Master’s in Criminal Justice Programs in North Dakota

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

With your Bachelor’s degree, you may be a great fit for a Master of Science in criminal justice in North Dakota. Find out more about job opportunities at this level of education and how you can use this degree in North Dakota.

When you reach a high level of education, you may be empowered to influence change in areas that matter to you. A recent report showed that the vast majority of rape kits in North Dakota go untested, leading to a call across the industry to mandate the testing of all kits (Grand Forks Herald, 2015).

Another serious issue in North Dakota is the state of its prison system. Jails all across North Dakota are running at maximum capacity (West Fargo Pioneer, 2015). Criminal justice experts claim that this indicates a need for widespread criminal justice reform.

Overall, the outlook is bright for criminal justice jobs in North Dakota. Through 2030, demand for police supervisors may increase 6% and job openings for probation officers should remain steady (CareerOneStop, 2022). Professionals in these positions report average annual salaries of $99,600 and $63,340, respectively (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2022).

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

Since North Dakota is a fairly remote, rural state, you may need to commute to a metropolitan area to attend graduate school. You may also be interested in online programs. Regardless of which path you choose, you should expect to spend two years earning 30 to 36 credits.

A Master of Science criminal justice in North Dakota involves studying research techniques, history, contemporary issues, and law. Your curriculum may include courses like those listed here:

• Quantitative Research in Criminal Justice
• Advanced Quantitative Methods and Analysis
• Human Nature and Crime
• Contemporary Perspectives in Criminology
• Historical Perspectives in Criminology
• Criminal Justice Administration
• Criminal Justice Policy Analysis
• Women and Crime
• Seminar in Juvenile Justice
• Occupational/Organized Crime

One of the advantages of studying in North Dakota is the extremely low tuition rates in this state. As a graduate student, the total tuition fee may be about $334 per credit hour. Fees are slightly higher for out-of-state residents, but overall, North Dakota education is very affordable. Furthermore, financial aid is still widely available in this state. The North Dakota Fraternal Order of Police may be a good resource to try if you want to work in law enforcement.

At the end of your Master of Science in criminal justice in North Dakota, you need to demonstrate your newfound knowledge in some way. You may be able to choose between a thesis, project, or exam. If you plan on working in research in the future, a thesis may be a good way to get your name out there. If you want to create new programs and policies, a capstone project may be the logical choice for you.

Are you ready to find out what unique skills you can bring to this industry? Use our list of schools below to reach out to criminal justice graduate programs in North Dakota.