Master’s in Criminal Justice Programs in Texas

As one of the largest states in the United States, Texas has a huge amount of funding in its criminal justice system. This doesn’t mean that the system is flawless, though; in fact, the wide range of communities and metropolitan areas in Texas makes it difficult to properly allocate money and reach safety goals.

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

Are you interested in tackling the criminal justice problems in Texas? If you are, find out how you can contribute by contacting criminal justice master’s programs in Texas.

Featured Online Criminal Justice Programs

Although Texas has a reputation for being exceptionally tough on crime, trends in criminal justice have led to laws and standards that focus on rehabilitation when appropriate. Due to several tactics, the rate of incarceration in Texas state prisons has fallen by 17 percent from 2007 to 2015, with the juvenile incarceration rate down by nearly three-quarters. (NY Times, 2017).

Both drug and mental health treatment are still a priority in Texas. Texas Governor, Greg Abbott, signed the Sandra Bland Act into law and it went into effect on September 1, 2017. The law requires jailers to make an immediate determination on the mental health status of an inmate, and divert those who have a mental illness or substance abuse problem to a treatment facility instead of jail. (Nova Recovery Center, 2017).

With a master’s in criminal justice in Texas, you may have the qualifications needed for justice jobs with more responsibility. Job growth in these careers is promising; CareerOneStop expects demand for correctional supervisors to grow by 3% through 2030. They also predict a 3% increase in demand for probation officers nationwide (CareerOneStop, 2022). While correctional supervisors in Texas earn an average of $56,090 per year, probation officers earn an average of $49,540 per year (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2022).

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

As is the case with most graduate programs, criminal justice programs in Texas typically require two years of full-time study. At the graduate level, this constitutes nine credits per semester.

Most graduate assistant-ships, which pay a significant part of your tuition and a monthly stipend, also require at least nine credits per semester.

Since reported tuition rates range from $700 per credit to $1700 per credit, assistant-ships and financial aid are very important. Beyond assistant-ships, look into scholarships funded by groups like the Sheriffs Association of Texas. Financial aid may also cover other educational expenses. Over the course of your graduate degree, you may spend approximately $1000 on books.

You must meet certain admissions requirements to start earning your master’s degree in criminal justice in Texas. Have your GRE scores sent to each school you are considering, since these scores are a significant part of the process. Texas schools also look for a GPA of 3.0 or higher on upper-level courses at the undergraduate level. This ensures that you are ready for the rigors of graduate study, which involves quite a bit of critical thinking, reasoning, and independent decision-making.

You may build your skills in criminal justice courses like:

Advanced Criminological Theory
Current Legal Issues in Criminal Justice
Administrative Law in Criminal Justice
Advanced Research Methods in Criminal Justice
History and Philosophy of Justice

You may get practical experience in a variety of ways. An internship is excellent for getting references and making professional connections, but conducting research may be a better choice if you want to work in research after graduation. Some schools require the completion of a capstone project.

With all the different careers you can explore with a master’s degree, this is a great time to invest in your education. Request information from criminal justice graduate programs in Texas below.