Walden’s MS in Criminal Justice program prepares you 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 Pursue Your Master’s in Criminal Justice With Walden?

  • Choose from two learning experiences to customize your MS in Criminal Justice program—traditional course-based format or Tempo Learning®, our competency-based format.
  • 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.
  • Learn from distinguished faculty, including Dr. Jessie Lee, former executive director of the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives (NOBLE).
  • Focus your studies on what interests you most by choosing one of eight highly relevant and in-demand specializations.

Walden’s criminal justice degree programs also include the BS in Criminal Justice, MS in Criminal Justice Leadership and Executive Management, and PhD in Criminal Justice. Partnerships with the Fraternal Order of Police and NOBLE underscore Walden’s commitment to delivering relevant education offerings in this field of study.

You’ve Got Options

Choose from two degree completion options.

Course-Based MS in Criminal Justice

If you prefer an instructor-led approach and learning on a predetermined schedule, the course-based format may be a good option for you.

Minimum completion time: 15 months
Tuition: $25,000*
Committed hours per week: 10 to 15 hours per week with one course every 11 weeks

*Based on minimum completion time. Costs will vary, if completion time exceeds minimum.

Competency-Based MS in Criminal Justice

If you prefer a flexible learning experience with no set weekly deadlines, allowing you to make progress at your pace, on your schedule, the Tempo Learning® competency-based format may be for you.

Minimum completion time: Self-paced—you control the time it takes to earn your degree.
Tuition: $2,350 per 3-month all-you-can-learn subscription period
Committed hours per week: Varies by student. Student can make a schedule that supports their individual learning goals.
Specializations: Public Management and Leadership only

Specializations

General MS in Criminal Justice

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Study the latest theories and explore today’s increasingly complex criminal justice issues.

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Learning Outcomes

The online Master’s in Criminal Justice program helps prepare its graduates to:

  1. Utilize theory and research to analyze historical trends and current perspectives in criminal justice.
  2. Use research to evaluate factors related to crime and the impact of crime on criminal justice policies, practices, and procedures.
  3. Evaluate the impact of U.S. constitutional policy and procedures on the criminal justice system.
  4. Analyze the impact of the criminal justice process on victims and perpetrators.
  5. Synthesize principles from criminal justice theories, processes, and practices to promote social justice and positive social change.
  6. Compare the structural functions and interactions of law enforcement, courts, and corrections within the criminal justice system at the local, state, and federal levels.
  7. Discuss how criminal justice laws and policies are adopted, implemented, and evaluated.

Career Impact

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.

Learn more about the career outlook for graduates with a MS in Criminal Justice.

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Questions about our MS in Criminal Justice?
Questions about our MS in Criminal Justice?
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