Master of Science
Criminal Justice Degree
Advance as a leader in the master’s in criminal justice
Criminal Justice Degree
Earn the criminal justice master's you need for a leadership role.
Designed to help you advance into a leadership role in your criminal justice career, the master’s in criminal justice degree program helps you develop the skills and knowledge to succeed in federal, state, and local criminal justice operations, focusing on the criminal justice system from a multidisciplinary perspective.
As a student in the master’s in criminal justice program, you will reflect on what makes criminal justice strategies effective, by analyzing problems and addressing challenges within the system. You will develop the technical and critical thinking skills that give you what it takes to be successful in management and administrative positions in your criminal justice career.
In this criminal justice master’s program, you will analyze contemporary criminal justice and correctional issues which are directly relevant to your career, such as topics in:
- Criminology and criminal behavior
- Police operations and strategies
- Correctional systems strategies and oversight
- Law and social policy
- Crime analysis and case management
- Organizational analysis and budgeting
Take one course at a time in your master’s in criminal justice.
As a cohort program, the master’s in criminal justice degree allows you to simplify your study experience with a course load that’s manageable for busy students. You’ll register for classes once at the beginning of the program and take one course at a time without creating a new class schedule each term.
Simplified entry—no GRE or GMAT required.
Select a career-focused degree program without the cost and hassle of admissions tests. Our admissions team is here to help you apply and enroll so you can get started quickly on the master’s in criminal justice you want.
Take the next step with your master’s in criminal justice degree. We’re ready to help you get there.
Courses
What You’ll Learn
Bellevue University’s Master of Science in Criminal Justice degree will enable you to:
- Assess the effectiveness of the criminal justice system and its policies.
- Formulate action plans to provide solutions for contemporary criminal justice problems.
- Develop strategic approaches to leadership and management challenges in criminal justice organizations.
Criminal Justice Degree Courses
Current students please login to BRUIN and select “Academic Progress” for your curriculum requirements.
Requirements (30 credit hours)
(Click a course name below to view course details).
This course will provide an in-depth analysis of the criminal justice system and its processes, focusing on the roles of the agencies and their effectiveness in managing crime in our society.
This course will focus on the concepts of human behavior in a criminal context, and examine prevailing criminological causation theories. An emphasis will be placed on deviant behavior and its association with criminality.
This course will examine contemporary issues in law enforcement including policing goals, managing expectations, operational strategies, transparency, accountability, community relations, and ethical behavior.
This course will focus on the scientific study and application of crime analysis and criminal case management. The systematic analysis of crime patterns, processes, trend correlations, and tactical strategies will be examined.
This course will focus on the impact of law on society, emphasizing the legal institutions, justice, and a critical examination of current laws and policies.
This course will focus on correctional philosophies, goals, policies, trends and practices, pre-trial services, and offender programs.
This course will examine the structures and processes inherent within the leadership and management of criminal justice organizations. Effective communication, discipline, interagency collaboration, personnel management, and training will be emphasized.
This course will examine the concepts of organizational behavior, planning, and management processes specific to criminal justice agencies. An emphasis will be placed on decision making, budgets, and the application of financial management strategies to organizational initiatives.
This course will examine specific aspects of criminal justice, including the associated agencies, practitioners, and policies.
This course will provide an analysis of traditional and contemporary problems facing criminal justice practitioners, with an emphasis on problem identification, operational planning, strategy implementation, and outcomes.
University Accreditation
Bellevue University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org).
Whether a college, university, or program is accredited is important to students with financial aid, employers who provide tuition assistance, donors, and the federal government.
This program is considered a non-licensure degree/certificate program and is not intended for those seeking licensure or the practice of licensed profession. This program may be relevant to multiple occupations that do not require licensure and was not designed to meet educational requirements for any specific professional license or certification.
*Consult with an admissions counselor to determine your eligible credits, as well as to verify minimum graduation requirements for this degree. Transfer credits must be from a regionally accredited college or university. Bellevue University makes no promises to prospective students regarding the acceptance of credit awarded by examination, credit for prior learning, or credit for transfer until an evaluation has been conducted.
We work with the experience you bring to the table for your master’s in criminal justice degree.
Format
100% Online learning that works for your life and your goals.
Our flexible online courses are designed to bring quality learning into a format that fits your schedule, without sacrificing meaningful faculty feedback and collaboration with peers across the country. Stay on track with the help of your Student Coach — with you from day one to graduation.
Graduate with a stronger professional network.
Get to know a consistent group of peers as you earn your master's in criminal justice degree. As a master’s cohort program, you’ll move through courses on the same schedule as your classmates—making it possible to develop a stronger network and enjoy a more collaborative learning experience along the way.
Level up quicker with online learning, making a master’s in criminal justice degree possible.
Tuition & Financial Aid
Graduate degrees can be more affordable than you think.
Earning a degree is an investment in yourself. We want to help you make sure it’s a wise one.
2024 / 2025 Academic Year
$660 In-Class or Online Cost Per Credit
(Additional fees may apply to individual courses within your major requirements)
Curious about financial aid? We’ve got the answers.
As a graduate student, you may be eligible for up to $20,500 per year in unsubsidized Direct Student Loans.
And, students often apply for graduate program scholarships through Bellevue University or tuition reimbursement through their employers. Talk to us and we’ll help you explore your options.
Admissions
Start on the path to your master’s. No GRE or GMAT required.
We believe in reducing roadblocks to education. That’s why our admissions requirements focus only on what matters—helping hardworking students access the education they deserve.
For admission to Bellevue University, applicants must:
- Possess a bachelor’s or master’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university, or a U.S. equivalent degree from a nationally or internationally accredited college or university.
- Have maintained a GPA of 2.5 or better from the most recent 60 credits of coursework earned toward the bachelor’s degree or have maintained a GPA of 3.0 or better in previous graduate level coursework earned toward the graduate degree.
If you haven’t already, take a moment to request information about your masters program and get in touch with our admissions team. We’ll help make sure you have what you need and answer your questions.
When you’re ready to apply, start your application online. You’ll then:
- Submit your deposit to Bellevue University. (You can do this at any point in the process.)
- Submit your transcripts from past institutions and any other required documentation.
- Complete the FAFSA and see what grants and loans you’re eligible for.
If you are an international student, please see the following specific information: International Student Master Admissions.
You'll just need to create an account and complete a pre-application to Bellevue University through Guild. Once you receive confirmation that your pre-application to Bellevue University has been approved, you'll need to complete the required steps to get fully accepted and registered. These include:
- Submitting transcripts from past institutions
- Submitting related documentation
Ready to get started?
Reach out to admissions.
- Get your questions answered about the Criminal Justice Degree
- Understand your financial aid and scholarship options
- Map out a schedule that fits with your priorities
