Master of Science in Criminal Justice Online
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.
Program Overview
Learn what an online master’s in criminal justice program 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
Potential criminal justice career paths:
- Chief Investigator
- Criminologist
- Criminal Profiler
- FBI Special Agent
- Intelligence Analyst
- Chief Investigator
- Criminologist
- Criminal Profiler
- FBI Special Agent
- Intelligence Analyst
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.
| 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.
Tuition breakdown:
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
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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
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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 courses | Program Start Date | Application Deadline | Document Deadline | Payment Due | Last Class Day |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall 2 | 10/13/25 | 9/22/25 | 9/29/25 | 10/7/25 | 12/10/25 |
| Spring I | 1/20/26 | 12/30/25 | 1/6/26 | 1/13/26 | 3/13/26 |
| Spring II | 3/16/26 | 2/23/26 | 3/2/26 | 3/10/26 | 5/6/26 |
| Summer I | 5/26/26 | 5/5/26 | 5/12/26 | 5/19/26 | 6/30/26 |
| Fall 1 | 8/20/26 | 7/30/26 | 8/6/26 | ||
| Fall 2 | 10/12/26 | 9/21/26 | 9/28/26 |
Now enrolling:
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.
6 credit hours required from below.
15 credit hours required from below.
