Master’s in Criminal Justice Programs in Indiana

When the field of criminal justice was first established, there was little research behind the industry and goals. As a result, the industry quickly became focused on punishing offenders and keeping them from society. Over the decades, a huge body of research has developed. As this industry evolves, experts have looked for ways to make this industry more efficient, more equitable, and less expensive.

Featured Online Criminal Justice Programs

What Can I Do With My Master’s in Criminal Justice in Indiana?

If you are dedicated to using your career to improve the future of criminal justice, contact criminal justice master’s programs in Indiana for more information.

One way in which this field is changing is the growing focus on rehabilitation. Incarceration is expensive and does not necessarily lead to better or safer outcomes. A new Indiana program aims to make mental health treatment and substance abuse treatment more readily available to offenders (News and Tribune, 2015).

As a professional in criminal justice, one of your responsibilities may be uncovering the industry’s priorities and how to best address them. In Indiana, one of the biggest problems currently is drunk driving (Washington Times, 2015).

Getting educated at the graduate level may put you in line for management positions at different criminal justice agencies. Correctional officer supervisors in Indiana currently earn an average salary of $39,100 per year, with an expected 2% increase in job openings by the year 2022 (O*Net, 2015).

Private investigation is another opportunity to consider. Indiana investigators bring in an average of $44,600 per year, and growth is expected to hit 11% by 2022 (O*Net, 2015).

What Will It Take to Earn My Criminal Justice Graduate Degree in Indiana?

Criminal justice is a multifaceted field that affects many other industries, government agencies, and areas of legislation. Clearly, it is important for you to get a well-rounded education in the more complicated aspects of criminal justice before you head into the workforce. Over the course of approximately two years, you should complete a minimum of 30 credits. Degree requirements are set by each school, so you may well be expected to complete more than 30 credits.

Reported tuition rates in Indiana range from $580 per credit hour to $1800 per credit hour. If you have a history of excellent academic performance or financial need, you may be able to offset these costs with financial aid. The Correctional Professionals Assistance Fund of Indiana is one resource to explore if you work or want to work in corrections.

In addition to general criminal justice programs, Indiana schools offer graduate programs in many specialties of this field. Your options may include:

Public affairs
Public safety administration
Criminal justice administration
Justice and security
Forensic and investigative science

Criminal justice graduate coursework should explore advanced themes, dilemmas, and procedures that required extensive critical thinking. You may delve into graduate study with courses like these in your curriculum:

Mapping and Analysis for Public Safety
Risk Analysis
National and Homeland Security
Criminal Violation
Managing Government Operations
Criminal Justice Systems
Planning and Management for Criminal Justice Agencies
Public Safety Law
Capstone in Public Safety

A capstone project is a common requirement at criminal justice graduate programs in Indiana. A capstone project is representative of what you’ve learned as a graduate student, how you have used your personal experience and education to bring insight to the subject, and how it is all applicable to your future career.

Your journey to a criminal justice master’s degree in Indiana can begin right here. Request information from Indiana schools below.