Masters in Criminal Justice

A criminal justice course provides a solid foundation for anyone interested in pursuing a career in the legal field. Criminal justice is a broad field that allows students to specialize in areas ranging from community policing to criminology. Masters in criminal justice courses cover juvenile justice, corrections, criminology and more. Let’s explore everything you need to know about Master’s in Criminal Justice.

Course Level	Masters
Duration	1-2 years
Examination Type	Semester based
Admission Process	Entrance/Merit
Average Salary	INR 5,50,000 – 11,50,000

About Master’s in Criminal Justice

Although each master’s degree in criminal justice school has its own curriculum, many essential classes are identical. Legal elements of criminal justice administration, theories of crime and delinquency, applied statistics in criminal justice, and introduction to homeland security are some of the most regularly taken classes.

Graduates of these schools are usually good character studies, like nuance and minutiae, and enjoy working on projects until they are finished. Students should evaluate these characteristics while deciding whether or not this educational path is a good fit for their talents and interests. An MA in criminal justice usually focuses on the discipline’s cultural and social subjects, whereas an MS focuses on the scientific aspects of criminal justice, such as forensics.

Why Study Master’s in Criminal Justice?

A master’s degree in criminal justice can help a law enforcement officer advance in their career, enhance vital skills for those working in a criminal justice-related profession, or serve as a stepping stone to competitive employment, such as one with a government agency.

1. Understanding the Importance of Essential Social Issues– You will meet a range of significant topics in the criminal justice area on a regular basis, therefore you must be familiar with constitutional issues and rights such as freedom of expression, freedom of religion, and equal protection. Earning a master’s degree in criminal justice will enable you to learn more about these topics in-depth in a way that will benefit you and equip you to nurture a safe and secure environment.
2. Leadership and Recognition Rewarding- As you advance in the criminal justice system to greater levels of leadership, you may discover that you are making a difference in your community. Obtaining a leadership position in your profession will not only provide you with a sense of personal accomplishment but will also begin to establish you as a prominent figure in your workplace and community, depending on your career choice.
3. In the field of criminal justice, there are several career and advancement opportunities- A master’s degree in criminal justice can open many doors that were previously closed to you. This degree frequently qualifies persons for a promotion or offers them an advantage in job applications. You may be perceived as having experience in the area even before graduation, and as a result, you may receive a job offer that is higher than an entry-level position.

Syllabus

Every university’s syllabus differs based on specialization, curriculum and more. Here’s the common syllabus for masters in criminal justice: 

• Criminology Fundamentals, Criminal Justice, and Criminal Laws
• Administration of the Police Force and Crime Prevention
• Corrections and Penology
• Evidence and Criminal Procedure
• Women’s Rights and Laws
• Theoretical Criminology is a branch of criminology that deals with the study of
• Victimology and Victim Justice are two terms that are used interchangeably.
• Forensic Science and Forensic Medicine are two branches of forensic science.
• The Psychology of Criminal Behavior
• Analysis and Mapping of Crime
• Methodology for Cybercrime and Cyber Forensics Research
• Data Analysis and Basic Statistics
• Internal Security Management Vigilance and Security Management are two aspects of internal security management.
• Security Plans for Businesses
• Justice in Criminal Cases Fundamentals of Social Work (Social Work)
• Methods of Social Work and Social Policy
• Psychology for Forensic and Rehabilitative Purposes
• Forensic Psychology is a branch of psychology that deals with crimes.

Also Read: Understanding Our Criminal Justice System

Top Universities for Master’s in Criminal Justice

University	Fees (INR)
University of Sussex	8,91,204 / year
UNH Franklin Pierce School of Law	89,036 / credit
Leiden University	1,85,025 / year
University of London	11,25,731 / course
University of Lincoln	13,97,700 / year
Norwich University	18,11,133 / year

Top Colleges in India

• University of Madras – Institute of Distance Education
• Lok Nayak Jayaprakash Narayan National Institute of Criminology and Forensic Science
• Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University
• Gujarat Forensic Sciences University
• Karunya Institute of Technology and Sciences
• Sree Muthukumaraswamy College

Eligibility

1. Bachelor’s degree in any field with a minimum CGPA of 55 % or above.
2. To seek admission to a degree programme, certain reputable universities and institutes conduct entrance exams.
3. Graduate admissions are based on the selectiveness, competitiveness, and school guidelines of individual programmes. When putting together a list of possible schools, students should bear this in mind.
4. Some colleges will demand GRE results, while others may opt out entirely. In this process, letters of recommendation are very crucial. They allow admissions officers to observe how others who know the applicants well think of them and their ability to pursue a graduate degree.
5. Finally, most schools need candidates to write a graduate school essay describing why they want to pursue a master’s degree in criminal justice, how they intend to use it, and why they want to enrol in that particular programme.

Application Process

The application process takes place over a period of time and begins months before the commencement of classes. The universities have two main intakes known as the fall intake and winter intake for international students to kickstart their journey. You can call our Leverage Edu experts on 1800 572 000 to find out how the application process can be fast-tracked. Here’s an easy 5-step process to complete your application process:

1. Call our experts on 1800 572 000 to shortlist your favourite universities and courses. Start your application to multiple universities through our one dashboard platform
2. Compile all your documents like SOPs, essays, certificates and LORs and exam scores like IELTS, TOEFL, GRE, GMAT, etc
3. Meet all the applications deadlines and start the application process for accommodation, students visa, and scholarships/student loans
4. Accept the offer letter and meet your teachers, college mates and roommates virtually
5. Get your visa approved and fly to your dream university

Career Scope

Job Profiles	Average Annual Salary (INR)
Forensic Examiner	6,50,000
Criminal Profiler	7,00,000
Forensic Psychologist	5,30,000
Police and Detective Supervisor	9,00,000
Correctional Officer Supervisor	10,00,000

FAQs

Planning to study Masters in Criminal Justice but not sure where to start? Call our Leverage Edu experts at 1800 57 2000 for end-to-end guidance from application to Visa process.