Master’s in Criminal Justice Programs in Massachusetts

Massachusetts, despite its size, has quite a range of criminal justice needs. From the huge city of Boston to small rural areas, there are millions of Massachusetts residents and tourists who expect this system to protect them from threats. Constant growth of this industry requires the input and hard work of highly trained criminal justice graduates.

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

Regardless of what you have studied in the past, you may discover that a master’s degree in criminal justice is a good fit for your career goals. Learn more about your options by contacting Massachusetts schools.

Featured Online Criminal Justice Programs

One of the main ways in which this field grows is reform. No matter how smoothly an agency runs, there are generally always areas that can be improved or built upon. In Massachusetts, justice reform is now focused on removing mandatory minimum sentences for lower level drug offenses and diverting offenders with substance abuse issues into treatment (New England Public Radio, 2018).

As violent crime rates continue to fall in the state, experts agree that reducing recidivism remains a top priority for keeping the commonwealth safe.

With a master’s degree, you may be qualified to work to alleviate many of the issues in the state through a variety of career options. Criminal justice professors, for example, claim an average salary of $81,530 per year (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2022) and overall demand in Massachusetts may swell 15% by 2030 (CareerOneStop, 2022).

2022 US Bureau of Labor Statistics salary and employment figures for Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts?

Graduate programs in criminal justice may have a lot in common with other graduate programs in Massachusetts. Degrees in this state require you to earn between 30 and 42 credits, which works out to four or five semesters for the average student. During the summer, you may be expected to complete an internship or assistantship to further your education.

In general, tuition for a Master of Science in criminal justice in Massachusetts is higher than it is for undergraduate programs. Reported tuition rates in Massachusetts range from $632 per credit to $1300 per credit. Scholarships like the Correctional Association of Massachusetts Scholarship can help you fund your education.

Your degree choice is a major part of your job options after graduation. Master’s degree options include security management, forensic psychology, criminal justice leadership, justice and security, and criminology.

Course requirements are based on the school you choose and the degree program you select. For example, in a forensic psychology program, you may take courses like:

Psychiatric Epidemiology
Sociology of Law
Contemporary Issues in Responding to Crime
Alcohol, Drugs, and Crime
Contemporary Views of the Nature of Crime

In other programs, you may focus more on a variety of work environments and types of crime. Comparing curricula for different degree programs may help you make the right choice for your career.

Part of completing your criminal justice master’s degree is proving what you’ve learned. Each school has their own graduation requirements, but you may need to complete a capstone project, write a thesis, or perform well at an internship.

Criminal justice master’s programs in Massachusetts can give you the skills you need to positively affect this industry. Find the right school for you by requesting information from local programs below.