University of Kentucky®
Master's Degree (MSCJ) in
Criminal Justice
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PROGRAM DETAILS
FORMAT
TOTAL CREDITS 30
CREDENTIALS MSCJ Degree
COST PER CREDIT
$790.00
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- UK Online
- All Programs
- Master's Degrees
- Criminal Justice (MSCJ)
About this Program
The Master of Science (MS) in Criminal Justice provides a comprehensive understanding of the integration of theory, policy, and research within leadership and administrative roles in criminal justice systems. The MS cultivates critical thinking in examining the synthesis of social and legal systems, structures, and institutions in implementing and evaluating outcomes.
UK’s program is unique in emphasizing the application of perceptual frameworks, articulating the importance of culturally relevant practice, and connecting critical examination and succinct, meaningful communication. UK emphasizes transdisciplinary processes and problem solving to ensure that graduates develop job-ready, employability skills to address and implement best practices in criminal justice settings.
Why UK Online
Once you become a student, you will have access to a wide variety of academic support services to maximize your success.
Designed For
This graduate program is appropriate for individuals interested in understanding the complexities of law enforcement, criminology, and the legal system. Prospective students often have backgrounds in criminal justice, sociology, political science, or related fields, and are motivated to pursue careers in law enforcement, corrections, policy analysis, or research.
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Learn more about the Criminal Justice online program.
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Fill out this form to be sent information on the Master's (MSCJ) in Criminal Justice program, including deadlines, tuition, application requirements and more!
What You’ll Learn
By the completion of the MS program, students will be able to:
- Apply theoretical, cultural, and perceptual frameworks to criminal justice practice.
- Recognize the impact of theories, policies, and scientific inquiry on implementation of services and associated outcomes.
- Identify and address systematic barriers in justice involved systems through identifying and addressing systemic injustices in the criminal justice system.
- Critically examine and employ leadership theories and skills in managing and leading criminal justice organizations.
Complete Your Degree in Less Than One Year
Follow an accelerated path or take one course at a time—either way, you can move through the program at a pace that works for you.
Accelerated Pathway for Completion in Two Semesters
For students who can take on 15 credit hours each semester, the program can be completed in one Fall and one Spring semester. Additionally, students who take the accelerated pathway save money on tuition thanks to the graduate tuition cap at UK.
| Fall | Hr | Spring | Hr |
| CJ 621 – Ethics in Criminal Justice Settings | 3 | CJ 704 – Administrative and Leadership Practices in Criminal Justice Organizations | 3 |
| CJ 629 – Research Methods in Criminal Justice | 3 | CJ 712 – Criminal Justice Policy and Analysis | 3 |
| CJ 631 – Application of Criminal Justice Theories | 3 | CJ 728 – Applied Analysis for Criminal Justice Organizations | 3 |
| Guided Elective – CJ specific | 3 | Guided Elective – CJ specific | 3 |
| Guided Elective – CJ specific | 3 | Guided Elective – CJ specific | 3 |
| Total | 15 | Total | 15 |
Course Examples
- CJ 621 Ethics in Criminal Justice Settings
- CJ 629 Research Methods in Criminal Justice
- CJ 631 Application of Criminal Justice Theories
- CJ 704 Administrative and Leadership Practices in Criminal Justice Organizations
- CJ 712 Criminal Justice Policy and Analysis
- CJ 728 Applied Analysis for Criminal Justice Organizations
- Plus, an additional 12 credit hours of specifically targeted criminal justice related electives at the 500 level or above.
GOT QUESTIONS?
Schedule time to meet with a representative from the Criminal Justice program to talk about your unique situation.
How to Apply
Admissions Criteria
- Must have obtained a baccalaureate degree, prior to the start of the admission term, from a fully accredited U.S. institution of higher learning or from a recognized foreign institution. See Graduate School admissions for specifics.
- An overall grade point average of 2.75 on undergraduate work and 3.00 on all graduate work, if applicable.
- International applicants whose native language is not English must submit either a TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) or IELTS (International English Language Testing System) score. See Graduate School admissions for specifics.
Application Requirements
Program Contact
Deadlines
Fall 2026
Spring 2027
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Flexible Learning That Fits Your Life
Balance your education with your career and personal commitments. In this program, coursework is available online whenever it’s convenient for you to log in—whether that’s early mornings, evenings, or weekends.
