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College of Social and Behavioral Sciences

Master's degrees in criminal justice

Bring strong leadership to criminal justice

Prepare for a leadership role in public service with a master’s degree in criminal justice. Develop administrative training, policy development and problem-solving skills with a Master of Science in Administration of Justice and Security degree. Or prepare for career opportunities in the public and nonprofit administration sector with a Master of Public Administration degree. 

The best part?  You will learn from experienced criminal justice faculty that includes chiefs of police, detectives and administrators. And with all our courses being 100% online and only 6 weeks long, you’ll have the flexibility to build the leadership skills you're looking for, on your terms.

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Find the criminal justice master's degree for you

4

The number of times a year you can start your degree based on your schedule.

36-37

The number of credits required to complete a master’s degree in criminal justice with UOPX.

17-18

months

The length for the master of criminal justice is 17-18 months.

months

Watch our Master's Q&A Webinar

University of Phoenix understands that life happens and that schedules are fluid. But no worries, because we recorded the Master’s Q&A Webinar so you can watch it when it fits your busy life. We encourage you to check it out and learn about important topics and commonly asked questions that many potential master’s students have. 

woman in front of computer

Skills you’ll develop with core master’s degree in criminal justice courses

MASTER OF SCIENCE IN ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE AND SECURITY

  • Management
  • Operations
  • Leadership
  • Research
  • Problem-solving

MASTER OF PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION

  • Public policy
  • Leadership
  • Communication
  • Problem-solving
  • Financial management

Earn career-relevant skills in weeks – not years

Get value from your education before you even graduate. Update your resumé and LinkedIn profile with learned skills when you complete every 5- or 6-week course in our associate, bachelor's and master's programs.

Build skills on your way to your degree

Outlook for workers with a master’s degree in criminal justice

BLS CATEGORY: Police and Detectives

JOB GROWTH: 3%

Bureau of Labor Statistics job growth for police and detective occupations is projected to be slower than average between 2022 and 2032.

JOB TITLES:

  • Adjunct Professor
  • Asset Protection Manager
  • Chief Deputy
  • Deputy Chief Sheriff

BLS CATEGORY: Management

JOB GROWTH: 3%

Bureau of Labor Statistics, job growth for management occupations is projected to be much faster than average between 2022 and 2032.

JOB TITLES:

  • Chief Administrative Officer
  • City Administrator
  • City Manager
  • Nonprofit Director

Master’s degree in criminal justice course requirements

Master of Science in Administration of Justice and Security

You’ll take 13 core courses with program-specific knowledge to help you gain the confidence and skills to succeed. These core courses include topics like: legal issues in justice and security, public policy and civil rights, cybercrime and information security and more. 

Master of Public Administration

You’ll take 12 core courses with program-specific knowledge to help you gain the confidence and skills to succeed. These core courses include topics like: communication for public administrators, law and public administration, data analysis for public policy and more. .

Tuition and financial aid

Affordable, locked-in tuition

Tuition guarantee
Compare tuition costs and see how affordable a degree can be

Ways to pay — and save. Explore your options.

From grants and scholarships to transfer credits and federal financial aid, there are a variety of ways to pay for school and save on tuition.

Financial Aid

Federal Financial Aid is money from the U.S. Department of Education to help you pay for your college tuition and expenses.

Financial Aid

Transfer Credits

Your prior eligible credits can cover a portion of your master’s degree to help you graduate quicker.

Transfer Credits

Military or Veteran Benefits

See if you qualify to use veterans’ education benefits or tuition assistance to help pay for school.

Military or Veteran Benefits

Scholarships

Starting with your first course, every new qualifying student will be awarded one of our scholarships.

Scholarships

Employer Tuition Discounts

Check if your employer provides tuition assistance, benefits, or reimbursement programs toward your degree.

Employer Tuition Discounts

Student experience

Teralisa B.

“I never imagined earning one degree, let alone two. What you are learning – matters.” 

—Teralisa B. 
BS/P, 2015; MPA, 2016

 

Over 1 million alumni have earned their degrees while balancing work, school and life. So can you. 

Manage Time with Flexible Courses

Manage Time with Flexible Courses

Use Robust Student Resources

Use Robust Student Resources

Learn Online

Learn Online

How to apply for your master’s degree in criminal justice

Once you’ve selected your degree program, choose your start date from our calendar, apply for free and register before the deadline (usually one week before the program starts). Then you’ll speak to an enrollment representative to begin class.

  • No application fee — no obligation!
  • No SAT, GMAT or essay required
Apply for your master's degree online

Meet your college deans

Our college deans focus on developing a career-relevant curriculum. They bring industry experience to the classroom and lead a faculty of academic professionals with one goal in mind—to help you earn the skills you need to pursue your career.

Christina Neider, Dean

Christina Neider, EdD

Dean, College of Social and Behavioral Sciences

Franzi Walsh, Associate Dean

Franzi Walsh, DBA

Associate Dean, College of Social and Behavioral Sciences

Institutional accreditation

University of Phoenix has been continually accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), hlcommission.org since 1978.

Master’s degree in criminal justice FAQs

A master’s degree has become an increasingly important way to gain the knowledge and critical skills you need to stay competitive in criminal justice. Master’s degree employment rates are projected to grow by 13.6%, between 2021 and 2031.* 

US Bureau of Labor Statistics. This data reflects the BLS’ projections of national (not local) conditions. These data points are not specific to University of Phoenix students or graduates.

Having a master’s degree has become an increasingly important way to gain the knowledge and critical skills today's workers need to stay competitive in growing fields like criminal justice. Master’s degree employment rates are projected to grow by 13.6%, between 2021 and 2031.* So if you’re looking to build knowledge and career-relevant skills, an online master’s degree can help you take that next step in your career.

US Bureau of Labor Statistics. This data reflects the BLS’ projections of national (not local) conditions. These data points are not specific to University of Phoenix students or graduates.

Yes, all our courses are available 100% online. Where most colleges expect you to take several courses at once, here you take one course at a time over six weeks in an innovative, virtual, asynchronous learning environment. You and your peers will engage in discussions, assignments and learning activities. Plus, you’ll learn from faculty who bring their own real-world experience and practice the same knowledge and skills they teach, all while learning the industry-relevant skills necessary in the criminal justice system. What’s more? Throughout the course of your learning experience, our academic counselors and finance advisors are always there to answer your questions.

Yes, you can transfer eligible credits if the college you attended is an accredited institution. 

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