University of Colorado Denver | Anschutz Medical Campus
Denver | Anschutz
Criminal Justice, MCJ
School of Public Affairs
Overview
The University of Colorado Denver’s Master of Criminal Justice (MCJ) degree was founded in 1972. Now the same program is offered entirely online through CU Online. The program is designed for the best and brightest of the criminal justice world to better understand the justice system and, in turn, make a bigger contribution to society.
The MCJ degree is designed to give you an interdisciplinary perspective on criminology and the criminal justice system. The MCJ program prepares students for a variety of careers intersecting with the criminal justice system, including federal, state
and local law enforcement and criminal justice administration; crime data analysis; victim advocacy and support; juvenile delinquency and juvenile justice; and criminal justice policy and reform. Whether you currently hold a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice degree, are working in the criminal justice system, or are looking to change your career from something entirely different,
the Master of Criminal Justice degree program will prepare you for a wide range of career opportunities.
While a large number of MCJ graduates go on to work for law enforcement agencies at the local, state and even federal level, the MCJ program can also prepare you for a career in the nonprofit arena focusing on issues such as domestic violence, criminal justice policy, youth justice, and hate crimes.
Program Details
The online Master of Criminal Justice program is designed to ensure that students will:
- have mastery of the concepts and theories associated with the various components of criminology and the criminal justice system;
- have an in-depth knowledge of the theories of crime causation;
- develop skills necessary to utilize research methods in conducting and evaluating criminology and criminal justice issues;
- develop an understanding of criminology and the components of the criminal justice system including law enforcement, courts, and corrections;
- demonstrate knowledge of key theoretical concepts and application to public policy questions and organizational management;
- make use of the broad base of knowledge and research in criminology and criminal justice programming and policy-making;
- communicate knowledge effectively in written and oral formats;
- and utilize critical problem-solving skills and critical analysis in criminology and criminal justice agency settings.
Program Ranking
Application Deadline
May 1, 2020
Credit Hours
36
Admission Information
No GRE Required
Tuition Information
Cost per credit:
$526
Cost per credit:
$631*
*To get this rate, students must submit an Out-of-State online-only application
Concentrations:
Are you looking for a more customizable experience? Then one of our four concentrations in the MCJ program may be for you.
Crime Analysis
The Crime Analysis concentration emphasizes criminal justice and criminology-related subjects. The analytical skills learned in the concentration will help you succeed in a variety of career tracks. You’ll also have the opportunity to learn from the best in the industry. Courses will be taught by current and former analysts, so you know you’ll be prepared for an actual career.
Disasters, Hazards and Emergency Management
The concentration in Disasters, Hazards, and Emergency Management provides a solid all-hazards knowledge base for students interested in natural hazards, disasters, and resilience. The concentration will not ignore security aspects, but security-related topics will be just one among many topics to include natural hazards/disasters, accidents, etc.
Emergency Management and Homeland Security
The Emergency Management and Homeland Security concentration will provide you with advanced education in the management of emergencies, hazards, disasters, and homeland security. By completing this concentration, you will have the knowledge and skills necessary to assess and manage a broad range of hazards and disasters, and to understand the policy environment in which emergency management occurs.
Nonprofit Management
The Nonprofit Management concentration was designed to prepare students to become innovative and critical thinkers who are ready to operate and manage in the nonprofit sector. Many nonprofits have missions directly related to criminal justice issues. This concentration will teach you to assess community needs, navigate the realm of public policy affecting the nonprofit sector, and strategically and effectively manage organizations designed to benefit society as a whole.
Tuition and Fees
Investing in your future is a big decision. However, becoming a fully online student at CU Denver is an affordable option with discounted tuition rates for non resident, fully online students. And of course, you will save money not having to drive to campus!
Tuition and fees are based largely on the class that you enroll in. Tuition amount assessed is determined based on which school/college is offering your class, as well as if it is an undergrad or graduate level, and finally your resident status.
Visit our tuition and financial aid page.
Financial aid and scholarships are available for those who qualify.
Timeline
The Master in Criminal Justice requires a minimum of 36 graduate semester hours made up of the following:
- Core sequence of 5 core courses that will provide a foundation in theory, practice and research methods
- For those with no previous criminal justice experience: One 3 credit hour internship with local, state or federal criminal justice
- Either a 3-6 credit hour thesis, or a 3 credit hour applied research capstone project
The most common course load for MCJ students is six to nine graduate credit hours per semester. We encourage you to not carry more than six graduate semester hours in the MCJ program.
The MCJ program is definitely a commitment, but that doesn’t mean you must study full-time. One of the many benefits of an exclusively online degree program is the flexibility to complete the program on your own schedule. The average time to complete
the MCJ program is about two and a half years, but you are able to take up to seven years to finish the program.
Admissions
Admission requirements and deadlines vary based on program. In addition, you will have different requirements depending on if you are a first time student, a transfer student, or an international student.
No GRE Required
Learn more about the admissions process by filling out the form above or contacting an Enrollment Navigator today.
Career Outlook
Criminal justice professionals are in high demand. A career in criminal justice not only puts you on the front lines in the fight for justice, it also makes you an asset to your community and helps make a difference in society.
Due in
part to the rapid growth and changing nature of the criminal justice industry, careers in the industry are constantly changing and evolving. Criminal justice management is a field with many different career options. Here are some of the top career
opportunities that you could expect after graduation and median average salaries:
- Criminologist: $43,106
- Forensic Examiner: $60,521
- Criminal Profiler: $62,888
- Police and Detective Supervisor: $91,590
Courses
Courses at CU Denver are offered three times a year — fall, spring and summer. Not all courses are available every semester. For most programs, courses last 15 weeks, plus one week for finals. This is a big commitment, but we believe the extra time you spend dedicated to your studies pays off!
Example Courses |
CRJU 5001 — CJ Systems, Policies, and Practices |
CRJU 5002 — Criminal Theory |
CRJU 5005 — Law and Society |
Related Programs
Your Future Begins with CU Online
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