%
#6 Northeastern University 360 Huntington Ave, Boston, Massachusetts 02115	$24,793	89%
#7 Boston University One Silber Way, Boston, Massachusetts 02215	$54,720	88%
#8 Colorado State University 102 Administration Building, Fort Collins, Colorado 80523	$10,520	70%
#9 Florida International University 11200 S. W. 8 Street, Miami, Florida 33199	$8,912	63%
#10 Arizona State University University Drive and Mill Avenue, Tempe, Arizona 85287	$11,720	63%
#11 Lewis University One University Parkway, Romeoville, Illinois 60446	$14,400	67%
#12 Roger Williams University One Old Ferry Road, Bristol, Rhode Island 02809	$15,768	67%
#13 University of New Haven 300 Boston Post Road, West Haven, Connecticut 06516	$16,920	62%
#14 California State University, San Bernardino 5500 University Parkway, San Bernardino, California 92407	$7,176	55%
#15 Sam Houston State University 1806 Ave J, Huntsville, Texas 77340	$5,765	54%
#16 Utica College 1600 Burrstone Rd, Utica, New York 13502	$21,480	54%
#17 Chaminade University of Honolulu 3140 Waialae Avenue, Honolulu, Hawaii 96816	$24,000	59%
#18 University of Colorado, Denver 1380 Lawrence Street, Lawrence Street Center, Suite 1400, Denver, Colorado 80217	$6,786	52%
#19 College of Saint Elizabeth 2 Convent Road, Morristown, New Jersey 07960	$18,018	53%
#20 Saint Leo University 33701 State Road 52, Saint Leo, Florida 33574	$7,296	49%
#21 University of South Florida, Sarasota-Manatee 8350 N Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, Florida 34243	$8,350	47%
#22 Trine University 1 University Ave, Angola, Indiana 46703	$39,450	63%
#23 La Salle University 1900 W Olney Ave, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19141	$25,060	66%
#24 Tiffin University 155 Miami Street, Tiffin, Ohio 44883	$12,600	39%
#25 National University 11255 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, California 92037	$15,480	29%

Source – Integrated Post Secondary Education Data System & University Data
*Tuition rates are for in-state and per year. Program specific rates may apply.
**NA – data not available

College Name & Address	Tuition	Graduation Rate
#1 University of the Cumberlands 6191 College Station Drive, Williamsburg, Kentucky 40769	$5,670	44%
#2 Sam Houston State University 1806 Ave J, Huntsville, Texas 77340	$5,765	54%
#3 University of North Texas 1501 W.Chestnut Ave., Denton, Texas 76203	$5,900	56%
#4 Lamar University 4400 MLK Blvd, Beaumont, Texas 77705	$6,324	34%
#5 University of North Alabama One Harrison Plaza, Florence, Alabama 35632	$6,660	49%
#6 University of Colorado, Denver 1380 Lawrence Street, Lawrence Street Center, Suite 1400, Denver, Colorado 80217	$6,786	52%
#7 University of Central Florida 4000 Central Florida Blvd, Orlando, Florida 32816	$6,916	72%
#8 California State University, Long Beach 250 Bellflower Blvd, Long Beach, California 90840	$7,176	74%
#9 California State University, San Bernardino 5500 University Parkway, San Bernardino, California 92407	$7,176	55%
#10 Saint Leo University 33701 State Road 52, Saint Leo, Florida 33574	$7,296	49%
#11 St. Cloud State University 720 Fourth Ave. South, Saint Cloud, Minnesota 56301	$7,460	48%
#13 Concordia University, St. Paul 1282 Concordia Ave, Saint Paul, Minnesota 55104	$8,550	51%
#14 Florida International University 11200 S. W. 8 Street, Miami, Florida 33199	$8,912	63%
#15 Florida State University 222 S. Copeland Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32306	$9,684	83%
#16 Colorado State University 102 Administration Building, Fort Collins, Colorado 80523	$10,520	70%
#17 Arizona State University University Drive and Mill Avenue, Tempe, Arizona 85287	$11,720	63%
#18 Tiffin University 155 Miami Street, Tiffin, Ohio 44883	$12,600	39%
#19 Lewis University One University Parkway, Romeoville, Illinois 60446	$14,400	67%
#20 National University 11255 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, California 92037	$15,480	29%
#21 Roger Williams University One Old Ferry Road, Bristol, Rhode Island 02809	$15,768	67%
#22 University of New Haven 300 Boston Post Road, West Haven, Connecticut 06516	$16,920	62%
#23 College of Saint Elizabeth 2 Convent Road, Morristown, New Jersey 07960	$18,018	53%
#24 Michigan State University East Lansing, Michigan 48824	$18,858	81%
#25 Utica College 1600 Burrstone Rd, Utica, New York 13502	$21,480	54%

Source – Integrated Post Secondary Education Data System & University Data
*Tuition rates are for in-state and per year. Program specific rates may apply.
**NA – data not available

Getting a Masters’s degree in Criminal Justice will enhance your career, and going through the program in an online format is the easiest way. But it is essential to understand the Criminal Justice programs.

