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Accreditation for AMU’s Master’s in Criminal Justice Degree
Accreditation for your master’s in criminal justice degree is important. Accredited academic institutions are evaluated for educational quality, soundness of institutional governance, and sustainability of an institution's finances.
AMU is part of American Public University System (APUS), which is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org), an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Our accreditation means that eligible students can participate in several financial aid programs, including military tuition assistance, the Department of Veterans Affairs GI Bill®, federal financial aid, and many corporate educational assistance programs.
GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by the VA is available at the official website: http://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.
What are the Benefits of AMU’s Master’s in Criminal Justice?
- AMU’s military-friendly master's degree in criminal justice is entirely online and all courses are asynchronous, which means you can log in on your schedule to complete weekly assignments by their due date.
- The program allows you to focus your studies through the selection of a concentration for more specialized knowledge.
- Our degree program provides an opportunity for current and aspiring criminal justice professionals, such as probation officers, public service professionals, police, security personnel, and others to come together as students and share their real-world examples from the field.
- AMU’s criminal justice master's program is designed to offer advanced, in-depth understanding of criminal behavior, the U.S. criminal justice policy system, and judicial system itself.
How to Pay for Your Master’s Degree in Criminal Justice
Accredited academic institutions typically offer a range of financial aid possibilities. As part of American Public University System, AMU is committed to offering an affordable, high-quality education to all students. We can help you evaluate options to finance your education.
AMU’s Preferred Military Rate is available for all undergraduate. This tuition grant is offered to law enforcement, public safety, and emergency services professionals, allowing them to advance their knowledge and skills. Family members, including parents, spouses, legal partners, siblings, and dependents, are also eligible for this grant.
Here’s how to apply the tuition grant to your application:
- Select “Everyday Heroes” during the application process under Memberships and Affiliations.
- Family members should select “Everyday Heroes Family Member.”
Criminal justice students often come from a military background, and thus may qualify for American Military University’s Preferred Military Rate or GI Bill® benefits.
AMU’s Preferred Military Rate is $250 per credit hour for all undergraduate and master’s-level programs, including our criminal justice master’s degree. The rate is available to all U.S. active-duty servicemembers, National Guard members, and Reservists. Military families, including parents, spouses, legal partners, siblings, and dependents, are also eligible to receive the Preferred Military Rate.
Veterans are eligible to receive our Veteran Grant, a 10% tuition grant extended to veteran family members as well—parents, spouses, legal partners, siblings, and dependents of veterans.
Request information to learn more about how your military benefits, AMU’s Preferred Military Rate, and University-sponsored grants can help minimize the total cost of earning your master’s degree.
Students who do not have military experience may qualify for the following payment solutions:
Students may also pay out of pocket for this master’s degree. AMU accepts credit cards, e-checks, and digital payments. We also offer automatic debit plans with 8- and 16-week schedule options. Tuition and fees are due at the time of course registration.
If you plan to apply for any type of financial aid, start the process at least six weeks before your course starts. Learn more about paying for your education.
Curriculum Overview for AMU’s Master’s in Criminal Justice
This degree program is designed for students interested in gaining deeper knowledge related to a wide range of current topics in the U.S. criminal justice system. This program is also intended to provide insight into national and local security issues as well as effective countermeasures and subsequent changes in the U.S. criminal justice system.
The curriculum for AMU’s master’s program in Criminal Justice is intended to:
- Help equip you with the knowledge and skills to make higher-level professional contributions to public safety and the justice system
- Connect with professional peers and expand your network
- Prepare you with relevant and current knowledge to help shape the future of the criminal justice field
All students must complete certain core classes. These core courses cover topics such as criminological theory, ethics, police administration, and research methods.
You will choose from a selection of concentrations for AMU’s master’s in criminal justice degree program. The knowledge covered, objectives, and actual courses may vary within each concentration in response to real-world changes in the legal system. This keeps the program's content fresh and relevant.
This master’s in criminal justice includes a capstone course that integrates the knowledge and skills acquired throughout the program. Students have two capstone options. One requires completion of two papers, like a master’s thesis, and focuses on the application of criminal justice theory to pillars of the criminal justice system. The other option is a comprehensive examination that requires the completion of four shorter papers, each addressing a topic or question directly related to the core and major courses.
This master’s degree in Criminal Justice is designed to help you develop professional skills typically needed for leadership in the field. You will learn from faculty and from fellow students who may have practical experience from roles in government, the military, public safety, corrections, and other criminal justice careers.
You will also interact with professional peers who share your passion for public service and criminal justice. The development of critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication skills is pivotal to enabling law officers to anticipate and diffuse volatile situations they encounter in crimes as they unfold.
For busy professionals with unpredictable schedules, this master’s degree is online. This makes the program flexible and convenient, allowing you to complete your coursework on your schedule to meet weekly assignment deadlines.
Transfer Opportunities for AMU’s Online Master’s in Criminal Justice
AMU is committed to awarding the most transfer credit possible.1 When you apply for our master's degree in criminal justice, be sure to explore how your prior education and experience may earn credit toward your criminal justice master's degree. Potential transfer credit opportunities include:
- Public safety training and education
- Military service and education
- Government training
- Academic credit
- Professional training
- Credit by examination
Please see the University’s transfer credit policy webpage for complete information.
Frequently Asked Questions
Criminal justice programs vary widely in focus and delivery methods. A master’s in criminal justice can help prepare you with relevant and current knowledge typically required to address needs related to public safety. Criminal justice programs may be useful for military and civilian students to help them gain the knowledge and skills typically needed to address complex problems related to the U.S. criminal justice system. The flexibility usually offered in criminal justice programs online may be particularly useful for active-duty military and civilian working professionals.
A criminal justice master’s program is typically designed to appeal to a variety of students for different reasons. Many military students, for example, may be seeking advanced understanding of homeland security or intelligence analysis by earning a master's in criminal justice. They may wish to further their education, which may help them meet personal and professional goals. Master’s degree programs typically offer different concentrations. It’s a good idea to find a master in criminal justice program that matches your interests.
Online master’s degree programs can be particularly suitable for active-duty military and civilian criminal justice professionals who are balancing career and educational goals. Students interested in criminal justice programs online often find they benefit from the convenience of virtual learning to connect with professional peers and learn about public safety matters beyond their local area.
The skills and knowledge acquired in a criminal justice master's degree are typically designed to explore various fields within criminal justice agencies, such as crime analysis, forensic psychology, criminal investigations, federal crimes, homeland security, and law enforcement intelligence.