Criminal Justice
Master of Arts
Online
Course Delivery
30
Total Credits
$832
Credit Hour
2 Years
Minimum Duration
Program Overview
Advance your career with the online Master of Science in Criminal Justice degree from Michigan State University. Currently ranked 10th in the nation for Best Online Criminal Justice Program by U.S. News & World Report, MSU has been educating world-class professionals for more than 80 years.
Program faculty are currently active in fields such as policing, intelligence, counterterrorism, and in research on gender- and race-related issues in criminal justice. Whether you've just graduated with your bachelor's or work in law enforcement, corrections, a federal agency or the corporate world, you'll graduate equipped with comprehensive knowledge of the modern criminal justice system theory, policy and practice.
The core curriculum focuses on social science research, historical and contemporary criminal justice issues, public policy creation, and new skills in communication and technology. From there, you can customize your education with an optional specialization in security management and a robust selection of electives on topics such as intelligence process, global crime, terrorism and corporate crime.
Program Outcomes
By graduation you'll be prepared to:
- Analyze and evaluate criminal justice research and crime data sources
- Recognize the complex relationships between criminal justice theories, policies and practices
- Recognize classical and contemporary literature germane to each phase of the criminal justice system
- Understand the management of criminal justice agencies, including planning, policy impact and resource utilization
- Communicate effectively, in verbal and written form and through the use of various digital technologies, including social media platforms
Career Outlook
You will graduate ready to stand out from the competition with more than a distinguished criminal justice degree. You'll also benefit from MSUs internship program, which can provide you with relevant, real-world work experience necessary for top roles. Utilize our alumni network to make industry connections and learn about job opportunities. Consider attending our annual recruiting events, featuring such prior attendees as the DEA, Michigan Department of Corrections, Michigan State Police, U.S. Secret Service and many others.
A Top-Ranked Education
- #6 Best Online Master's in Criminal Justice Programs — U.S. News & World Report, 2023
- #3 Best Online Master's in Criminal Justice Programs for Veterans — U.S. News & World Report, 2022
- 31st among Best Public Universities in America — U.S. News & World Report, 2022, 2023
Dr. Thomas Holt
Professor and Director of Graduate Online Programs
Thomas J. Holt is a Professor in the School of Criminal Justice at Michigan State University. His research focuses on computer hacking, malware, and the role of the Internet in facilitating all manner of crime and deviance.
Course Information
The student must complete a total of 30 credits distributed as follows:
CJ 801 - Crime Causation, Prevention, and Control (3 Credits)
CJ 812 - Criminal Justice Management Seminar (3 Credits)
CJ 810 - Proseminar in Criminal Justice (3 Credits)
CJ 857 Criminal Justice Behavior and Ethics (3 Credits)CJ 889 Fundamentals of Basic and Translational Research (3 Credits)
CJ 896 - Policy Analysis under Conditions of Change (3 Credits)
Complete 6 credits of 800-level criminal justice electives.
Complete 6 credits of electives approved by the student’s academic advisor.
Completion of a final examination or evaluation.
Admissions Requirements
To be accepted to this program, you must have:
- A bachelor's degree
- 3.0 GPA or above on a 4.0 scale
- Previous work experience - Résumé
- Taken the IELTS/TOEFL (Only required if English is not your native language)
- Three letters of recommendation. Provide contact information for your recommenders and the MSU application system will provide instructions to them.
- Official transcripts from all previous schools
To apply to this program:
- Complete a university graduate application
Key Dates
Fall
Application Deadline
June 15th
Spring
Application Deadline
October 30th
Summer
Application Deadline
March 30th
Tuition & Fees per credit
In-State Tuition
Out-of-State Tuition
$832
$832
The university reserves the right to make changes in the types, structures, rates for fees, and tuition. Every effort will be made to give as much advance notice as possible.
Program Overview
Advance your career with the online Master of Science in Criminal Justice degree from Michigan State University. Currently ranked 10th in the nation for Best Online Criminal Justice Program by U.S. News & World Report, MSU has been educating world-class professionals for more than 80 years.
Program faculty are currently active in fields such as policing, intelligence, counterterrorism, and in research on gender- and race-related issues in criminal justice. Whether you've just graduated with your bachelor's or work in law enforcement, corrections, a federal agency or the corporate world, you'll graduate equipped with comprehensive knowledge of the modern criminal justice system theory, policy and practice.
