Online Master's in Criminal Justice

Lead In Today’s Advanced Field of Criminal Justice

YOUR FUTURE STARTS HERE

Complete the form below to learn more about our online programs and how to get started.

By submitting this form, l consent to the University of Oklahoma (OU) and its agents contacting me about educational opportunities via automated calls, text messages, and/or email at the number and email provided. Message and data rates may apply. Consent is not required to attend the OU or to receive information by other means. For details on how OU collects and protects your information, review the Privacy Policy.

At a Glance

The online Criminal Justice master’s program at OU Online is designed to develop the skills necessary to set yourself apart as a strong leader in the complex criminal justice field.

Led by criminal justice experts from across the nation, you can earn your degree in as little as 20 months, gaining skills that open pathways for job advancement and allowing you to positively impact the communities you serve.

100% Online

Time to Complete:

20+ months

Credit Hours:

Time Commitment:

10-20 hours weekly

start dates

Fall, Spring, & Summer

cost

Earning a master’s degree in Criminal Justice from OU Online will give you the leadership skills to advance and succeed in higher-paying roles in law enforcement.

Tuition and fees for the program are $21,150 ($705 per credit hour). Books and additional materials are not included.

YOUR FUTURE STARTS HERE

Complete the form below to learn more about our online programs and how to get started.

About the Online Master of Science in Criminal Justice

The online Criminal Justice master’s degree is a 100% online, 30-credit-hour program that offers a broad choice of electives, allowing you to choose the courses that best fit your career goals and interests.

The program is designed to help you develop the critical skills necessary in today’s advanced field of criminal justice, teaching you how to apply critical thinking and decision-making frameworks to lead and make positive change as a law enforcement leader.

What Can I Do with a Criminal Justice Master’s Degree

The criminal justice landscape is complex and ever-changing, requiring leaders with a strong foundation in policy reform. Your degree will help you stand out as a leader and accelerate your career in these areas:

Chief of police
Professor/instructor
Restorative justice policy

Manager/supervisor in corrections
Federal agencies
Victim advocacy

Industry Insights

Median Pay: $77,270
Job Outlook: Employment for police and detectives is expected to grow 4% by 2033
Job Openings: 63,000 openings for police and detectives are projected each year, on average, over the next decade

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Program Outcomes: What You’ll Learn

The program ensures a foundational understanding of a variety of topics, including restorative justice, drug abuse policy, and ethical decision-making in criminal justice, setting you up with the leadership skills necessary to thrive in today’s criminal justice field.

Gain the knowledge, skills, and abilities to navigate and innovate in the criminal justice field
Understand how to use research methods and data analysis for practical and ethical decision-making
Learn the latest law enforcement strategies, practical mediation, intelligence-led policing, cyber-forensics, conflict resolution, and restorative justice models to improve efficacy within the criminal justice system

Course Details

The criminal justice master’s degree curriculum combines theoretical approaches to real-life case studies that you can apply to your work, starting on day one. Choose 18 hours of graduate electives from a list maintained by the academic unit and approved by the Graduate College.

Introduction to Criminal Justice

Credit Hours: 3

This course provides a comprehensive overview of the American criminal justice system. Students will examine the historical foundations and evolution of key institutions, policies, and practices. A critical lens will be applied to analyze how structural inequality has contributed to disparate outcomes for marginalized groups.

Quantitative Research & Analysis

Credit Hours: 3

This course is designed as an introduction to quantitative statistical methods and their application in criminology and criminal justice research. The course features an overview of the use and interpretation of descriptive, inferential, and predictive statistics. Basic regression and data analysis techniques are discussed, along with bivariate and multivariate techniques.

Research Methods for Criminal Justice

Credit Hours: 3

This course introduces students to conducting and evaluating scientific research of the criminal justice system. Research methods overview the basics of research methodologies, with a focus on measurement and data collection. Statistical analysis overviews basic statistical techniques for analysis of criminal justice data, with a focus on both descriptive and inferential statistics.

Demonstration Project

Credit Hours: 3

The Demonstration Project is meant to be the culmination of the M.S. program in Criminal Justice. It gives students an opportunity to demonstrate the skills they have developed in the program, providing a "final experience" that fits with their specific interests.

Why Choose OU Online for a Criminal Justice Master’s Degree

OU Online offers high-quality, affordable, professional undergraduate and graduate programs in a flexible, online format from a top-tier public institution. OU is dedicated to providing professionals with ethics, decision-making, and front-line leadership skills needed to thrive as leaders in today’s criminal justice field, making it a great place to earn a master’s in criminal justice.

Faculty Expertise

Working with faculty who have industry experience along with criminal justice experts nationwide, you’ll learn how to communicate effectively with diverse audiences, analyze complex problems, and develop positive public engagement.

Robust Student Support

OU Online offers robust student support services, including academic support, online tutoring, mental health counseling, and an online career development center. The program accommodates the needs of working professionals, allowing you to expand your criminal justice expertise while maintaining full-time employment.

Global Alumni Network

With more than 250,000 alumni across the world, becoming a Sooner means you’ll have access to a strong network of criminal justice leaders to accelerate your career. As a Sooner, you’ll be part of a powerful network of leaders working in law enforcement organizations across the world.

Flexible Format

The Criminal Justice master’s program is delivered in a fully online, flexible format designed to meet the needs of working professionals worldwide. Earn your degree in as little as 20 months while balancing full-time employment and other commitments. Study from anywhere while gaining specialized criminal justice knowledge.

Tailored Experience

The program offers a broad choice of electives and a final demonstration project, allowing you to choose the coursework that aligns best with your career goals and interests. The program focuses on building an understanding of the context of criminal justice from policing, corrections, and judicial viewpoints, ensuring graduates learn how to apply critical thinking and decision-making frameworks to lead and make positive change.

The most beneficial part of OU's online degree is the flexibility of the curriculum and my support team, to whom I owe my present success. Also, the professors have been fantastic. They understand that students taking classes online have jobs, and families to support, while doing their best in school.

Joseph Coup

MS in Criminal Justice

Cost & Financial Aid

Earning your master’s in Criminal Justice is an investment in your future — and OU Online is committed to making that investment as accessible and transparent as possible.

Students pay $705 per credit hour, totaling $21,150 for the program. Books and additional materials are not included.

Financial aid, scholarships, and employer tuition assistance may be available to help offset the cost. If you have questions regarding financial aid for your online program, please get in touch with the Online Aid office by emailing onlineaid@ou.edu or calling 405-325-2929.

Take the Next Step

To apply to the online Master of Science in Criminal Justice program, you must hold a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university (or the international equivalent).

Application Timeline

Applications are reviewed year-round on a rolling basis for fall, spring, and summer sessions.

Step 1

Contact an Enrollment Coach to discuss your qualifications and interest in the program.

Step 2

Complete the online application.

Step 3

Provide supplemental materials, including a resume, official college transcripts, and a personal statement.