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Online Master’s Degree in Criminal Justice
Request InformationBecome a transformational leader in your organization—and your community.
Next start dates
- Course-Based Courses with a set schedule December 13, 2021
- Tempo Learning® Go at your own pace January 03, 2022
Transfer Credits
- Up to 24 Credits
Prepare to take on leadership roles.
Explore trends. Protect lives. Impact the future of the criminal justice system. Are you looking to transition to a more senior position—or a second career—in the criminal justice field? Walden’s MS in Criminal Justice program is designed to give you a competitive edge while empowering you to influence positive, meaningful change in your organization and community.
Why Choose Walden?
A degree on your terms
Opt for our course-based format or choose our flexible, competency-based format designed to work around your busy schedule.
Readily Applicable Skills
Gain skills that you can apply immediately on the job through media-rich coursework that focuses on current events, challenges, and opportunities in the criminal justice field.
Distinguished Faculty
Learn from distinguished faculty, including Dr. Jessie Lee, former executive director of the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE).
Eight Specializations
Focus your studies on what interests you most by choosing one of eight highly relevant and in-demand specializations.
Program Savings
Tempo Learning®: Receive up to a $2,000 Grant if you reside in the U.S. and start this program on December 6, 2021. Contact one of our Enrollment Specialists to learn more.
Get Started NowProgram Details
Curriculum – General Program Specialization
| Course Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| CRJS 6002 |
Foundations of Graduate Study
Students in this course are introduced to Walden University and to the requirements for successful participation in an online curriculum. Students work toward building a foundation for academic and professional success as a scholar-practitioner and social change agent. They assess the relationship of mission and vision to professional goals and develop a program of study and strategies for online success. Students also explore resources used throughout the program, such as the online Walden University Library. Students engage in course assignments focused on the practical application of professional writing, critical-thinking skills, and the promotion of professional and academic excellence. |
(3 cr.) |
| CRJS 6137 |
The Nature of Crime and Criminology
Students in this course are introduced to contemporary views and theories of maladaptive and criminal behavior. They examine a broad conceptualization of criminal behavior from an interdisciplinary perspective as well as theories and application of criminal profiling. Students also explore specific views of criminal behavior germane to groups, such as psychopaths, serial offenders, and sexually violent predators. At the end of this course, students will have an understanding of the theories and practices that are the foundations of the field of criminology. |
(5 cr.) |
| CRJS 6215 |
Controversies in Criminal Justice
Justice is at the heart of the U.S. democratic system, yet opposing viewpoints surrounding and within the system often muddle interpretations of the law and the development of policies to promote and enforce justice. In this course, students examine events that have significantly changed how the legal system interprets the U.S. Constitution, the U.S. Code, and the U.S. Patriot Act, for example, the terrorist acts of September 11, 2001. They learn how social and historical changes have shifted perspectives and sparked debates on expanding the rights of government versus safeguarding personal civil rights and civil liberties. Through discussion with peers, assessment of contemporary articles, and examination of Supreme Course cases, students have the opportunity to reflect on and potentially broaden their own opinions and perspectives on current criminal justice affairs in regard to issues of law enforcement, public perception, policy development, and ethics. |
(5 cr.) |
| CRJS 6216 |
Criminal Justice Research
Criminal justice encompasses many roles and responsibilities, including responding to victims, punishing or rehabilitating criminals, and developing laws and policies. To carry out these tasks effectively and responsibly, taking into account current trends and ethical considerations, criminal justice professionals need to understand underlying factors, such as the root causes of crime and the impact of crime on communities. In this course, students examine a range of research methodologies, including quantitative and qualitative methods, that professionals use to collect data and analyze trends in criminal justice. They examine models, metrics, and tools used to evaluate criminal justice programs and policies, and they assess the strengths and limitations of research methods. Students also learn about threats to the validity of data and consider the legal and ethical issues associated with research and evaluation methods. |
(5 cr.) |
| CRJS 6511 |
Special Populations
Students in this course are provided with an in-depth analysis of the treatment of women and people of color as professionals, litigants, victims, and offenders in the criminal justice system. Students examine the systemic outcomes of the intersections of race, class, sexual orientation, and gender for these groups as they relate to social justice and social inequality. Through critical examination of readings and data analysis, students learn about the complexity of the historical relationship between these groups and the U.S. criminal justice system and broader social context. |
(5 cr.) |
| CRJS 6203 |
Victimology
What is the relationship between victims and those who commit crimes against them, and how does the criminal justice system protect and respond to victims of crime? In this course, students have the opportunity to answer such questions through a comprehensive assessment of victimology, a relatively new discipline in the field of criminal justice. Students examine victim patterns and tendencies and learn how victims interact with the police and the legal system. They also examine how factors of class, race, and sexual orientation affect the perception of the victim by different constituents, including the public, the court system, and the media. Students assess and discuss the concept of primary and secondary victims and gain practical insight on a range of services and resources available to all types of victims. |