The core curriculum focuses on social science research, historical and contemporary criminal justice issues, public policy creation, and new skills in communication and technology. From there, you can customize your education with an optional specialization in security management and a robust selection of electives on topics such as intelligence process, global crime, terrorism and corporate crime.
Program Outcomes
By graduation you'll be prepared to:
- Analyze and evaluate criminal justice research and crime data sources
- Recognize the complex relationships between criminal justice theories, policies and practices
- Recognize classical and contemporary literature germane to each phase of the criminal justice system
- Understand the management of criminal justice agencies, including planning, policy impact and resource utilization
- Communicate effectively, in verbal and written form and through the use of various digital technologies, including social media platforms
Career Outlook
You will graduate ready to stand out from the competition with more than a distinguished criminal justice degree. You'll also benefit from MSUs internship program, which can provide you with relevant, real-world work experience necessary for top roles. Utilize our alumni network to make industry connections and learn about job opportunities. Consider attending our annual recruiting events, featuring such prior attendees as the DEA, Michigan Department of Corrections, Michigan State Police, U.S. Secret Service and many others.
A Top-Ranked Education
- #6 Best Online Master's in Criminal Justice Programs — U.S. News & World Report, 2023
- #3 Best Online Master's in Criminal Justice Programs for Veterans — U.S. News & World Report, 2022
- 31st among Best Public Universities in America — U.S. News & World Report, 2022, 2023
Dr. Thomas Holt
Professor and Director of Graduate Online Programs
Thomas J. Holt is a Professor in the School of Criminal Justice at Michigan State University. His research focuses on computer hacking, malware, and the role of the Internet in facilitating all manner of crime and deviance.
Course Information
The student must complete a total of 30 credits distributed as follows:
CJ 801 - Crime Causation, Prevention, and Control (3 Credits)
CJ 812 - Criminal Justice Management Seminar (3 Credits)
CJ 810 - Proseminar in Criminal Justice (3 Credits)
CJ 857 Criminal Justice Behavior and Ethics (3 Credits)CJ 889 Fundamentals of Basic and Translational Research (3 Credits)
CJ 896 - Policy Analysis under Conditions of Change (3 Credits)
Complete 6 credits of 800-level criminal justice electives.
Complete 6 credits of electives approved by the student’s academic advisor.
Completion of a final examination or evaluation.
Admissions Requirements
To be accepted to this program, you must have:
- A bachelor's degree
- 3.0 GPA or above on a 4.0 scale
- Previous work experience - Résumé
- Taken the IELTS/TOEFL (Only required if English is not your native language)
- Three letters of recommendation. Provide contact information for your recommenders and the MSU application system will provide instructions to them.
- Official transcripts from all previous schools
To apply to this program:
- Complete a university graduate application
Key Dates
Fall
Application Deadline
June 15th
Spring
Application Deadline
October 30th
Summer
Application Deadline
March 30th
Tuition & Fees per credit
In-State Tuition
Out-of-State Tuition
$832
$832
The university reserves the right to make changes in the types, structures, rates for fees, and tuition. Every effort will be made to give as much advance notice as possible.
The MSU Value Promise
You can be ensured a return on your investment at Michigan State University.
As one of the top research universities in the world, Michigan State University has advanced the common good with uncommon will for more than 160 years.
MSU pushes the boundaries of discovery and forges enduring partnerships to solve the most pressing global challenges while providing life-changing opportunities to a diverse and inclusive academic community.
MSU has been offering online degree programs for over 20 years. Our maturity is evident in the high quality of the learning experience enjoyed by our online students.
MSU provides programs and initiatives that support and enhance diversity. We will expand our campus and external partnerships to put in place inclusive recruitment and retention practices. We nurture and promote individuals’ varied experiences and perspectives, ensuring structures and processes make possible full participation by all members of our community.
MSU actively collaborates with campus and external partners to innovate across all dimensions of graduate education. We create and support networks that increase collaboration and improve educational opportunities for our online students.
MSU’s nationally recognized online programs foster student growth and well-being throughout their academic career. We will expand inclusive mentoring practices and accelerate improvement across units to implement evidence-based practices to ensure our students complete successfully.
Continuing education can be one of the most exciting, challenging, and rewarding experiences you undertake in your life. We hope you consider becoming a Spartan, to learn online and reach your career goals. With highly ranked online programs and exceptional professors, we educate students who advance the common good with uncommon will.