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Master of Science in Criminal Justice

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Overview

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Advance your career in criminal justice or start a new path with Xavier University's 100% online Master of Science in Criminal Justice (MS).

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Xavier University's online MS in Criminal Justice program equips you with the skills needed to move into leadership roles in law enforcement, corrections, courts, non-profit organizations, security or pursue doctoral programs or law school. This rigorous program blends academic theory with practical application, all in a flexible, online format specifically designed for working professionals.
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Calendar

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Application Deadline
Fall 2026
7/1/2026
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Online Program

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30

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Why Xavier's Online MS in Criminal Justice Degree?

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Jesuit Values in Action

Learn within a framework emphasizing social justice, ethical leadership and service to others. Our program prepares you not just for a job, but for a calling.

What is Jesuit Education?

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Flexibility and Convenience

Complete your degree 100% online—study on your schedule, from anywhere. Our asynchronous format means you don't have to put your career on hold.

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Personal Attention from Expert Faculty

Learn from experienced scholars and practitioners in small virtual classes (max 25 students) designed for personalized learning.

Program Faculty and Staff

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Advance Your Career in Criminal Justice

Graduates are prepared for leadership roles in law enforcement, corrections, courts, non-profit organizations, security and academia.

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Curriculum

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Xavier University’s online Master of Science in Criminal Justice is a 30-credit hour program that can be completed in as little as one year when attending full time.
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CJUS 611: Law & Justice in America (3 credits)
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Presents legal issues in all three segments of the American criminal justice system. Constitutional and statutory rights and obligations are considered, along with policy considerations. Major emphasis in the course is placed on student initiative in learning.
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CJUS 620: Sociology of Crime & Delinquency (3 credits)
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Social foundations of the criminal justice system are examined, along with the social causation of crime and societal response. The understanding of crime within the social context is presented along with in-depth exploration of cross-cultural, subcultural and other demographic expositions.
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CJUS 623: Perspectives in Law Enforcement Management (3 credits)
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This is a comprehensive course that focuses on management issues and problems specific to law enforcement. This course will introduce students to both theoretical and practical issues faced by law enforcement agencies form the view of an administrator. Attention will likewise be paid to understanding and resolving problems and issues.
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CJUS 633: Forensics & White Collar Crime (3 credits)
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This course examines the methods of detection, investigative techniques, and social impact of white-collar crime. Emphasis will also be placed on exploring theories related to why this type of crime is committed, the various types of white-collar crime and difficulties in the criminal justice system response to white-collar crimes. Finally, this course will examine the socially injurious acts of corporations and formal organizations against their employees, consumers, the public, or the environment.
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CJUS 642: Criminal Justice Administration (3 credits)
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Presents organizational and management theories and practices within criminal justice settings. Management styles, management by objectives, total quality management etc., are all related to issues of contemporary practice in prisons, probation, and parole and juvenile justice. Legal and ethical considerations are related to actual practice situations.
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CJUS 643: Correctional Counseling (3 credits)
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Deals directly with the necessary verbal, nonverbal, and writing skills. It also emphasizes cross-cultural communication and presents practical skill exercises relating to all of the above.
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CJUS 644: Government & Non-Profit Accounting (3 credits)
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The primary purpose of this course is to introduce the student to the basic concepts and techniques of fund accounting and the financial reporting for governmental and not-for-profit entities. Additional course coverage includes identifying and applying appropriate accounting and reporting standards for governments and private not-for-profit organizations, preparing fund basis and government-wide statements for state and local governments, preparing financial statements for private not-for-profit organizations, using nonfinancial performance measures to evaluate governmental and not-for-profit entities, and describing auditing requirements for these entities. Special attention will also be paid to forensic accounting and auditing, with emphasis on the audit of financial statements, and methods of examination relating to prevention and detection of fraud.
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CJUS 647: Human Resources for Criminal Justice Administrators (3 credits)
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This course examines the role of Human Resource Managers in strategic planning and decision making within their organizations.
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CJUS 683: Research & Planning in CJUS (3 credits)
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This course provides students with the working knowledge of research methods necessary to complete their final Master's project. As such, topics related to the issue of causation, sampling, measurement, and data collection/analysis will be explored and practically applied. Comprehension of the material will enable students to evaluate research studies and policy with a more critical eye. Moreover, comprehension of course material will allow students to write quality research projects.
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CJUS 784: Research Essay (3 credits)
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CJUS 784 is an extension, by application, of Research and Planning in Criminal Justice. As such, the major objective for this course is to provide students with the individual guidance needed to perform basic research, and complete their graduate thesis.
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Admission

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Our online Criminal Justice program offers a flexible student experience, giving learners the option to start the program at multiple times throughout the year.