(5 cr.) |
| CRJS 6136 |
Criminal Behavior
Students in this course are provided with contemporary views, theories, and case-study analysis of maladaptive and criminal behavior, victimology, and victim-offender relationships. A broad conceptualization of criminal behavior, such as that woven from biological, sociological, and psychological perspectives is explored and evaluated. Theories of crime and the application of risk factors associated with criminal behavior are examined. Additionally, students will be exposed to specific offender groups, both violent and nonviolent, including psychopaths, serial and mass murderers, criminal paraphiliacs, arsonists, white-collar thieves, scam artists, domestic terrorists, and others. |
(5 cr.) |
| CRJS 6201 |
Psychological Aspects of Violent Crime
Through this course, students explore the nature and extent of the psychological nexus of criminal homicide across various environments to include serial, mass, spree, workplace violence homicide, school shooter homicide, and child abduction homicide. Students will examine the theories and trends of these types of violent crime regarding offender and victim psychological and behavioral characteristics. |
(5 cr.) |
| CRJS 6204 |
Sex Offender Behavior and Treatment
In this course, students explore the traits and behaviors of both deviant and criminal sex offenders. Legal issues raised in both criminal and civil cases that involve sex offenses will be discussed. Students analyze the empirical evidence behind various assessment tools and treatment plans for sex offenders. They evaluate the risk for future sexual offense behavior and whether the protection of society outweighs the loss of civil liberty experienced by civil commitment for sex offenders. |
(5 cr.) |
| CRJS 6910 |
Capstone: Criminal Justice Ethics and Social Justice
Ethical behavior is an essential element of leadership. In this course, students examine the philosophy of ethics as well as responsibility and social justice—the basic tenets of public service. Through a combination of seminal texts and contemporary case studies, students explore the complex social, political, and ethical challenges leaders face as they seek to meet the needs of diverse constituents. Course topics focus upon ethics and social justice involving economic disparity, political power, and social privilege. Students analyze current social trends related to the ethical and social justice issues of a global community. Throughout the course, students assess emerging or persistent ethical and social justice issues and make recommendations for resolving specific dilemmas. |
(5 cr.) |
| VIEW ALL COURSES | ||
Admission Requirements
Program Admission Considerations: A bachelor's degree or higher.
General Admission Requirements: Completed online application and transcripts. Please note that the materials you are required to submit may vary depending on the academic program to which you apply. More information for international applicants.
Two Ways To Learn
In the Public Management and Leadership specialization you can choose from two degree completion options that are both designed for working professionals.
The course-based format may be a good option for you if you prefer an instructor-led approach and learning on a predetermined schedule.
Tempo Learning® is an alternative way to earn your Walden degree. It’s different from our standard course-based learning because you can work at a pace that makes sense for you, and progress once you’ve shown you understand a subject. With Tempo Learning®, you have the flexibility of online learning, plus the ability to personalize and control the length, cost, and pacing of your program. [insert Tempo logo and align right as it is dine right now]
Tuition and Fees
General Program Specialization
Tuition and Fees
| Curriculum Component | Requirements | Cost | amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition | 48 quarter credit hours | $505 per quarter hour | $24,240 |
| Technology Fee | Per quarter | $160 | $800 |
| $25,050* |
Effective February 28, 2022
| Curriculum Component | Requirements | Cost | amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition | 48 quarter credit hours | $518 per quarter hour | $24,864 |
| Technology Fee | Per quarter | $165 | $825 |
| $25,689* |
*Tuition reflects the minimum time to completion. Time to completion varies by student, depending on individual progress and credits transferred, if applicable. Tuition and time to complete may be reduced if transfer credits are accepted, or if you receive grants, scholarships or other tuition reductions. Walden may accept up to 24 transfer credits. For a personalized estimate of the number of your transfer credits that Walden would accept, call an Enrollment Specialist at 855-646-5286.
Tuition and fees are subject to change. Books and materials are not included and may cost between $1,000 and $1,400.
FINANCIAL AID
Many Walden degree-seeking students—67%—receive some form of financial aid.* Create a customized plan that makes sense for you.
*Source: Walden University’s Office of Financial Aid. Data reports as of 2018.
Find Ways to SaveProgram Savings
Tempo Learning®: Receive up to a $2,000 Grant if you reside in the U.S. and start this program on December 6, 2021. Contact one of our Enrollment Specialists to learn more.
Get Started NowGeneral Program
Gain a unique blend of technology, homeland security, and management skills that you can apply immediately on the job or use to advance your career.
Behavioral Sciences
Explore the various theories and research that aim to answer the “why” behind criminal behavior.
Cybercrimes
Learn how technology is used in the commission of various crimes such as child sexual exploitation, cyberstalking, cyberbullying, and human trafficking.
Emergency Management
This specialization prepares you to build confident and capable teams and guide others during times of crisis.
International/Global Criminal Justice Issues
Gain skills and knowledge that are essential to operating effectively in regions seeking to develop and modernize.
Homeland Security Policy and Coordination
This specialization provides a foundation for evaluating and creating protective measures and policies that do not compromise individual rights and freedoms.
