Master of Science in Criminal Justice Online

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This online criminal justice master’s 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: 12/30/25
Start class: 1/20/26

Program Overview

Learn what an online MS in Criminal Justice can do for you

Lamar University’s online MS in Criminal Justice is designed for law enforcement and criminal justice professionals ready to move into advanced or leadership roles across local, state, and federal agencies. The program blends theory, policy, and applied leadership to prepare you for the next stage of your career.

In addition to deepening your expertise in core areas including crime control, evaluation, and the evolving criminal justice legal and policy landscape, you’ll customize your program with electives in high-demand fields like homeland security, cybercrime, and forensic psychology. You will also develop managerial and leadership skills that agencies increasingly require for supervisory and executive positions.

In Lamar’s online MS in Criminal Justice, 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
In Lamar’s online MS in Criminal Justice, 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

Career outcomes for the online MS in Criminal Justice include:

  • (Chief) Criminal Investigator
  • Criminologist or Crime Analyst
  • FBI Special Agent
  • Intelligence Analyst (Defense, Security)
  • Marine Interdiction Agent
  • Police Supervisor (Lieutenant, Captain, Chief)
  • Probation/Parole Supervisor
Career outcomes for the online MS in Criminal Justice include:+
  • (Chief) Criminal Investigator
  • Criminologist or Crime Analyst
  • FBI Special Agent
  • Intelligence Analyst (Defense, Security)
  • Marine Interdiction Agent
  • Police Supervisor (Lieutenant, Captain, Chief)
  • Probation/Parole Supervisor

Career outlook for graduates of online MS in Criminal Justice:

  • Strong regional labor market: Texas leads the country in unique job postings seeking criminal justice graduates.
  • Double digit projected growth in job postings requesting MS-CJ skills including law enforcement operations, cybersecurity, project management, and immigration law.
  • Jobs postings requiring an advanced degree in criminal justice led by federal and state agencies as well as large regional universities.

(Data per U.S. Department of Labor, 2025)

Career outlook for graduates of online MS in Criminal Justice:+
  • Strong regional labor market: Texas leads the country in unique job postings seeking criminal justice graduates.
  • Double digit projected growth in job postings requesting MS-CJ skills including law enforcement operations, cybersecurity, project management, and immigration law.
  • Jobs postings requiring an advanced degree in criminal justice led by federal and state agencies as well as large regional universities.

(Data per U.S. Department of Labor, 2025)

Total Tuition $10,802*
Duration As few as 12 months
Credit Hours 30
Apply Now

Need More Information?

Call 866-223-7675

Call 866-223-7675

Tuition

LU offers some of the most cost-effective online programs in Texas

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.

View additional tuition information+
Program Per Credit Hour Per Course Per Program*
MSCJ $360 $1,080 $10,802

*University fees are included in the tuition listed. University fees are able to be covered by Financial Aid if you choose to apply and are qualified.

Tuition and fees are subject to change without notice due to action by the Board of Regents or the Texas State Legislature.

Total program cost depends upon transfer hours and program advisement relevant to program requirements. For more information, contact a Lamar University enrollment specialist.

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 a Lamar University Online Undergraduate Program

Tuition breakdown:

Total Tuition $10,802*
Per Credit Hour $360
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.

View full calendar +

8 week coursesProgram Start DateApplication DeadlineDocument DeadlinePayment DueLast Class Day
Fall 210/13/259/22/259/29/2510/7/2512/10/25
Spring I1/20/2612/30/251/6/261/13/263/13/26
Spring II3/16/262/23/263/2/263/10/265/6/26
Summer I5/26/265/5/265/12/265/19/266/30/26
Fall 18/20/267/30/268/6/26
Fall 210/12/269/21/269/28/26

Now enrolling:

Apply Date 12/30/25
Class Starts 1/20/26

Have questions or need more information about our online programs?

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

Apply Now

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
View all admission requirements +

  • 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
  • Applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university.
    • Students with a background in criminal justice, criminology, or sociology are typically well prepared.
    • Students with degrees in other fields and professional experience in criminal or juvenile justice may also be admitted with approval.
    • Students from other fields without professional experience are still welcome to apply; additional preparatory coursework may be required, as advised by 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.

Expand All

9 credit hours required from below.

Duration: 8 Weeks 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 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
Includes an analysis of contemporary issues in the understanding, prevention, and control of crime and delinquency both domestically and globally. A student may repeat the course for credit as an elective when the area of study varies.

6 credit hours required from below.

Duration: 8 Weeks 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 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 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 null weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course covers the history and evolving ideology of confinement. Topics included are prison architecture, management and security levels, the development of the modern super prison, prison labor, chain gangs, crowding, women’s and men’s prisons, life in prison, prison culture and inmate social structure, prison riots, violence in prison, geriatric and mentally ill inmates, inmates who are ill particularly those with AIDS.
Duration: 8 null weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course critically examines the problem of technology-related crime and the ways that deviance is facilitated through technology, the internet and the World Wide Web. Students will understand law enforcement's response in dealing with cybercrime. Students will also understand the complex nature of cybercrime and its significance across a variety of disciplines.
Duration: 8 Weeks 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 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 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 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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