Online master's degree programs in criminal justice and law

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• Corrections
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Many accredited universities and colleges offer online master's degree programs in criminal justice and law. There are a variety of degree levels in criminal justice, and a master's degree can help you advance your chosen career or attain an advanced position in a new career.

Online master's degree programs in criminal justice and law: What to expect

Many careers in criminal justice require individuals with bachelor's degrees for entry-level positions. Online graduate degrees in criminal justice administration can bring you to the next level, allowing fruitful applications to major agencies such as the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

Online master degree programs in criminal justice and law offer core classes aimed at advancing professionals in their careers. Classes are designed with the expectation that students will already have either on-the-job experience or a bachelor's degree in criminal justice. Some core classes you may take in online master degree programs in criminal justice and law include:

• Crime and criminal justice
• Policy analysis in criminal justice
• Ethics and law
• Criminal justice business administration

Online programs can offer advantages beyond the flexibility of a self-determined schedule. In a meta-analysis performed by the Department of Education, data insists that students in online programs performed modestly better than students in on-campus, face-to-face programs.

Careers for graduates of online master's degree programs in criminal justice and law

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment growth expectancy for criminal justice careers is generally excellent. Online graduate degrees in criminal justice administration offer you an opportunity to further improve your skills and knowledge base and work towards advancing your career. Below are some potential careers with applicable mean annual salaries as reported by the BLS.

• Probation officers and correctional treatment specialists are usually positions found within state or local governments. These professionals enforce the strict code of behavioral standards placed upon individuals who have previous experience with the criminal justice system. In 2009, mean annual wages for these specialists was $50,500.
  
• Homeland security encompasses the wide range of careers that help protect our nation from both internal and external threats. Jobs in this field range from border patrol agents to Chief of Staff for Policy to Secretary. Salary levels in this sector depend on your department and profession.
• Paralegals and legal assistants help lawyers and attorneys with the day-to-day functions of a law office. Duties include filing, preparing court briefs and interviewing witnesses. In 2009, paralegals earned a mean annual wage of $50,080.

Our Guide to Majors in Law & Criminal Justice features more information on the fields of criminal justice and law. You can browse through the Guide to Master's Degrees in Law & Criminal Justice to explore more options at the graduate levels. You can find specializations in fields such as juvenile justice, justice administration and security and loss prevention.

Graduate degrees in criminal justice administration from accredited schools may not be required to start working in the criminal justice and legal fields, but a master's degree can make you a more desirable candidate and a more valued employee. Want more information? Simply fill out an online form below and representative from the school of your choice will contact you.

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