Online Criminal Justice Master's Degree
A Nationally Recognized Online Master’s Degree
100% Online
2 Years
30 Credit hours
$857 Cost per credit
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Stand Out with MSU’s Career-Oriented Program
Make a difference in careers across the criminal justice system with the Michigan State University online criminal justice master’s degree. Complete the Master of Arts program in two years, ready to start or advance in a leadership role.
Built on MSU’s 80-year legacy of criminal justice education, your degree goes beyond theory to include public policy and practice. Discover why our programs are ranked No. 10 in U.S. News & World Report’s Best Online Master’s in Criminal Justice, 2024 (tie).1
Program Details
- Build skills in industry-relevant internships
- Network with potential employers
- Specialize in security management
- No work experience is required
Gain a Multifaceted Skill Set
10 Courses
30 Total Credits
Security Management specialization
Learn to assess risks as you analyze contemporary issues facing today’s criminal justice system, and discover how public policies are drafted and evaluated. You’ll explore 21st-century innovations in counterterrorism, law enforcement intelligence, crime control strategies and more.
Course Highlights
- Crime Causation, Prevention and Control
- Criminal Justice Management
- Criminal Justice Behavior and Ethics
- Policy Analysis Under Condition of Change
Apply Without GRE Scores or Work Experience
The MSU School of Criminal Justice reviews applications multiple times a year and offers fall, spring and summer start dates. Your application must include:
| Apply Now |
| Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution |
| Cumulative undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale |
| Official transcripts for all previously attended undergraduate and graduate institutions |
| Three letters of recommendation |
| Personal statement |
Choose an Accessible Online Program
$857 Per Credit Hour
$25,710 Estimated Total Tuition
Scholarships Available
Paying for your education is an investment in your future, and we’re here to help make it as simple and stress-free as possible with financial aid assistance and information about other available resources. The School of Criminal Justice provides several competitive scholarships to outstanding graduate students. Visit the Tuition details page for more information!
Tuition Details
Take Your Criminal Justice Career to the Next Level
A Master of Arts in Criminal Justice from Michigan State University can help you stand out for career advancement and executive positions. Prepare for leadership in criminal investigation, cyber security, national security, emergency management and more.
Those with an online criminal justice master’s degree make an average base salary of $64,000 per year, according to Payscale.2
Explore CareersProgram Outcomes
Further your criminal justice career with new skills that you can apply immediately. Explore research methods and statistical techniques and how they connect to your ideal career path. Learn detailed documentation and computer skills to enhance the work you do and the role you want.
What You’ll Learn
When you complete this program, you will be able to:
- Apply analytical skills to better understand crime and criminal justice issues
- Understand the management and operation of criminal justice organizations to accomplish goals
- Evaluate the quality of research methods and how such influences confidence in research findings
- Identify a crime or justice problem and a policy to address it
- Communicate effectively through writing
Criminal Justice Experts Are a Click Away
Faculty members who teach in MSU’s criminal justice master’s degree program have decades of experience in federal security, police department leadership, criminal justice policy, international research, counterterrorism and more. Their impressive credentials include work with the following:
- Department of Homeland Security
- Michigan State Police
- National Institute of Justice
- U.S. Air Force
- U.S. Customs and Border Protection
- U.S. Department of State
- U.S. Secret Service
Dr. David Carter, Professor and Intelligence Program Director
Faculty Spotlight: Dr. David Carter
Dr. David Carter is a nationally and internationally recognized expert known for his research on law enforcement intelligence. His special interests also include policing issues, violent crime control and counterterrorism. He has served as a trainer, consultant and advisor to law enforcement agencies in the U.S. and abroad.
Credentials
- Ph.D., Sam Houston State University
- M.S., Central Missouri State University
- B.S., Central Missouri State University
Selected Awards
- Inducted into the Michigan State University School of Criminal Justice Wall of Fame in 2015
- O.W. Wilson Award from the Police Section of the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences for outstanding contributions to scholarship and practice in the field of policing, 2013
- Honorary Doctorate of Laws awarded from the University of Central Missouri for demonstrated professional accomplishments and exceptional contributions to the discipline of criminal justice, 2012
Selected Publications
- Carter, D. and Turner, J. (2017). Policy Development and Implementation of Legislation Permitting the Carrying of Concealed Handguns on College and University Campuses: Promising Practices. Washington, D.C.: Bureau of Justice Assistance, U.S. Department of Justice
- Carter, D., Carter, J., Chermak, S., and McGarrell, E. (2016). Law enforcement fusion centers: Cultivating an information sharing environment while safeguarding privacy. Journal of Police and Criminal Psychology. DOI: 10.1007/s11896-016-9199-4
- Bannister, A., Bonheimer, K., Carter, D., Gregory, R., Myers, R. (2016). Policing a New Economy: Promising Practices for the Delivery of Police Services. Washington, D.C.: Office of Community Oriented Policing Services
As an online student with MSU, you become part of a diverse community of dedicated students, scholars, data scientists, working professionals and leaders. Receive the same high-quality education as an on-campus student — whether you want to study in the mornings or evenings, in coffee shops or at home.
Discover MSU OnlineAt MSU, we strive to make our online degrees accessible and affordable. We can connect you with many forms of financial aid, including scholarships, loans, and military benefits.
Financial AidFrequently Asked Questions
Explore our frequently asked questions for in-depth answers. If you don’t find what you’re looking for, reach out to us.
The Assistant Director and a member of our Enrollment Team has recorded a short, yet informative session for students to view at their convenience. Watch here.
This program is designed for working professionals with busy schedules, so if something interrupts your typical course of study, you don’t have to worry about losing your progress. You can take up to six years to complete the degree if needed.
As a graduate of the MA in Criminal Justice, you have a variety of career options. Pursue a career as an instructor, policymaker, security manager crime analyst, or consultant. To learn more about what you can do with an MA in Criminal Justice, visit our career outlook page.
MSU’s School of Criminal Justice was one of the first of its kind. For more than 80 years, we’ve been helping shape the discipline, working with criminal justice agencies to build programs that prepare graduates to make a difference in their communities and around the world.
Though an undergraduate degree in criminal justice is preferred, you can join the MA in Criminal Justice program after having completed a bachelor’s degree in any field. While we welcome those already employed in the field, you do not have to have prior field experience to be accepted.
You can choose to specialize in security management, focusing on the techniques used in security operations, or select four electives that suit your professional goals and interests.
Sources
- U.S. News & World Report. “Best Online Master’s in Criminal Justice Programs 2024.” Retrieved April 23, 2024 from https://www.usnews.com/education/online-education/michigan-state-university-171100.
- Payscale. “Master of Arts (MA), Criminal Justice Degree.” Retrieved June 4, 2024, from https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Degree=Master_of_Arts_(MA)%2C_Criminal_Justice/Salary.