MASTER OF ARTS IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE AT MEREDITH COLLEGE

ADVANCE YOUR CAREER. GO STRONG.

Gain a competitive edge in the criminal justice field. Whether you want to advance your career, teach, apply to law school, or pursue a doctorate, Meredith’s fully online criminal justice graduate program will prepare you to succeed.

Our Online Master of Arts in Criminal Justice

There is an increasing need for criminal justice professionals who have insight into sociological, legal, theoretical, and practical areas, as well as the skills to to deal with people and situations in a humane manner. Professionals also need greater knowledge of forensic psychology, particularly as it relates to issues around trauma, substance use disorder, threat assessment, mental illness, and victimology.

Our M.A. in Criminal Justice faculty take a social justice and women-focused approach to help you gain these skills and knowledge. And, our fully online criminal justice program will allow you to continue working full-time while earning your degree.

Meredith’s program is also an effective nontraditional pathway to corrections and criminal justice jobs. From teachers to social workers to counselors, there is a growing need for professionals with varying backgrounds and experiences. Meredith can help you make the transition to this exciting and growing field.

Sample Courses

Criminological Theory
Data Analysis in Criminal Justice
Gender and Criminal Justice
Research Methods in Criminal Justice
Trauma and Criminal Behavior

Master of Arts in Criminal Justice Programs

Master of Arts in Criminal Justice

Advance your career through this online program that prepares you for criminal justice administrative and leadership positions. This is a 36-hour master’s degree.

Course descriptions

M.A. in Criminal Justice – Behavioral Forensics Concentration

Managers and supervisors in criminal justice professions are increasingly expected to have a greater understanding of forensic psychology research, theories, and practical uses.

The behavioral forensics track requires nine additional hours or three classes to the 36 required for the M.A. in Criminal Justice.

Course descriptions

Criminal Justice Post-Baccalaureate Certificate

Meredith offers a criminal justice post-baccalaureate certificate for students who wish to gain more skills and knowledge to further their careers in the criminal justice sector. This is an 18-hour certificate.

Course descriptions

Criminal Justice and Substance Use Disorder Post-Baccalaureate Certificate

Through this post-baccalaureate certificate, students will learn to deal effectively with substance use disorder, trauma, and mental illness issues. The program takes 12 hours to complete.

Course descriptions

3+2 Accelerated M.A. in Criminal Justice

The 3+2 accelerated M.A. in Criminal Justice allows Meredith undergraduate students with an early interest in the criminal justice field to accelerate their career by earning both their undergraduate and in just five years.

Learn more about the Accelerated M.A. in Criminal Justice

Obtaining Your Master of Arts in Criminal Justice From Meredith

The How

As an online criminal justice programs in North Carolina, Meredith offers the flexibility to pursue the program at the pace that works best for you.
- Every student participates in a 2-3 hour on-campus orientation that includes technology training, tips for studying at the graduate level, and more to ensure your success.
Get a high-quality education at a moderate price.
- Tuition is $610 per credit hour.
How long does it take to get a master’s degree in criminal justice?
- It takes 18 months to 2 years to complete Meredith’s M.A. in criminal justice.
- The M.A. in Criminal Justice is a 36-credit hour program.
- The M.A. in Criminal Justice with a Behavioral Forensics Concentration is a 45-hour program.
Earn your undergraduate degree and your M.A. in five years through Meredith’s 3+2 accelerated M.A. in criminal justice program.

The Why

An M.A. in Criminal Justice is appropriate for those with an undergraduate degree in the criminal justice, criminology, sociology, psychology, political science, or communication and who want to earn a master’s degree.
Learn in classes taught by experienced practitioners and receive individualized career guidance from our connected faculty.
Have the option to concentrate in behavioral forensics, an increasingly expected area of knowledge for criminal justice professionals.
Hone the writing skills you need to write reports and court documents, keep accurate field notes, and more.
Network with a robust community of criminal justice professionals.
Prepare to manage critical emerging issues in criminal justice, including gender, substance abuse, addictions, mental illness, juvenile delinquency, re-entry, domestic violence, and trauma.
- Our program includes a social justice and women-focused approach to prepare you to deal with these issues appropriately and effectively.

What Can You Do With a Master of Arts in Criminal Justice?

Criminal justice administration is a growing and evolving field with a positive employment outlook. For example, police and detective jobs are expected to grow by 7% by 2026, while federal probation officer jobs are predicted to grow by 20% in the same timeframe.

Jobs With a Criminal Justice Degree

Jobs with an M.A. in Criminal Justice degree include management-level positions in police administration, security management, correctional administration, government management, management of juvenile corrections, and border patrol supervision.
Almost all criminal justice professionals in law enforcement, courts, corrections, and private security use research and skills based on forensic psychology, and these skills are increasingly becoming mandatory for advancement in the field.
Criminal justice supervisors, managers, administrators, and subject matter experts need a better understanding of forensic psychology for practical use in investigations, arrest and detention, court proceedings, incarceration, and re-entry into society after incarceration.
Individuals with a master’s in criminal justice make on average $45,000 – $59,000 per year. Depending on the career path, individuals can earn a salary of $100,000 or more.

Where Are Our Recent Graduates?