Master’s in Criminal Justice Programs in Washington

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

Are you passionate about changing society and improving the state of criminal justice? Make your move and request information from criminal justice graduate programs in Washington.

Earning a Master of Science in criminal justice in Washington State can empower you to influence change throughout the state as a whole. A recent change in the community supervision program has successfully reduced recidivism and saved the state lots of money (Inlander, 2015). Further programs in the same vein are expected.

The parole system in Washington stopped some time ago in response to abuse. The state government is considering bringing back the parole program to reduce the prison population and make it easier for offenders to get a second change (Seattle Times, 2015).

A master’s degree may lead you into careers in research, leadership, management, and advocacy. Supervision jobs are very popular for graduate students. Through 2030, job openings for correctional supervisors may increase 5% and job openings for police supervisors may increase 10% (CareerOneStop, 2022). The statewide average salary for a correctional supervisor is $82,780 per year; those who go into police supervision earn an average of $123,290 per year (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2022).

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

Washington is a state with a huge variety of criminal justice programs at the graduate degree level, so you may choose a program that is well-suited to your previous experience and your future career goals.

Some of the specialties you may pursue at this level include forensic psychology, victimology, emergency preparedness and response, homeland security, and law enforcement. Across all specialties, the average program requires 36 credits. This can typically be achieved in four semesters of full-time study.

Your degree choice determines the courses that you take to earn your criminal justice master’s degree in Washington State. If you are having difficulty choosing a graduate program, look at different curricula.

For example, a victimology program often includes these courses:

• Restorative/Community Justice
• Feminist Criminology
• Violence and Victimization
• Contemporary Issues in Victimology
• Race, Ethnicity, and Justice
• Typologies of Crime and Criminal Behavior

Learning outcomes are another way to weigh the benefits of a program and its relevance to your future career. As you read the learning goals for a program, consider how they can serve you in your career and if they are relevant to the specialty you want to work in.

Your learning outcomes may explore these themes:

• Evaluate contemporary criminal justice issues
• Analyze issues with information from different sources
• Understand the interdisciplinary nature of this field
• Develop a research proposal

Compared to other states, Washington has very low tuition rates. Tuition rates range from $550 to $700 per credit hour in a Master of Science criminal justice in Washington State. Scholarships come from a number of sources, including private groups like the Washington State Fraternal Order of Police.

If you’re ready to explore a new field, take the first step now by requesting information on earning a Master of Science in criminal justice in Washington State.