Key takeaways
- Finding the right criminology master’s programs online can prove challenging, as there are many available options.
- Crime shows such as Mindhunter, Hannibal, and Criminal Minds have brought the field of criminology into the limelight.
- A master’s degree is crucial if you want to pursue advanced leadership roles in criminology.
- An online degree in criminology allows students to pursue their careers alongside their education.
- When choosing an online program, the curriculum and what the program has to offer should drive the decision-making process.
- Georgia Southern University and East Texas A&M University offer affordable online master’s programs.
Shows like Mindhunter, Hannibal, and Criminal Minds brought a new perspective to the same old crime-solving stories. Unlike most crime shows on television, they depicted the other side of criminal investigations, showcasing the contributions of other members besides detectives and police officers. Such shows generated a lot of interest and buzz around roles involving criminal profiling and the handling of incarcerated criminals diagnosed with mental disorders, and more.
If you want to pursue a career as an FBI Special Supervisory Agent or become a criminal profiler, a master’s in criminology is an excellent program to consider. In fact, for some job roles, an advanced degree such as a master’s is a must. Here, you will find a comprehensive list of criminology master’s programs online.
Why consider pursuing criminology master’s programs online?
For many, the words online learning still bring back memories of COVID-19 and those lockdown days. However, the world of online learning existed way before the pandemic hit and continues to thrive years after the pandemic upturned life as we knew it. The demand for online learning programs has grown post-pandemic, owing to the number of benefits distance learning programs provide. Here are just a few reasons why you should consider pursuing a master’s degree in criminology online.
- Pursuing a master’s in criminology online provides greater learning flexibility.
- Students enrolled in asynchronous programs can take their classes at any time from anywhere.
- You can pursue an online master’s in criminology alongside your full-time job.
- Not having to travel to and from campus saves a significant amount of time and money.
- Students from anywhere across the globe can pursue a criminology or criminal justice master’s degree online at US colleges and universities.
- Online programs are more affordable, especially for out-of-city, state, and international students who not only have to consider tuition, but also additional costs such as accommodation, utilities, commute, and travel.
While not all the benefits may seem appealing to everyone, the opportunity to be able to pursue a master’s degree in criminology online alongside a full-time job is the one that stands out the most. Not only does it ensure you stay on track with your student loan repayments from your bachelor’s degree, but it also ensures you are able to pay for your advanced degree while pursuing it.
However, not all universities and colleges offer the same level of payment flexibility, so that is something you should discuss with your college admission counselor before enrolling in a program.
Explore 6 of the best online master’s degree in criminology
When it comes to a bachelor’s degree in criminology, many argue that a regular college education has many benefits, including the opportunity for social engagement and networking. But when it comes to a master’s program, the majority of students generally have substantial work experience under their belt, and some are continuing their education alongside employment, so social engagement or networking opportunities aren’t a crucial consideration when choosing a program.
However, pursuing a master’s in criminology online does not mean you will not be able to benefit from networking opportunities, as colleges and universities often make arrangements for online students to provide the complete learning experience. Here are some renowned educational institutes in the United States offering a great criminology or criminal justice online master’s degree.
Loyola University New Orleans
If you are looking for a short online criminology master’s degree, Loyola University New Orleans offers the ideal program for you. The University’s Online Master of Criminology and Justice is a one-year program featuring 30 credits in total. The program curriculum is designed to cater to the needs of both fresh graduates with little to no work experience and professionals hoping to develop an advanced understanding of the field.
Through a detailed curriculum, you will learn how to perform data analysis, conduct research, develop an understanding of advanced research methodologies, and improve academic writing. Writing is an essential part of the field of criminology as you will be required to formally document your findings and write detailed reports, including suggestions, protocols, and more.
| Location | Acceptance % | Graduation % | Tuition |
| New Orleans, Louisiana | 78.1% | 54% | $850/credit hour |
Florida State University
The Florida State University is another internationally acclaimed higher educational institute offering an accredited criminology and criminal justice online master’s degree. The program features 36 credit hours and includes a detailed curriculum in the field of criminology. What sets the criminology master’s online program apart from other programs is that FSU encourages students from a variety of disciplines to join the advanced degree.
