Master of Science in Criminal Justice Leadership and Reform in Justice Systems
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Degree Options
100% online, 8-week courses
Transfer in up to 50% of the degree total
Become a Protector of the People by Earning a Master’s Degree in Criminal Justice Online
Are you passionate about freedom and justice? Perhaps you are a police officer or federal agent who is dedicated to protecting the safety of our nation’s civilians and enforcing the law of our country. You’re probably someone who understands the complexities of our criminal justice system, and you want to be involved in making it as effective and just as possible.
You may also be the type of person who wants to defend justice and create better policies. Conferring Liberty University’s Master of Science (MS) in Criminal Justice could help equip you with the tools you need to pursue this calling.
Whether you are just starting out in your criminal justice career, or are seeking a promotion, Liberty University’s criminal justice master’s degree can help prepare you to reach your future goals. Aspiring postsecondary instructors and prospective or current civil servants alike can thrive in our master’s in criminal justice online degree program.
Our online criminal justice master’s degree offers academically rich course content, providing you with a thorough knowledge of the criminal justice system. You can also learn about the integration of ethics, criminal justice, and management with biblical principles to set a firm Christian foundation of knowledge within our master’s in criminal justice online.
Liberty’s master’s in criminal justice can also help provide you with the specific training you need to pursue your particular area of interest in criminal justice. From forensics to cybercrime investigation to homeland security to policy and administration, there are many ways for you to contribute to the criminal justice system in your career.
We want to help prepare you for the specific calling on your life. With so many career options available within the field of criminal justice, now is the time to make your dreams a reality by pursuing a master’s degree in criminal justice.
What Will You Study in Our Master’s in Criminal Justice?
At Liberty University, our goal is to partner with you so that you are able to take the next steps in your criminal justice career. Our online degrees in criminal justice can extend your training further than basic law enforcement classes. Through our online master’s degrees in criminal justice, we offer specialized degree tracks that allow you to focus on the area of the criminal justice field where your passions lie.
Liberty’s Master of Science in Criminal Justice (MSCJ) offers courses that cover many essential topics in crisis intervention, psychology, and the legal system, and the rehabilitation of offenders. You can also choose courses that can help you understand important principles in law enforcement and the security of our nation.
Depending on the specialization you choose, you can study the organization and administration of security departments as well as relevant legal issues. You could also gain expertise in public policy analysis, politics, and communication and conflict.
All students in our online master’s degree in criminal justice will study:
- Current issues impacting criminal justice
- Ethical leadership principles from a Christian worldview perspective
- Principles of human resource management in criminal justice
- Research trends of the National Institute of Justice
- The competing roles of law enforcement, courts, prosecution, and defense counsel in the pursuit of justice
- The interdependency of organizations and agencies in the criminal justice system
- Theoretical and practical management perspectives embraced by the American criminal justice system
Featured Courses
Master’s in Criminal Justice Online Degree Information
- This program falls under the Helms School of Government.
- View the Graduate Government Course Guides (login required).
- Review our thesis guide for the optional thesis.
Why Choose Our Master’s in Criminal Justice Online?
As you search for criminal justice universities, you are probably looking for quality and flexibility. That is why our online master’s in criminal justice is offered 100% online with no set login times. Partner with Liberty and study anytime, anywhere.
In addition, Liberty is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). As you pursue your degree, you can be confident that you are receiving a world-class education.
In addition to the quality and flexibility that Liberty offers, our professors provide a wealth of knowledge and care as they partner with you. Our faculty have years of experience in the world of criminal justice administration, policy, and law enforcement and blend real-world experience with theory. Our professors are ready to partner with you so that you can be better prepared to explore new opportunities or positions of added responsibility.
At Liberty, we have integrated Christian principles into our criminal justice master’s program, equipping you to make decisions in your career informed by your faith. We particularly focus on ethical considerations in the criminal justice system, preparing you to make strong, principled decisions in the fast-paced environment of criminal justice.
Because our master’s in criminal justice is offered completely online, you can remain active in your job, family, and community without the worry of having to take courses on campus. With our strong academics, dedicated faculty, commitment to the Christian faith, and flexible online format, you can have confidence that you are receiving a top-notch education.