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Accreditation

Graduate school can take a huge bite out of a master’s student savings account. According to education consultant Peterson’s, the cost of tuition at graduate degree programs averages about $30,000. At the top-end, prestigious or private universities can charge as much as $120,000. That’s why the following only list the top accredited schools offering the most affordable online master’s degrees in criminal justice.

Independent evaluators accredit the top online master’s programs in criminal justice. Accreditation is voluntary and can be awarded for the entire university, for the school’s criminal justice department, and online degree programs. There are national accreditation associations along with six regional associations: New England; North Central; Middle states; Southern states; Western states; and the Northwest.

Accreditations vouchsafe for the university or degree program’s academic or financial quality in meeting training expectations for the industry. Employers expect graduates to complete degrees at accredited institutions. The lack of university accreditation disqualifies students from participating in federal financial aid programs. Read more about Accreditation. Read more about Accreditation.

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Curriculum in Online Criminal Justice Masters Programs

Master’s degree programs will combine studies in leadership and advanced courses pertinent to a student’s field. Here is a sample of classes offered at online criminal justice master’s degree programs:

• Criminal Justice Administration
• Cybercrime
• Criminal Law
• Public Policy
• Human Resource Management
• Labor Relations in the Public Sector
• Homeland Security Leadership
• Research Methodology
• Judicial Processes
• Court Services Management
• Measurement of Organizational Performance
• Capstone Project

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Admission Requirements for Criminal Justice Masters Programs

Admission into an online criminal justice master’s degree is very similar to other masters programs. Applicants must meet the minimum requirement set by the university, and these admission requirements vary from university to university. However, generally, here are the most commonly asked requirements:

• GPA: Most universities require applicants to possess a bachelor’s degree from an accredited university with a minimum of 3.0 GPA.
• Resume: Universities want to see the applicant’s background and especially if there is any professional experience related to criminal justice. If so, universities might waive some other requirements.
• Bachelors Degree: A bachelor’s degree in a related field may not be required, but most universities require a bachelor’s degree. And if the applicant possesses a degree in a similar field, some courses can be waived. This will save some tuition fees along with accelerating at a faster pace towards graduation.
• GRE Test: A lot of universities want to see a GRE score of the applicant before providing admission into a master’s in criminal justice program. However, several universities don’t need GRE. Here are some universities that don’t need a GRE for admission into online criminal justice masters programs.
• Statement of Purpose: A lot of universities want to see the reason why the applicant is interested in this field. And having a strong statement of purpose will help immensely.

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How long does it take to graduate from an online criminal justice master’s degree?

Many factors determine how long it takes to finish a master’s degree in criminal justice. Factors like part-time vs. full time, how many enrolled credits per semester, student background and prerequisites needed, etc. But on average, like most masters degrees, an online criminal justice master’s degree takes about two years or so. Some universities offer accelerated programs that let students finish the program in a year or so.

Criminal justice employment opportunities are based on the applicant’s experience and their level of academic attainment. Job pay and number of openings vary by state. According to research by the San Francisco Chronicle, the average criminalist starting wage was $33,000 a year for candidates with a bachelor’s degree. In contrast, the annual average starting salary for those with a master’s degree was $55,000 a year. In another study, Saint Joseph’s University researchers found that police officers earn approximately $48,000 a year.

If you earn your master’s degree and advance to deputy police chief, your annual earnings spike to about $74,800. But earnings alone should not inform your decisions on graduate education. Employers recruiting for positions that do not require a master’s degree may prefer that applicants have one and you can be rewarded for your academic achievement. The following compares the best locations for selected criminal justice jobs and their mean annual pay:

Criteria	Location
Highest employment of First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives	New York, Florida, Texas, Illinois, Georgia
Top-paying states (mean annual wage) for police supervisors	California – $154,430, New Jersey – $130,490, The District of Columbia – $117,770, New York – $115,940, Alaska – $112,910
Top states with the largest employment of Forensic Science Technicians	California, Florida, Texas, New York, Arizona
States that pay the highest annual wages for Forensic Science Technicians	Illinois – $87,660, California – $85,280, Massachusetts – $79,440, Connecticut – $73,970, New Hampshire – $70,960
Top states with the largest number of jobs for Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Teachers	North Carolina, New York, California, Texas, Florida
States pay the largest annual salaries for Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Teachers	The District of Columbia – $123,320, California – $111,240, Rhode Island – $93,860, Iowa – $88,750, New Jersey – $87,300

