Master of Science in Criminal Justice Online

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This online degree program gives you the depth and breadth of knowledge in law enforcement you need to pursue upper-level positions in criminal justice. Graduates of this program emerge fully prepared for upper-level staff, administrative, management, treatment and planning positions in criminal justice agencies.

Apply by: 5/9/24
Start class: 5/30/24

Program Overview

Learn what our online M.S. in Criminal Justice can do for you

Designed for current law enforcement or criminal justice professionals who want to progress to careers in the FBI, CIA or other federal security agencies, the M.S. in Criminal Justice program at Lamar University focuses on both practical skills and theoretical knowledge.

Coursework is focused on the U.S. criminal justice system and policies, as well as theoretical foundations of crime control. You will gain an understanding of analytical tools, planning and evaluation, correctional issues, homeland security, police and constitutional law, ethics and criminal justice leadership through this online degree.

In this program, you will learn:

  • The U.S. criminal justice system and policy
  • Theoretical foundations of crime control along with an understanding of analytical tools, planning and evaluation
  • Correctional issues, homeland security, police and constitutional law, ethics and criminal justice leadership
  • The U.S. criminal justice system and policy
  • Theoretical foundations of crime control along with an understanding of analytical tools, planning and evaluation
  • Correctional issues, homeland security, police and constitutional law, ethics and criminal justice leadership

Career outcomes for the Master of Science in Criminal Justice program include:

  • Chief Investigator
  • Criminologist
  • Criminal Profiler
  • FBI Special Agent
  • Intelligence Analyst
  • Chief Investigator
  • Criminologist
  • Criminal Profiler
  • FBI Special Agent
  • Intelligence Analyst

Total Tuition $10,262*
Duration As few as 12 months
Credit Hours 30
Apply Now

Need More Information?

Call 866-223-7675

Call 866-223-7675

Tuition

Choosing our online program is cost-effective

The following is the tuition breakdown for students pursuing a Master of Science in Criminal Justice online. Our tuition is affordable and can be paid by the course.

Financial Aid

Ready to get started on your degree program online but need help finding ways to fund your education? We can help you discover student financing sources that include grants, loans and other payment options. Learn more about financial aid here.

Top Ten Reasons to Enroll in Online Undergraduate Programs

Tuition breakdown:

Total Tuition $10,262*
Per Credit Hour $342
Joe Coyle Lamar University Alumni

If I wanted to open a book or turn on my computer at 2 o'clock in the morning, I could. It worked out well.

Joe Coyle, Lamar University Student

View (Joe) student profile »
Patrick Oburke Lamar University Alumni

When I did a comparative look, Lamar University was attractive in cost, curriculum and availability. It was a quantitative decision, not just an emotional one.

Patrick O'Burke, Lamar University Student

View (Patrick) student profile »

Calendar

View the upcoming dates and deadlines for our online criminal justice degree

Our Master of Science in Criminal Justice online program features multiple start dates to accommodate your busy schedule. Find the start date that works best for you and apply before the application deadline associated with it.

8 week coursesProgram Start DateApplication DeadlineDocument DeadlinePayment DueLast Class Day
Spring II3/18/242/15/242/22/243/7/245/9/24
Summer I5/30/245/9/245/16/245/23/248/1/24
Fall 18/22/248/1/248/8/248/15/2410/9/24
Fall 210/14/249/23/249/30/2410/7/2412/12/24

Now enrolling:

Apply Date 5/9/24
Class Starts 5/30/24

Have questions or need more information about our online programs?

Ready to take the rewarding path toward earning your degree online?

Admissions

These are the qualifications for our online Master’s in Criminal Justice Program

The Master of Science in Criminal Justice online program has specific requirements that applicants must meet to enroll. Please read the admission guidelines to ensure you qualify.

Admission Requirements:

  • Online Application
  • Official Transcripts

  • Complete online application and pay a one-time application fee of $25
  • Submit official transcripts from all high schools, colleges, and universities you have attended
  • A bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited college or university. Students with undergraduate degrees in another field besides criminal justice, criminology, or sociology but with substantial work experience in criminal/juvenile justice may be admitted with special approval. Those without substantial work experience and with undergraduate degrees in other fields may be admitted after taking specified undergraduate courses upon the advisement of the Program Director/Advisor(s).
  • GPA Requirements:
    • Those with a GPA of 3.00 or higher on their last 60 Undergraduate hours will be admitted unconditionally
    • Those with a GPA of 2.50-2.99 on their last 60 Undergraduate hours will be admitted provisionally and must maintain minimum grades of "B" in nine hours of CRIJ courses
    • Those with a GPA of 2.49 or below on their last 60 Undergraduate hours must meet Lamar University's Graduate admissions formula with the GRE and GPA:
      • Undergraduate GPA (or last 60 hours, whichever is higher) x 50 + GRE Verbal + GRE quantitative =/or greater than 428

Applicants who do not meet all admission requirements may enter as Pre Graduate, pending full admission to the program. Under Pre Graduate status, the student must make up all deficiencies and earn at least a "B" average. No more than 6 hours of graduate credit may be earned prior to full admission.

