College of Social and Behavioral Sciences # Master's degrees in criminal justice [Apply now](/application/quick-app/personal-info) ## 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. ## Let's get started [Request Info](https://www.phoenix.edu/request/request-information)[Apply Now](https://www.phoenix.edu/application/quick-app/personal-info) ## 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. [See start dates](/admissions/class-start-dates.html) ## 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.  [Watch webinar](https://goto.webcasts.com/viewer/event.jsp?ei=1718305&tp_key=33fa9d1e76) ## 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 [See the M.S. in Administration of Justice and Security](/online-criminal-justice-degrees/justice-security-administration-masters-degree.html) --- ### MASTER OF PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION - Public policy - Leadership - Communication - Problem-solving - Financial management [See the Master of Public Administration](/online-criminal-justice-degrees/public-administration-masters-degree.html) ## Earn career-relevant skills in weeks – not years Get value from your education before you even graduate. Update your professional profile with learned skills when you complete every 5- or 6-week course in our associate, bachelor's and master's programs. [Learn more](/online-degrees/skills-aligned-learning.html) ## Outlook for workers with a master’s degree in criminal justice ### Master of Science in Administration of Justice and Security BLS CATEGORY: Police and Detectives JOB GROWTH: 3**%** [Bureau of Labor Statistics](https://www.bls.gov/ooh/protective-service/police-and-detectives.htm)job growth for police and detective occupations is projected to be**as fast as average**between ((edu.BLSyears)). JOB TITLES: - Adjunct Professor - Asset Protection Manager - Chief Deputy - Deputy Chief Sheriff [Request info](https://www.phoenix.edu/request/request-information)[Apply now](https://www.phoenix.edu/application/quick-app/personal-info) ### Master of Public Administration BLS CATEGORY: Chief Executives JOB GROWTH: 4**%** [Bureau of Labor Statistics](https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/top-executives.htm), job growth for management occupations is projected to be**as fast as average**between ((edu.BLSyears)). JOB TITLES: - Chief Administrative Officer - City Administrator - City Manager - Nonprofit Director [Request info](https://www.phoenix.edu/request/request-information)[Apply now](https://www.phoenix.edu/application/quick-app/personal-info) ## 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.  [See all courses](/online-criminal-justice-degrees/justice-security-administration-masters-degree.html#courses) --- ### 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. . [See all courses](/online-criminal-justice-degrees/public-administration-masters-degree.html#courses) ## Tuition and financial aid ### Affordable, locked-in tuition [Learn about tuition](/tuition-financial-aid.html) ### 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. [More about financial aid](/tuition-financial-aid/federal-financial-aid.html) > Transfer Credits Your prior eligible credits can cover a portion of your master’s degree to help you graduate quicker. [More about transfer credits](/tuition-financial-aid/transfer-credits.html) > Military or Veteran Benefits See if you qualify to use veterans’ education benefits or tuition assistance to help pay for school. [More about military benefits](/military.html) > Scholarships Starting with your first course, every new qualifying student will be awarded one of our scholarships. [More about scholarships](/tuition-financial-aid/scholarships.html) > Employer Tuition Discounts Check if your employer provides tuition assistance, benefits, or reimbursement programs toward your degree. [More about employer tuition benefits](/tuition-financial-aid/employer-tuition-benefits.html) --- ## Student experience “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 [More about time management](/life-as-a-phoenix/time-management.html) > Use Robust Student Resources [More about student resources](/student-resources.html) > Learn Online [More about classes](/student-resources/going-to-class.html) ## 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 [See admissions requirements](/admissions.html)[Explore start dates](/admissions/class-start-dates.html) ## 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, EdD Associate Provost, Colleges [Learn more](/about/academic-leadership/associate-provost-christina-neider.html) ### Franzi Walsh, DBA Associate Dean, College of Social and Behavioral Sciences [Learn more](/about/academic-leadership/associate-dean-franzi-walsh.html) ## Institutional accreditation University of Phoenix has been[continually accredited](/about/accreditation.html)by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC),[hlcommission.org](https://hlcommission.org)since 1978. ## Master’s degree in criminal justice FAQs Expand AllCollapse All ### Is a master’s necessary for a criminal justice career? 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](https://www.bls.gov/emp/tables/education-summary.htm)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. ### Is a criminal justice degree worth the investment? 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](https://www.bls.gov/emp/tables/education-summary.htm)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. ### Can you get a criminal justice degree online? 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. ### Can I transfer credit for an online criminal justice master’s degree? Yes, you can[transfer eligible credits](/tuition-financial-aid/transfer-credits.html) if the college you attended is an accredited institution.  - [What Is Criminal Justice?](/articles/criminal-justice/what-is-criminal-justice) — Online Degrees | June 02, 2022 • 8 minutes - [Essentials for Criminal Justice Students](/articles/criminal-justice/essentials-for-criminal-justice-students) — Online Degrees | December 02, 2024 • 6 minutes - [What Is a Detention Officer?](/articles/criminal-justice/what-is-a-detention-officer) — Online Degrees | August 27, 2025 • 6 minutes Load More...