MS in Criminal Justice – Public Administration Step Into Leadership in Public Service
36
Credit Hours
100% online, 8-week courses
Transfer in up to 50% of the degree total
Learn to Ensure a Fair Justice System with Liberty University’s Master’s in Criminal Justice
Do you want a successful career in the criminal justice system? You can get there with our Master of Science in Criminal Justice (MSCJ) – Public Administration. LU’s online MSCJ degree program can help you build strong leadership and management skills.
Our MSCJ online is structured to give you a well-rounded education so you can enter your career with confidence. If you are already established in a criminal justice role and want to move into management, this degree is for you. LU’s online Master of Science in Criminal Justice can give you the skill set and credentials you need.
Throughout Liberty University’s criminal justice master’s degree, you will:
- Develop critical leadership techniques
- Explore topics in criminal justice ethics
- Learn from our experienced instructors
- Prepare to take on the challenges of the criminal justice system
- Study foundational, graduate-level criminal justice courses
Why Choose LU’s MSCJ in Public Administration Online Program?
Liberty University is one of the largest private, nonprofit universities in the nation and the largest university in Virginia. As one of our online students, you will have access to an abundance of resources that we can offer as an established university with a brick-and-mortar campus.
Our professors have years of experience in the criminal justice field and are dedicated to helping you succeed in your career. As you dig into your criminal justice studies, your professors will give you valuable insights into the workings of the criminal justice system. As one of our students, you will be part of a growing community of Christian professionals.
The 100% online format of this degree allows you to get a quality education while still being connected with your career, family, and community. You can continue your current responsibilities and passions while working towards future career advancement with our online MSCJ in Public Administration.
With the online program’s optional thesis, you can demonstrate your expertise in a practical research project with a real-world, problem-solving emphasis. Or you can choose to broaden your topics of study with additional electives. The flexibility of the online criminal justice master’s degree makes it a valuable asset for students. Whether you are just starting out in criminal justice or interested in advancing your career, this program can help.
What Will You Study in the Online Master of Science in Criminal Justice – Public Administration Program?
Our online Master of Science in Criminal Justice – Public Administration degree is designed to prepare you for the situations you will face in the criminal justice field. You will gain a full understanding of the discipline of public administration.
You will study the major theories and practices that lead to effective leadership in public service roles. You will also learn about the politics of government bureaucracy, managing and leading public organizations, and the core functions of government administration. These topics can help you put theory into practice.
Throughout this program, you can learn what it means to become an effective community leader who supports local economic growth. You will examine various worldviews that affect America’s public policy system and how they created the society we live in today. You will also learn strong conflict communication training to handle situations seen in the field and the workplace.
Our MSCJ program gives you the option to complete a practical thesis project. This project will demonstrate your expertise and prepare you to potentially pursue doctoral studies.
If the thesis project isn’t for you, you can choose additional electives to broaden your experience. The essential skills taught in the online MS in Criminal Justice – Public Administration will ensure that you are prepared to branch out into an administrative role or start a career in criminal justice.
Potential Career Opportunities
- Corrections officer
- Elected official
- Homeland security specialist
- Police administrator
- Social services worker
- Sustainable resource development manager
- Urban and social policy developer
Featured Courses
Degree Information
- This program falls under the Helms School of Government.
- View the Graduate Government Course Guides (login required).
Degree Completion Plan
Not sure what to choose?
Speak to one of our admissions specialists to help you choose the program that best fits your needs.
Tuition & Aid
Your success is our success, which is why we are committed to providing quality academics at an affordable tuition rate. While other colleges are increasing their tuition, we have frozen tuition rates for the majority of our undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs for the past 9 years – and counting.
Graduate Full Time | $565/Credit |
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Graduate Part Time | $615/Credit |
Military Graduate | $275/Credit |
Tuition rates may change annually. For the most current information, please visit our LU Tuition Cost page.
All Tuition & Fees
Financial Aid & Scholarships
Admission Information for LU’s Master of Science 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.
Dual Enrollment
Please see the Online Dual Enrollment page for information about starting graduate courses while finishing your bachelor’s degree.
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 Online Admissions Verification
1971 University Blvd.
Lynchburg, VA 24515
Ready to Apply?
Submit your application online or over the phone.
Military
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 – $275 per credit hour for graduate courses
- Additional discount for veterans who serve in a civilian capacity as a First Responder (less than $625 per course)*
- 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.
Tuition rates may change annually. For the most current information, please visit our LU Tuition Cost page.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a criminal justice administrator do?
Criminal justice administrators work in a variety of settings managing people, systems, and policies. They may find themselves in management positions in prisons, government agencies, law enforcement, or even court systems.
What are the benefits of getting a criminal justice degree online?
Pursuing your criminal justice degree with Liberty could provide you with some of the following benefits:
- A Christ-centered curriculum
- A new professional credential
- Career advancement
- The flexibility to complete your studies at your own pace
- Training under professors with real-life criminal justice experience
What jobs can I get with a criminal justice administration degree?
If you are just starting out in the field, our criminal justice degree can provide you with career opportunities like:
- Corrections officer
- Customs inspector
- FBI agent
- Forensic specialist
- Police officer
If you are a current criminal justice professional, this degree is designed to provide you with career advancement. You could qualify for roles like:
- Chief of police
- Elected official
- Public policy administrator
Is Liberty University accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)?
Liberty University is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). You can be confident that your degree meets rigorous academic standards and will be well-respected.
How can I stand out above other peers?
Complete an optional thesis project to demonstrate your expertise in a hands-on, practical project or choose 2 additional electives to broaden your criminal justice studies.
How fast can I complete this online criminal justice degree?
You can complete this online criminal justice degree in just 36 credit hours!
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