Students may transfer in up to 6 hours of approved courses for this degree.

Send all required documents to:

Lamar University Online Admissions
PO Box 10017
Beaumont, TX 77710

OR

Submit electronically to [email protected]

*All applicants must submit official transcript(s) indicating: 1) The conferred bachelor's or master's degree as required for the program of application from a regionally accredited US institution or its equivalent. 2) The transcript of the most recent attendance if it differs from the institution of the conferred degree. This requirement applies regardless of the length of time in attendance and regardless of whether credit was earned or is desired. However, if a department or program wishes to review additional transcripts from prior attendance for decision purposes, the department or program may directly request the applicant to submit the official transcript(s) to the Office of Admissions for processing. Students must be eligible to re-enter all colleges and universities previously attended. Failure to disclose previous college attendance is justification for revocation of acceptance and dismissal from Lamar University.


Courses

Read about our online criminal justice classes

Courses in the M.S. in Criminal Justice online program include intensive studies in various areas of applied criminology as well as explorations of the criminal justice system and policy and theoretical approaches to the understanding of crime and delinquency. The program also includes courses designed to develop planning, evaluation and leadership skills specific to criminal justice professions.

9 credit hours required from below.
Duration: 8 weeks
Credit Hours: 3
A comprehensive overview of various theoretical approaches to the understanding of crime and delinquency, including selected biological, psychological sociological, legal and/or political theories.
Duration: 8 weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Coding and analysis of research data, the application of statistical methods common to criminology and the presentation of research findings to policy makers
Duration: 8 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
6 credit hours required from below.
Duration: 8 weeks
Credit Hours: 3
A critical review and analysis of the role of governmental and non-governmental organizations in the prevention, control and punishment of crime and delinquency. An emphasis is placed on policy analysis and recommendations for change.
Duration: 8 weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Application of leadership theory and development of management skills important to criminal justice agencies. Personnel practices, organizational behavior, and decision-making models will be reviewed in context with positive leadership traits.
Duration: 8 weeks
Credit Hours: 3
An in-depth examination of information gathering and analysis; planning and evaluation. Emphasis on the analytical tools useful in criminal justice agencies. Prerequisite: an undergraduate course in research methods, an undergraduate course in statistics, and competence in the use of personal computers.
15 credit hours required from below.
Duration: 8 weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course provides in-depth, graduate-level analysis of the history, structure, and content of the United State Constitution and focuses on specific constitutional amendments, doctrines, and landmark Supreme Court cases as they relate to criminal justice and criminal justice professionals. Particular emphasis is given to the First, Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, Eighth, and Fourteenth Amendments.
Duration: 8 weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course seeks to examine the history of terrorism and its manifestations in the contemporary world. It examines issues of nationalistic terrorism, religious terrorism and domestic and special interest group terrorism. The course concludes with an examination of the political and ethical implications of the "global war on terror" and homeland security.
Duration: 8 weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Murder, and serial murder in particular, is one of the most frightening types of crimes imaginable. Fortunately, it is an extremely rare occurrence. Nevertheless, criminologist, sociologist, and psychologists have long been interested in the psychology of multiple murderers and how their behaviors affect the social fabric of society. This course focuses on serial murderers, their methods, and their madness.
Duration: 8 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Duration: 8 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Duration: 8 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Duration: 8 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Duration: 8 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Duration: 8 weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course is designed to explore and expand the leadership qualities in each student. Combining lecture and self-guided research, students will learn about the theory and skills of leadership. Leaders in the field of criminal justice and related organizations will be examined to determine how they influenced others to shape their profession.
Duration: 8 weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course is designed to explore and expand the leadership qualities in each student. Combining lecture and self-guided research, students will learn about the theory and skills of leadership. Leaders in the field of criminal justice and related organizations will be examined to determine how they influenced others to shape their profession.
Duration: 8 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Duration: 8 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Duration: 8 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Duration: 8 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3

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