Master of Science in Criminal Justice

Earn Your Master’s Degree in Criminal Justice Online at UW-Platteville

Whether you’re just entering a criminal justice career or want to advance in the field, the online Master of Science in Criminal Justice will allow you to build your skills to advance to the next level of your career.

Our criminal justice master’s programs provide practical, foundational knowledge in criminal justice systems, operations, and law for career mobility in the criminal justice field. You’ll also gain skills in organizational management, problem solving, communications, and research. 

In today’s evolving criminal justice landscape, advancing your education through criminal justice master’s programs online can have a profound impact on your career. This program goes beyond providing basic knowledge—it sharpens the essential skills required for leadership roles and prepares you for a wide range of opportunities within law enforcement, corrections, legal studies, and more. 

Whether you are a newcomer or an experienced professional, the program is designed to enhance your career mobility and help you rise to leadership positions. With a flexible online format, you can balance your studies with your professional and personal commitments, progressing at your own pace. Learn from experienced instructors who bring real-world insights into the classroom, empowering you to make a significant impact in your field. Explore how our online criminal justice master’s degree can provide you with the tools to excel and drive meaningful change in this field.

In-Demand Specializations

Choose how your career needs will best be suited by selecting an area of emphasis.

• Criminal Justice Theory: Graduate ready to continue your education in a Ph.D. program, teach at a two-year college, or embark on a career in governmental research.
• Criminal Justice Management: Develop the skills needed to advance into a supervisory or administrative position in a variety of criminal justice settings.
• Victim and Offender Services: Gain the knowledge and understanding to work with crime victims, juveniles, probation and parole clients, or provide services in institutional or community-based settings
• Emergency Management: Prepare for supervisory or administrative positions that require background knowledge in emergency preparedness and management.

Career in Criminal Justice

Earning a master’s degree or certificate in criminal justice will prepare you to advance into a range of exciting potential careers, including but not limited to:

• Criminal justice management 
• Crisis counselor 
• Deputy regional chief ranger 
• Detective 
• Executive officer of security 
• Faculty instructor in higher education 
• Federal probation officer Intake coordinator 
• National Inmate Appeals Administration 
• Patrol sergeant 
• Police captain 
• Polygraph instructor 
• Senior sexual assault legal/medical advocate 
• Senior export compliance and investigation analyst 
• U.S. Marshal 

Criminal justice graduates have opportunities to thrive in a number of organizations and industries, making this degree versatile and valuable. Earning a master’s degree in criminal justice can help you grow in your existing career or explore new opportunities.

Start Dates and Timelines

To ensure an admission decision for the semester you intend to start your degree, submit your application and supporting materials by:

• Fall: August 15
• Spring: January 15
• Summer: May 15

Transfer Information

UW-Platteville allows students to transfer up to 12 credits of previously taken graduate coursework. Credits are required from a nationally or regionally accredited institution recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation and approved by UW-Platteville program faculty. Be sure to let your admission counselor know if you have earned previous credits.