Master's Degree in Criminal Justice Online
Learn about emerging criminal justice issues while gaining the degree you need to advance in the field with UMass Lowell's top-ranked online Master's Degree in Criminal Justice. This program is designed for students seeking entry into the criminal justice field and those who already work in the system and wish to broaden their skills and expertise.


Offering a broad range of classes in areas such as leadership, crisis and emergency management, criminal profiling, law and public policy, crime analysis, forensic psychology, sex crimes, terrorism, and victimology, the M.A. in Criminal Justice program is designed to meet the changing needs of our society. Throughout this program, you will develop the knowledge to evaluate policies, model best practices, and build skills in crisis and emergency management.
Career Outlook
Occupations
- Corrections Officer
- Criminal Justice Educator
- Criminologist
- Federal Agent (CIA, FBI, DEA)
- Forensic Scientist
- Industrial Security Consultant
- Information Security Analyst
- Parole Officer Supervisor
- Police Chief or Detective
- Prison Warden
- Private Investigator
- Probation Officer
- Security Operations Manager
- U.S. Customs Agent
- U.S. Marshall
- Victim Advocate
The M.A. in Criminal Justice program has a long history of producing dedicated, well-rounded students who are in top demand by federal, state and local agencies.
"According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, first-line supervisors of police and detectives earned a median yearly salary of $91,590 in 2017."
Massachusetts Law Enforcement Professionals:
UMass Lowell's Master of Arts in Criminal Justice is Quinn Bill-certified by the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education. Providing educational incentives through salary increases for regular full-time officers in participating cities and towns throughout the state, the Quinn Bill ensures that police officers who graduate from eligible institutions and programs qualify for incentive pay.
Visit the Police Career Incentive Pay Program website to learn more.

Success Story
"I was able to earn my master's degree faster than expected. By taking courses throughout the year, including in the summer, I completed the program in record time. Having the ability to do it all online was perfect for me since it didn't interfere with my job."

