Whats the right school for me. Looking for guidance. Masters program.

Hello,
New to the board.
I have a BS is Computer Science from a regionally acredited university.
Should that be important to me for my master?

I am looking for something in the Criminal Justice area. It would be 100% online study. I am in a federal job as well as the National Guard and a master's will help my career.
I want the paper for promotion but also want personal value and educatuon from the experience.

Should I go cheapest route? If so where would you suggest?
Or with a local larger school (ASU)that has a better name but will be more difficult. This option gives me campus access.
How much better is ASU than Websters, AMU, etc.

I realize this is a little jumbled but this is where my brain is at the moment.
I do plan to start my degree in the fall and appreciate you guys taking the time to respond.
SARTAN

 

Here's some to get you started, all RA and online. There are also many DEAC & ACICS programs, but I haven't gotten around to cataloging those yet.

PART I

Boston University – M.C.J. Master of Criminal Justice » Metropolitan College | Boston University

Lasell College – M.S. Criminal Justice Graduate Programs | Lasell College

Northeastern University – M.S. Masters Degree Criminal Justice Online | Northeastern University Online

University of Massachusetts Lowell – M.A. http://www.continuinged.uml.edu/online/cjmasters.cfm

Johnson & Wales University – M.S. https://online.jwu.edu/academics/graduate/criminal-justice

Salve Regina University – M.S. Administration of Justice Administration of Justice and Homeland Security | Salve Regina University

Wilmington University – M.S. Administration of Justice Online Learning Programs - Wilmington University

Rowan University – M.A. Rowan Global

Monroe College – M.S. https://www.monroecollege.edu/Online/Online-Degrees/Online-Graduate-Degrees/Online-Masters-Criminal-Justice-Degree/

California University of Pennsylvania – M.S. Legal Studies; Criminal Justice Concentration Master of Science in Legal Studies: Criminal Justice Concentration : CAL U

California University of Pennsylvania – M.A. Social Science; Applied Criminology Master of Arts in Social Science Applied Criminology : CAL U

Indiana University of Pennsylvania – M.A. Criminology Criminology, MA - Graduate Programs - Criminology and Criminal Justice - IUP

Slippery Rock University – M.A. Criminal Justice (Master of Arts) || Slippery Rock University

Liberty University – M.S. http://www.liberty.edu/online/masters/criminal-justice/command-college/

University of the Cumberlands – M.S. Justice Administration Master's in Criminal Justice - University of the Cumberlands

University of Louisville – M.S. Master of Science in Criminal Justice

Western Kentucky University – M.A. Criminology Online M.A. in Criminology

East Carolina University – M.S. Program Search Results | Graduate School

Fayetteville State University – M.S. Graduate Program

Bethel University – M.S. http://www.bethelcj.com/masters.html

University of Memphis – M.A. MA in Criminal Justice - UofM Online - University of Memphis

Albany State University – M.S. College of Education Degree Programs - Albany State University

Armstrong State University – M.S. http://www.armstrong.edu/Online/criminal_justice_ms/cjsocpols_overview_criminal_justice_ms

South University – M.S. https://www.southuniversity.edu/online/Areas-Of-Study/Criminal-Justice-and-Legal-Studies/Criminal-Justice-Master-of-Science-MS

University of North Georgia – M.S. Master of Science with a Major in Criminal Justice (online program)

Valdosta State University – M.S. https://www.valdosta.edu/academics/majors-degrees/welcome.php?addAttributeID[]=2

Auburn University Montgomery – M.S. Justice & Public Safety Justice & Public Safety | AUM Undergraduate Programs

Troy University – M.S. troy.edu - Graduate Catalog/College of Arts and Sciences

University of North Alabama – M.S. https://www.una.edu/criminaljustice/graduate-program.html

Delta State University – M.S. Social Justice & Criminology Master of Science in Social Justice & Criminology - Delta State University

Bethune-Cookman University – M.S. Criminal Justice Administration http://www.cookman.edu/academics/schools/graduate/Programs/mscja/index.html

Florida International University – M.S. Florida International University Online?s Master of Science in Criminal Justice. Management, education, professional, students, graduate, undergraduate - FIU Online

Florida State University – M.S. Criminal Justice Studies https://distance.fsu.edu/students/criminal-justice-studies-ms

Lynn University – M.S. Criminal Justice Administration M.S. - Administration - Criminal Justice Administration — Lynn University, Boca Raton, Florida

