Arizona State University

The Bachelor of Science in criminology and criminal justice offers you the chance to explore the impact of crime and effective approaches to reduce it at the local, state, and federal level.

As an online student enrolled in the BS in criminology and criminal justice program, you'll learn about the policies and practices of criminal justice system components, including law enforcement, corrections, and the courts. The program helps develop the research, analytical, and communications skills required for working in complex criminal justice occupations. You'll have the opportunity to learn from professors who are recognized leaders in their fields as well as from a prestigious group of criminal justice professionals with expertise in policing, gangs, fraud, corrections, and courts. This degree will prepare you for a position in the criminal justice system and corporate security at a time when the industry is experiencing steady job growth. Many graduates choose to build upon the strong intellectual base they develop at ASU and pursue advanced degrees in law, criminology and criminal justice, or other social science discipline.

The Master of Arts in Criminal Justice (MACJ) provides you with the knowledge and skills to advance your criminal justice career. You will study the larger context of crime, why it exists and its impact on society, as well as gain a detailed understanding of the concept of justice and how it’s applied.

The MA Criminal Justice allows you to learn directly from professors who are nationally-recognized scholars in their respective fields and from a prestigious group of criminal justice professionals with expertise in policing, gangs, fraud, corrections and courts. The online criminal justice program offers valuable training in research methods and statistics, program planning and management, policy analysis, and program evaluation. This 33-credit hour program includes a required capstone course, Theory and Practice in Criminal Justice, in which you will write a comprehensive research paper focusing on a criminal justice policy or practice.

The Master’s program is offered to both full-time and part-time students. Full-time students can earn the degree in as little as 18 months. Part-time students will take longer to complete the degree, but must fulfill all requirements for the degree within six years from the date of their first course. GRE test scores are not required for entry into the MACJ program. Students must meet all admissions criteria of the Graduate College, and applicants must have a 3.0 GPA or higher for unconditional admission to the MA in criminal justice program.