Criminal Justice Master's Degree, M.S.
The field of criminal justice has become increasingly demanding – advances in forensic science, criminal psychopathology, data analysis, and other technological developments have enabled law enforcement and criminal justice professionals.
Program Focus
Criminal law and procedure; leadership theory and practice; emergency preparedness; and contemporary issues
Offered through CCU's College of Adult and Graduate Studies, the Master of Science in Criminal Justice online degree program will equip you with the competency necessary to be a successful criminal justice professional, as well as the character and courage of moral conviction to be a force for good based upon a Christian worldview.
- 36 credit hours
- Complete in as little as 15 months (full-time study)
- Courses are typically completed in five-week blocks.
- Students can transfer up to 6 graduate-level credit hours
- Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission
- Associate Degrees: Criminal Justice, A.S.
- Bachelor's Degrees: Criminal Justice, B.S.
- Master's Degrees: Public Administration, MPA; Organizational Leadership, MOL
Christian understanding of justice
Informing all of CCU’s criminal justice programs is a specifically Christian understanding of justice. By this we mean that true justice is grounded in the very character of God. He is holy, just, righteous, merciful, and loving. Therefore, justice, based upon such attributes, unashamedly recognizes and upholds good and right standards of behavior, in both individual and corporate contexts.
Since Christians affirm that all humans are created in God’s image, a Christian sense of justice does not discriminate among “haves” and “have nots.” All humans deserve equal treatment under the law.
It follows then that even as God judges sin but restores sinners, just human behavior demands that mercy and love be extended appropriately toward both the offender and the offended. This understanding of justice is exhibited and evident in the personal and professional actions, interactions, and character of a Christian working in the criminal justice system.
Job opportunities with a Master's in Criminal Justice
The U. S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that job growth for police officers, detectives, correctional officers, probation officers, forensic science technicians, and private investigators will consistently increase for the remainder of the decade.
If your career goals include a leadership position in criminal justice or a command position in law enforcement or security, then CCU's Master of Science in Criminal Justice may be right for you. The program is designed for those working in the field of criminal justice who wish to move into a leadership position.
Criminal Justice master's degree program benefits
- The program is specifically designed for busy adult students with work and family commitments.
- Students take one course at a time for five weeks and assignments may be completed around your schedule.
- Small class sizes encourage individualized learning and networking.
- Students have direct access to professors who are top professionals in the field.
Interested in learning more about our master’s degree in criminal justice or other graduate programs in Colorado? Fill out the Request Info form on this page or contact CCU today at 303-963-3311.