Nova Southeastern University – M.S. M.S. in Criminal Justice | NSU

Saint Leo University – M.S. Online Masters in Criminal Justice | Saint Leo University

University of Central Florida – M.S. Online Criminal Justice M.S. - UCF Online Degrees

University of Louisiana Monroe – M.A. Master of Arts in Criminal Justice (MA) | ULM University of Louisiana at Monroe

Angelo State University – M.S. Criminal Justice Master

Dallas Baptist University – M.A.P.D. (Concentration in Criminal Justice) Graduate Program - Master of Arts in Professional Development

Lamar University – M.S. Master of Science in Criminal Justice - Lamar University

Prairie View A&M University – M.S. Juvenile Justice The One Year Online Master of Science in Juvenile Justice : College of Juvenile Justice and Psychology

Sam Houston State University – M.S. Master of Science in Criminal Justice

Texas A&M International University – M.S. TAMIU Online Programs Page

Texas A&M University Central Texas – M.C.J. http://www.tamuct.edu/departments/online/programs.php

Texas Southern University – M.A.J. Home

University of Houston Downtown – M.S. https://www.uhd.edu/academics/public-service/criminal-justice/Pages/online-index.aspx

University of North Texas – M.S. UNT eCampus

University of Texas Dallas – M.S. Criminology Criminology Degrees - School of Economic, Political and Policy Sciences - UT Dallas

Wayland Baptist University – M.A. Online Degree Programs, Online Masters Degree Programs - Wayland Baptist University

 

PART II

Arizona State University – M.A. Criminal Justice Online Degree | ASU Online | Arizona State University

Northern Arizona University –Master of Administration Justice Studies Administration, Master of Administration | 2015-2016 Academic Catalog | Northern Arizona University

University of Phoenix – M.S. Administration of Justice & Security Masters in Criminal Justice & Security - Online Masters - University of Phoenix

University of Arkansas Little Rock – M.S. M.S. in criminal justice - Online

Colorado State University Global Campus – M.S. Criminal Justice & Law Enforcement Administration https://csuglobal.edu/graduate/programs/masters-degrees/criminal-justice-and-law-enforcement-administration/

Colorado Technical University – M.S. Masters in Criminal Justice - Online Degree | CTU

Regis University – M.S. Criminology Regis University

University of Colorado Colorado Springs – M.C.J. Master of Criminal Justice (MCJ) Program - School of Public Affairs | University of Colorado Colorado Springs

Adler University – M.A. Criminology Master's in Criminal Justice & Criminology Degree Online

Lewis University – M.S. Criminal & Social Justice Online Criminal Justice Master's Degree, Social Justice | Lewis University

Indiana State University – M.A./M.S. Criminology & Criminal Justice http://www2.indstate.edu/online/ccj.shtml

Kaplan University – M.S. Masters in Criminal Justice - What is a Criminal Justice Masters Program

Saint Ambrose University – M.C.J. Online Master of Criminal Justice Degree - St. Ambrose University

Fort Hays State University – M.P.S. Criminal Justice Concentration MPS in Criminal Justice Curriculum and Information - Fort Hays State University

Wichita State University – M.A. http://www.wichita.edu/thisis/cjonline/

Michigan State University – M.S. http://www.reg.msu.edu/UCC/OnlinePrograms.asp#Online

Northern Michigan University – M.S. Programs | NMU Online Learning Portal

Capella University – M.S. Online Criminal Justice & Emergency Management Degree Programs - Capella University

Concordia University Saint Paul – M.A. Criminal Justice Leadership Master of Arts in Criminal Justice Leadership - CSP Online

Saint Cloud State University – M.S. Criminal Justice (M.S.) | St. Cloud State University

Walden University – M.S. http://www.waldenu.edu/masters/ms-in-criminal-justice

Missouri State University – M.S. Criminology & Criminal Justice Online - Criminology Graduate Program - Criminology and Criminal Justice - Missouri State University

University of Central Missouri – M.S. https://www.ucmo.edu/ucmonline/

University of Missouri Saint Louis – M.A. Criminology & Criminal Justice - UMSL | St. Louis Criminology & Criminal Justice Degree Programs | Criminology & Criminal Justice Courses & Classes

Bellevue University – M.S. Justice Administration & Crime Management Justice Administration and Crime Management Master's Degree Online | Bellevue University

