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Serve Better.
You can help create a more just society through careers in crime prevention, criminal rehabilitation, and justice for victims. Governors State’s Master of Arts in Criminal Justice is a graduate degree for the everyday heroes who serve communities in need. Gain valuable insight from professors who have served in the field as you study the larger context of crime and its impact on society. Bring your studies to life as you combine theory with practice, culminating in a final graduate project that has the ability to create real-world impact on today’s justice system. Experience-based learning prepares you for advanced-level positions in your field. You will learn from faculty with experience on the front lines of service, just like you. With the program motto “knowledge is power,” our faculty have all used education as a catalyst to promote ethics and empower change in the criminal justice system.
Reach your career goals.
With a Criminal Justice M.A., you can contribute to a more just society as you work in a variety of settings, including federal and state agencies, corrections facilities, local and private law enforcement agencies, and educational institutions. Receive training on leading-edge technology in digital forensics and computer security, opening doors to opportunities in investigative careers. Or, focus your studies on increasing administrative effectiveness through research and innovations in public policy.
Our Criminal Justice M.A. focuses on building your leadership skills and creative problem-solving strategies that put you in the best position to move up the ranks in your career in criminology.
Why get a Master of Arts in Criminal Justice?
With a Criminal Justice M.A., you will obtain the skills needed to create real change in the legal system at the administrative, operational, and community levels. Our curriculum develops your abilities by focusing on leadership theory and methods, self-assessment and improvement of leadership strengths, and system change management. Courses focus on problem solving at various stages of the criminal justice process, with community collaboration as a foundation to problem-solving techniques.
Data collected in 2017 reflected the median annual salary for Police Chiefs at $102,705 with an average range of $96,980 – $108,940 ( salary.com). Chicago’s median salary for Police Chiefs is $108,868.
Delivery Format
Achieve your master’s degree in as little as 18 months. Governors State’s 33-credit hour Criminal Justice M.A. is offered fully on-campus or in a hybrid format. Enroll full-time to jumpstart your career, or part-time for added flexibility.
Program Coordinator
Dr. Mary Bruce
Office: C3335A
Phone: 708-235-7627
Email: mclark@govst.edu