Are you passionate about making a positive impact in the criminal justice field? If so, Pennsylvania Western University's online master in criminal justice online is the ideal choice for you. This program is flexible and accommodates your personal and professional commitments by being entirely online. It's the perfect solution for those looking to balance work, life, and education.
This master degree in criminal justice covers the criminal justice system, including law enforcement, investigations, security management, and forensic science. The degree program is detailed and thorough. Our program is designed for recent graduates, professionals, and career changers, offering customized solutions to help you achieve your goals.
We thoughtfully designed the criminal justice program curriculum to provide a blend of theoretical knowledge, research methods and practical skills. You will have interesting talks, practical examples, and interactive tasks led by experienced teachers with real-life knowledge and academic expertise. This method helps you learn the basics of law enforcement and how to use them in real-life situations.
Our program offers three exciting areas to focus on:
Get real-world experience in a concentration that interests you.
Learn from pioneers in the field, including experts from the FBI Academy at Quantico, Va.
Associated with the Pennsylvania Center for Investigative and Forensic Sciences, which provides real-time, investigative consulting and professional training for law enforcement professionals.
Ranked #7 in the nation for top online criminology degree by GuideToOnlineSchools.com
Varies by concentration
100% online
Graduate Admissions
gradadmissions@pennwest.edu
724-938-4187
Varies by concentration
If you are fascinated by behaviors that surround criminal activity, this concentration will put you on the path to a rewarding career. You’ll gain specialized knowledge in the field, through courses such as Advanced Behavioral Crime Analysis Theory, Violent Crime Analysis, Equivocal Death Analysis and Geographic Death Analysis. You’ll also gain knowledge of the ethical and legal aspects of behavioral crime. Count on our experienced faculty to provide insight and guidance. They include a renowned federal agent and war crimes investigator, a former intelligence officer and terrorist specialist, a criminal justice research and policy analyst, and other criminal justice experts. Upon completion of this 30-credit program, you will be equipped to advance your career in local, state or federal law-enforcement agencies, victim-witness units, threat assessment teams and correctional institutions.
Credits: 30
Start Terms: Fall, Spring
Admission Requirements: 3.0 transcript
Build your knowledge, skills and abilities in the field of forensic linguistics. Learn to use linguistic cues to build aprofile of a criminal suspect, assess threatening communications and examine suspicious documents.
Your coursework will teach you to create courtroom-ready reports regarding verbal and non-verbal threats, ransom demands, suicide notes and other communications associated with serious criminal, civil and national security matters.
Upon completion, you will be qualified to work as a practitioner or consultant in this growing field, adding value to any criminal justice team.
Credits: 36
Start Terms: Fall
Admission Requirements: 3.0 transcript
Prepare to take on a leadership role in the field of criminal justice. This concentration gives you an in-depth understanding of the core components of our criminal justice system – law enforcement, courts and corrections. At the same time, it offers you the opportunity to study numerous contemporary topics that will give you an informed perspective of the major issues and concerns in the field.
Opt for advanced studies in forensic issues, advanced forensic accounting and litigation, digital and cyber forensics. Or delve into corporate and occupational fraud and white-collar crimes.
With this master’s degree, you will have what it takes to advance your career to an exciting new level.
Credits: 36
Start Terms: Fall, Spring
Admission Requirements: 3.0 transcript
With this degree, you can work in various roles, such as:
Your Path to Further Education
Thinking about a PhD? This Master's program is a great first step.
Conditional Admission Requirements
PennWest’s three campuses, California, Clarion and Edinboro universities, have been delivering award-winning online programs for more than 20 years. You’ll graduate with a degree from Pennsylvania Western University, completely supported by the expertise and community of learners on our brick-and-mortar campuses.