Application Deadline: July 1, 2026
Start: Fall 2026

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Application Materials
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  • Free Online Application
  • Official Transcript
    • One official transcript directly from all colleges or universities that you have attended for any undergraduate and graduate course work. Applicants must have a degree from a regionally accredited university. Send transcripts to:
      • Xavier University
        ATTN: Admission Processing Center
        3800 Victory Parkway
        Cincinnati, OH 45207-5131
      • For electronic transcripts, send to:
        xuadmit@xavier.edu
  • Letters of Recommendation
    • Two letters of recommendation from professional references who are able to assess your potential for success in this program.
  • GPA Requirements
    • 2.7 cumulative GPA in undergraduate matriculation OR 2.5 cumulative in undergraduate matriculation with 5 years of work experience in a criminal justice or related field
  • Official Test Scores (if needed)
    • Applicants not meeting the GPA requirements can submit official test scores:
      • GRE (Graduate Record Exam): The minimum score requirements is 143 on the verbal section and 3.0 of the analytical section OR
      • MAT (Miller Analogies Test): The minimum scoring requirement for the MAT is 390 OR
      • LSAT (Law School Admission Test): The minimum scoring requirement for the LSAT is 138
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State Authorization
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Xavier University is authorized to offer this fully online degree program in all states.


View the complete list of approved states on the State Authorization page.

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International Admission
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Xavier welcomes students from outside the United States to enroll in its online programs. However, some countries do not formally recognize foreign online degrees. This may have implications for enrolling in subsequent degree programs or for securing employment requiring these credentials. It is students’ responsibility to determine whether the online degree will be recognized in their country of residence or in any country in which they plan to work.

Additionally, students should inquire in their country of residence how the collection of student data may be used and whether they will be subject to additional withholding taxes in addition to the cost of tuition.

  • All international students are strongly encouraged to submit an official third-party course-by-course evaluation of their high school and/or college transcripts from an international credential evaluation service accredited by the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services.
  • International students must pass either the TOEFL or IELTS exam if English is your second language.
  • International students may have additional application requirements. Find more information on the International Admission page.

Note: International students in the U.S. cannot enroll in an online degree program to fulfill the legal requirement for an F-1 or J-1 visa.

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Tuition and Fees

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Get More from Your Graduate Education with Xavier

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At Xavier, we understand that no two graduate programs and no two students are alike. Therefore, we structure every online degree and certificate program to address the unique needs of individual students and have created unique fee structures for each program as well.
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Tuition

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MS: $739
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Fees

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  • Student ID Fee: $15
  • Graduate Student Association Fee, degree-seeking full-time: $15 (per semester)
  • Graduate Student Association Fee, degree-seeking part-time: $10 (per semester)

Full-time students can complete the program in as few as 3 semesters.

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The amounts listed are for the 2026-2027 academic year, and include classes from Fall 2026 through Summer 2027. Tuition cost is per credit hour unless otherwise stated. For the full, official listing, please visit xavier.edu/costs.

Xavier University reserves the right to correct any computational or clerical errors.

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Testimonials

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Hear from our Alumni

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“Xavier University's criminal justice program is a place where students and faculty share information and experiences that enhance learning and promote understanding. It’s where our hearts and our minds intersect. The result is a very special bond between people that stands the test of time.”
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Joe Milek, Public Safety Research Administrator, John Glenn College of Public Affairs at The Ohio State University
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“This program provided me with exceptional knowledge in one of the most important fields of our time. The critical thinking skills I developed continue to play a vital role in my ability to detect, deter and disrupt foreign intelligence services and terrorism activities within the Dept. of Defense.”
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Graduate of the MS in Criminal Justice Program, Counterintelligence Agent, U.S. Dept. of Defense
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Criminal Justice Administration Certificate

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In addition to the Master of Science in Criminal Justice degree, Xavier also offers a 9-credit, fully online Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Criminal Justice Administration, with the option to apply credits toward the master's degree later.
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Loyal Musketeer Scholarship

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The Loyal Musketeer Scholarship reduces the graduate tuition rate by 25 percent and is available to all Xavier alumni enrolling as degree-seeking graduate students.
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Frequently Asked Questions

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What can I do with a Master of Science in Criminal Justice?
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With an online Master of Science in Criminal Justice from Xavier University, students’ opportunities for work in the field expand immensely. Careers include:

Law Enforcement

  • Law Enforcement Officer: A law enforcement officer is a government employee who is responsible for preventing, investigating, apprehending and detaining individuals who are suspected or convicted of breaking the law. Law enforcement officers include uniformed police officers, special jurisdiction police, sheriffs and deputies, state police officers, detectives, and fish and game wardens. Some examples of the many fields of opportunity of work for law enforcement officers include crime scene investigation, human trafficking, emergency management and many teaching positions.
  • Prison Warden: The prison warden is the top corrections officer at a correctional facility. As they are in a leadership position, they are primarily responsible for the safe and secure operation of the facility.
  • Security Managers: Security managers train new officers, plan and implement security standards, policies and procedures focused on the crime prevention aspect of law enforcement rather than responding. They monitor all large events to ensure public safety.

