MASTER OF SCIENCE IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE

The Master of Science in Criminal Justice is uniquely professionally focused. You’ll learn from the second largest criminal justice faculty in the country and collaborate with professors who use their broad range of expertise to create specialized courses that prepare you to excel in the field.

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Take the Next Step to Advance Your Criminal Justice Career

Recognized as a national leader in criminal justice education, the University of New Haven offers an exciting, 36-credit master’s degree program in criminal justice. Students in the program study alongside leading professionals in law enforcement, investigation, politics, forensic science, and law. Internship and research opportunities in the program lead to fulfilling careers in government agencies, court systems, and more.

The M.S. in Criminal Justice program is also offered as an online program, consists of 30 credit hours, including a wide range of elective courses unique to your interests. This program is ideal for working law enforcement and adjunct professionals as it offers no set schedule, 24-hour access to classes and course materials, built-in deadlines to help keep you on target, and rolling starts every six weeks. U.S. News and World Report ranked our program as the #1 online master's degree program in criminal justice and criminology.

Benefits of a Master of Science in Criminal Justice for Police Officers

The demand for highly qualified candidates in the criminal justice industry continues to see growth due, in part, to increased globalization, terrorism, and security needs. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, police and detective positions are projected to grow by more than 50,000 jobs between 2020-2030. With this increase in job opportunities comes a steep rise in competitiveness for leadership, federal law enforcement positions, and specialized criminal justice professionals. A Master’s in Criminal Justice gives you a competitive edge in this new job market.

Here are three reasons to earn your M.S. in criminal justice from the University of New Haven.

1. Career Advancement Opportunities
For protective services professionals, including police officers, detectives, and security personnel, as examples, career advancement to positions involving leadership and management typically require a master’s degree in criminal justice.

2. Pursue Your Passion
A graduate degree in criminal justice studies may widen employment opportunities in the field and allow you to build a career around the type of work you are passionate about. For example, a master’s degree can prepare you for positions in federal law enforcement agencies or within criminology, victimology, or computer crime.

3. Earn Higher Pay
According to this Indeed article, positions within the criminal justice field that often require a master’s degree have salaries ranging from 40,000/year as a law enforcement officer to more than $100,000/year as a federal agent.

Earning a criminal justice graduate degree can provide the necessary skills to gain a competitive edge in the job market – positioning you well for advancement in rank, higher compensation, and even a transfer to a new division.

A Degree for Police Officers to Advance Their Careers

The University of New Haven’s Master of Science in Criminal Justice is a professional practice program. It prepares you to confidently enter your career with the necessary skills and knowledge. We have the second-largest criminal justice faculty in the country with a broad range of specializations and expertise. Our online format offers flexibility within a structured weekly class environment to appeal to your busy schedule. This format allows for focused, rigorous discussions and an emphasis on class participation.

Resources

These resources will help guide you toward the job you want and provide tips on how to succeed in an online master's degree program in criminal justice.

QUICK FACTS

  • Total Credits: 36
  • Also offered online (no GRE or GMAT required to apply)
  • Online program can be completed in as little as 24 months
  • Tuition Discounts Available

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U.S. News and World Report has ranked our program #1 in its list of the Best Online Master's in Criminal Justice Programs, both overall and for veterans. Read More

 

TUITION DISCOUNTS

If you are a sworn officer or a correctional officer anywhere worldwide, you may be eligible to receive a tuition discount. We also offer a tuition discounts to members of professional organizations such as the ACAMS, ACFCS, NHCAA and others.

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Envision Your Future

The information below is designed to show the many possible careers you could pursue with your major. The research is provided by Encoura, the leading research and advisory firm focused exclusively on higher education. It includes median national salaries and industry growth projections over the next decade. Click here to view the full report.

$87K

Detectives and Criminal Investigators

2% Growth 2021-2030

$73K

Transit and Railroad Police

4% Growth 2021-2030

$93K

First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives

5% Growth 2021-2030

Students leaving Gehring Hall

 

Selected Courses and Programs

Basic psychological theory and specific applications in the criminal justice system will be explored. Particular emphasis is placed on mental health issues as they affect the criminal justice system.
A study of all the steps of the criminal justice system, from the time the accused is arrested until sentencing to a correctional facility. May be waived for students with a recent undergraduate degree in criminal justice.
A survey of theories relating to the scope and nature of the crime problem. Consideration of the problems of deviancy including social norms deviancy, mental disturbances, juvenile crime, and the various possible and actual responses to deviancy. Various approaches to the problem of rehabilitation.
An introduction to quantitative and qualitative methods used in criminal justice for research and policy analysis. Students will become familiar with basic types of research designs, survey research methods, evaluation methods.
An introduction to quantitative applications in the field of Criminal Justice. Basic descriptive and inferential statistics. Topics include measurement scales, measures of central tendency, measures of dispersion, data distributions, sampling, probability, hypothesis testing, Chi Square, Z-test, T-Test, and Analysis of Variance models. Students will also be introduced to the use of SPSS for data analysis.

The University of New Haven offers a wide variety of in-depth courses that create a transformational educational experience for our students. To view the complete list of courses you'll take while pursuing a Masters of Science, check out the Academic Catalog:

Criminal Justice, M.S.

Criminal Justice Management Certificate

Victim Advocacy and Service Management Certificate

Nationally Recognized Center for Career Development

All University of New Haven students have access to the many resources available through the University’s Career Development Center, which has been named one of the best in the nation by The Princeton Review.

From career assessments, networking, and job shadowing to on-campus interviews and salary negotiation, the Career Development Center provides the skills and connections to identify a meaningful career and an opportunity to pursue your passion.

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Learn from professors who are dedicated to your success.

Our faculty are leaders and innovators in their fields, bringing both deep professional experience and academic rigor to the classroom.

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An advanced degree from the University of New Haven will help you take your career to the next level. Each program offers convenient scheduling, personalized attention, and state-of-the-art facilities.

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The University of New Haven Graduate School is an excellent value with reasonable tuition. Of course, you will still have bills to pay and the Financial Aid office can help.

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