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Criminal Justice, MA

Earn a master’s degree in criminal justice and gain in-demand skills in a flexible part-time format with a focus on ethics and leadership.

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About this Program

Advance Your Career with Our Criminal Justice Program

Advance your career in criminal justice with our master’s degree in Criminal Justice. You'll gain high-demand skills in a high-demand field and make strong connections with others who share your goals and values. Plus, you'll be able to choose between three different specializations: criminal justice research and evaluation, investigative criminology or victimology. 

Grounded in social justice, our interdisciplinary graduate program offers a comprehensive, rigorous and analytic study of crime and the societal responses to it.  

As one of the best colleges for criminal justice, you’ll experience an Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences aligned program and learn from renowned faculty members. You'll also have three specializations to choose from: criminal justice research and evaluation, investigative criminology or victimology. 

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.  

All 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 your needs as student.

Transition to Semester Calendar

Enrollment for Fall 2027 is on a semester calendar. Learn more about the Graduate Programs Move to Semesters.

No Application Fee

We are committed to removing barriers to graduate education by waiving the application fee for all applicants.

Criminal Justice Master's 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.

Master of Arts in Criminal Justice (MACJ): The MACJ curriculum consists of 30 credits. Including six foundation courses (16 credits) and 6 elective courses (14 credits).

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 MACJ with Specialization in Criminal Justice Research and Evaluation curriculum consists of 30 credits: five 3-credit courses and one 1-credit course. Students will take six foundation courses (16 credits), four elective courses (8 credits) and two specialization area courses (6 credits).

Highlighted Courses:

  • Qualitative Research Methods in Criminology and Criminal Justice
  • Analytic Methods for Crime Analysis

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

The MACJ with Specialization in Investigative Criminology curriculum consists of 30 credits: five 3-credit courses and one 1-credit course. Students will take six foundation courses (16 credits), four elective courses (8 credits) and two specialization area courses (6 credits).

Highlighted Courses:

  • Criminal Behavior, Profiling, and Crime Analysis
  • Theories and Techniques of Crime Scene Investigation

Prepare to lead meaningful change by addressing today's most critical criminal justice challenges, from victim advocacy and human trafficking to restorative justice, equity, and policy reform.

The MACJ with Specialization in Victimology curriculum consists of 30 credits: five 3-credit courses and one 1-credit course. Students will take six foundation courses (16 credits), four elective courses (8 credits) and two specialization area courses (6 credits).

Highlighted Courses:

  • Victims of Crime: Reasons, Responses, and Realities
  • Restorative & Community Justice

Below is a sample schedule: 

Semester 1 (9 credits)

CRJS 5010: CJ Theory (3 credits)

CRJS 5020: Advanced Criminological Theories (3 credits)

CRJS 5060: Advanced Research Methods (3 credits)

Semester 2 (9 credits)

CRJS 5100: Criminal Justice Administration: Theory and Research (3 credits)

CRJS 5070: Advanced Statistics (3 credits)

Elective/Specialization (3 credits) 

Semester 3 (10 credits)

Elective/Specialization (3 credits) 

Elective/Specialization (3 credits) 

Elective/Specialization (3 credits) 

CRJS 5900: CJ Capstone Seminar (1 credit)

Semester 4 (6 credits)

Elective/Specialization (3 credits) 

Elective/Specialization (3 credits) 

Semester 5 (6 credits)

Elective/Specialization (3 credits) 

Elective/Specialization (3 credits) 

Elective Courses:

