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Criminal Justice, Online, MA

Discover Seattle University’s top-rated online criminal justice degree. Study crime, ethics and leadership. Get started on a master's in criminal justice now.

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About this Program

Advance Your Career and Serve Your Community with an Online Master’s Degree in Criminal Justice

Seattle University’s Online Master’s in Criminal Justice program prepares open-minded professionals to become leaders for change, rebuilding a just, humane and anti-racist criminal justice system.

In this academically rigorous program, you'll analyze crime and its impact through a diverse, socially conscious lens while examining criminology policies and operations. Serve your community, advance your career and study criminology from the best—all online and on your schedule.  

 As one of the premier programs in criminal justice, you'll benefit from:

Our Online Criminal Justice Degree at a Glance

Learn how this degree from the Department of Criminal Justice, Criminology and Forensics will contribute to your career goals. Then, explore course requirements and see how impactful a Seattle University degree can be.

The Online Master's in Criminal Justice (MACJO): The MACJO curriculum consists of 55 credits: 18 3-credit courses and one 1-credit course. You will take 11 foundation courses (31 credits) and 8 elective courses (24 credits).

Degree Requirements

See A Demo Course: Advanced Criminological Theory

Seattle University graduates in criminal justice (CJ) should be able to:

  • Evaluate and analyze a contemporary CJ issues with advanced knowledge of CJ terminology, major topic areas/issues in criminal justice and criminological theory and ethical issues in crime and justice.
  • Design a research proposal and conduct computer-based statistical analysis at basic (descriptive) level.
  • Understand the interdisciplinary nature of criminal justice and ethical issues in law enforcement, courts and corrections.
  • Articulate key concepts in criminology and criminal justice.
  • Prepare and present a paper orally using multimedia/technology.
  • Master content in upper-level specialization courses.

Study quantitative and qualitative research methods and comprehensive exposure to key areas of criminal justice research. 

The MACJO with Specialization in Criminal Justice Research and Evaluation curriculum consists of 55 credits: 18 3-credit courses and one 1-credit course. Students will take 11 foundation courses (31 credits), 4 elective courses (12 credits) and 4 specialization area courses (12 credits).

Highlighted Courses:

  • Criminal Justice Legislation and Policy
  • Typologies of Crime and Criminal Behavior 
  • Violence and Victimization 

Enhance your knowledge of the application of criminological theory to investigative practice and to develop investigative skills and expertise. 

The MACJO with Specialization in Investigative Criminology consists of 55 credits: 18 3-credit courses and one 1-credit course. Students will take 11 foundation courses (31 credits), 4 elective courses (12 credits) and 4 specialization area courses (12 credits).

Highlighted Courses:

  • Investigative Criminology and Offender Profiling 
  • Theories and Techniques of Crime Scene Investigation 
  • Crime Analysis 

Integrate coursework specifically devoted to research, theory and issues focused on victims of crime.

The MACJO with Specialization in Victimology curriculum consists of 55 credits: 18 3-credit courses and one 1-credit course. Students will take 11 foundation courses (31 credits), 4 elective courses (12 credits) and 4 specialization area courses (12 credits).

Highlighted Courses:

  • Contemporary Issues in Victimology 
  • Restorative / Community Justice
  • Trafficking

What You’ll Learn

Learn about the classes you’ll take as a student here.

Explore Criminal Justice

Program Director Dr. Elaine Gunnison shares how our top-rated program prepares you for a rewarding career in criminal justice.

Upcoming Info Session

Additional Events

Hear From Criminal Justice Alumni

Jessica Chandler '17

"The program provided advanced knowledge into the criminal justice system which prepared me for a career in policing. The program also provided valuable networking resources and partnerships with local agencies. This provided the opportunity to intern with the Seattle Police which led to my decision to work in law enforcement. To this day, I still maintain contact with mentors I’ve met through the program."

Jessica has been with the Seattle Police Department for 7 years. You can see her below!

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Jessica Chandler, MACJ '17, Seattle Police Officer

Popular Careers and Career Paths

The criminal justice field offers many career opportunities. Our graduates are working in law enforcement, private security, community and institutional corrections, court services, victim services, social services, academia and/or investigation in a range of public and private agencies.

They have rewarding careers as data analysts, law enforcement officers, forensic scientists, victim advocates, criminal investigators, researchers, policymakers, advocates and teachers in community colleges and universities.

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Crime and Justice Research Center

We recognize that crime and its prevention, response and reparation are community concerns. We address those through the integration of perspectives, strategies and approaches based on evidence-based practices and collaborative engagement.

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Leaders for Justice, Fairness and Equality

We prepare our graduates to advocate for reform within and beyond the criminal justice system and to lead for justice, fairness and equality. You'll engage in the course Critical Criminology, a core course in our curriculum, to learn how to deconstruct scientific thinking, language and theoretical perspectives that have perpetuated oppression and power relations of injustice.

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Internships for Career Preparation

While internships are not required for academic credit, there are a wide range of internship and employment opportunities in criminal justice at the local and national level. Students have had internships and volunteer experiences in city, county, state and federal agencies.

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The Crime and Justice Research Center Advisory Committee

Deep Connections in Seattle and Beyond

Our Criminal Justice Advisory Committee, with more than 100 members, includes key professionals from more than 50 agencies in local, state, federal and private criminal justice agencies, including the FBI, DEA, ACLU, Microsoft Global Securities Risk Operations, Seattle Police Department, WA State Department of Corrections, the Public Defender Association and many more.

Meet the Advisory Committee

Members make important contributions through assisting with program development, internships and collaborative research and service initiatives, preparing for employment trends, and determining the best ways to serve our students’ needs.

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Featured Faculty

All Faculty & Staff

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Get in Touch

If you have any questions about the program or application, we’re here to help.

Michelle Mika

Admissions Counselor

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