Continued emphasis on public safety creates stability for those entering and advancing careers within the field of criminal justice. Agencies such as the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and Marshals, as well as law enforcement, private security companies, and detective agencies are all experiencing a mounting need for qualified applicants. For those aspiring to managerial positions within these types of organizations, the fiscal, legal, and political challenges cannot be overlooked or underestimated. Specialized knowledge, skills, and analytical capabilities are typically required to navigate the complexities of implementing programs and policies at the local, state, and national level.
Students who pursue a Master of Public Administration (MPA) with a specialization in Criminal Justice seek to transform society and impact their community through a career in public service. In this concentration students go beyond the core MPA curriculum to develop a deeper understanding of the criminal justice system and policies related to criminal justice administration and law enforcement. Graduates of these programs are often suited for government, nonprofit (NGO), and community advocacy leadership roles as they relate to security, protection, prevention, and the investigation of crime and delinquency.
Curriculum Details for Online MPA Programs with a Specialization in Criminal Justice
The typical core curriculum of a Master of Public Administration program consists of foundational coursework that focuses on public policy, public administration theory, research methods, strategic planning, human resources and personnel management, ethics, budgeting and finance, and organizational behavior. Following the completion of the core MPA coursework, many programs allow students to enroll in elective or concentration classes tailored to their personal area of interest. Depending on the program, students may be able to select between two and six elective courses. While most electives are selected at the student’s discretion, universities that have distinct specializations may require students to complete a specific set of electives related to their area of study.
Students interested in online MPA programs with a focus on criminal justice should explore programs with specializations in the following subject areas:
- Criminal Justice
- Criminal Justice Administration / Leadership
- Criminal Justice Policy
- Criminology and Criminal Justice
- Law and Law Enforcement
- Public Safety
Master of Public Administration programs typically require the completion of 36 to 48 course credits, culminating in either a capstone seminar or independent research project supervised by a faculty advisor. While most universities allow up to five years for program completion, the average student can complete their required coursework in 16-24 months of full-time study or 24-36 months if enrolled part-time. Some universities suggest allotting an extra semester of study when pursuing a concentration to complete elective requirements.
Note: On OnlineMPAPrograms.com, in order for a program to be classified as having a specialization or concentration in criminal justice, it must have a dedicated area of focus in criminal justice, public safety, or law and public policy.
Examples of Criminal Justice Specific Courses in Online MPA Programs
Courses specific to criminal justice include, but are not limited to, topics in criminal justice administration, criminal justice policy, criminology, corrections, constitutional law, law enforcement, and more. As curricula vary by school and by program, the following course titles and descriptions should be used for example purposes only.
- Justice Administration: An overview of theories, research methodologies, and technologies that impact law enforcement, courts, and corrections as well as historical context to support to the system’s existing structure. Provides a comprehensive understanding of organizational structure, function, and processes within the criminal justice system as well as current and emerging challenges.
- Theory of Crime and Criminology: Focusing on current and historical American and International criminal justice policies, students will conduct analysis of primary sociological and criminological theories (i.e., deterrence theory, social learning theory, Marxist theory, etc.) to gain a deeper understanding of initiatives being put forth and supported by present-day elected officials and senior policy makers.
- Adult and Juvenile Correctional Systems: Explores critical issues and correctional practices within the adult and juvenile correctional systems. Lectures focus on effectiveness and outcomes, critical issues, the implications of delinquency, and reform.
- Justice and Public Policy: Inspire critical thinking surrounding the various models and approaches to the delivery of public services by focusing on the actions, behaviors, and attitudes of both individuals and interest groups. The goal is to understand and assess the decision-making process as well as the role political culture, interdependence, race, gender, and jurisdictional disputes play in a democratic society.
- Constitutional Law for Criminal Justice: Explores constitutional law and its impact on contemporary America, including constitutional rights and safeguards as well as potential civil liability in the workplace. In this course students will study the structure of the U.S. Constitution, examining which amendments to the Bill of Rights have had the most significant impact on the criminal justice system with special focus on the Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, and Fourteenth Amendments.
- Research Methods: Highlighting the difference between quantitative and qualitative research, this course focuses on the importance of ethics and compliance in the varying methods of evaluation research, sampling, and surveyance methods. Develop fluency in scholarly writing styles utilized by the American Psychological Association, the Harvard Reference system, and the Chicago Manual of Style.
- Current Issues in Law Enforcement: Develop an understanding of the most significant legal issues facing current leaders of local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies, including but not limited to drug enforcement, organized crime, white-collar crime, and international and domestic terrorism. Students will develop an understanding of the importance of coordination between law enforcement agencies, first responders and health officials.
An example course of study for a two-year, full-time online MPA program with a concentration in criminal justice is included below. Please note that course titles, content and sequence can vary by institution, and that many programs allow students some flexibility.
Two-Year Sample Curriculum Plan for an Online Master of Public Administration with a Specialization in Criminal Justice
| Year 1 | Core Courses:
| Core Courses:
| Core Courses:
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| Year 2 | Core Course:
| Core Course:
| Capstone Seminar / Independent Research Project Concentration Course:
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*Due to the variances in curricula across different master’s programs, it is important for students to research core and elective courses for their programs of interest to ensure they match their academic and career goals.
Instruction Methods for Online MPA Programs
Online programs offer students greater access to graduate degree programs and increased flexibility to attend courses and complete assignments without having to attend classes in person on a university campus or at a satellite location. For students who do not live near a school that offers an MPA program with a specialization in Criminal Justice, an online program may be the only option unless they are willing to relocate to earn their degree. Online programs are also beneficial to students who have difficulty commuting to campus several times per week to attend lectures and class discussions.
