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 M.S. in Criminal Justice can do for you
The Master of Science in Criminal Justice online program gives you an advanced understanding of how today’s justice systems operate and can be improved. You’ll study criminal justice theory, policy development and organizational leadership while exploring the real-world challenges shaping law enforcement, courts, corrections and public safety.
In the general M.S. in Criminal Justice program, you will build a strong foundation during your first semester. From there, you can choose to stay in the general track or select a concentration in Homeland Security or Cybersecurity. This approach enables you to gain core expertise first, then decide where you want to specialize. If you do not select a concentration, you’ll graduate with the general Master of Science in Criminal Justice degree.
Master of Science in Criminal Justice – Cybersecurity Concentration
The Cybersecurity concentration equips you to address digital threats, cybercrime and information security challenges at the intersection of technology and public safety. This pathway gives you specialized cybersecurity expertise without pursuing a purely technical computer science degree.
Coursework emphasizes cybercrime investigation, governance, risk management and cybersecurity policy, preparing you for justice-adjacent leadership roles across government, law enforcement and private-sector security environments.
Learning outcomes:
- Analyze the structure, functions and policy foundations of the U.S. criminal justice system as they relate to cybercrime
- Apply criminal justice theory and analytical tools to digital investigations and cyber risk assessment
- Evaluate cybersecurity governance frameworks, compliance standards and risk management strategies
- Examine investigative and intelligence methods used to combat cyber threats
Career outcomes:
- Cybercrime Investigator (federal or state agencies)
- Digital Forensics Analyst
- Information Security Policy Manager
- Compliance and Risk Officer
- Cyber Intelligence Analyst
The Cybersecurity concentration equips you to address digital threats, cybercrime and information security challenges at the intersection of technology and public safety. This pathway gives you specialized cybersecurity expertise without pursuing a purely technical computer science degree.
Coursework emphasizes cybercrime investigation, governance, risk management and cybersecurity policy, preparing you for justice-adjacent leadership roles across government, law enforcement and private-sector security environments.
Learning outcomes:
- Analyze the structure, functions and policy foundations of the U.S. criminal justice system as they relate to cybercrime
- Apply criminal justice theory and analytical tools to digital investigations and cyber risk assessment
- Evaluate cybersecurity governance frameworks, compliance standards and risk management strategies
- Examine investigative and intelligence methods used to combat cyber threats
Career outcomes:
- Cybercrime Investigator (federal or state agencies)
- Digital Forensics Analyst
- Information Security Policy Manager
- Compliance and Risk Officer
- Cyber Intelligence Analyst
Master of Science in Criminal Justice – Homeland Security Concentration
The Homeland Security concentration focuses on complex national and global security challenges, including terrorism, border security, emergency preparedness and transnational crime. You will examine how agencies coordinate across jurisdictions, align policy with strategy, and respond to evolving threats at a systems level, not just through tactical enforcement.
Empowering you with expertise applicable across federal, state and regional security environments, this pathway explores legal frameworks, organizational strategy and national security policy. Prepare for analytical and leadership roles in homeland security and the public sector.
Learning outcomes:
- Analyze the structure, functions and policy foundations of the U.S. criminal justice system within homeland security contexts
- Evaluate national security strategies and interagency coordination frameworks
- Apply criminal justice theory and analytical tools to homeland security planning and program assessment
- Assess legal, political and organizational dimensions of homeland security decision-making
Career outcomes:
- U.S. Border Patrol Agent
- Air and Marine Interdiction Agent
- Counterterrorism Analyst
- Homeland Security Policy Analyst
- Disaster Recovery Manager
The Homeland Security concentration focuses on complex national and global security challenges, including terrorism, border security, emergency preparedness and transnational crime. You will examine how agencies coordinate across jurisdictions, align policy with strategy, and respond to evolving threats at a systems level, not just through tactical enforcement.
Empowering you with expertise applicable across federal, state and regional security environments, this pathway explores legal frameworks, organizational strategy and national security policy. Prepare for analytical and leadership roles in homeland security and the public sector.
Learning outcomes:
- Analyze the structure, functions and policy foundations of the U.S. criminal justice system within homeland security contexts
- Evaluate national security strategies and interagency coordination frameworks
- Apply criminal justice theory and analytical tools to homeland security planning and program assessment
- Assess legal, political and organizational dimensions of homeland security decision-making
Career outcomes:
- U.S. Border Patrol Agent
- Air and Marine Interdiction Agent
- Counterterrorism Analyst
- Homeland Security Policy Analyst
- Disaster Recovery Manager
In Lamar’s online M.S. 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
- 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 with a criminal justice master's degree 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
- (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 M.S. 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)
- 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)
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:
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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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer I | 5/26/26 | 5/8/26 | 5/12/26 | 5/19/26 | 6/30/26 |
| Fall 1 | 8/18/26 | 7/28/26 | 8/4/26 | 8/11/26 | 10/9/26 |
| Fall 1 | 10/12/26 | 9/21/26 | 9/28/26 | 10/6/26 | 12/10/26 |
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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
- 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 luadmtran@lamar.edu
*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.
