Criminal Justice
FINDING YOUR PLACE IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE.
A master’s degree in criminal justice means options. This degree opens more doors than you could ever imagine. It is the breadth of knowledge and its applicability that makes it truly unique. Our graduates work in law enforcement, the legal system, corrections, loss prevention, forensics, higher education, and with the federal government. Each and every field requires a unique set of skills and abilities, but the University of Cincinnati’s comprehensive 16-course curriculum provides a solid foundation for any one of them.
In each of the categories below, you will find student stories, career information, average salaries, and relevant articles from the most published criminal justice faculty in the country. There are some truly excellent people in this field, with varied backgrounds and unique aspirations for their degree—and many of them have come through our program! Take a look below to find out where you fit and explore the seemingly endless paths you can take with your Master of Science in Criminal Justice from UC.
Fishing for Answers.
The search for answers is at the heart of the UC MS in Criminal Justice program: the professors help students solve problems and address criminal and social issues. The focus, however, isn’t just on the right answers, but the process of arriving at those right answers. The UC professors are out to change perceptions, to change the way their students think and address problems. It is similar to the old saying “if you give a man a fish you feed him for a day; but if you teach a man to fish, you feed him for a lifetime.” Analytical skills are essential to Investigators and integral to the University of Cincinnati program. Read more about one UC student who is taking what he's learned in the classroom to think outside the box, and then read about a career as an Investigator.
A Degree Certifying Courage.
Many students and graduates find our correctional classes to be some of the most interesting and enlightening. The criminal justice industry used to be all about locking up the bad guys. But the focus has shifted to prevention and rehabilitation. Corrections officers believe in the power of the system to create a significant change in the lives of offenders and to put them on track back to becoming contributing members of society. Take a moment to read a great story from an actual UC graduate and learn more about the great work that can be done through a career in corrections.
Decoding the Criminal Mind.
Graduates have found that a master's degree in criminal justice can be an unbelievable asset when analyzing criminal behavior and those affected by criminal actions. UC students find our classes on policy, research, juvenile justice, and social control to be especially enlightening. But it all comes down to scope. Graduates who perform social work rave about their comprehensive knowledge of the criminal justice industry, and what an asset it is to thoroughly describe its function with their clients and patients. Explore a career in social work, read an excellent student story, and browse through some relevant articles from the UC MSCJ professors.
A Degree That Empowers You to Teach.
Focus for a moment on the type of degree that you will earn with UC: a Master of Science (MS) in Criminal Justice. An MS is based on the principles of research. Classes certainly maintain this research focus while addressing current crimes and analyzing case studies. But a research-based MS degree also provides something greater: the tools necessary to teach. Read about one of our graduate’s paths to becoming a professor and discover more about a career teaching criminal justice.
Higher Education for Heroes.
A master's degree in criminal justice allows the brave men and women of the military to utilize many of their existing skills in the criminal justice industry. Because it is completely online, many soldiers are able to earn their degree while stationed overseas. Learn about the many paths where this degree can lead you and read the story of a marine who graduated from the program.
A Higher Degree of Commitment.
Students from every kind of background find themselves working for the federal government because of the tremendous variety of opportunities, and because of their love for this great country. The government values employees who understand the enormity of the justice industry and the federal responsibility of policing an entire nation. A master’s degree in criminal justice provides the tools necessary to make a positive impact in the government, and is a great way to get noticed in an ultra-competitive market.
Protect More. Serve Better.
Law enforcement officers make up a significant number of our graduates. For them, a master’s degree in criminal justice is a ticket to management and leadership positions in their department. Being 100% online means they never have to leave the community to which they gave their commitment. Take a moment to read a great story from a UC student and learn more about a career in law enforcement.
