College of Social and Behavioral Sciences
Master's degrees in criminal justice
Bring strong leadership to criminal justice
Prepare for a leadership role in public service with a master’s degree in criminal justice. Develop administrative training, policy development and problem-solving skills with a Master of Science in Administration of Justice and Security degree. Or prepare for career opportunities in the public and nonprofit administration sector with a Master of Public Administration degree.
The best part? You will learn from experienced criminal justice faculty that includes chiefs of police, detectives and administrators. And with all our courses being 100% online and only 6 weeks long, you’ll have the flexibility to build the leadership skills you're looking for, on your terms.
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Find the criminal justice master's degree for you
Watch our Master's Q&A Webinar
University of Phoenix understands that life happens and that schedules are fluid. But no worries, because we recorded the Master’s Q&A Webinar so you can watch it when it fits your busy life. We encourage you to check it out and learn about important topics and commonly asked questions that many potential master’s students have.
Skills you’ll develop with core master’s degree in criminal justice courses
MASTER OF SCIENCE IN ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE AND SECURITY
- Management
- Operations
- Leadership
- Research
- Problem-solving
MASTER OF PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION
- Public policy
- Leadership
- Communication
- Problem-solving
- Financial management
Earn career-relevant skills in weeks – not years
Get value from your education before you even graduate. Update your professional profile with learned skills when you complete every 5- or 6-week course in our associate, bachelor's and master's programs.
Outlook for workers with a master’s degree in criminal justice
Master’s degree in criminal justice course requirements
Master of Science in Administration of Justice and Security
You’ll take 13 core courses with program-specific knowledge to help you gain the confidence and skills to succeed. These core courses include topics like: legal issues in justice and security, public policy and civil rights, cybercrime and information security and more.
Master of Public Administration
You’ll take 12 core courses with program-specific knowledge to help you gain the confidence and skills to succeed. These core courses include topics like: communication for public administrators, law and public administration, data analysis for public policy and more. .
Tuition and financial aid
Affordable, locked-in tuition
Ways to pay — and save. Explore your options.
From grants and scholarships to transfer credits and federal financial aid, there are a variety of ways to pay for school and save on tuition.
Student experience
“I never imagined earning one degree, let alone two. What you are learning – matters.”
—Teralisa B.
BS/P, 2015; MPA, 2016
Over 1 million alumni have earned their degrees while balancing work, school and life. So can you.
How to apply for your master’s degree in criminal justice
Once you’ve selected your degree program, choose your start date from our calendar, apply for free and register before the deadline (usually one week before the program starts). Then you’ll speak to an enrollment representative to begin class.
- No application fee — no obligation!
- No SAT, GMAT or essay required
Meet your college deans
Our college deans focus on developing a career-relevant curriculum. They bring industry experience to the classroom and lead a faculty of academic professionals with one goal in mind—to help you earn the skills you need to pursue your career.
Christina Neider, EdD
Dean, College of Social and Behavioral Sciences
Franzi Walsh, DBA
Associate Dean, College of Social and Behavioral Sciences
Institutional accreditation
University of Phoenix has been continually accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), hlcommission.org since 1978.
Master’s degree in criminal justice FAQs
A master’s degree has become an increasingly important way to gain the knowledge and critical skills you need to stay competitive in criminal justice. Master’s degree employment rates are projected to grow by 13.6%, between 2021 and 2031.*
US Bureau of Labor Statistics. This data reflects the BLS’ projections of national (not local) conditions. These data points are not specific to University of Phoenix students or graduates.
Having a master’s degree has become an increasingly important way to gain the knowledge and critical skills today's workers need to stay competitive in growing fields like criminal justice. Master’s degree employment rates are projected to grow by 13.6%, between 2021 and 2031.* So if you’re looking to build knowledge and career-relevant skills, an online master’s degree can help you take that next step in your career.
US Bureau of Labor Statistics. This data reflects the BLS’ projections of national (not local) conditions. These data points are not specific to University of Phoenix students or graduates.
Yes, all our courses are available 100% online. Where most colleges expect you to take several courses at once, here you take one course at a time over six weeks in an innovative, virtual, asynchronous learning environment. You and your peers will engage in discussions, assignments and learning activities. Plus, you’ll learn from faculty who bring their own real-world experience and practice the same knowledge and skills they teach, all while learning the industry-relevant skills necessary in the criminal justice system. What’s more? Throughout the course of your learning experience, our academic counselors and finance advisors are always there to answer your questions.
Yes, you can transfer eligible credits if the college you attended is an accredited institution.