Criminology

  • Criminologist: This area focuses on criminal justice theory, studying crimes, and their cause, effects and social impacts. A criminologist searches and analyzes data to determine the reason the crime was committed and find ways to predict, deter and prevent further crimes.
  • Forensic Psychologist: Forensic psychologists apply psychology to criminal matters. They often work in family courts offering psychotherapy services, performing child custody evaluations, and visitation risk assessments. Forensic psychologists that work in criminal courts conduct assessments of juvenile and adult offenders, perform mental competency evaluations and work with child witnesses. They can also work in civil courts providing psychotherapy to crime victims and providing second opinions.
  • Forensic Investigator: Fraud investigators help identify fraudulent activities and work to prevent them in the future. Common organizations that employ this role include financial institutions, insurance companies, private investigation firms, and government organizations.
  • Policy Analyst: A criminal justice policy analyst gathers, reviews and conducts analysis on data to find trends in the effectiveness of the criminal justice system programs. Duties may include reviewing statistics, determining jail efficiency, reviewing jail management and serving on committees.

Legal

  • Attorney General Investigators or District Attorneys: Both of these positions involve criminal justice theory, investigating crimes, undercover work and testimony. District Attorneys may also serve warrants and collaborate with other agencies on cases.
  • Victim Advocate: A victim advocate provides information and notification of court proceedings, offers emotional support and victims rights information.
  • Correctional Caseworker: This role works with convicted criminals to help rehabilitate and reintroduce them to the community.

Homeland Security

  • Cyber Defense Operator: Cyber defense operators collect and process information on a target using geolocation. Other duties include tactical forensic analysis, network navigation and on net operations.
  • Intelligence Analyst: An intelligence analyst gathers and analyzes data from a multitude of sources such as law enforcement databases, surveillance, intelligence networks and GIS systems. This career in homeland security focuses on using information gathered to anticipate and prevent organized crime like terrorist attacks.
  • Special Agent at the FBI: FBI agents investigate drug trafficking, terrorism, white-collar crime, extortion, and foreign counterintelligence at a national level.
  • Special Agent at the DEA: DEA agents are focused specifically on illegal drug trafficking and can be a national or international position.
  • Cybersecurity Investigator: Cyber investigation is the process of tracking criminals via the computer. Cybercrimes such as internet fraud, pornography, hacking, copyright infringement, and malicious viral attacks can be performed locally or worldwide. Cybersecurity investigators use a wide variety of techniques and tools to search for and apprehend cybercriminals.

Many professionals entering the criminal justice field already hold an Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in another discipline. Roles such as corrections officers, court advocates, paralegals and cybercrime specialists often attract graduates with backgrounds in social work, psychology, law or computer science.

Regardless of previous degrees, Xavier University’s Master of Science in Criminal Justice provides the advanced knowledge and leadership skills needed to launch or advance students’ careers in the public or private sector. The program prepares students for management and leadership positions equipping them to make meaningful impacts in the criminal justice system.

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Will my degree say “online?”
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No, the criminal justice degree is from Xavier University and is awarded on meeting coursework standards independent of course delivery regardless of being an online program. You will receive a Master of Science in Criminal Justice degree.
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Is there any way I can get a preview or a feel for Xavier’s online programs?
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If you are new to online learning at Xavier University, we encourage you to go through the student orientation for online courses.
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Are online programs easier or harder than campus programs?
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Some students believe that online programs will be easier than face-to-face courses. However, that is not true for every student in the Master of Science in Criminal Justice program. Each online course at Xavier University will have the same academic standards and content as a face-to-face course. You may find online learning to be easier because it suits your learning style, but the course content, the expectations for how much you will learn, and the assessment of what you have learned in our criminal justice program will be just as rigorous as in a face-to-face class.
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Do online courses charge a different rate?
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No, online criminal justice courses charge the same rate as all other courses.
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Master of Science in Criminal Justice Program at Xavier University

Xavier University’s online Master of Science in Criminal Justice degree program emphasizes criminal justice administration, training students to provide effective and efficient oversight in matters related to criminal justice and criminal justice research. This flexible online criminal justice master’s program is specifically tailored to students who have set their sights on careers in middle and upper management in the criminal justice system and for students looking to pursue advanced study in a doctoral program or law school. As part of their online master’s degree training, students will study criminal justice work-related topics, and develop leadership and management skills valuable in the justice system, such as public relations, accounting, finance, human resources, policy formulation, budgeting, human interaction, crisis strategies, organizational behavior and writing skills.

Xavier University's College of Professional Sciences prepares undergraduate and graduate students intellectually, morally and spiritually for careers and professions of service. CPS challenges students to strive for academic excellence and life-long learning through promoting collaboration and community partnerships, and incorporating research, scholarship and innovation.

Xavier University is a private university located in Cincinnati, Ohio, providing a liberal arts education in the Jesuit Catholic tradition. Founded in 1831, the University is the sixth-oldest Catholic university in the nation. It has been ranked among the top 10 master's-level universities in the Midwest by U.S. News & World Report for the past two decades. The Princeton Review names it one of the “Best 385 Colleges in America.”

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