Master’s in Criminal Justice Programs in Iowa

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

If you’re considering a master’s degree in criminal justice in Iowa, get started by talking to schools in your area with our list of schools below.

Earning an advanced degree in this field may put you in a great position to make changes in a number of areas. An extensive understanding of statistics, sociology, and law enforcement is often required in these careers. The state of Iowa recently created a committee to look at racial disparities in criminal justice throughout the state, an endeavor that requires sensitivity and experience (Radio Iowa, 2015).

State legislators are looking to improve in other ways as well. This is reflected in the creation of a panel to examine mental health and substance abuse in criminal justice. Other goals of the panel include diversifying jury pools and changing the goals of juvenile justice (Globe Gazette, 2015).

A master’s degree may have a positive effect on your earning potential. In Iowa, police supervisors earn an average of $67,000 per year, while emergency management directors earn an average of $53,600 per year (O*Net, 2015). Job growth in this area is steady. By 2022, job openings for police supervisors may increase by 6% (O*Net, 2015). For emergency management directors, the anticipated growth rate is 5% (O*Net, 2015).

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

The first step to earning a Master of Science in criminal justice in Iowa is getting accepted to a school that can help you prepare for your intended career path. To be admitted to a master’s degree program, you must have a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution. Schools often look at your transcripts to determine your ability to succeed in this type of program, so a history of high grades is extremely helpful.

At minimum, programs in Iowa must include the completion of 30 credits at the graduate level. However, quite a few schools require more credits. This may be due to the complexity of different specialties or the learning goals set by the program. Reported tuition rates in Iowa range from $600 per credit to $1600 per credit.

Whether you are an Iowa resident or not, you may be able to secure financial aid opportunities after you get accepted to a program. The Iowa Corrections Association awards scholarships to students who want to work in corrections.

Examining the curriculum requirements for different programs in this field may help you choose the right master’s in criminal justice in Iowa program. You may further your study with courses like the ones listed here:

• Advanced Criminal Justice Statistics
• Administration of Justice
• Criminology Theory
• Crime Policy Analysis
• Justice Planning and Leadership

Administrators recognize that the ultimate goal of a Master of Science in criminal justice in Iowa is building a career. They gear their programs towards work in specific settings, including:

• Government administration
• Health and human services
• Emergency management and homeland security
• Personnel management

Criminal justice is one area of study that truly empowers you to positively impact your community. Learn more about earning a Master’s of Science in criminal justice in Iowa by contacting schools today.