{"id":46965,"date":"2023-01-19T21:21:44","date_gmt":"2023-01-19T21:21:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.collegeconsensus.com\/?page_id=46965"},"modified":"2023-01-20T12:17:20","modified_gmt":"2023-01-20T12:17:20","slug":"criminal-justice-masters","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.collegeconsensus.com\/online\/degrees\/criminal-justice-masters\/","title":{"rendered":"2023 Best Online Master’s in Criminal Justice"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The criminal justice system in the 21st century is professionalized, sophisticated, and competitive. For working adults in the field, an online master’s in criminal justice can be the door to a higher-paying position<\/a> in leadership or administration. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is a Criminal Justice Master’s Degree?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A Criminal Justice Master\u2019s Degree is a graduate-level degree that helps prepare students to work in law enforcement, corrections, and homeland security. These programs are becoming increasingly popular due to rising concerns over public safety and national security overall. These programs are created to help students acquire the skills and qualifications required to enter the ever-evolving criminal justice field.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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These programs enable students to investigate the root causes of various criminally negligent behaviors. Many programs are centered on the structural management and organizational administration of law enforcement agencies and court systems. They also teach students skills such as research methods, how to design and conduct applied research, as well as the assessment of multi-part data, and more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Is a Criminal Justice Master’s Degree Worth it?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Are you wondering about the benefits of earning a Criminal Justice Master’s Degree online? Some of them are as follows:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Specialized Knowledge<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When earning a Criminal Justice Master\u2019s Degree online, you have the opportunity to concentrate on one specific aspect of criminal justice. The criminal justice field is unique in that it is a vast sector with a wide array of opportunities. Therefore, enrolling in these programs can enable you to become anything from a corrections officer to a college instructor and much more. Either way, you will have the opportunity to become an expert in your chosen field of study.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Leadership Opportunities<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Another highly unique aspect of pursuing a Criminal Justice Master\u2019s Degree is that it offers lots of leadership opportunities. This is because law enforcement professionals are considered to be highly ethical and pillars of the community. In addition, those who take on these positions typically work with the government, and thus, this makes them more visible and reputable overall. Therefore, when choosing a career, you will likely be uplifted into a leadership position.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Enhanced Qualifications<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Earning a Master’s Degree in Criminal Justice will make you more qualified for all criminal justice jobs. Therefore, when you apply for jobs, you will have an edge over those who do not possess a Master\u2019s Degree. This can be especially helpful for those who wish to pursue higher-paying positions or positions that require different credentials.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Higher Salary<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Earning a Criminal Justice Master\u2019s Degree online enables you to make a higher salary. Generally speaking, those who have Bachelor\u2019s degrees end up taking lower-paying, often entry-level positions. However, by earning a Criminal Justice Master\u2019s Degree online, you will open up your options immensely. On the one hand, many entry-level positions have an average salary of around $30-$50K. But on the other hand, earning a master\u2019s Degree can enable you to make $100K and more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics<\/a>, criminal justice jobs have a high demand. The list below shows some a sampling of careers and salaries that require a criminal justice degree.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Careers<\/strong><\/th>Annual Median Salaries<\/strong>
(some require advanced degree)<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
Detectives and Criminal Investigators<\/td>$85,740<\/td><\/tr>
Emergency Management Directors<\/td>$78,930<\/td><\/tr>
Police and Sheriff\u2019s Patrol Officers<\/td>$65,710<\/td><\/tr>
Forensic Science Technicians<\/td>$65,730<\/td><\/tr>
Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists<\/td>$64,150<\/td><\/tr>
Private Detectives and Investigators<\/td>$61,390<\/td><\/tr>
Paralegals and Legal Assistants<\/td>$58,130<\/td><\/tr>
Social Workers<\/td>$54,590<\/td><\/tr>
Correctional Officers and Bailiffs<\/td>$48,120<\/td><\/tr>
Security Guards<\/td>$33,700<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Why Should I Get My Criminal Justice Master’s Degree Online? <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you are wondering about the benefits of enrolling in criminal justice graduate programs online, some of the benefits are as follows:<\/p>\n\n\n\n