criminal justice masters students in lecture

Master's in Criminal Justice Studies

Master of Science (M.S.)

Deepen your knowledge of the causes and impact of criminal behavior.

A master's in Criminal Justice Studies will prepare you to effectively implement and assess programs and policies to enhance the quality of criminal justice services for diverse populations. You will be ready to tackle some of our nation's most pressing challenges affecting all areas of the criminal legal system from community safety to corrections, and from juvenile justice issues to victim support services.

Program type:
Master's Degree
Format:
On Campus or Online
Est. time to complete:
2 years
Credit hours:
30

Why earn a master's in Criminal Justice?

Graduate Application Deadlines
Fall:
Apr. 15* | Aug. 1
Spring:
Oct: 30* | Dec. 1
 
*Priority Deadline

From policing to correctional reentry, criminal justice encompasses some of society's most pressing concerns. As more and more employers in criminal justice are requiring a graduate degree for promotions, you will open the door to a world of opportunities with a master's in Criminal Justice Studies. Higher education is a proven pathway to upward professional mobility.

With a master's in Criminal Justice Studies from UND, you will become a leader who can think strategically, communicate effectively and act ethically while developing comprehensive solutions to crime. While at UND you will address complex issues with a strong foundation on policy reform using evidence-based practices to make data driven decisions. You will be prepared to adapt to the ever-changing criminal justice landscape within your community and beyond while engaging with diverse perspectives.

Master's in Criminal Justice Skills

UND's master's in Criminal Justice Studies integrates a variety of different approaches. You will develop:

  • Expertise in many different aspects of policing, courts, corrections and juvenile justice.
  • A deep understanding of criminal behavior, victim impact, crime prevention, intervention, social justice and program evaluation.
  • A broad view of the criminal justice system and its complexities.
  • Practical experience through internships and collaboration with professionals in the field.

Benefits of a Master's in Criminal Justice

Advantages of a master's degree in Criminal Justice Studies include:

  • Gaining a competitive edge in the workforce or any other studies you pursue.
  • Career and advancement opportunities especially for positions where a master’s degree is required or preferred.
  • The potential for increased salary.
  • Transferable and specific skills that can be translated into work experience for the field.
  • A professional accomplishment which may bring recognition and leadership opportunities.

Accelerated 4+1 Criminal Justice Master's Degree

Complete your bachelor's and master's degree in Criminal Justice in just 5 years. Learn more by contacting Roni Mayzer, Criminal Justice Pre-Law Coordinator.

UND's Master's in Criminal Justice Studies

  • Study with faculty who have diverse research interests and doctoral degrees from some of the top criminal justice programs in the world.

  • Meet individual career goals and interests through electives from the department or across the university, and through thesis/scholarly projects related to your future goals.

  • Gain real-world experience in areas like juvenile justice, corrections, policing and law through local, regional or national internships and other experiential learning.

  • Enjoy the flexibility to choose a thesis or non-thesis option. Students who are already employed in a professional setting will be able to contribute to their employer through degree coursework in lieu of writing a thesis, if desired.

  • Participate in engaging educational experiences on campus or synchronously online.

  • Take unique electives in rural criminology and tribal justice. Both are understudied aspects of our criminal justice system.

 Master's in Criminal Justice Jobs


96K

Median salary for first-line supervisors of police and detectives

O*net OnLine

This program will prepare you to have an instrumental role in administering criminal justice and influencing the future of the discipline. You will be able to work in any aspect of the criminal justice system including as a manager, director or supervisor for careers in:

  • Research/Data Analysis: Employ advanced analytical skills to derive meaningful insights from criminal justice data.
  • Victim Advocacy: Champion the rights of victims by providing empathetic support and navigating individuals through the complexities of the criminal justice process.
  • Policing: Lead law enforcement efforts with strategic planning and operational expertise. You’ll ensure public safety and foster community relations through effective and ethical policing practices.
  • Courts: Be a key player in the legal system, as a legal advisor, court administrator or other rolls.
  • Corrections: Play a pivotal role in protecting public safety.
  • Interest Groups and Professional Associations: Take a proactive role in shaping the direction of criminal justice policies and standards.
  • Intervention/Prevention Programs: Implement strategies that address the root causes of criminal behavior and contribute to community well-being.
  • Juvenile Justice: Guide and rehabilitate young offenders by fostering their reintegration into society.

The master's in Criminal Justice Studies will also prepare you for doctoral studies should you choose to continue your education.

Master's in Criminal Justice Courses

CJ 501. Foundations in Crime and Criminal Justice. 3 Credits.

This class is a graduate level introduction to the criminal justice system. The class provides an in-depth examination of the present day structure, function, and history of the criminal justice system. Specifically, the flow of cases across various decision points from the police, through courts, to corrections is critically explored. F.

CJ 502. Theories of Crime. 3 Credits.

This course reviews theories of crime, from early historical perspectives through more contemporary perspectives. It engages students in a careful examination of theoretical traditions that have shaped thought regarding definitions of crime, causes of crime, and responses to crime from the Enlightenment onward. Attention is directed toward examining different frameworks for classifying theories, understanding specific theories, critically analyzing theories, and identifying the policy implications of theories. F, odd years.

