Advance your career through the courses that you select: You'll do that here.

Southeast's 100% Online Master's Degree in Criminal Justice helps you move forward in your career. We offer course flexibility, which means your education directly supports your professional goals. We recognize your prior training—FBI National Academy, Command College, or other executive-level experience can count toward your degree, helping you finish in as little as 12 months.

What You'll Do

In the Online Criminal Justice Master's program, you'll learn from professionals who bring real-world experience to every course. You'll have the opportunity to:

  • Master criminal justice policies and understand how outside factors shape our justice systems
  • Build practical skills that you can use right away in your current role
  • Connect with a network of professionals who face the same challenges you do

What Can You Do with an Online Master's Degree in Criminal Justice?

This degree prepares you for leadership roles throughout the justice system. You'll gain the knowledge and skills to advance in law enforcement, corrections, emergency management, and court systems. The program focuses on practical leadership that helps you solve real problems and make better decisions.

Career Advancement

Graduates from the Online Criminal Justice Master's program move into key leadership positions that make a difference:

  • Law Enforcement Management
  • Emergency Management Leadership
  • Corrections Administration
  • Security Director
  • Policy Development

This degree is about more than just theory—it's about Monday morning solutions for the challenges you face every day.

Online: Criminal Justice Degree Map

Explore the courses you'll need to complete your degree

Online Master's in Criminal Justice Curriculum

Degree Map

The Online M.S. in Criminal Justice Program admits students throughout the year.

Accesss, Convenience, Flexibility

  • 100%

    Online Graduate Courses

    100% online courses allow you to work and study at a time and location convenient for you.

  • 8

    Week Courses

    8-week courses reduce your time away from work or family and shorten your time to graduation.

  • 0

    GRE or Thesis Requirement

    The Online Criminal Justice Master's program does not require a GRE or Thesis for completion.

  • 9

    Credit Hours

    9 credit hours for advanced or executive level training help you complete your degree in 12 months or less.

Missouri National Guard Criminal Justice

Your path to a serious career starts here. MONG provides real support for students committed to criminal justice. We bridge academic training with hands-on experience, offering educational benefits that turn your goals into reality. Earn while you learn.

Chair & Professor in the Department of Criminal Justice, Social Work and Sociology

"What makes our program special is how it focuses on practical skills you can use right away to help you solve real problems every day. We also recognize the value and award degree credit for prior learning, whether from the FBI National Academy or other high-level training, and I'm proud that we've built something where you can grow professionally without missing family time or stepping away from your career."

Brian Donavant Ph.D.

Headshot of Criminal Justice Department chair, Brian Donavant Ph.D.

Accelerated Master’s Degree

Southeast offers an accelerated master’s degree for current students. If you want to complete your M.S. in Criminal Justice sooner, contact the department for more information.

Earn Your Degree on Your Schedule.

Do more than dream about the future. Take the first steps to make it all happen.

Getting the Job

Your education is just one piece to launching an extraordinary career. Once you’ve mastered the material, you still have to find the job you want, make the right connections, sell your knowledge and experience—and if all this is giving you anxiety, don’t panic. SEMO’s Career Services office is here to help you with the next step. They’ll provide the expertise and support you need, so you’re landing your dream job in no time.

Criminal Justice by the Numbers

  • $89K

    Emergency Management Directors

    According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics the median annual salary for emergency management directors is $88,890.

  • $70K

    First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers

    According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics the median annual salary for first-line supervisors of correctional officers is $70,190.

  • $92K

    Detectives and Criminal Investigators

    According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics the median annual salary for detectives and criminal investigators is $91,610.

College of Humanities and Social Sciences 

This degree is housed within the College of Humanities and Social Sciences. The College prepares students for lifelong careers. We boast programs that train students in problem-solving, critical thinking, communication, organization, and adaptability. Skills employers value, so we prepare you for basically any career field.

U.S. News & World Report

"Southeast’s online criminal justice graduate program was slated as the 48th best in the nation and the best in the state."

Graduating from the criminal justice program has helped shape me into the state trooper I am today. Even now, coming up on three years as a state trooper, I am constantly going back to my time as a graduate student and dissecting and learning from everyday situations.

Jose (J.J.) Sanchez, '13, M.S. in Criminal Justice, Missouri State Highway Patrol

Online Learning at Southeast

When it comes to your success, we do whatever it takes. Online learning at Southeast takes the same reputable college courses taught by Southeast faculty and makes them available anytime, anywhere.

Your Success, Our Priority

Got questions? Our faculty are here to help! Whether you're trying to pick the right major, need career advice, or want to understand more about our programs, we're just an email or call away. No question is too big or small – we're your personal roadmap to success.

Phone
Advising
(573) 651-5184
Location
Office Location
Kent Library 305
Mailing Address
One University Plaza, MS 4610
Cape Girardeau, MO 63701

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