Master’s in Criminal Justice Programs in Maryland

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

A master’s degree in criminal justice in Maryland can put you in a great place to oversee change in this industry as a whole. Contact criminal justice schools in Maryland to learn more.

One of the tasks often given to high-level criminal justice professionals is the improvement of the criminal justice system through legislation and management. Maryland is facing a significant amount of critique regarding the criminal justice system and was recently sued over their Baltimore prison system, which required the state to agree to improve their health care system and provide disability services to prisoners in need of them (Reuters, 2015). Earning your degree can position you as a leader and change maker in the state’s justice system.

Succeeding at this level of study also requires innovation and the ability to think outside the box. The Safe Streets initiative rolled out in one Maryland city initially, but has since expanded to four areas of the state (WBAL TV, 2015).

As you start learning about graduate programs in your area, think about how you might want to use a criminal justice graduate degree. This level of training may prepare you for several different management jobs.

Maryland police supervisors earn an average salary of $107,250 annually (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2022) and anticipate a 15% increase in job openings through the year 2030 (CareerOneStop, 2022). Those who go into correctional supervision claim an average salary of $72,060 per year (BLS, 2022), and an expected 7% boost in job openings (CareerOneStop, 2022).

2022 US Bureau of Labor Statistics salary and employment figures for Maryland contained here reflect national data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed November 2023.

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

Earning a master’s in criminal justice in Maryland requires a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited school. Generally, graduate programs in this subject do not require a related Bachelor’s degree, so you may qualify for acceptance even if you have little criminal justice experience. However, you should be ready to articulate why you are interested in the field of criminal justice and what you think you can bring to this industry.

Financial aid plays a big role in many students’ school decisions, so you may want to look into scholarships early in the process. The Maryland Correctional Administrators Association Scholarship funds scholarships for criminal justice professionals who are returning to school.

A criminal justice master’s degree in Maryland may offer exposure to many different specialties in this field and many different work settings. If you know that you want to work in a specific concentration after graduation, you may want to choose a more specialized area of study.

Maryland criminal justice graduate schools offer the following specialties:

• Criminology
• Homeland security
• Homeland security management
• Forensics
• Justice and security

Curriculum requirements are unique to each school. Learn more about common course requirements and what these popular courses can teach you:

• Perspectives in Law Enforcement Management: This course offers insight into management techniques that are unique to the field of criminal justice
• Critical Analysis of the Criminal Justice System: In this class, you go beyond a procedural knowledge of criminal justice and discover how to analyze the field as a whole
• Issues in Correctional Administration: Enrolling in this course gives you the chance to explore issues in the correctional system
• Security Management: Students in this course learn how to properly manage and lead security professionals

Higher education is the key to success and influence in this industry. Contact schools near you to find out how you can earn a Master of Science in criminal justice in Maryland.