Digitally based classes give students the opportunity to attend lectures synchronously (guided by a live instructor using video conferencing software) or asynchronously (watching recorded lectures or reviewing instructional materials on their own time). Prospective students to online programs should note that not all online MPA programs utilize synchronous instruction, whereas, all online programs have some asynchronous elements. Students who prefer and believe they would benefit from live online lectures with an instructor should try to identify programs that incorporate more synchronous instruction. Students who need maximum scheduling flexibility and who cannot attend weekly scheduled live online sessions should look for programs that mainly use asynchronous instruction.
While online study eliminates the need to be physically present in the classroom, it still allows for lively class discussions and networking with classmates, as well as with faculty and others in the field of criminal justice. It is also important to note that online MPA programs have the same curriculum and are just as challenging as campus-based MPA programs. Prospective students to online programs should understand they require greater self-motivation, self-discipline, and accountability to keep up with course materials and assignments in the absence of traditional on-campus courses.
Admissions Requirements for Online MPA Programs with a Specialization in Criminal Justice
Schools often vary in their application requirements for master’s programs. Unlike some on-campus MPA programs, it is not standard practice for online MPA programs offering a specialization in Criminal Justice to require related undergraduate coursework to enroll. However, consideration may be given to applicants with significant relevant work experience, though admission is never guaranteed*. Some schools may also allow students with four or more years of progressive work experience to waive out of core courses.
Most programs require students to submit transcripts from their undergraduate degree(s), and from any institutions where they completed graduate coursework. Acceptable transfer credits will vary by institution. While it is common for programs to require a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale for unconditional admission, there are online programs that have minimum GPA requirements in the 2.5 to 2.75 range. In addition, some schools may accept graduate students who do not meet minimum GPA requirements on a probationary or conditional basis. Once enrolled, students accepted on a conditional basis must often achieve a GPA of 3.0 or higher (e.g., a B average) in their initial courses in order to gain full admission into the program.
In addition to these requirements, some programs require students to submit standardized test scores (e.g., GRE scores), particularly for students being considered for conditional enrollment, letters of recommendation, and a resume or Curriculum Vitae. Programs may also require students to submit a personal statement and/or answers to a series of application questions.
*Note: Students should note that many online MPA programs have selective admissions policies, which means even if an applicant meets the minimum standards for admission, they may not be admitted into the program.
Accreditation for Online MPA Programs
As students research prospective programs, it is important to understand whether or not a college or university is accredited at the institutional level and at the program level. It is imperative that students only enroll in a college or university that has regional accreditation from an accrediting body recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). There are currently six regional accrediting bodies recognized by CHEA as well as the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC), which also accredits institutions that mainly offer online programs. All schools listed on OnlineMPAPrograms.com are accredited by a commission recognized by CHEA.
In addition to accreditation at the institutional level, some schools choose to pursue an optional programmatic accreditation by an outside agency. For MPA programs, this accreditation is provided by the Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration (NASPAA). NASPAA accreditation involves adhering to the NASPAA’s mission and academic standards, and meeting other requirements pertaining to faculty performance and serving students. For students, NASPAA accreditation ensures a third-party organization has reviewed and approved a school’s master’s in public administration programs.
However, since NASPAA accreditation is optional, some programs may still align their curriculum with NASPAA standards but choose not to conduct the application and peer review process necessary to obtain NASPAA accreditation. Therefore, in addition to researching a program’s accreditation, curriculum, and admission requirements, prospective students should consider a program’s faculty, research opportunities, and student services before applying to an online MPA program with a specialization in criminal justice.
Criminal Justice Organizations and Networking Opportunities
Prospective students of online MPA programs with a concentration in Criminal Justice may want to explore organizations specific to the field of criminal justice to identify potential networking opportunities and learn more about careers in public administration, public policy, and criminal justice.
Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences – Bringing together professionals from all sectors of the criminal justice system, ACJS is an international organization focused on education, research, and policy analysis. In addition to attending annual meetings, members can also participate in one or more of 13 “sections” that cater more directly to their area of professional interest. Affiliated with ACJS at the university level, Alpha Phi Sigma, the only Criminal Justice Honor Society, is dedicated to recognizing scholarly achievement.
The American Criminal Justice Association – Lambda Alpha Epsilon – Represented by collegiate chapters, geographic professional chapters, and a general membership base, ACJA-LAE is a national nonprofit organization devoted to expanding professionalism, training, and education in all areas of the criminal justice field.
Justice Information Resource Network – A national non-profit organization, JIRN was created as a resource for researchers, analysts, journalists, and practitioners of justice research. The organization offers nonpartisan research opportunities, learning programs, and peer networking. More than 90 percent of JIRN members hold a master’s degree. (JIRN was formerly known as the Justice Research and Statistics Association (JRSA).)
National Criminal Justice Association – NCJA’s mission is to assist criminal justice agencies in the development and implementation of effective criminal justice policy. Members represent all facets of the criminal and juvenile justice community, including law enforcement, corrections, prosecution, defense, courts, victim and witness services, and academics, as well as elected officials.
American Society of Criminology – Members of ASC include students, practitioners, and academics from many fields of criminal justice and criminology. An international organization focused on the pursuit of scholarly, scientific, and professional knowledge surrounding crime and delinquency, the Society maintains relationships with professional associations of criminology globally. The organization also sponsors an employment exchange at the annual meetings and maintains a Career Center on its website to aid in networking for its members.