Criminal Justice Master's Program Online

Degree Options

100% online, 8-week courses

Transfer in up to 50% of the degree total

Next Start Dates: January 19, 2026 | February 16, 2026 | March 23, 2026

Become a Protector of the People by Earning a Master’s Degree in Criminal Justice Online

Are you passionate about freedom and justice? Perhaps you are a police officer or federal agent who is dedicated to protecting the safety of our nation’s civilians and enforcing the law of our country. You’re probably someone who understands the complexities of our criminal justice system, and you want to be involved in making it as effective and just as possible.

You may also be the type of person who wants to defend justice and create better policies. Conferring Liberty University’s Master of Science (MS) in Criminal Justice could help equip you with the tools you need to pursue this calling.

Whether you are just starting out in your criminal justice career or are seeking a promotion, Liberty University’s criminal justice master’s degree can help prepare you to reach your future goals. Aspiring postsecondary instructors and prospective or current civil servants alike can thrive in our master’s in criminal justice online degree program.

Our online criminal justice master’s degree offers academically rich course content, providing you with a thorough knowledge of the criminal justice system. You can also learn about the integration of ethics, criminal justice, and management with biblical principles to set a firm Christian foundation of knowledge within our master’s in criminal justice online.

Liberty’s master’s in criminal justice can also help provide you with the specific training you need to pursue your particular area of interest in criminal justice. From forensics to cybercrime investigation to homeland security to policy and administration, there are many ways for you to contribute to the criminal justice system in your career.

We want to help prepare you for the specific calling on your life. With so many career options available within the field of criminal justice, now is the time to make your dreams a reality by pursuing a master’s degree in criminal justice.

What Will You Study in Our Master’s in Criminal Justice?

At Liberty University, our goal is to partner with you so that you are able to take the next steps in your criminal justice career. Our online degrees in criminal justice can extend your training further than basic law enforcement classes. Through our online master’s degrees in criminal justice, we offer specialized degree tracks that allow you to focus on the area of the criminal justice field where your passions lie.

Liberty’s Master of Science in Criminal Justice (MSCJ) offers courses that cover many essential topics in crisis intervention, psychology, and the legal system, as well as the rehabilitation of offenders. You can also choose courses that can help you understand important principles in law enforcement and the security of our nation.

Depending on the specialization you choose, you can study the organization and administration of security departments as well as relevant legal issues. You could also gain expertise in public policy analysis, politics, and communication and conflict.

All students in our online master’s degree in criminal justice will study:

Current issues impacting criminal justice
Ethical leadership principles from a Christian worldview perspective
Principles of human resource management in criminal justice
Research trends of the National Institute of Justice
The competing roles of law enforcement, courts, prosecution, and defense counsel in the pursuit of justice
The interdependency of organizations and agencies in the criminal justice system
Theoretical and practical management perspectives embraced by the American criminal justice system

Featured Courses

Master’s in Criminal Justice Online Degree Information

Why Choose Our Master’s in Criminal Justice Online?

As you search for criminal justice universities, you are probably looking for quality and flexibility. That is why our online master’s in criminal justice is offered 100% online with no set login times. Partner with Liberty and study anytime, anywhere.

In addition, Liberty is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). As you pursue your degree, you can be confident that you are receiving a world-class education.

In addition to the quality and flexibility that Liberty offers, our professors provide a wealth of knowledge and care as they partner with you. Our faculty have years of experience in the world of criminal justice administration, policy, and law enforcement, and blend real-world experience with theory. Our professors are ready to partner with you so that you can be better prepared to explore new opportunities or positions of added responsibility.

At Liberty, we have integrated Christian principles into our criminal justice master’s program, equipping you to make decisions in your career informed by your faith. We particularly focus on ethical considerations in the criminal justice system, preparing you to make strong, principled decisions in the fast-paced environment of criminal justice.

Because our master’s in criminal justice is offered completely online, you can remain active in your job, family, and community without the worry of having to take courses on campus. With our strong academics, dedicated faculty, commitment to the Christian faith, and flexible online format, you can have confidence that you are receiving a top-notch education.

Backed by a brick-and-mortar campus ranked as Niche.com’s #2 Best College Campus in America for 2026

Private Nonprofit University
600+ Online Degrees
No Standardized Testing for Admission
Transfer in up to 75% of an Undergrad Degree
Transfer in up to 50% of a Grad/Doctoral Degree

Top 10 Reasons to Choose Liberty

Potential Career Options with a Master’s in Criminal Justice

Corrections officer
Homeland security analyst
Police administrator

Probation or parole officer/manager
Social services worker
State or local law enforcement officer

Online Master’s in Criminal Justice Degree Specializations

Customize your criminal justice master’s degree with one of these specializations:

Generalized Track (No Specialization)

Liberty University’s 100% online Master of Science in Criminal Justice is designed to provide you with the foundation of an excellent criminal justice program. You’ll get the flexibility and freedom to select a large number of electives. With no specific specialization, you can mix and match courses to create a personalized degree program that fits your passion.

