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Master of Science in Criminal Justice
CRITICAL CAPABILITIES FOR A CHALLENGING WORLD
The Master of Science in Criminal Justice is a 100% online, flexible degree program designed to help you develop the critical skills necessary in today's advanced field of criminal justice. By working with criminal justice experts nationwide, you’ll learn how to communicate effectively with diverse audiences, analyze complex problems, and develop positive public engagement. This degree from the College of Professional and Continuing Studies provides you with the ethics, decision-making and frontline leadership skills you need to thrive as a leader in today’s criminal justice field.
Nationally Ranked
OU’s MSCJ ranks among the best online graduate criminal justice programs by the U.S. News & World Report.
Degree Details
The Master of Science in Criminal Justice is designed to accommodate working adults and can be completed in as little as two years. All fall and spring semester courses in this program are 16 weeks long. Summer session courses are eight weeks long. When you are admitted into the program, you will be assigned an advisor who creates an individualized graduation plan. This plan will help organize and identify the courses you need for your degree.Â
Most importantly, the criminal justice degree can be customized to fit your needs. The degree offers tracks in corrections management, restorative justice, and administration and leadership, allowing you to study the criminal justice area that interests you most.Â
What You'll Learn
- How restorative justice programs can deter crime and improve public health
- Substance abuse history, trends and policy
- How to develop and implement community policing
- How to develop criminal justice policy
- What ethical and effective leadership mean
- Conflict management and mediation skills
- How intervention and diversion programs address juvenile delinquency and crime
- Collateral effects of incarceration, including how it affects families and communities
- Ways to advocate for quality treatment and care of offenders with mental health issues
- How to find, collect and preserve data from computer storage media
- Criminal analysis strategies and crime mapping
Criminal Justice Graduate Certificates
Graduate certificates provide an opportunity for a focused program of graduate study in a specified topic. You may complete the certificate program while enrolled in a graduate degree program, or you may be admitted directly to the certificate program. Hours taken in completion of the graduate certificate may be applicable to a graduate degree program. Certificate admission, retention, and completion GPA requirements are the same as for graduate degree programs.
Tuition and Fees -Â An Investment in Your Future
Online programs are an investment in each student’s future, and OU makes every effort to see that each qualified candidate is able to attend. Current students use many types of financing to cover their expenses such as Financial Aid. To learn more, please fill out the form above to speak with one of our enrollment counselors.
The MSCJ program tuition is $22,605 ($685/credit hour)
$350 nonrefundable tuition deposit
- Reserves spot in upcoming class
- Counts toward first semester tuition
 *Program rate is pending approval by Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education.
**Oklahoma residents applying for the Spring or Summer 2022 semester will receive a one-semester partial tuition waiver.
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Getting Started: Admissions Requirements
STEP ONE: Complete Online Application Form
You can start an online application here. As soon as you have completed the required information, please submit your application.
STEP TWO: Provide Your Supporting Materials
The online MSCJ program requires the following supporting materials:
- Statement of Purpose: A 300-500 word statement describing your career goals and how the chosen degree program aligns with those goals. The statement should also address educational history, including any disparity in undergraduate GPA, and significant life events leading to the decision to apply to graduate school.
- Current Resume: Formatted in a professional manner, highlighting past work experience and education.
- Last Degree Conferring Transcript: Must be uploaded into the online application with the rest of your materials.
Once all required materials have been received, your application file will be sent to our Admissions Committee.
STEP THREE: Review and Evaluation
The review process takes two to three weeks and admitted students will receive communication as soon as an official decision has been rendered. Post-acceptance next steps will be provided to admitted students at this time.
WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING
No one knows more about what you want from a university than the people who have already gone through the process—our graduates. Read what our alumni have to say about our programs, and you’ll see why so many non-traditional students choose the College of Professional and Continuing Studies as their first step toward a better career.
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Student Spotlight
PACS Â Students Accept August Vollmer AwardÂ
Students in the criminal justice master’s program were honored with the August Vollmer Excellence in Forensic Science award for innovative crime scene investigative techniques.