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The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) cites five strong careers in criminal justice that require a master’s degree. This list contains current salaries, where criminal justice grads work, and the projected job growth for their roles:

Occupation	Wages	Job Growth	Where They Work
Criminologist	$92,040	15%	University social scientist programs Public and private research organizations Juvenile justice courts Corrections Criminal investigations units Insurance companies
Forensic Psychologist	$77,030	14%	Police and sheriff’s department investigation units The FBI and other government agencies Private internal investigation teams Criminal courts Prosecutors’ offices Jails and prisons
Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Teachers	$61,900	12%	Post-secondary community colleges Law enforcement agencies State and Federal governmental entities Trade schools
Computer Forensics Investigator	$75,000	12%	Forensic analytical laboratories Local and state law enforcement agencies Federal government, including FBI and CIA Banks and financial institutions Computer, internet, and data companies
Private Detectives and Investigators	$50,090	11%	Attorney’s offices Background-check agencies Hotels and commercial firms Patent and intellectual property investigation companies

Source: BLS

Here are pertinent questions and answers for prospective students seeking a criminal justice master’s degree online:

Q: What should students look for in an online criminal justice master’s program?

A: After a prospective master’s student examines the university’s accreditations and GRE requirements, compare the graduation requirements of the program (total number of credits), the curriculum, and the cost of tuition.

Q: Do employers accept master’s degrees earned online?

A: Most universities offer the same criminal justice master’s degree as their brick-and-mortar programs. Your university will not indicate that you earned the degree online. Finally, employers may favor online degrees that are earned at universities known for their on-campus degrees.

Q: Is financial aid available for students to help with tuition and fees?

A: Federal student loans, grants and work study assistance is open to students enrolled in an accredited online master’s degree program. In addition, there are scholarships available from states, universities, and professional criminal justice associations. Read more about financial aid on the Best Financial Guide.

Q: Will my degree qualify me for advanced policing?

A: Based on education and experience, you’ll be qualified to advance to leadership, program management, evidence analysis, and staff-training positions.

Q: What kind of documentation will I need when applying to a graduate criminal justice program?

A: Most programs will require proof of completion of an undergraduate program, a professional resume documenting relevant experience, college transcripts, letters of recommendation, and a statement of goals. Many departments still require GRE scores. Some will waive the exam if a student has completed a prior master’s program or earned a bachelor’s degree with a strong GPA.

Q: Is it better to choose a thesis or opt for a comprehensive exam?

A: The thesis option is a good choice for students who plan to conduct research or move into university teaching after completing a doctoral degree. Thesis students may need additional time to complete their online master’s. The comprehensive examination measures students’ wide-range understanding of the criminal justice leadership role for advancement in the field.

Q: Should students pursue a specialization area in their online Q: master’s degree in criminal justice?

A: It all depends on a student’s career goals within their chosen profession. Specializations listed on a student’s diploma demonstrate in-depth training for specific roles, improving their opportunity for advancement in their sector of the justice system. A student may prefer a degree without specializations if their goal is to work in different sectors of their field or plan on entering a doctoral program.

Q: Can earning an online master’s degree in criminal justice qualify a student for doctoral programs?

A: Yes, and it can reduce the time to graduate. Going on to complete a doctorate program can lead to careers in university teaching or research. Some criminal justice students continue on to law school.

Q: Should master’s students join professional associations and attend conferences?

A: Networking plays a major role in finding the right employment opening. Associations can help master’s students find options nationally and within their region. Many such organizations sponsor their own job boards for members and niche career-training opportunities. Affiliation with an association can build a student’s credentials and distinguish them from other job candidates. Plus, networking with mentors or hiring authorities can benefit criminal justice professionals throughout their careers.

Q: What is the National Criminal Intelligence Resource Center (NCIRC)?

A: The NCIRC is a repository of online training programs, including NSI Line Officer training, First-Amendment online training, and the State and Local Anti-Terrorism Training (SLATT) programs.

While getting an online criminal masters degree will enhance your careers, it is also important to know about other resources. Below is a list of associations and organizations that students should look into for growth opportunities, networking and to keep in touch with ongoing changes in the criminal justice careers.