View the Degree Completion Plan.

*Please note that this is not a specialization. Any reference using the term “General” is the main degree and is only used to differentiate from other specializations.

Corrections Management

Liberty University’s 100% online Master of Science in Criminal Justice – Corrections Management is designed so that you are able to handle the nuances that come in the corrections field with expertise and authority. Our corrections management track dives deep into areas of corrections management, including corrections policy, community corrections, reintegration and rehabilitation, and management of corrections facilities.

View the Degree Completion Plan.

Cybercrime Investigation

Liberty University’s 100% online Master of Science in Criminal Justice – Cybercrime Investigation can help you learn how to protect critical infrastructures from digital criminals, foreign adversaries, and terrorists. This program is designed to help criminal justice professionals like you gain specialized, technical skills to keep communities and our nation safe from digital threats.

View the Degree Completion Plan.

Forensic Psychology

Homeland Security

Liberty University’s 100% online Master of Science in Criminal Justice – Homeland Security is designed to train criminal justice professionals for leadership roles. You can become equipped for the administration and management of homeland security organizations and the execution of homeland security responsibilities at all levels of government.

View the Degree Completion Plan.

Law Enforcement Leadership

Liberty University’s 100% online Master of Science in Criminal Justice – Law Enforcement Leadership is designed to help prepare you for success in a variety of administrative roles in law enforcement agencies. This degree covers the laws and guidelines that govern modern law enforcement policies, providing you with the tools you need to excel in areas such as homeland security and intelligence operations.

View the Degree Completion Plan.

Legal Studies

Liberty University’s 100% online Master of Science in Criminal Justice – Legal Studies is designed for those who are passionate about criminal justice and the law. With a degree in criminal justice and a specialization in legal studies, you can better prepare to take on a variety of roles. Some of these roles include a bailiff, a detective, or even an internal affairs officer.

Our specialization is designed so that you can graduate with knowledge of criminal procedure, constitutional law, and the foundations of Western legal tradition.

View the Degree Completion Plan.

Public Administration

Liberty University’s 100% online Master of Science in Criminal Justice – Public Administration is designed to train present and future leaders in the field of criminal justice. You can learn about the development and implementation of criminal justice policy as well as the leadership and management of criminal justice organizations. This track combines master’s-level foundational courses, ethics, and leadership education to help you take on the challenges of the criminal justice system.

View the Degree Completion Plan.

Restorative Justice

Liberty University’s 100% online Master of Science in Criminal Justice – Restorative Justice is designed so that you can take the next step in your criminal justice career. Whether you have a passion for corrections, rehabilitation, the legal system, or reintegration of offenders, a master’s degree in criminal justice–restorative justice from Liberty can help you pursue new opportunities or positions of added responsibility.

View the Degree Completion Plan.

Speak to one of our admissions specialists to help you choose the program that best fits your needs.

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Tuition & Aid

At Liberty University, a private Christian education is less expensive than you think. Over the last 10 years, Liberty University’s Online Program has only raised its standard tuition costs by less than 5% – and most of our online tuition rates rank in the top 35% for affordability for 2025 when compared to our leading online competitors.

Graduate Full Time	$580/Credit
Graduate Part Time	$645/Credit
Military Graduate	$290/Credit

These rates are reflective of academic year 2025-2026. Tuition rates may change annually. For the most current information, please visit our LU Tuition Cost page.

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Financial Aid & Scholarships

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Admission Information for the Master’s Degree in Criminal Justice

Admission Requirements

Apply online or over the phone with an admissions counselor by calling (800) 424-9596.
- A non-refundable, non-transferable $50 application fee will be posted on the current application upon enrollment (waived for qualifying service members, veterans, and military spouses – documentation verifying military status is required).
Send official college transcripts (mailed as sealed, unopened copies or sent via a direct electronic transcript system). A regionally or nationally accredited bachelor’s degree with at least a 3.0 GPA is required for admission in good standing. Applicants who have earned a master’s degree or at least 12 graduate credits from an accredited institution will be assessed on the basis of the master’s-level degree work.
- Unofficial transcripts can be used for acceptance purposes with the submission of a Transcript Request Form.
Applicants whose native language is other than English must submit official scores for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or an approved alternative assessment. For information on alternative assessments or TOEFL waivers, please call Admissions or view the official International Admissions policy.

