30 Best Online Master’s in Criminal Justice

Updated on April 24, 2021

Informed criminal justice professionals can help make the world a safer and fairer place. The following 30 Best Online Master's in Criminal Justice equip graduates with a well-rounded criminological understanding.

The criminal justice system works to maintain order and safety in society. But in order to be both effective and fair, criminal justice professionals must take into account the nature and context of crime. Criminology examines the reasons why people commit crimes, incorporating the psychological and sociological factors involved.

Grad School Hub's 30 Best Online Master's in Criminal Justice equip students with a criminological understanding that will enhance their competencies in criminal justice practice. The programs listed help graduates to understand the complexities of criminal activity in specific communities and the wider world. The following 30 programs are completed either fully or partially online, which makes them ideal options for working professionals.

Criminal justice degrees prepare graduates for careers in investigation, law enforcement, policing, postsecondary teaching, and beyond. Police officers are responsible for protecting lives and property, while detectives gather information to understand and solve possible crimes. Criminal justice careers can be dangerous and demanding. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, police officers and detectives made a median salary of $63,380 in 2018. The demand for and employment of people in these professions is projected to grow at a rate of seven percent, which is as fast as average. We can expect to need continued measures toward public safety for generations to come.

Methodology

The staff of Grad School Hub has compiled the following 30 Best Online Master's in Criminal Justice for the 2019-20 academic school year based on public data released from educational, commercial, and government databases. Data contributed from sources such as the National Center for Education Statistics, and the U.S. Department of Labor plays a significant role in how graduate degree programs are ranked because institutional transparency is essential for deciding which career path is right for you. Based on this data, GSH organizes information into five weighted categories, which are:

  • Alumni Feedback: 20%

  • Continued Enrollment: 20%

  • Degree Selectivity: 10%

  • Graduate Expenses: 25%

  • Projected Annual Salary: 25%

A more comprehensive evaluation of how each category is determined and scored is accessible through ourRanking Methodology page.

Explore these promoted online degree programs.

These top, accredited schools offer a variety of online graduate degree programs. Figuring out where to apply? Consider one of these online Master's or PhD programs.

Here are the 30 Best Online Master's in Criminal Justice:

Recommended Reading