Master Degrees
Master of Science in Criminal Justice
What Are the Career Opportunities?
This degree program will help prepare you to pursue high-level opportunities in law enforcement, security, court systems, education, and training. Students can choose a specialization to focus on an area of study that best fits their career and educational goals.
The Kaplan University Master of Science in Criminal Justice is built on a professional model of relevant, practical knowledge. The program offers two courses of study, a no thesis track that lends itself to practical law enforcement applications and a research-based thesis track that focuses on theory and prepares you for criminal justice instruction. There are four areas of specialization in the Master of Science in Criminal Justice program: Law, Global Issues in Criminal Justice, Leadership and Executive Management, and Policing.
Who Should Take This Program?
This degree program is for students who already hold a bachelor's degree from a regionally or nationally accredited college and want to earn an advanced degree to further a career in criminal justice.
Quality for higher-level positions in:
- Law enforcement
- Court systems
- Education and training
- Security
Bachelor Degrees
Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice
If you are seeking to advance your criminal justice career in law enforcement, private security, corrections, or forensic psychology or to pursue entry-level opportunities, the Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice program will help you meet your career goals.
This degree provides students with a solid foundation in criminal justice and a broad liberal arts knowledge base. The baccalaureate program is designed to combine the professional skills of various specialized areas of criminal justice with research and analytical skills. Graduates of this program can seek employment opportunities in various criminal justice environments, such as law enforcement, corrections, probation, parole, or juvenile justice facilities.
Who Should Take This Program?
This degree program is ideal for students looking to advance their current criminal justice career or seeking entry-level employment in a criminal justice field that requires a bachelor's degree.
What are the Career Opportunities?
This degree program will help prepare students to pursue opportunities in private security, prison administration, law enforcement, crime scene investigation, private investigations, or homeland security. Students can focus on an area of study that best fits their career and educational goals.
Forensic Psychology Emphasis
Learn the value of psychology within the context of the criminal justice system. In this program you will enhance your ability to identify and interact with mentally ill individuals, intervene in crisis situations, and understand the impact of crime on its victims and the community. As a graduate, you may qualify for advanced positions within police departments and law enforcement agencies, as well as opportunities in social services and the judicial system. Courses include:
- Psychology
- Introduction to Forensic Psychology
- Police Psychology
- Abnormal Psychology
- Crisis Intervention
Law Enforcement Emphasis
Students can start or advance a career in the police department or criminal investigations by focusing their studies in law enforcement. Students will examine the roles, responsibilities, issues, and trends related to contemporary law enforcement organizations. This emphasis area also explores evidence and proof. Students will learn about trial proceedings and the roles of the prosecutor and defense counsel, constitutional concepts such as the exclusionary rule, search and seizure, confession, and discovery, and how to read and brief criminal case law. Graduates may qualify for advanced positions within police departments and other law enforcement agencies. Courses include:
- Criminal Investigation
- Police Operations
- Criminal Evidence
- Supervisory Practices in Criminal Justice
- Managing Criminal Justice Organizations
Private Security Emphasis
Students learn techniques behind search, seizure, and discovery to help start or advance a career in security in companies, computer firms, retail stores, and schools. This emphasis area will also concentrate on collecting evidence and investigative trends as used by the private security profession in the United States. Graduates may qualify for employment in private security agencies, law firms, and corporate investigation departments. Courses include:
- Private Security
- Criminal Evidence
- White-Collar Crime
- Supervisory Practices in Criminal Justice
- Administering the Business of Security
Corrections Emphasis
Students who focus their degree plan studies in this emphasis area learn the administrative and operational aspects of the U.S. correctional system, both institutional and community-based. Students will confront issues such as overcrowding, inmate rights, and juvenile justice. Graduates are qualified to pursue opportunities at local, state, and federal jail facilities and juvenile detention centers in administrative, tactical, and managerial roles. Courses include:
- Introduction to Corrections
- Juvenile Delinquency
- Critical Issues in Corrections
- Probation and Parole
- Managing Criminal Justice Organizations
Advanced Start Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice
If you already have your associate’s degree, the Advanced Start Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice will give you the qualifications you need to increase your marketability in today’s job market, as well as your income. According to the Digest of Education, a bachelor’s degree means greater earnings over the course of your lifetime.
Who Should Take This Program?