Preliminary Acceptance

If you are sending in a preliminary transcript for acceptance, you must:

Be in your final term and planning to start your master’s degree after the last day of class for your bachelor’s degree.
Complete a Bachelor’s Self-Certification Form confirming your completion date. You may download the form from the Forms and Downloads page or contact an admissions counselor to submit the form on your behalf.
Submit an official/unofficial transcript to confirm that you are in your final term. The preliminary transcript must show a minimum of 105 completed credit hours.
If you are a current Liberty University student completing your undergraduate degree, you will need to submit a Degree/Certificate Completion Application.
Send in an additional, final official transcript with a conferral date on it by the end of your first semester of enrollment in the new master’s degree.

Undergraduate Enrollment in Graduate Courses Policy

Transcript Policies

Unofficial College Transcript Policy

Unofficial transcripts combined with a Transcript Request Form can be used for admission. Official transcripts are required within 60 days of the admissions decision or before non-attendance drops for the first set of matriculated classes, whichever comes first, and will prevent enrollment into future terms until all official transcripts have been received.

Before sending unofficial college transcripts, please make sure they include the following:

Your previous school’s name or logo printed on the document
Cumulative GPA
A list of completed courses and earned credit broken down by semester
Degree and date conferred (if applicable)

Official College Transcript Policy

An acceptable official college transcript is one that has been issued directly from the institution and is in a sealed envelope. If you have one in your possession, it must meet the same requirements. If your previous institution offers electronic official transcript processing, they can send the document directly to luoverify@liberty.edu.

If the student uses unofficial transcripts with a Transcript Request Form to gain acceptance, all official transcripts must be received within 60 days of the admissions decision or before non-attendance drops for the first set of matriculated classes, whichever comes first. Failure to send all official transcripts within the 60-day period will prevent enrollment into future terms until all official transcripts have been received.

Admissions Office Contact Information

Liberty University is dedicated to providing world-class educational experiences to military students across the globe.

Who May Qualify?

Active Duty
Reserve/National Guard
Veterans/Retirees
Spouses of Service Members and Veterans/Retirees
Current Department of Defense Employees

Available Benefits:

Tuition discounts – $290 per credit hour for graduate courses
Additional discount for veterans who serve in a civilian capacity as a First Responder*
8-week courses, 8 different start dates each year, and no set login times (may exclude certain courses such as practicums, internships, or field experiences)

*Not applicable to certificates.

These rates are reflective of academic year 2025-2026. Tuition rates may change annually. For the most current information, please visit our LU Tuition Cost page.

View Military Benefits

Frequently Asked Questions for Our Online Criminal Justice Master’s Degrees

What is an MSCJ?

What can I do with an online master’s in criminal justice?

Whether you are a seasoned veteran or just entering the criminal justice field, a master’s degree in criminal justice from Liberty can better equip you for a variety of opportunities.

Upon graduation from Liberty’s Master of Science in Criminal Justice, you can be better prepared to serve in law enforcement, corrections, post-secondary education, or emergency management.

What are the benefits of choosing Liberty’s criminal justice master’s program

Our desire is to provide a well-rounded and rewarding educational experience for you as you pursue your master’s in criminal justice online. We are continually seeking new advancements and methodologies to improve and promote successful career outcomes.

As a result, you can benefit from:

Knowledgeable professors who have gained mastery of the content from firsthand experience
Specializations to tailor your educational experience to your long-term career goals in criminal justice
The chance to develop original scholarship through the thesis track
The opportunity to transfer in up to 50% of your required course credits

Are you ready to change your future?

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App Fee Waived This Week*

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*Some restrictions may occur for this promotion to apply. This promotion also excludes active faculty and staff, military, non-degree-seeking, DGIA, Continuing Education, WSB, and certificate students.

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Master of Science in Criminal Justice Leadership and Reform in Justice Systems

Become a Protector of the People by Earning a Master’s Degree in Criminal Justice Online

What Will You Study in Our Master’s in Criminal Justice?

Featured Courses

Master’s in Criminal Justice Online Degree Information

Why Choose Our Master’s in Criminal Justice Online?

What Sets Us Apart?

Potential Career Options with a Master’s in Criminal Justice

Online Master’s in Criminal Justice Degree Specializations

Generalized Track (No Specialization)

Corrections Management

Cybercrime Investigation

Forensic Psychology

Homeland Security

Law Enforcement Leadership

Legal Studies

Public Administration

Restorative Justice

Not sure what to choose?

Tuition & Aid

Financial Aid & Scholarships

Admission Information for the Master’s Degree in Criminal Justice

Admission Requirements

Preliminary Acceptance

Undergraduate Enrollment in Graduate Courses Policy

Transcript Policies

Admissions Office Contact Information

Military

Frequently Asked Questions for Our Online Criminal Justice Master’s Degrees

What is an MSCJ?

What can I do with an online master’s in criminal justice?

What are the benefits of choosing Liberty’s criminal justice master’s program

Are you ready to change your future?

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