Colleges

Degree Programs

The influence of technology and the changing face of crime have magnified the need for criminal justice specialists. South University's online master’s degree in Criminal Justice program offers you an accelerated curriculum designed to meet the growing need for professionals in the high-demand field.

Get your master’s in Criminal Justice and become a part of a learning community of criminal justice experts who will provide knowledge about the law enforcement, correctional, political, and legal arenas. Our Criminal Justice classes utilize the same concepts taught at our campus locations - while providing you with the convenience of attending class online, anytime of day or night. Students can elect a broad course of study in Criminal Justice or select one of the following four specializations:

• Homeland Security Geared for law enforcement and other emergency personnel with responsibilities including homeland security matters, the concentration in Homeland Security is designed to enhance graduates’ response and effectiveness in the event of terrorism and natural disaster.
• Corrections Geared for law enforcement and corrections personnel, the concentration in Corrections is designed to enhance graduates' ability to manage correctional institutes or private security firms.
• Cyber Crime The specialization in Cyber Crime provides more in-depth knowledge, skills and applications relating to the recovery of digital information related to criminal activities. This program is aimed at current law enforcement personnel either with responsibilities in computer-related criminal activities or those seeking to enter the field. Studies specific to this concentration include computer security, networks and systems, digital forensics and cyber crime and security.
• Public Administration Building on the graduate study of criminal justice, the specialization in Public Administration is aimed at those professionals seeking to expand their knowledge of key aspects of the public sector with particular attention to the unique character of public sector organizations as well as budgeting, intergovernmental relations, grant writing/contact administration and public policy analysis.

Graduates of our Criminal Justice master’s degree program are prepared for entry-level management, administrative, research, and teaching positions as well as for enhancing their career potential within existing law enforcement, correctional, local and state government, and legal institutions.

Employment Outlook for Criminal Justice

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, "Overall opportunities in local police departments will be excellent for individuals who meet the psychological, personal, and physical qualifications." "There will be more competition for jobs in Federal and State law enforcement agencies than for jobs in local agencies. Employment of police and detectives is expected to grow 11 percent over the 2006-16 decade, about as fast as the average for all occupations." "Applicants with a bachelor’s degree and several years of law enforcement or military experience, especially investigative experience, will have the best opportunities in Federal agencies."

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2008-09 Edition, Police and Detectives, on the internet at http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos160.htm.

Academic Requirements

The Master of Science in Criminal Justice program is designed for prospective students who have:

• A bachelor's degree with a cumulative GPA of 2.7 or better OR
• A bachelor's degree with required GRE minimum test scores, 450 verbal, 450 quantitative, and 3.5-4.0 analytical
• A bachelor's degree and Millers Analogies Test (MAT): achieve a minimum overall scaled score of 402.

Get started

Set a course for your own career growth by enrolling in our online Master of Science in Criminal Justice program. Click here to get started.