What Is a Master’s in Criminal Justice?

Are you passionate about protecting your community? Do you work in law enforcement and want to take your career to new heights? Is it your dream to become an FBI or CIA agent? If so, you’re in luck: the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects job growth of 4% by 2033 for police officers and detectives.

This steady growth means that it’s an ideal time to either begin or elevate your career in criminal justice. A master’s degree in criminal justice is the perfect way to do that. By building your skillset and knowledge of the justice system, you can advance your career and make a meaningful impact. And with flexible options like part-time and online graduate programs, it’s never been more convenient to take this step.

Key Takeaways

• A master’s degree in criminal justice is advantageous for any law enforcement professional who hopes to obtain a leadership, teaching, or high-ranking position.
• Building upon a foundational knowledge of criminal justice, a master’s degree takes students deeper into the complexities of the justice system.
• Graduates of criminal justice master’s programs are versatile and pursue various job opportunities—from Homeland Security to a university classroom.

What Exactly Is a Master’s in Criminal Justice?

A master’s degree in criminal justice builds upon your experience in the field to enhance your knowledge and employability. While you don’t need a graduate degree to work in criminal justice or law enforcement, it certainly gives you an advantage. Particularly if you have an interest in moving up the ranks or conducting research in the field, a master’s degree prepares you for this path.

What Do You Learn in a Master’s in Criminal Justice?

Master’s programs in criminal justice emphasize a thorough understanding of criminal justice as well as criminology. Rather than relying on anecdotal evidence, your coursework will develop a solid theoretical framework for studying crime through in-depth research and analysis. The goal is to apply your education to real-world situations at the local, state, and federal levels of criminal justice.

The curriculum for a criminal justice master’s program may include courses such as:

• Basic Research Methods in Criminal Justice
• Criminal Justice Policy Analysis
• White-Collar Crime
• Theory and Practice of Crime Prevention
• Juvenile Justice
• Correctional Theory and Policy
• Crime Mapping

Some programs also allow students to choose a concentration in one of four areas:

• Analysis of Criminal Behavior
• Crime Analysis and Prevention
• Correctional Rehabilitation
• Administration & Leadership

These concentrations further refine your educational pathway. Choosing a concentration also ensures that your coursework is closely tied to your current and future career.

Why Earn a Master’s in Criminal Justice? 3 Reasons It’s Worthwhile

It can be daunting to consider pursuing an advanced degree, particularly if you plan to do it while working full-time. You may be asking yourself: is it really worth it? What is the benefit of pursuing an advanced degree in the field of criminal justice? While the benefits will ultimately vary based on what you’re wanting out of the degree, here are three reasons this degree is worthwhile:

1. Career Advancement. While a master’s degree is not always required for career advancement, it can absolutely fast-track you to a promotion. Getting your master’s in criminal justice doesn’t just show that you’re serious about the field; it also shows that you’ve expanded your understanding of the criminal justice system. This demonstrates to employers that you have what it takes to serve your community at a higher level.
2. Leadership Opportunities. As discussed above, a master’s in criminal justice can often be the difference between an entry-level position and moving into a leadership role. In a field like law enforcement, many will slowly work their way up to Chief of Police over the course of their career. With your master’s degree, you can accelerate your career in the public or private sector and earn high-ranking positions faster.
3. Ability to Specialize. The difference between a bachelor’s and master’s degree in criminal justice is, in many ways, one of depth. While a bachelor’s degree provides a solid foundation, a graduate degree allows you to dive deeper into high-level concepts, such as crime analysis and correctional theory. Specialized coursework and concentration areas allow you to hone in on topics that are most relevant to your interests and goals.

Who Should Pursue a Master’s in Criminal Justice?

While people in a variety of fields may choose to pursue a master’s in criminal justice, it will be most beneficial to students currently working in law enforcement or the criminal justice field. You should pursue this degree if you are interested in leadership roles or teaching at the university level.

Don’t have a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice? Not a problem. If you have a bachelor’s degree, even in an unrelated field, you can still earn your master’s in criminal justice. When applying for a program, you’ll want to confirm that you meet your chosen program’s admission requirements.

What Can You Do with a Master’s in Criminal Justice?

In many fields, a master’s degree opens the door to increased career opportunities—and the same is true for careers in criminal justice! A graduate degree in criminal justice opens doors in new industries and propels you toward advancement in your current role. Some potential careers include:

• U.S. Marshal
• FBI or CIA Agent
• Private Detective
• Crime Analyst
• Police Officer or Chief
• Secret Service Agent
• Intelligence Analyst
• Criminal Justice Professor
• Investigative Reporter
• Forensic Psychologist
• Compliance Manager
• Fraud Examiner
• Public Safety Telecommunicator

While these opportunities span multiple sectors, what they all have in common is a passion for service. Regardless of your role, you’ll be well equipped to make an impact on the lives of others.

How to Choose the Right Graduate Program in Criminal Justice

Choosing a graduate program in any field is no easy feat. It requires careful consideration of your strengths and weaknesses, goals, and what you hope to get out of the program. Additionally, you’ll have to evaluate degree options at different institutions and see which one is the best fit for you.

When choosing a program in criminal justice, your deciding factors might include courses available, faculty, affordability, format, and flexibility. And if you’re dreading the prospect of taking the GRE (Graduate Record Exam), you’ll want to check if your program requires it. For example, UC’s criminal justice master’s program does not require the GRE for admissions purposes!

Why Choose UC’s Online Master’s in Criminal Justice?

At the University of Cincinnati, we offer a Master of Science in Criminal Justice that combines excellence with convenience. You can earn your master’s degree 100% online in as little as two years of part time enrollment (or just one year if enrolled full time). While you may have reservations about an online program, there’s no reason to worry. In an age of increased technological capabilities, online degree programs are more accessible than ever before and offer numerous benefits.

According to Terrence H., a graduate of UC’s online MS in Criminal Justice program, “The level of instruction is not watered down because of the online designation; an online student is getting the same quality education as an on-campus student.” This is no surprise, considering that UC’s online criminal justice courses are taught primarily by the same faculty as on-campus courses. With numerous support services available to online students, it’s no wonder that UC’s online students are eager to share their positive experiences!

Discover How UC Can Help You—Contact Us Today!

Are you ready to take the next step toward earning your Master of Science in Criminal Justice? Then contact us today and begin your journey with UC. Your personalized Enrollment Advisor is available to answer all of your questions.

At UC, we provide you with a world-class, flexible education so that you can change your community for the better. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is a master’s in criminal justice useful?

Definitely! A master’s in criminal justice paves the way for opportunities across industries, including in leadership and teaching roles.

Can I teach with a master’s in criminal justice?

Depending on the institution, yes! Most institutions will require a doctoral degree for any tenure-track positions, but it is possible to become an adjunct professor with a master’s degree in criminal justice. In fact, a graduate of UC’s criminal justice master’s program, Jamie Schoonover, is now an adjunct criminal justice professor at UC.

How many years does it take to get a master’s in criminal justice?

At UC, you can finish your master’s degree as a part-time student in as little as two years, and in as little as one year as a full-time student. Alongside their degree, many students can also complete a graduate certificate in an area of criminal justice within this timeframe.