Law and Public Policy
Examine the vital legal knowledge available to public policy practitioners as you examine legal concepts, cases, and current trends in law and policy.
Public Management and Leadership
This specialization prepares you to develop strategies for managing change in public organizations.
Terrorism, Mediation, and Peace
This specialization provides a foundation for understanding anti-terrorism legislation and its impact on public policies.
Program Outcomes
What's the Career Impact of Earning Criminal Justice Master's Degree?
Graduates of the MS in Criminal Justice program will be well-prepared to seek leadership roles across an array of areas, including law enforcement, courts, corrections, and probation. Possible job titles include:
- Police or detective administrator
- First-line supervisor of police or detectives
- Transit or railroad police officer
- Corrections officer or jailer
- Detective or criminal investigator
- Probation officer/correctional treatment specialist
- Private detective or investigator
Career positions may require additional experience, training, or other factors beyond the successful completion of this degree program.
Learning Outcomes
The online Master’s in Criminal Justice program helps prepare its graduates to:
- Utilize theory and research to analyze historical trends and current perspectives in criminal justice.
- Use research to evaluate factors related to crime and the impact of crime on criminal justice policies, practices, and procedures.
- Evaluate the impact of U.S. constitutional policy and procedures on the criminal justice system.
- Analyze the impact of the criminal justice process on victims and perpetrators.
- Synthesize principles from criminal justice theories, processes, and practices to promote social justice and positive social change.
- Compare the structural functions and interactions of law enforcement, courts, and corrections within the criminal justice system at the local, state, and federal levels.
- Discuss how criminal justice laws and policies are adopted, implemented, and evaluated.
Resources
FAQ About Walden’s Online MS in Criminal Justice Program
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The MS in Criminal Justice program at Walden University offers a number of specializations to help you better define your career. No matter what line of work you are interested in, there is probably a specialization to match your interests in the field. These specializations include:
- Law and Public Policy – In this specialization, you will examine court cases, discover how public policy practitioners conduct legal research, and be introduced to fundamentals as well as trends in public policy.
- Emergency Management – It is critical that professionals with the right education and training be involved when disaster strikes. This specialization can help you learn how to build a team of emergency responders who are well versed in helping communities prepare for, respond to, and recover from disasters.
- Terrorism, Mediation, and Peace – In this specialization you will focus on the causes of terrorism, including what drives someone to commit terrorist acts. You will also look at ways to prevent terrorism and how to respond to it.
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At Walden University, you can customize your online master’s in criminal justice program by focusing your studies on the issues that matter most to you. Walden offers a General Program and eight specializations. However, regardless of which specialization you choose, the program’s core courses will introduce you to:
- Contemporary views and theories of maladaptive and criminal behavior.
- Events that have significantly changed how the legal system interprets the U.S. Constitution, the U.S. Code, and the U.S. Patriot Act.
- Research methodologies, including quantitative and qualitative methods, that professionals use to collect data and analyze trends in criminal justice.
- An in-depth analysis of the treatment of women and people of color as professionals, litigants, victims, and offenders in the criminal justice system.
- The relationship between victims and those who commit crimes against them.
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Walden University offers an MS in Criminal Justice program for those who wish to further their education without changing their entire professional or social situation. The program is designed to help you gain the skills and knowledge you need to start or advance your career while completing the majority of coursework from home, on a schedule that works for you. Additionally, students who choose to earn their MS in Criminal Justice with a specialization in Public Management and Leadership at Walden can choose from a course-based or competency-based education format. Different from a standard course-based format, the competency-based format allows students to progress at their own pace and demonstrate their skills through competency assessments.
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Criminal justice professionals confront tough challenges each day as they work to reduce crime, improve public safety, and protect and serve society. Whether it’s a job in law enforcement or criminology, working as a criminal investigator or forensic scientist, a career in criminal justice is an opportunity to make a meaningful difference. Criminal justice professionals regularly combat a variety of issues, including:
- Mental illness – Tackling mental health in the U.S. criminal justice system is a big job, and one law enforcement officers, criminologists, mental health providers, policymakers, and other professionals with careers in criminal justice are all working together to address.
- Drug crime – With the growing opioid epidemic, drug-related arrests are putting an even bigger strain on the American criminal justice system. Many professionals in criminal justice have dedicated their careers to fighting the war on drugs through better law enforcement, more effective policy, and new laws.
- Cybercrime – Data breaches. Extortion. Cyberstalking. Identity theft. With internet-related crimes on the rise in the U.S., cybercrime has become one of the fastest-growing areas of focus in the criminal justice system.
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Reputation is key, and Walden University has been leading adult learning for the past 50 years. Convenience also matters, especially for working professionals, and Walden’s master’s program is delivered through a flexible online learning platform that allows you to complete coursework on your schedule. In addition, class sizes are small and students have access to a number of support services throughout their program. Diversity can play a big role in your education, too. Walden’s online learning community is made up of a diverse group of students from across the U.S. and beyond who share their unique perspectives and insights about criminal justice.
Questions about our MS in Criminal Justice?
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