New Mexico State University – M.C.J. Degree Programs | NMSU Distance Education | New Mexico State University

Bowling Green State University – M.S. http://www.bgsu.edu/ecampus/programs-and-degrees/criminal-justice.html

Kent State University – M.A. Criminology & Criminal Justice https://onlinedegrees.kent.edu/programs-courses/graduate/criminology-and-criminal-justice/

Tiffin University – M.S. Master of Science (MS) Degrees | Tiffin University

University of Cincinnati – M.S. Online Master's in Criminal Justice Degree | University of Cincinnati

University of Toledo – M.A. https://www.utoledo.edu/online-degree-programs/programs/masters/criminal-justice.html

Urbana University – M.S. Criminal Justice Administration Master's in Criminal Justice Online - Criminal Justice Master's

Youngstown State University – M.S. Criminal Justice Management & Program Planning Online Master of Science in Criminal Justice Management & Program Planning | Youngstown State University

University of Oklahoma – M.S. Master of Science in Criminal Justice

American Public University/American Military University – M.A. http://www.apu.apus.edu/academic/programs/list?_ga=1.231447962.489120029.1439423788

Fairmont State University – M.S. Criminal Justice - Graduate Program | College of Liberal Arts | Fairmont State University

University of Wisconsin Platteville – M.S. UW-Platteville: Online Graduate Programs in Criminal Justice and Child Advocacy

University of Alaska Fairbanks – M.A. Administration of Justice https://www.uaf.edu/justice/degrees/masters/

Western Oregon University – M.A. https://www.wou.edu/graduate/ma-criminal-justice/

University of Nevada Reno – M.J.M. Justice Management Justice Management Degree Program at the University of Nevada,Reno

Alliant International University – M.S. Applied Criminology Applied Criminology | Alliant International University

California State University Fresno –M.S. Criminology Master's Degrees at Fresno State

California State University Long Beach – M.S. Criminology & Criminal Justice Master of Science in Criminology and Criminal Justice

National University – M.C.J. Criminal Justice Master's Degree - On-Campus & Online Courses | National University

Northcentral University – M.B.A. Criminal Justice Administration Criminal Justice MBA, MBA in Criminal Justice Online | Northcentral University

University of California Irvine – M.A.S. Criminology, Law, & Society Online Master of Advanced Study in Criminology, Law and Society

University of San Diego – M.S. Law Enforcement & Public Safety Leadership http://criminaljustice.sandiego.edu/curriculum/

Chaminade University of Honolulu – M.S. Criminal Justice Administration M.S. Criminal Justice Administration | Chaminade University of Honolulu

 

First of all, thank you to Bruce. This is an amazing list.

What degree you want will largely depend upon your ultimate goals.

You work for the federal government so a degree that is NA will also "work" for most of your purposes if you intend to stay in the federal system. In that sense, an NA degree would likely serve its purposes as a "check the box" sort of degree.

But you may very well find limitations down the road that you might want to consider. Assuming you work in law enforcement (of some variety) a state or municipal government might not be as kind toward your NA degree. They might be. But some states, New York for example, do not accept NA degrees for state employment purposes (unless that degree is also registered with NYSBOR).

You may also enjoy the flexibility of knowing your experience and education can help you land an adjunct teaching gig in the future. Not impossible with an NA Masters (I did it) but, again, a bit limiting.

So, RA is likely the safer route. Then again, RA is generally the safer route.

But if you did decide to explore NA options, I would suggest looking at the University of Management and Technology. With the veterans discount they are about $750/course which puts them slightly lower than schools like Ashworth. I also found that many of my professors were very knowledgeable and a good chunk of them either worked for the federal government/military at the time they were teaching or had retired from either/both systems.

 

opcorn:I'll just sit here in the corner and wait for Sanantone to ask you what the heck you're thinking..... lol

 

I'm giving you this advice as someone who has spent nearly the last twenty years in local law enforcement. I'm also a state law enforcement instructor.

A master's in CJ is not very useful in law enforcement circles. It is only useful if you want to teach at the college level or your just seeking promotion as you mentioned. However, you put that you wanted a degree that would provide you some personal value as well. You'd be much better served getting your master's in computer science.

 

As someone who has spent almost 30 years in local law enforcement, that's not true at all, and usually spouted by those who don't have a degree themselves. With so many programs that it took me 2 pages to list them because one wasn't enough, someone is certainly finding them useful.