Stacy D.
Curriculum Outline
- Total Number of Courses Required for the Master's Degree in Criminal Justice: 11 (33 credits)
Required Foundations Courses (5 Courses / 15cr)
- CRIM.5200 Administration of Justice - Available Fall 2023!
- CRIM.5010 Criminological Theory: Foundations - Available Fall 2023!
- CRIM.5900 Descriptive & Inferential Statistics - Available Fall 2023!
- CRIM.5910 Research Design - Available Fall 2023!
- CRIM.5210 Managing Justice Organizations - Available Fall 2023!
- CRIM.6130 Law and Public Policy - Available Fall 2023!
Criminal Justice Elective Courses (Choose 6)*
- CRIM.5700 Crisis and Emergency Management - Available Fall 2023!
- CRIM.6300 Victimology - Available Fall 2023!
- CRIM.5710 Domestic Terrorism and Violent Extremism - Available Fall 2023!
- CRIM.5220 Issues in Policing
- CRIM.5400 Criminal Profiling
- CRIM.5410 Forensic Psychology - Available Fall 2023!
- CRIM.6400 Criminal Mind and Behavior - Available Fall 2023!
- CRIM.6410 Mental Health & Criminal Justice - Available Fall 2023!
- CRIM.5720 Comparative Terrorism and Counterterrorism
- CRIM.5730 Threat Assessment and Risk Management
- CRIM.5600 Gender, Race and Crime
- CRIM.6550 Substance Abuse and Crime - Available Fall 2023!
- CRIM.5740 Overview of Homeland Security - Available Fall 2023!
- CRIM.6510 Criminal Homicide
- CRIM.6940 Crime Analysis and Mapping
- CRIM.6310 Intimate Partner Violence - Available Fall 2023!
- CRIM.6320 Responding to Child Maltreatment - Available Fall 2023!
- CRIM.6500 Violence in America - Available Fall 2023!
- CRIM.6420 Sex Crimes and Offenders
- CRIM.6919 Directed Study in Criminal Justice
*Note: A larger selection of elective courses is available with courses held on-campus and at corporate locations, for those students who are interested in taking a mix of on-campus and online courses. Call 978-934-4106 or send an email to CJGradAdvisor@uml.edu for the extended list of on-campus courses. Additional electives may be available online at a later date. Check back periodically for program updates.
Course Descriptions
Prerequisites:
CSCE Graduate Restrictions
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CSCE Graduate Restrictions
Prerequisites:
CSCE Graduate Restrictions
Prerequisites:
CSCE Graduate Restrictions
Prerequisites:
CSCE Graduate Restrictions
Prerequisites:
CSCE Graduate Restrictions
Prerequisites:
CSCE Graduate Restrictions
Prerequisites:
CSCE Graduate Restrictions
Prerequisites:
CSCE Graduate Restrictions
Prerequisites:
CSCE Graduate Restrictions
Prerequisites:
CSCE Graduate Restrictions
Prerequisites:
CSCE Graduate Restrictions
Prerequisites:
CSCE Graduate Restrictions
Prerequisites:
CSCE Graduate Restrictions
Prerequisites:
CSCE Graduate Restrictions
Program Requirements
To be recommended for a University of Massachusetts Lowell master's degree, candidates must satisfy all of the general requirements below, plus any additional requirements that may be required by the department through which the program is offered. Any additional requirements for this program are either listed below or may be found in the University's Graduate Program Catalog.
General Requirements:
- Students must complete the program of study designed by the Department in which they are enrolled and approved by the University.
- Satisfactory grades in all subjects offered for the degree must be earned. See Academic Standing.
- All financial obligations, including tuition, fees and expenses, must be satisfied as evidenced by completion.
- Upon completion of all their courses, graduate degree candidates must submit a signed Declaration of Intent to Graduate (DIG) form to their coordinator. The coordinator will apply them in SIS, Graduation Tracking.
Graduate Program Policies
In applying for a degree program or registering for courses, each student assumes full responsibility for knowledge of and compliance with the definitions, regulations and procedures of UMass Lowell as set forth on our website. For additional information, please refer to the Graduate Program Policies found within the UMass Lowell Graduate Catalog.
Tuition & Fees
Tuition at UMass Lowell is typically half the cost of private colleges, and our online tuition is among the lowest in the nation. Tuition for online programs offered through the Division of Graduate, Online & Professional Studies is the same whether you live in-state, out-of-state or outside of the U.S.
Summer 2023 Tuition |
Cost Per Credit | Cost Per 3-Credit Course* |
---|---|---|
Graduate |
||
Online† | $585 | $1,755 |
Online Business** | $655 | $1,965 |
Online IT and Engineering*** | $600 | $1,800 |
Online Education | $470 | $1,410 |
Online Education for Ed.D. and Ph.D.† | $495 | $1,485 |
On Campus | View Here | View Here |
Additional Costs |
|
---|---|
Term Registration Fee | $30 |
Late Fee | $50 |
Graduate Degree and Certificate Application | $50 |
Please note: Tuition and fees are subject to change.
Estimate the cost of this program with our online tuition calculator
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Frequently Asked Questions
Many paths are available to those with a Master's in Criminal Justice, including careers in law enforcement, corrections, legal professions and more.
Law enforcement occupations include policing, detective work or careers as federal agents. Jobs in corrections include positions as probation officers, parole officers or correctional treatment specialists. You may also be able to work in correctional administration, overseeing the operations of prisons and jails.
Some graduates pursue career paths in the legal field, working as lawyers, legal analysts and researchers. With a strong understanding of criminal justice and the legal system, you'll provide valuable insight into legal cases. Additionally, you may be able to work in policy development, using your knowledge to shape laws and regulations related to criminal justice.
Private security is another career path you can pursue with a Master's in Criminal Justice. This can include working for private security firms, corporations or even individuals. With your advanced knowledge of criminal justice, you can help prevent and respond to security threats, conduct investigations, and provide risk assessments. This field can offer various opportunities, from executive protection to cyber security.
Finally, many criminal justice master's degree holders pursue careers in social services. This can include working with at-risk youth, victims of domestic violence or individuals struggling with addiction. With your knowledge of criminal justice, you can help provide support and resources to those in need and work toward preventing crime and reducing recidivism rates.If you have a passion for justness and a desire to positively impact your community, pursuing a Master's Degree in Criminal Justice may be for you. Criminal justice professionals uphold the law while working to eliminate bias and discrimination in the system. Graduates of this program often receive promotions and find their higher-level positions rewarding professionally and financially.
However, senior-level positions in the field can be demanding. Criminal justice professionals often find themselves in high-pressure situations and must remain calm and focused under stress. Physical and mental resilience is often expected of those in the field. Although a Master's Degree in Criminal Justice will provide you with entry and advancement in many professions, students interested in targeted career paths might prefer related degrees in Security Studies. UMass Lowell offers online Security Studies Masters Degrees with concentrations in Critical Infrastructure Protection, Cybersecurity, Homeland Defense, Industrial & Economic Security, and International Security.
The potential salary increases of earning a Master's in Criminal Justice can make it worth the investment. According to labor market analytics firm Lightcast's 2023 job posting data, criminal justice bachelor's degree holders in New England can expect median earnings of $88.4K per year, while master's degree holders can expect earnings of $96.1K per year. Additionally, master's degree holders may be eligible for promotions to higher-level positions such as detectives, FBI agents or probation officers. You may also pursue career opportunities in academia, research or policymaking with a master's degree.
In addition to career and salary growth, pursuing a Master's in Criminal Justice provides significant personal growth opportunities. You will gain expert-level knowledge and skills in the field and develop critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication skills that employers highly value. Furthermore, the process of earning a graduate-level degree demonstrates dedication, discipline, and perseverance, which will serve you well in your personal and professional life.According to the 2023 Best Online Programs, UMass Lowell ranks as the top online Master's Degree in Criminal Justice for veterans and the number 2 online master's for the general population by U.S. News & World Report. Our online degree offers a comprehensive curriculum that covers topics such as criminology, justice administration and law. You can also choose from Security Studies concentrations in Homeland Defense, Critical Infrastructure Protection, Cybersecurity, Industrial & Economic Security and International Security. Our graduates have gone on to successful careers in law enforcement, corrections and other criminal justice fields.
In addition to consistently being ranked among the nation's best online Master's of Criminal Justice, UMass Lowell's program is also among the most affordable. Students who complete the program online pay the same tuition rate whether they live in-state, out-of-state or in another country. The flexibility and convenience of our online degrees allow you to balance your education with work and other responsibilities.
Apply
Applying into a Graduate Degree Program
All applicants must submit:- An application
- An application fee
- A statement of purpose
- Letters of recommendation (optional)
- Official transcripts
- No GRE required
- Resume Required for certain programs such as the Master's in Business Administration and the Master of Science in Health Informatics and Management
Graduate Program Admissions Requirements
Admission to all graduate programs at UMass Lowell is contingent upon successful completion of a bachelor's degree. In many cases, applicants may register for a course before formally applying to the program; however, students requiring financial aid may want to wait until they have been formally accepted into the program to ensure that their course(s) will be covered. Contact UMass Lowell's Office of Graduate Admissions if you have questions about the application process.
Questions Regarding Your Graduate Application?
Email Graduate_Admissions@uml.edu or call 800-656-4723 (for U.S. students) or 978-934-2390 (for international students).
For General Assistance:
For general questions about registering for courses or to find out who the advisor is for your graduate program, call 800-480-3190. Our admissions and advising teams are here to help!