Potential Career Options with a Master’s in Criminal Justice
- Corrections officer
- Homeland security analyst
- Police administrator
- Probation or parole officer/manager
- Social services worker
- State or local law enforcement officer
Online Master’s Degree in Criminal Justice Degree Options
Customize your criminal justice master’s degree with one of these specializations:
Generalized Track (No Specialization)
Liberty University’s 100% online Master of Science in Criminal Justice – General is designed to provide you with the foundation of an excellent criminal justice program. You’ll get the flexibility and freedom to select a large number of electives. With no specific specialization, you can mix and match courses to create a personalized degree program that fits your passion.
View the Degree Completion Plan.
Corrections Management
Liberty University’s 100% online Master of Science in Criminal Justice – Corrections Management is designed so that you are able to handle the nuances that come in the corrections field with expertise and authority. Our corrections management track dives deep into areas of corrections management including corrections policy, community corrections, reintegration and rehabilitation, and management of corrections facilities.
View the Degree Completion Plan.
Cybercrime Investigation
Liberty University’s 100% online Master of Science in Criminal Justice – Cybercrime Investigation can help you learn how to protect critical infrastructures from digital criminals, foreign adversaries, and terrorists. This program is designed to help criminal justice professionals like you gain specialized, technical skills to keep communities and our nation safe from digital threats.
View the Degree Completion Plan.
Forensic Psychology
Liberty University’s 100% online Master of Science in Criminal Justice – Forensic Psychology is designed to train current and prospective criminal justice professionals in the application of psychological principles and practices to the administration of criminal justice.
View the Degree Completion Plan.
Homeland Security
Liberty University’s 100% online Master of Science in Criminal Justice – Homeland Security is designed to train criminal justice professionals for leadership roles. You can become equipped for the administration and management of homeland security organizations and the execution of homeland security responsibilities at all levels of government.
View the Degree Completion Plan.
Law Enforcement Leadership
Liberty University’s 100% online Master of Science in Criminal Justice – Law Enforcement Leadership is designed to help prepare you for success in a variety of administrative roles in law enforcement agencies. This degree covers the laws and guidelines that govern modern law enforcement policies, providing you with the tools you need to excel in areas such as homeland security and intelligence operations.
View the Degree Completion Plan.
Legal Studies
Liberty University’s 100% online Master of Science in Criminal Justice – Legal Studies is designed for those who are passionate about criminal justice and the law. With a degree in criminal justice and a specialization in legal studies, you can better prepare to take on a variety of roles. Some of these roles include as a bailiff, detective, or even as an internal affairs officer.
Our specialization is designed so that you can graduate with knowledge of criminal procedure, constitutional law, and the foundations of Western legal tradition.
View the Degree Completion Plan.
Public Administration
Liberty University’s 100% online Master of Science in Criminal Justice – Public Administration is designed to train present and future leaders in the field of criminal justice. You can learn about the development and implementation of criminal justice policy as well as the leadership and management of criminal justice organizations. This track combines master’s-level foundational courses, ethics, and leadership education to help you take on the challenges of the criminal justice system.
View the Degree Completion Plan.
Restorative Justice
Liberty University’s 100% online Master of Science in Criminal Justice – Restorative Justice is designed so that you can take the next step in your criminal justice career. Whether you have a passion for corrections, rehabilitation, the legal system, or reintegration of offenders, a master’s degree in criminal justice – restorative justice from Liberty can help you pursue new opportunities or positions of added responsibility.
View the Degree Completion Plan.
Not sure what to choose?
Speak to one of our admissions specialists to help you choose the program that best fits your needs.
Tuition & Aid
Your success is our success, which is why we are committed to providing quality academics at an affordable tuition rate. While other colleges are increasing their tuition, we have frozen tuition rates for the majority of our undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs for the past 9 years – and counting.
Graduate Full Time | $565/Credit |
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Graduate Part Time | $615/Credit |
Military Graduate | $275/Credit |
Tuition rates may change annually. For the most current information, please visit our LU Tuition Cost page.
All Tuition & Fees
Financial Aid & Scholarships
Admission Information for the Master’s Degree in Criminal Justice
Admission Requirements
- Apply online or over the phone with an admissions counselor by calling (800) 424-9596.
- A non-refundable, non-transferable $50 application fee will be posted on the current application upon enrollment (waived for qualifying service members, veterans, and military spouses – documentation verifying military status is required).
