Author: Adam Birch
Reviewed By: Melissa Anderson, MS.Ed.
Reading Time: 6 minutes, 12 seconds
Key Takeaways:
- Our #1 ranked school for a fastest criminal justice master’s degree online is the University of the Cumberlands, followed by Wilmington University.
- The fastest online master’s in criminal justice programs prioritize affordability and flexibility for working professionals.
- All listed programs are offered by accredited public and private non-profit universities, ensuring reputable and quality education.
This is a ranking of the 10 best value accelerated online master’s in criminal justice and criminology degrees. Criminal justice is a broad field that includes every law enforcement agency in the United States, corrections, and the judicial system. Many positions within these fields can benefit from a criminal justice degree, from parole officer to federal agent, private detective to court officials. There is also a research and academic side to criminal justice. People in these roles strive to better understand the nature of crime and justice to improve our criminal justice system. Accelerated online programs are both cheaper and faster making these criminal justice degrees a great value. I you have a bachelor’s and want to work for a law enforcement agency like the FBI, a criminal justice master’s is a great way to do that.
Featured Programs
Criminal justice is a demanding field and often doesn’t give professionals the time necessary to earn a degree through traditional means. The accelerated online master’s in criminal justice degrees ranked here provide flexible, convenient, quality solutions for professionals seeking to advance their careers through education. All the programs ranked here are non-profit public and private universities and are regionally accredited. More information on the sources used in this article can be found at the bottom of the page.
Methodology
The ranking methodology used here is simple. All degrees included can be completed at a faster-than-average pace, and they are ranked according to their affordability.
Fastest Criminal Justice Degree Online Master’s Programs
#1. University of the Cumberlands
Online Master’s in Criminal Justice Administration
Tuition: $4,260
The online accelerated master’s in criminal justice administration at the University of the Cumberlands can be completed in just 18 months. Students will take courses like Criminological Theories in Justice Administration, Statistical Applications in Justice Administration, Human Resource Management, Legal Issues in Justice Administration, Family Violence, and Sex Crimes: Myths and Motives.
Pros:
- Accelerated format
- High acceptance rate
Cons:
- Low graduation rate
- Larger class sizes
- Less diverse
#2. Wilmington University
Online Master of Science in Justice Administration
Tuition: $9,432
While this online master of science in the administration of justice is designed to be completed in two years, students meeting specific requirements can qualify for an accelerated program. Students will take courses like violent crime, mental health and the law, addiction studies, therapeutic strategies for criminal justice offenders, and contemporary issues in homeland security.
Pros:
- Nationally ranked university
- Small class sizes
Cons:
- Low graduation rate
#3. Concordia University–Saint Paul
Online Master of Arts in Criminal Justice
Tuition: $8,550
Some careers open to graduates from this accelerated online master’s in criminal justice include forensic psychology, criminal sociology, corrections supervisor, criminal profiler, police and detective supervisor, and forensic examiner. The program can be completed in just 21 months, taking one seven-week course at a time, or half that speed by doubling up on courses.
Pros:
- Accelerated format
- Nationally ranked online criminal justice program
- High graduation rate
Cons:
- Limited tech support
#4. Colorado State University Global Campus
Online Master’s in Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Administration
Tuition: $9,000
Graduates from Colorado State University’s online master’s in criminal justice program have earned jobs as forensic investigators, private detectives, loss prevention agents, legal investigators, and detective sergeants. This program offers specializations in accounting, business intelligence, fraud management, finance, human resources, information technology, and international management.
Pros:
- Diverse curriculum
- 24/7 tech support
Cons:
- Less diverse
#5. Missouri State University
Online Master’s in Criminology and Criminal Justice
Tuition: $6,264
The standard online master’s in criminology and criminal justice program at Missouri State takes two years but can be accelerated by ambitious students who want to cut the time down to 12-18 months. Graduates from this program have earned jobs with federal, state, and local law enforcement, county jails, juvenile justice organizations, child victim advocacy groups, and homeland security.
Pros:
- Nationally ranked online criminal justice programs
- Accelerated format
- Small class sizes
Cons:
- Less diverse
- Limited tech support
#6. Faulkner University
Online Master of Justice Administration
Tuition: $15,125
Faulkner’s accelerated online master of justice administration can be completed in 14 months, taking only one course at a time. Enrollment is year-round, and rotations start every six weeks. Students will take classes like justice writing, law and justice, administration of justice, policing in America, comparative criminal justice, courts, and ethics.
Pros:
- Nationally ranked graduate school of criminal law
- Accelerated format
- Small class sizes
Cons:
- More competitive
- Low graduation rate
#7. Texas A&M University-Commerce
Master of Science in Applied Criminology
Tuition: $3,630
The online master of science in applied criminology at Texas A&M at Commerce features five-week courses taken one at a time, allowing students to complete the program in just 18 months. Some of the courses available in this program are a seminar on policing and law enforcement, issues in criminal law and the courts, and criminal justice planning and evaluation.
Pros:
- Accelerated format
- Nationally ranked online criminal justice program
- Smaller class sizes
- 24/7 tech support
Cons:
- More competitive
#8. Angelo State University
Online Master of Science in Criminal Justice
Tuition: $4,181
The online MS in Criminal Justice program at Angelo State University can be completed in just 18 months. Students in this program will take courses like criminal justice theory, legal aspects of the criminal justice system, critical analysis of justice administration, and research methods in security studies. Courses are delivered in both 8-week and 16-week formats.
Pros:
- Accelerated format
- Nationally ranked online criminal justice program
- Small class sizes
Cons:
- Limited tech support
#9. University of North Alabama
Master of Science in Criminal Justice
Tuition: $8,910
Full-time students can complete this accelerated online master of science in criminal justice program in just one year. Students will study courses like forensic investigation, psychological dimensions of criminal justice practice, criminological theory, contemporary issues in juvenile justice, and contemporary issues in law enforcement. The program features 21 credits of electives, allowing students a high degree of customization.
Pros:
- Top-ranked regional university
- Accelerated format
Cons:
- Lower graduation rate
- Less diverse
#10. Western Kentucky University
Master of Arts in Criminology Online
Tuition: $12,140
Students in this online master of arts in criminology can complete the program in one year or less. On-demand courses allow students to start any class anytime, providing complete flexibility. Students will take courses like criminology and law, deviant behavior, comparative criminology, environmental criminology, and race, class, and crime.
Pros:
- Nationally ranked public school
- High acceptance rate
Cons:
- Less diverse
Sources
This article’s information was drawn directly from each school’s website or the National Center for Education Statistics’ College Navigator database.
CVO Staff
- Master’s Criminal Justice Online
- Online PhD in Criminal Justice
- Online Master’s in Forensic Psychology
- Online Accelerated Master’s in Social Work
This concludes our ranking of the 10 best value accelerated online master’s in criminal justice and criminology degrees.