 

Ha! Someone already beat me to it. In corrections, CJ degrees are desirable for wardens. A lot of law enforcement administrators have MPAs or similar degrees. I've been seeing more and more leadership degrees (I hate those degrees by the way). Honestly, I think a master's in CJ is most helpful to those who want to teach. Otherwise, I see it as mainly something to get a master's in out of pure interest whether in research or just to have the knowledge. If you're interested in learning more about management, there are CJ administration programs; but the MPA is more portable.

If quality outweighs cost, then ASU is one of the best American schools for CJ.

 

Forgot to mention; if you're looking for prestige as far as in the CJ world, then University of Cincinnati, UC-Irvine, Florida State, and Michigan State probably carry the most weight.

All those schools have impeccably credentialed faculty, and do heavy-duty research in CJ, Criminology, etc.

 

Sam Houston State is well known here in Texas.

 

I wouldn't use the number of programs to gauge whether or not a degree is useful. The availability of programs often depends on popularity, and popularity is often not dependent upon usefulness. If usefulness mattered that much, there would be more online graduate programs in engineering and mathematics. In all honesty, the number of programs you listed pale in comparison to the number of programs available in other subjects such as the MBA or master's in education. An undergraduate degree in psychology is one of the most popular majors. While you can use it to get a job, it's not one of the most useful undergraduate degrees. Criminal justice majors are among the most underemployed, according to Payscale, because around 2/3 of them end up in a job that doesn't require a degree. Business administration also has a very high underemployment rate because it's so popular that there is oversaturation in the market. That hasn't stopped these degree programs from being extremely popular.

Interestingly enough, Forbes named CJ the worst master's to get in 2015. :lmao:

No. 1 Worst Master's Degree: Criminal Justice - In Photos: The 10 Best And Worst Master's Degrees For Jobs Right Now - Forbes

I would like to see some proof that a master's in CJ is more useful for law enforcement officers than master's degrees in other subjects. I've worked for a couple of law enforcement agencies under sheriffs, chief deputies, captains, lieutenants, etc. Hardly any of them had a master's in CJ, let alone a master's in anything. Out of pure interest, I've also looked at the biographies of administrators at a few other large departments in Texas. Maybe it's different where you're from, but statistics based off of nationwide samples are indicative that the general trend is closer to what GAGuy and I have noticed.

 

Guys,
Let me first say thank you. I am blown away by both the quality and quantity of the responses. I am a new poster and expected minimal responses or much sarcasm.
Bruce, Thanks for the great list.
Neu, Yes Im Federal LEO. I will be at my agency (In all probability) until age 57 and then hopefully retire.
GA, As I said above, my BS is in Computer Science but Im no longer in that field (I wasn't good at it) and its not my strong suit.
SAN, After much thought quality definitely outweighs cost. I cant go JUST to check the box. It seems so counter productive and demotivational.

With all that said a Masters for me will check 2 boxes and make me more competitive in the LOE as well as the National Guard.
I am leaning towards ASU with a major in Master of Public Safety Leadership and Administration (MPSLA). It has CJ heavy classes and seems interesting and states its for LOE/Fire management. Please give me feedback on this option vs other majors. Also, I chose ASU because its local and fairly inexpensive compared to other major university online programs (about $3200 for a 6 credit hr semester. $502 credit Hr + minimal fees).

Sartan

 

They are very useful for checking a box off on a resume/application and/or getting a promotion if the requirements call for a degree. They are also very useful if you want to teach college. Other than that, not so much. I'm also not spouting that off because I lack a degree. I have two (associate and bachelor) and I'm working on the third (MPA). I will graduate in December. There are so many degrees out there which provide much more utility to a law enforcement agency and will also provide you with much more marketability outside of law enforcement. If two candidates with equal law enforcement experience, references and personality applied for a law enforcement job but one had a CJ degree and one had a computer science degree... I'd be willing to wager money that the one with the CS degree gets hired over the CJ degree every time if the person in charge has any sense about them. The same can be said for degrees in accounting, languages and many other fields.

I *do* plan on teaching law enforcement/criminal justice at one of our local technical colleges down the street. After I finish my MPA, I'm going to have to get my grad certificate in CJ. If the OP has determined that CJ is the degree he *needs*, then let him go get it. However, he seemed to imply he also wanted the degree for more personal development. If he's not going to use it to teach, I highly recommend that he go get something else.