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Online Master of Science Degree in Criminal Justice

Additional academy training and education not provided by Purdue Global may be required for law enforcement positions.

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Program at a Glance
  • Gain the knowledge and credentials to pursue supervisory and administrative positions in the criminal justice field.
  • Take advantage of the flexibility of online learning and study on a schedule that’s convenient for you. 
  • Apply critical-thinking skills to real-world scenarios through an applied research project.
  • Learn from professors who bring real-world experience to the courses they teach.
COURSE EFFORT 25 Hours per Week
COURSE LENGTH 12-Week Terms
Course Details
CREDITS REQUIRED 55
COST PER CREDIT $420
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How Do I Get Started?

We offer multiple start dates to give you flexibility in your education, life, and work schedules.

Master of Science in Criminal Justice Overview

Purdue Global’s online master’s degree in criminal justice is designed to strengthen your leadership skills and prepare you to take on new challenges in a rapidly changing field. The criminal justice industry needs qualified leaders, public servants, and change agents dedicated to protecting our communities, our nation, and our world. 

Courses in the online Master of Science in Criminal Justice are designed to prepare you for advanced opportunities and explore:

  • Organizational behavior, management and leadership of human resources, and design and structural processes in criminal justice organizations
  • Research methods and the skills needed to design and conduct applied research and evaluate data
  • Causes of criminal behavior in various cultures around the world
  • Recent legislation and case law at the state and federal levels

See the University Catalog for policy and degree plan information specific to this program.

Admissions Requirements

To enroll in the criminal justice master’s program online, you must hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.


Refer to the University Catalog or speak to an Advisor to learn more.

Purdue University Global Is Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission

The HLC (HLCommission.org) is an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Career Opportunities

According to the  Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment in the protective service field is projected to grow.* Talented candidates with the right advanced degree, leadership abilities, and program management, budgeting, and policy-making skills can shape their professional futures as well as the future of the industry.

As a graduate, you can pursue a variety of leadership and advanced criminal justice career opportunities in organizations such as federal, state, and local government agencies; courtrooms; postsecondary educational institutions; police departments; regional loss prevention departments; and academia including universities or colleges.

Top 5 Skills Employers Are Looking for:

  1. Active Listening
  2. Critical Thinking
  3. Speaking
  4. Monitoring
  5. Social Perceptiveness

Top Jobs With This Degree

Labor market, salary, and projected growth information are supplied by Emsi. Average salary range is based on national data. Projected growth represents the estimated change in total employment over the projections period (2018–2030) at the state level and is based on your geographic location. Actual outcomes vary by geographic area, previous work experience, and opportunities for employment. Purdue Global cannot guarantee employment placement, salary level, or career advancement.

Prior experience may be necessary for leadership positions. Local, state, and federal law enforcement jobs may require additional training or education including additional state-approved higher education beyond the Purdue Global degree. This program was not designed to meet any specific state’s requirements, and Purdue Global makes no representations or warranties as to whether the degree or any individual courses meet such requirements. Refer to the University Catalog for additional information. Graduates of Purdue Global criminal justice programs are not eligible to attend police academies in Minnesota.

Why Study Criminal Justice at Purdue Global?

Opportunities for Professional Development

Online discussion boards allow you to engage with students from around the country and learn from their experiences. You can also take advantage of the Graduate Resource Center, a self-paced course that includes information on professional memberships and clubs, career services, social networking, and more.

Distinguished. Experienced. Committed.

As one of the largest providers of public safety programs in the United States, we’ve supported the career and educational advancement of many dedicated criminal justice professionals like yourself. You’ll join a wide network of students, alumni, faculty, and employers.†

Applied Research Project

A hands-on final project enables you to put your learning to work by analyzing real-world criminal justice issues and challenges.

Curriculum in the Master of Science in Criminal Justice focuses on criminological and management theories, organizational behavior, and research methods related to the field.

Sample Courses
  • Criminological Theory
  • Organizational Behavior
  • Critical Issues in Criminal Justice
  • Academic and Professional Communications in Public Safety
See All Criminal Justice Courses
Credit Breakdown
  • Core Credits30
  • Major Credits20
  • Elective Credits5
  • Total Credits55

Ways to Save

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Get to Know Our Faculty

Purdue Global faculty members are real-world practitioners who bring knowledge gained through the powerful combination of higher learning and industry experience.

View Criminal Justice and Fire Science Faculty Directory
grad hat icon 98% Faculty members who have advanced degrees
diploma icon 48% Faculty members who hold a doctorate
tablet icon 264 Faculty publications in 2019–2020
student at desk icon More Than 45,000 Professional development hours logged by faculty in 2019–2020

Statistics include all Purdue Global faculty members and are not school or program-specific calculations. Source: Purdue Global Office of Reporting and Analysis, July 2020. 2019–2020 academic year.

Earn an Executive Juris Doctor Degree 1 Year Sooner

Upon graduating, you can apply some of your courses toward an Executive Juris Doctor (EJD) degree at Concord Law School. Save up to $9,888 in tuition and graduate a year sooner. You could earn both a master’s and EJD degree in as few as 3.5 years.‡ See which courses transfer.


Unlike the JD, which prepares you to sit for the bar exam and practice law, the online EJD is designed to help you build legal expertise to use in your career. Learn more.

Program Brochure

Download our brochure to learn more about our Master of Science in Criminal Justice and the benefits of earning your degree at Purdue Global.

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NOTES AND CONDITIONS

*Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Protective Service Occupations, www.bls.gov/ooh/protective-service/home.htm. National long-term projections may not reflect local and/or short-term economic or job conditions, and do not guarantee actual job growth.

†Source: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS), 2018–2019 Total Degrees and Certificates Conferred, First Major, Criminology; Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting, and Related Protective Services, nces.ed.gov/IPEDS. Based on total number of degrees and certificates granted by Purdue Global compared to other Title IV institutions.

‡Purdue Global alumni are eligible for a 20% tuition reduction on Concord programs. Tuition savings calculated as 24 credit hours x reduced per credit tuition rate of $412 = $9,888. Savings will vary based on the courses completed in the student’s master’s degree program. Credits apply toward open elective and/or specialty electives in the EJD program.

Time savings based on a student who applies 24 credit hours toward the 3-year EJD program; remaining 48 credits can be completed in 2 years of study. MSCJ can be completed in 1.5 years of study when adhering to the recommended course-load each term, taking courses in sequence, and without interruptions such as a leave of absence.