- Send official college transcripts (mailed as sealed, unopened copies or sent via a direct electronic transcript system). A regionally or nationally accredited bachelor’s degree with at least a 3.0 GPA is required for admission in good standing. Applicants who have earned a master’s degree or at least 12 graduate credits from an accredited institution will be assessed on the basis of the master’s-level degree work.
- Unofficial transcripts can be used for acceptance purposes with the submission of a Transcript Request Form.
- Applicants whose native language is other than English must submit official scores for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or an approved alternative assessment. For information on alternative assessments or TOEFL waivers, please call Admissions or view the official International Admissions policy.
Preliminary Acceptance
If you are sending in a preliminary transcript for acceptance, you must:
- Be in your final term and planning to start your master’s degree after the last day of class for your bachelor’s degree.
- Complete a Bachelor’s Self-Certification Form confirming your completion date. You may download the form from the Forms and Downloads page or contact an admissions counselor to submit the form on your behalf.
- Submit an official/unofficial transcript to confirm that you are in your final term. The preliminary transcript must show a minimum of 105 completed credit hours.
- If you are a current Liberty University student completing your undergraduate degree, you will need to submit a Degree/Certificate Completion Application.
- Send in an additional, final official transcript with a conferral date on it by the end of your first semester of enrollment in the new master’s degree.
Dual Enrollment
Please see the Online Dual Enrollment page for information about starting graduate courses while finishing your bachelor’s degree.
Transcript Policies
Unofficial College Transcript Policy
Unofficial transcripts combined with a Transcript Request Form can be used for admission. Official transcripts are required within 60 days of the admissions decision or before non-attendance drops for the first set of matriculated classes, whichever comes first, and will prevent enrollment into future terms until all official transcripts have been received.
Before sending unofficial college transcripts, please make sure they include the following:
- Your previous school’s name or logo printed on the document
- Cumulative GPA
- A list of completed courses and earned credit broken down by semester
- Degree and date conferred (if applicable)
Official College Transcript Policy
An acceptable official college transcript is one that has been issued directly from the institution and is in a sealed envelope. If you have one in your possession, it must meet the same requirements. If your previous institution offers electronic official transcript processing, they can send the document directly to luoverify@liberty.edu.
If the student uses unofficial transcripts with a Transcript Request Form to gain acceptance, all official transcripts must be received within 60 days of the admissions decision or before non-attendance drops for the first set of matriculated classes, whichever comes first. Failure to send all official transcripts within the 60-day period will prevent enrollment into future terms until all official transcripts have been received.
Admissions Office Contact Information
Liberty University Online Admissions Verification
1971 University Blvd.
Lynchburg, VA 24515
Military
Liberty University is dedicated to providing world-class educational experiences to military students across the globe.
Who May Qualify?
- Active Duty
- Reserve/National Guard
- Veterans/Retirees
- Spouses of Service Members and Veterans/Retirees
- Current Department of Defense Employees
Available Benefits:
- Tuition discounts – $275 per credit hour for graduate courses
- Additional discount for veterans who service in a civilian capacity as a First Responder (less than $625 per course)*
- 8-week courses, 8 different start dates each year, and no set login times (may exclude certain courses such as practicums, internships, or field experiences)
*Not applicable to certificates.
Tuition rates may change annually. For the most current information, please visit our LU Tuition Cost page.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an MSCJ?
An MSCJ is an abbreviation of “Master of Science in Criminal Justice.”
What can I do with an online master’s in criminal justice?
Whether you are a seasoned veteran, or just entering the criminal justice field, a master’s degree in criminal justice from Liberty can better equip you for a variety of opportunities.
Upon graduation from Liberty’s Master of Science in Criminal Justice, you can be better prepared to serve in law enforcement, corrections, post-secondary education, or emergency management.
What are the benefits of choosing Liberty’s criminal justice master’s program
Our desire is to provide a well-rounded and rewarding educational experience for you as you pursue your master’s in criminal justice online. We are continually seeking new advancements and methodologies to improve and promote successful career outcomes.
As a result, you can benefit from:
- Knowledgeable professors who have gained mastery of the content from firsthand experience
- Specializations to tailor your educational experience to your long-term career goals in criminal justice
- The chance to develop original scholarship through the thesis track
- The opportunity to transfer in up to 50% of your required course credits
Inner Navigation
- Overview
- What Will You Study?
- What Sets Us Apart?
- Potential Careers
- Specializations
- Tuition & Aid
- Admission Information
- Military
- FAQs
Have questions?