CJ 503. Research Methods in Criminal Justice. 3 Credits.

This course examines how research is conducted in criminology and criminal justice. The course is designed to highlight the research process, ethical issues, different types of quantitative and qualitative research designs, data analysis, and the reporting of research results. F, even years.

CJ 504. Visualization and Interpretation of Criminal Justice Data. 3 Credits.

This course provides theoretical background and practical experience in statistics and data analysis for criminal justice. Specifically, we focus on how to manage complex datasets that are unique to the discipline. Students will develop critical skills, including data wrangling and data cleaning, while becoming familiar with complex publicly available datasets that are important for criminal justice professionals and scholars. The course examines descriptive, inferential, and multivariate statistics employed in criminal justice research about the nature of crimes, criminals, and the criminal justice system. Basic hand-style calculations are employed in the course to aid students in the proper understanding and interpretation of statistical techniques often used in the field. A heavy focus is placed on using Excel to calculate statistics and visualize information for interpretability. S, odd years.

CJ 505. Administrative Decision Making in Criminal Justice. 3 Credits.

This administrative decision making class will provide you with an overview of inquiry in social sciences generally as well as contemplating administrative issues facing criminal justice practitioners currently. This class encourages critical self-reflection as students raise their own administrative questions pertaining to their area of interest as well as other areas more broadly. Guidelines will be offered to assist students in developing solutions to dilemmas they may encounter in the field, as well as how to consistently consider the consequences of their actions in all walks of life. S, even years.

CJ 565. Victimology. 3 Credits.

This course provides an analysis of the literature and research concerning criminal victimization. Attention will be directed toward current trends concerning the victim in the American criminal justice system with particular emphasis on measuring victimization, the impact of victimization and victim's rights and compensation initiatives. Prerequisite: Graduate standing in Criminal Justice or consent of instructor. On demand.

Online Master's in Criminal Justice

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best online college in North Dakota

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You can choose to earn your Criminal Justice Studies master's degree online. You will never need to come to campus for class.

UND is one of the most affordable online colleges in the region. For this program, we offer the same online tuition rates regardless of your legal residency. Compare and you’ll see UND is lower cost than similar four-year doctoral universities.

Live Online Master's in Criminal Justice Classes

Synchronous classes are held in real-time. If you’re the kind of learner who likes active discussion and immediate feedback through live interaction, you’ll enjoy this online course format.

Every class is different, but generally, you’ll log into a virtual classroom at scheduled times to:

  • Listen to a lecture.
  • Ask questions.
  • Participate in class discussions.
  • Conduct group activities.
  • Participate in video-sharing.
  • Have chat conversations.
  • Use interactive whiteboards.
  • Take live polls.

You should prepare for your classes by finishing any assigned readings, compiling questions for your instructor, and thinking about how to contribute to the next live class.

Top-Tier Criminal Justice Master's Online

Over a third of UND's student population is exclusively online; plus, more take a combination of online and on campus classes. You can feel reassured knowing you won't be alone in your online learning journey and you'll have resources and services tailored to your needs.

No matter how you customize your online experience, you’ll get the same top-quality education as any other on campus student.

  • Same degree: All online programs are fully accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). Your transcript and diploma are exactly the same as our on-campus students.
  • Same classes: You’ll take courses from UND professors, start and end the semesters at the same time and take the same classes as a student on campus.
  • Real interaction: You can ask questions, get feedback and regularly connect with your professors, peers and professionals in the field.
  • Your own academic advisor: As an invaluable go-to, they’re focused on you, your personal success and your future career.
  • Free online tutoring: We're here to help you one-on-one at no cost. Plus, get access to a variety of self-help online study resources.
  • Unlimited academic coaching: Need support to achieve your academic goals or feeling stumped by a tough course? We'll help with everything from stress and time management to improving your memory to achieve higher test scores.
  • Full online access: Dig into virtual research at UND's libraries. Improve your writing skills with online help from the UND Writing Center. Get online access to career services, veteran and military services, financial services and more.
  • 24/7 technical support: UND provides free computer, email and other technical support for all online students.
  • Networking opportunities: Our significant online student population means you’ll have a large pool of peers to connect with. UND has numerous online events and activities to keep you connected.

Best Online College

Our high alumni salaries and job placement rates, with affordable online tuition rates make UND a best-value university for online education. UND's breadth of online programs rivals all other nonprofit universities in the Upper Midwest making UND one of the best online schools in the region.

UND ranks among the best online colleges in the nation for:

  • Affordability
  • Student satisfaction (retention rate)
  • Academic quality (4-year graduate rate)
  • Student outcomes (20-year return on investment per Payscale.com)

Leaders that Do

Students at UND take chances, seek challenges and become leaders in the community.

Explore More Options

Looking to pursue graduate studies or connect with the department?

Department Contact
Adam K. Matz
Criminal Justice Graduate Director
P 701.777.2010
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