Here, you will take courses such as Prevention and Treatment of Crime, Comparative Criminology and Criminal Justice, Criminal Justice Administration, Victimology, Penology, and so on. Moreover, you can choose from a wide range of electives to further customize your learning experience. Anyone with access to a reliable internet connection and a computer system can attend the Master’s in criminology online from Florida State University.
| Location | Acceptance % | Graduation % | Tuition |
| Tallahassee, Florida | 25% | 82.9% | $15,817 in-state
$36,654 out-of-state |
University of California, Irvine
University of California, Irvine is another one of the more renowned educational institutions offering several top-ranking programs. UCI’s online Master of Advanced Study in Criminology, Law, and Society is a comprehensive criminology program. Here, you get a chance to learn from industry leaders and renowned professionals, including the former presidents of the American Society of Criminology, Law and Society Association, and more.
Through the program, you will develop advanced knowledge and skills in the field of criminology. The curriculum is designed to prepare professionals for a variety of leadership positions in the field. These include roles in the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Homeland Security, District Attorney’s office, and more. Moreover, the program encourages collaboration and networking through a variety of activities and a job or internship placement program that students can benefit from.
| Location | Acceptance % | Graduation % | Tuition |
| Irvine, California | 21% | 84% | $12,762 in-state
$36,771.74 out-of-state |
The State University of New York at Buffalo
This is the ideal program for those who are searching for a Master of Science in criminal justice online. The State University of New York at Buffalo offers a one-year MS Criminal Justice online. The program is officially registered with the State of New York, making it one that you can trust blindly, as an official registration is a guarantee of quality.
Whether you are already working in the field of criminology or plan to seek formal employment after obtaining an advanced degree, this program will prepare you for a successful career. Here, you will learn not only job-relevant technical skills such as data analysis, research, report writing, and so on, but you will also develop interpersonal and social skills, which will prove to be an asset in the field.
Moreover, you benefit from the availability of a supportive faculty and the flexibility to be able to complete the program at your own pace, at any time, and from anywhere, as it is an asynchronous program.
| Location | Acceptance % | Graduation % | Tuition |
| Buffalo, New York | 69% | 86% | $7,310 in-state
$13,660 out-of-state |
Georgia Southern University
Georgia Southern University offers a Master of Science in Criminal Justice online with the option to pursue criminology as a major. The program is specifically designed to prepare students with different career aspirations for higher-level positions and job roles. Moreover, the program guarantees flexibility and the ability to customize the learning schedule and curriculum to meet an individual’s career plans.
The main reasons why online students should choose this program include the fact that it’s ranked among some of the best criminology master’s programs in the country. Additionally, Georgia Southern University offers one of the most affordable online criminal justice master’s degrees, making it an attractive option. If you are looking for a cheaper online program that does not compromise on quality, this is the program for you.
| Location | Acceptance % | Graduation % | Tuition |
| Statesboro, Georgia | 89% | 49% | $6,802 fully online |
East Texas A&M University
Last but not least, we have East Texas A&M University, which offers a Master of Science in Applied Criminology. This is another one of the more affordable higher education options on the market, costing only $50 per credit hour. The program features a total of 36 credits and can be completed in one year if pursued full-time, which would bring total tuition to $1,800, making it one of the most affordable programs out there.
The Applied MS in Criminology at East Texas A&M is ideal for those who want to go into field work. Here, you will learn the practical applications of the field of criminology and learn what it takes to make the world a safer place. With an advanced degree such as an MS in Applied Criminology, you can pursue criminology jobs such as Police Officer, Detective, Private Investigator, Forensic Science Technician, and more.
| Location | Acceptance % | Graduation % | Tuition |
| Commerce, Texas | 86.4% | 65% | $50/hour (online courses) |
Find the right online program for you!
Which online program you should choose will largely depend on your requirements and your career aspirations. If you are looking for an affordable option, Georgia Southern University and East Texas A&M are excellent options. If you are looking for renowned programs University of California, Irvine, the State University of New York at Buffalo, and Florida State University are all excellent options.
However, before you enroll in an online program, make sure to see what the program offers, payment options, available plans, and additional requirements are before enrolling. With a little bit of research, you should be able to find an option that suits your needs.