Program type:
Major
Format:
Online
Est. time to complete:
2 years
Credit Hours:
36
Advance your career in criminal justice 100% online.
Our Master of Science degree in Criminal Justice with a concentration in Justice Policy and Administration empowers current and future leaders with the knowledge and skills needed to create just and safe communities. This is accomplished through an exceptional curriculum that provides you with an understanding of the nature and scope of problems posed by crime and the operation and administration of the criminal justice system. You'll examine these areas from theoretical, practical and empirical perspectives.
RequirementsWhy UNT Online?Tuition & AidHow to apply

Want more info?

We're so glad you're interested in UNT! Let us know if you'd like more information and we'll get you everything you need.

Request More Info

Why Earn a Master's in Criminal Justice Policy and Administration?

You can pursue your degree 100% online, allowing you to better balance your work, personal and academic obligations. Our program also offers:

  • Opportunities to participate in research under a faculty member's direction
  • Prospects for earning academic credit through an internship
  • Specialized electives so you can tailor your degree to your professional and personal goals
  • Study abroad opportunities

Faculty members have a diverse range of educational and professional backgrounds. In addition to teaching courses, they assist the Department of Criminal Justice in applied research projects, program evaluation studies and scholarly research. Some of their current research focuses on:

  • Capital punishment
  • Cybercrime and cyber security
  • Juvenile delinquency
  • Police operations and tactics
  • Prison violence
  • Victimization
Marketable Skills
  • Technical and academic writing
  • Abstract problem solving
  • Knowledge of government operations
  • Research interpretation/implementation
  • Information verification

Criminal Justice Policy and Administration Master's Highlights

All courses are designed and developed by full-time Criminal Justice graduate faculty and feature the quality instruction, standards of excellence and innovation in teaching and learning for which the Department of Criminal Justice is well-known.
Criminal Justice graduate students may apply for the Department of Criminal Justice’s Tory J. Caeti Memorial Scholarship and other scholarships offered by the College of Health and Public Service each year.
The online Master of Science in Criminal Justice with a Concentration in Justice Policy and Administration is ranked #4 in Texas and #26 in the U.S. by U.S. News & World Report.
UNT provides a wide variety of services exclusively to graduate students. The Graduate Student Writing Support office can help you with writing, and Research Consulting offers assistance with statistical research.
The Toulouse Graduate School® offers several professional development workshops, including a Thesis Boot Camp. Many of the workshops are available online for your convenience.
Download the Online MSCJ Graduate Manual pdf.

Career Outlook

This degree equips students with an exceptional understanding of the nature and scope of problems posed by crime as well as the administration of the criminal justice system.

Many MSCJ alumni are serving in various careers such as:

  • Scholar
  • Criminal lawyer
  • Administrator
  • Researcher
  • Police officer, probation officer or caseworker

Criminal Justice Policy and Administration Master's Courses You Could Take

Seminar in Criminal Justice Administration (3hrs)
Students will learn critical application of selected analytical tools in administering justice agencies; studies of the application of human and financial resources, productivity, measurement and enhancement; and organization design, culture and change in the context of criminal justice agencies.
Advanced Criminological Theory (3hrs)
This course will examine the major theoretical explanations of criminality, the distribution of crime and the behavior of justice agencies.
Evaluation and Research Methodologies (3hrs)
Students will learn quantitative and qualitative methods of gathering and analyzing data on crime and the justice system, with special attention devoted to evaluation methods.
World Criminal Justice Systems (3 hrs)
This course focuses on understanding the role and function of criminal justice systems in a range of countries other than the United States. Students assess the criminal justice systems in England and France as well as other countries throughout the world.
Seminar on Organized Crime (3 hrs)
Students will study the history, structure and governmental responses to organized crime; special emphasis is placed on organized crimes such as drug abuse and trafficking, prostitution, pornography and gambling.
Criminal Justice Policy (3hrs)
Topics include methods of policy formulation, implementation and analysis in the criminal justice setting. Selected topics are developed for practical research and evaluation.

Learn More About UNT

Watch this video to learn more about what makes UNT great!

Explore More Options

Related Programs

Criminal Justice Theory and Research M.S.
Similar Areas of Study
Public Service
College of Health and Public Service
Department of Criminal Justice
940-565-2562
D'Ann.Hammett@unt.edu
Chilton Hall 265