  • CRJS 5110: Criminal Justice Legislation and Policy (3 credits)
  • CRJS 5120: Qualitative Research Methods in Criminology and Criminal Justice (3 credits)
  • CRJS 5150: Criminal Behavior, Profiling, and Crime Analysis (3 credits)
  • CRJS 5160: Theories and Techniques of Crime Scene Investigation (3 credits)
  • CRJS 5180 Victims of Crime: Reasons, Responses, and Realities (3 credits)
  • CRJS 5200: Restorative/Community Justice (3 credits)
  • CRJS 5210:  The Ethics of Social Control (3 credits)
  • CRJS 5230: Punishment and Social Theory (3 credits)
  • CRJS 5260:  Terrorism Extremist Violence Hate Crime (3 credits)
  • CRJS 5240: Analytic Methods for Crime Analysis (3 credits)
  • CRJS 5530: US Marshals Practicum (1 credit)
  • CRJS 5540: DEA Practicum (1 credit)
  • CRJS 5550- The Psychopath (3 credits)
  • CRJS 5551: Trafficking & Transnational Organized Crime (3 credits)
  • CRJS 5550: ATF Practicum (1 credit)
  • CRJS 5560: Forensics Practicum (1 credit)
  • CRJS 5570: Trial Skills Practicum (1 credit)
  • CRJS 5580: FBI Practicum (1 credit)
  • CRJS 5600: Forensic Anthropology (3 credits)
  • CRJS 5650 : Medicolegal Death Investigation (3 credits)
  • CRJS 5700: Restorative Justice: Behind Bars (3 credits)
  • CRJS 5910: Special Topics (1 to 5 credits)
  • CRJS 5950: Internship (1 to 3 credits)
  • CRJS 5960: Independent Study (1 to 3 credits)
  • CRJS 5970: Teaching Assistantship (1 to 3 credits)
  • CRJS 5980: Research Assistantship (1 to 3 credits)
  • CRJS 5810: Murder Movies and Copycat Crimes (3 credits)
  • CRJS 5990: Thesis 1 to (3 credits)
  • PUBM 5310: Public Budgeting (3 credits)
  • PUBM 5720: Administrative Law (3 credits)

Please note: This is a sample schedule. Courses timing and codes are subject to change during the transition to the semester system. Course content will remain unchanged.

Preparing for Careers in Criminal Justice Leadership

Criminal justice professionals play a critical role in promoting safety, accountability and equitable systems. Today’s leaders must understand policy, research and the social forces shaping crime and justice.

Seattle University’s Master of Arts in Criminal Justice provides advanced training in criminological theory, research methods and justice policy. Graduates pursue careers in law enforcement, corrections, policy analysis, community organizations and justice system leadership.

Powered by Lightcast Data , this information draws on millions of job postings, career profiles and other data collected each day to deliver near–real-time insights into workforce trends. Occupations listed are generic outcomes associated with the field, and salary figures reflect median earnings for the career listed, not necessarily those of individuals who have recently graduated.

Upcoming Info Session

Additional Events

Hear From Our Faculty and Students

Hear from our faculty and students as they share their passion for criminal justice, what makes our program unique and the diverse career paths this degree opens up.

Hear From Criminal Justice Alumni

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Kyle Schwab, '12 MA

"Many of the adjunct staff are subject matter experts with years of experience in the field in which they are teaching. If you know (or have a good idea) where you want your career to go, and there’s a professor that has worked in that field, take their class(es), ask them lots of questions, listen to their stories, and utilize their networks as much as you can."

Senior Research and Evaluation Analyst, Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office

Support That Makes a Difference

A student dicussion

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.

Explore Now
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Adding the Crime Analysis Certificate to Your Master’s Degree

Master of Criminal Justice (MACJ) students may add the crime analysis certificate to their program of study and double-count up to 12 credits of coursework toward the certificate.  

The master’s degree and certificate requires a minimum of 33 credits (30 MACJ credits plus 15 certificate credits with 12 credits that count towards both degrees). 

Learn More About the Certificate
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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.

Learn More

Designed for Your Career

Along with graduating from a program that’s well respected and highly rated, you’ll graduate with:

  • Specialized experience in victimology, investigative criminology and research and evaluation.
  • Connections in the field through career-launching internship opportunities.
  • Strong criminology ethics, exposure to diversity of thought and the ability to think critically.

Graduates of the Master of Arts in Criminal Justice degree generally seek careers in:

  • Law enforcement
  • Private security
  • Community and institutional corrections
  • Court services
  • Victim services
  • Social services
  • Academia
  • Investigation in a range of public and private agencies

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.

Committee members make important contributions through assisting with program development, internships and collaborative research and service initiatives, preparing for labor market demands and determining the best ways to serve your needs as a student.

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.

Student Accomplishments

Kabrianna Tamura holding sunflowers

Kabrianna Tamura, '19 MA

Congratulations to Kabrianna Tamura for receiving the first ever New York Neuropsychology Group and CUNY’s Language Justice Symposium, “Language Justice Equity Award. Of all CUNY (25 campuses) only three student abstracts were accepted to present at the symposium (hers titled: Preventing a “Deaf Penalty” in Neuropsychology: A Step Towards Linguistic Equity), and Kabrianna was then selected as the award recipient.

Criminal Justice

Featured Faculty

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Get in Touch

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

Valerie Zerda

Admissions Counselor

Valerie Zerda