Online Criminal Justice Masters Degree Programs

An online criminal justice masters degree typically includes the study of the criminal justice system itself, the study of law, criminology, public policy and related social issues.

Graduate programs in criminal justice may overlap with disciplines such as sociology, social work, and political science. The objectives of an accredited masters program in criminal justice is are based on the assumption that social policies, and decision-making. They also require a broad academic experience, innovative thinking, including theoretical foundations research methods, and principles applicable to justice administration. A masters (MS) or PhD criminal justice degree leads to many careers including probation officers, corrections administration, or detectives. Learn more about criminal justice careers. Criminal justice careers are very lucrative in today's job market. With online criminal justice masters, the work environment can vary greatly depending on the specific career that you choose

Online Criminal Justice Masters Degree Programs

University of Phoenix

• MS in Administration of Justice and Security

South University - Campus and South University Online

• Master's of Science in Criminal Justice
• Master of Science in Criminal Justice - Public Administration Specialization

Capella University - Online

• MS in Public Safety - Criminal Justice

Kaplan University

• MS in Criminal Justice
• MS in Criminal Justice / Corrections
• MS in Criminal Justice / Global Issues in Criminal Justice
• MS in Criminal Justice / Law
• MS in Criminal Justice / Leadership / Executive Management
• MS in Criminal Justice / Policing

Walden University

• Master of Public Administration - Homeland Security Policy
• Master of Public Administration - Law and Public Policy

Grand Canyon University

• M.S. in Criminal Justice: Law Enforcement
• M.S. in Criminal Justice: Legal Studies

• Master of Science in Criminal Justice - M.S.
  

• Master of Science in Management - Criminal Justice
• Master of Business Administration - Mediation and Dispute Resolution

• Master's in Criminal Justice

University of Cincinnati

• Master's of Science in Criminal Justice- 1 year program
• Master's of Science in Criminal Justice- 2 year program

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Criminal Justice Education and Training

Online criminal justice courses in the online criminal justice masters degree program may include advanced courses in:

• Comparative Criminal Justice Systems
• Criminology
• Computer Crime (Cyber crime)
• Corporate and White Collar Crime
• Correctional Facilities
• Domestic Violence
• Drug Trade and Trafficking
• Ethics
• Psychology
• Jurisprudence and Juvenile Corrections
• Legal Rights of Offenders
• Mediation, Dispute Management, and Negotiation Training
• Police Department Organization and Management Public and Private Safety
• Technology in Criminal Justice
• Terrorism and Counter-Terrorism

Masters degree programs provide a deeper level of study as well as the change to specialize in a particular area that one might have an interest in. For example some students choose to specialize in forensic science while others might go into emergency management.

Criminal Justice Careers

Criminal justice careers extend beyond working at local police departments. Other areas of employment are state and federal task forces, correctional facilities including incarceration and parole, educational and research organizations, and the legal and paralegal profession.

Although a a bachelor's degree in criminal justice give you entry into the field, to join highly specialized organizations as well as earning promotions and higher pay, online criminal justice masters degree is helpful.

Graduates seeking positions with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), the Secret Service, the Border Patrol, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms, and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) have a better advantage at job prospects.

Therefore a master’s degree is ideal for administrative and management staff of in law enforcement agencies and directors in federal law enforcement.

Expected Salary and Projected Career Growth

The following are average income levels by of criminal justice professionals according to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics. Those with a campus or online criminal justice masters degree tend to earn higher on the scale:

• Police sergeants: $53,000 to $63,000
• Police lieutenants: $59,000 to $72,000
• Police captains: $65,000 to $81,000
• Police chiefs: Up to $100,000
• FBI agents: $48,000 to $105,000
• Corrections officers: Median salary of $36,000
• Correctional supervisors: Median $53,000
• Security guards: Up to $36,000
• Private investigators: Up to $65,000
• Forensic science technicians: Median salary of $45,000

According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), criminal justice graduates work mainly in law enforcement and corrections. Employment of probation officers and correctional treatment specialists is projected to grow about 19% between 2008 and 2018 while that of of police and detectives is expected to grow 10% (BLS).

Jobs for graduates with an online criminal justice masters degree are expected to grow steadily in the years to come. This is mainly due to an increase in demand for public safety and crime prevention, both in homeland security and corrections and crime prevention.