This degree program is for students who already hold an A.A.S., A.S., or A.A. degree from a regionally or nationally accredited college and want to earn a four-year degree in order to advance a career in criminal justice or to make a career change.
What are the Career Opportunities?
This degree program will help prepare you to pursue opportunities in private security, prison administration, law enforcement, crime scene investigation, private investigations, or homeland security. Students can focus on an area of study that best fits their career and educational goals.
Forensic Psychology Emphasis
Learn the value of psychology within the context of the criminal justice system. In this program you will enhance your ability to identify and interact with mentally ill individuals, intervene in crisis situations, and understand the impact of crime on its victims and the community. As a graduate, you may qualify for advanced positions within police departments and law enforcement agencies, as well as opportunities in social services and the judicial system. Courses include:
- Psychology
- Introduction to Forensic Psychology
- Police Psychology
- Abnormal Psychology
- Crisis Intervention
Law Enforcement Emphasis
Students can start or advance a career in the police department or criminal investigations by focusing their studies in law enforcement. Students will examine the roles, responsibilities, issues, and trends related to contemporary law enforcement organizations. This emphasis area also explores evidence and proof. Students will learn about trial proceedings and the roles of the prosecutor and defense counsel, constitutional concepts such as the exclusionary rule, search and seizure, confession, and discovery, and how to read and brief criminal case law. Graduates may qualify for advanced positions within police departments and other law enforcement agencies. Courses include:
- Criminal Investigation
- Police Operations
- Criminal Evidence
- Supervisory Practices in Criminal Justice
- Managing Criminal Justice Organizations
Private Security Emphasis
Students learn techniques behind search, seizure, and discovery to help start or advance a career in security in companies, computer firms, retail stores, and schools. This emphasis area will also concentrate on collecting evidence and investigative trends as used by the private security profession in the United States. Graduates may qualify for employment in private security agencies, law firms, and corporate investigation departments. Courses include:
- Private Security
- Criminal Evidence
- White-Collar Crime
- Supervisory Practices in Criminal Justice
- Administering the Business of Security
Corrections Emphasis
Students who focus their degree plan studies in this emphasis area learn the administrative and operational aspects of the U.S. correctional system, both institutional and community-based. Students will confront issues such as overcrowding, inmate rights, and juvenile justice. Graduates are qualified to pursue opportunities at local, state, and federal jail facilities and juvenile detention centers in administrative, tactical, and managerial roles. Courses include:
- Introduction to Corrections
- Juvenile Delinquency
- Critical Issues in Corrections
- Probation and Parole
- Managing Criminal Justice Organizations
Associate Degrees
Associate of Applied Science in Criminal Justice
If you want to work in the criminal justice field, the Associate of Applied Science in Criminal Justice will give you the advantage you need to maximize your chances of finding the job you want.
Our program provides students with a solid foundation and breadth of understanding in the areas of law enforcement, courts, corrections, and security. This understanding, together with a liberal arts knowledge base and the technical skills required in various specialized employment areas, will serve you well as you build a successful career in the field.
Who Should Take This Program?
Students looking to complete a two-year degree as a base for a bachelor’s degree as well as people seeking entry-level employment in the criminal justice field should consider this program. Students accepted to the degree program often transfer their experience in criminal justice work for academic credit.
Certificate
Crime Scene Technician Certificate
This program helps you increase your knowledge of locating, collecting, and analyzing evidence that will be used in a court of law. You will learn how to identify the boundaries of a crime scene and understand the principles of searching the crime scene for specific types of evidence, such as fingerprints, forensic identifiable material, and other items of evidentiary value.
Who Should Take This Program?
If you are interested in exploring a career in crime scene investigations, consider this certificate program. You can transfer the credits earned in fulfillment of this certificate to other Kaplan University degree programs.
Terrorism and National Security Management Certificate
The Terrorism and National Security Management Certificate program consists of courses with subjects such as terrorist violence aimed at achieving radical change in society, governmental reaction to specific demands, and threats with the objective of weakening established governments. The program identifies various terrorist groups who are willing to endanger life and property by the use of explosives, weapons, and other violent means.
Who Should Take This Program?
If you are interested in beginning or advancing a career specializing in national security management, start here. You can transfer the credits earned in fulfillment of this certificate to other Kaplan University degree programs.