Courses follow a consistent schedule with defined deadlines, so you can stay organized and make steady progress. This structure gives you the flexibility to build learning into your routine, without putting your life on hold.
Frequently Asked Questions
Admissions
What is the admission criteria?
Admission Criteria is located on each Program Page under the section titled "How to Apply".
Is an essay or letters of recommendation required?
No. Our program does not require any essay or writing submission. Also, no letters of reference or recommendations are required. All that is needed is proof of a bachelor's degree (your transcript) from an accredited institution upon acceptance to the master's program.
Tuition
How much does the online program cost?
The tuition rate for this program is listed at the top of this page. If you still have questions, please reach out to the program representative.
Is there a tuition cap?
Yes! For graduate students who enroll full-time (9+ credit hours) exclusively in a distance education program, will receive a capped tuition rate. To see the current term’s capped tuition rate, please visit https://www.uky.edu/studentaccount/tuition and look for “Graduate Students Enrolled Exclusively in Distance Education Courses -- full-time.” This is the per semester rate you will pay when enrolled for 9 or more credit hours. Please note, this rate only applies to programs using the standard graduate tuition rate.
What tuition assistance is available for graduate students?
Graduate students should review the Student Funding information available through the Graduate School. Specific programs may offer additional funding that is unique to that program. Contact the Director of Graduate Studies (DGS) in the department in which you wish to enroll with questions about the availability of assistantships and the application process.
I'm not in Kentucky. What's my tuition rate?
For our fully online programs, state of residence does not affect tuition rate. Tuition is the same no matter where you live.
Are scholarships available for online MSCJ students?
Yes, the College of Social Work has many scholarships available for its online students, in addition to other scholarships that are available from other sources. You can apply for these after acceptance into the program. Learn more at https://socialwork.uky.edu/academics/scholarships/.
Online Learning
Should I enroll as a full-time graduate student?
This depends on each student and their ability to manage the heavy course load of enrolling full-time, which is 9 credit hours (typically, 3 classes) per semester. Students who enroll full-time may find it difficult to keep even a part-time job. Students who are able to manage a full-time courseload can take advantage of our Graduate Tuition Cap and save on tuition, which offers a flat tuition rate per semester when enrolled in 9 or more credit hours.
Will I have to attend class at a specific time?
No, all classes are asynchronous. This means that students complete the course requirements according to the syllabus and deadlines, but they have flexibility within their own schedule to complete coursework at times that work best for their schedule. We recommend students log in everyday to ensure they are staying on top of communication and assignments.
What should I expect in online classes?
It's important to know how to approach learning in an online program. Online classes are not harder nor easier than in-person classes, but they are different due to their asynchronous modality. This means students should expect to:
Develop a routine: Login to your online class routinely (we recommend at least once daily) to receive updates and contribute meaningfully to any ongoing discussions.
Be good time managers: Determine when you have time to work on coursework throughout the week so you don't fall behind or put off assignments until the last minute.
Communicate: If you are having any trouble, message your peers and/or your instructor right away to ask for help or clarification. Never be afraid to reach out to your instructors or Student Affairs if you need assistance--we have many resources to help you, but we need to know your situation to act accordingly on your behalf.
If you need additional support in navigating the online classroom, Canvas (our learning management system) has a number of helpful tools, including a module for new students that walks through everything you need to know about navigating information in your online class.
Will my degree say “online”?
No, you are awarded the same diploma from UK as students who take classes in-person. There is no denotation of “online” on your diploma or your transcripts.
Can I meet with faculty even though the program is online?
Yes. Our faculty are happy to meet with our students by phone call, email, or an online meeting. You are also welcome to set up an in-person appointment if you ever find yourself in Lexington.
Are there any on-campus requirements?
No, there is no on-campus requirement.
Ready to Take Your Next Step?
Our team is here to help you with the next stage of your journey. Reach out to us today!
Distance Learning Authorization & Licensure
Where you live matters when completing distance education activities. If you will live outside of Kentucky while completing your program, please check the Distance Learning Authorization & Licensure page to confirm that the program can be offered in your state or country, and if relevant, that it meets professional licensure requirements in your state. Please note: Admission and enrollment in a fully-online program can NOT lead to the issuance of a J-1 or F-1 student visa.
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