What Can You Do With a Master’s in Criminal Justice?

The field of criminal justice is diverse. Whether your interests point you toward the courtroom or the penitentiary, toward a career as a paralegal or a parole officer, there are many ways to serve the country’s law and order system on a local or federal level.

Pursuing your master’s degree in criminal justice can not only help you advance your career in the field; it can also improve your communication and research skills. The “soft skills” you acquire can prepare you for a career and show employers your commitment to the field and your transferable skill set.

As you gain a comprehensive understanding of current theories and trends in criminal justice, as well as how the system works at all stages, you’ll also have the chance to sharpen your skills as a researcher, evaluator and debater and increase your understanding of human behavior and what drives individuals to act as they do. These latter educational results can serve you well, no matter what criminal justice career path you choose.

First: What is Criminal Justice?

Criminal justice is a constantly evolving field encompassing public safety, national security and state and local law and order. It's a career arena that demands high integrity with a deep understanding of the legal system. In addition, the field requires qualified individuals with the temperament and interpersonal skills to succeed.

As a degree program, it's the foundation of whichever facet of the system you wish to enter.

According to David Bynum, a social sciences instructor at Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU), criminal justice has three distinct components:

• Corrections
• Courts
• Law enforcement

"You (learn) the in-depth processes of each, independently and as a team," he said about criminal justice degree programs. "If you want a career in the legal process — as a police officer, lawyer, court reporter — this (can) set you up for all of them.”

Jobs to Explore With a Master’s in Criminal Justice

Whether you plan to advance in your existing law enforcement position or take your career in a different direction, a master's degree can present new opportunities — like law enforcement, corrections, courtroom positions and security. Within those general areas, there is a variety of criminal justice jobs.

Of course, law enforcement is a popular criminal justice career path. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), police and detectives had a 2024 median annual wage of $77,270 and a projected 3% growth in employment through 2034.

While policing has the potential for high-stress and dangerous working conditions, Bynum dispelled some common misconceptions about criminal justice careers. Not everyone has to work on the frontlines, he said. There are needs for trainers, intelligence gatherers and aides, too.

Bynum suggested looking at USAJOBS.gov to understand the types of criminal justice jobs available. There are many opportunities to serve your community within the justice system.

Read more: How to Become a Detective

Can You Work in Criminal Justice Without Being a Cop?

Yes, there are plenty of criminal justice jobs and pathways beyond being a police officer. For example, you could pursue roles in advocacy, corrections, court administration, forensics, intelligence, legal assistance, private investigation and security.

As an adjunct instructor at SNHU with years of experience as a state and federal prosecutor, Dr. J. Maria Waters also suggested career options that center community and policy. "Be a victim advocate through an organization or prosecutor’s office," she said. "Regarding public policy, many local and state agencies look for people who can help them address issues such as recidivism reduction and creating safe neighborhood initiatives."

Doing good in the world is at the center of many people's interest in criminal justice. In fact, it's exactly why Felicia McPherson '23G decided to pursue her master's in criminal justice at SNHU. "Due to the many faults and injustices in the legal system, I hope to be the one to bring about change," she said.

McPherson dreamed of working in child protective services. "I want to be a voice for those that can't speak for themselves," she said. And after graduating, she did just that by becoming a child welfare case manager.

Your advanced degree in criminal justice can enhance your opportunities to ascend to management and leadership roles. Or it could lead to serving at a federal level in national security, or as a forensic investigator or criminologist.

If you want to pass on your knowledge, getting a master's degree in criminal justice can also qualify you for some teaching positions in higher education. This is a great option for experienced criminal justice professionals looking to transition to a quieter career.

"I love helping students move towards their future career," Waters said of her job as a criminal justice instructor.

Read more: 5 Jobs in Law Enforcement That Are Not Police Officers

What is the Highest Paid Job in Criminal Justice?

According to BLS, eight of the highest median annual wage jobs in criminal justice include:

1. First-line police and detective supervisors: $101,750*
2. Detectives and criminal investigators: $93,580*
3. Transit and railroad police: $82,320*
4. Police and sheriff's patrol officers: $76,290*
5. Fish and game wardens: $68,180*
6. Forensic science technicians: $67,440*
7. Probation officers and correctional treatment specialists: $64,520*
8. Paralegals and legal assistants: $61,010*

The full salary potential of a criminal justice career is dependent on many factors, including your particular role, level of education, years of experience and geographical location.

Is a Master’s in Criminal Justice Worth It?

A master’s degree could set you apart from other job applicants and in the eyes of your current employer.

"A student has more leverage with career prospects, especially in this economy, with a master’s degree," Waters said. In the criminal justice realm, it shows your commitment to ensuring your knowledge of trends and best practices is current. It could also give you the edge to advance your career or get your foot in the door.

The takeaways from a master’s program are threefold. You can:

• Enhance your own personal and academic skill set
• Improve your career advancement opportunities
• Increase your ability to impact your community positively

Obtaining a master's degree in criminal justice provides the recipient with a comprehensive, in-depth insight into the functioning of the three main disciplines — police, courts and corrections, Bynum explained. In addition, you can learn to make informed decisions driven by an understanding of the procedures and specific research.

“At the same time, you’re enhancing the graduate’s ability to articulate resolutions and improvements in an unchallenged way, earning the graduate respect, admiration and upward mobility,” Bynum said.

Here are three ways a master's degree in criminal justice can help you in your career.

Get the Competitive Edge

“Law enforcement, in general, is highly competitive,” Bynum said.

He also points to federal careers — applying for them and trying to advance in existing positions.

“To get a federal job, you’ll at least need a bachelor's degree. But a master's sets you up for leadership roles,” Bynum said. “It gives you a leg up for higher positions. For instance, a division chief, or to lead advanced or basic training.”

In his previous work at the Department of Homeland Security and the Air Force Special Investigations Academy, Bynum had to review job applicants and always sought out those with advanced degrees.

“Most had the same experience and qualifications, but I'd seek out those with a master's or doctorate first," he said. "They showed, more so than anything, that they can take on a daunting task, organize and accomplish it. A master's degree shows you’re willing to take on a new task and accomplish it successfully.”

Give a Better Interview

Bynum said the skills taught at the master's level are notable and, in many cases, what you’d be doing in a real-world position. Showcasing that knowledge in an interview or advancement query may be the deciding factor.

For example, he said it's impressive when students confidently mention their ability to conduct a SWOT analysis — evaluating strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats — during an interview.

Bynum, who teaches various courses in the criminal justice program, discussed the hands-on experience gained. One course he taught focused on intelligence gathering. In it, you'd learn to process raw intelligence and generate a comprehensive intel report, much like those produced by institutions like the National Geospace Agency or the Central Intelligence Agency.

"I try to coach them into getting their dream job and how to interview and use those tools to highlight themselves," he said. "For instance, going for an intelligence specialist; you may have no experience, but you can tell them about knowing how to do an intel report in a scholastic environment.”

Enhance Your Communication, Research and Writing Skills

As you gain a deeper understanding of criminal justice topics, you’ll also sharpen skills like research, critical thinking and writing. These soft skills can serve you well no matter what career path you choose — the better you are at expressing yourself as well as conducting and presenting research, the more valuable you can be to your team.

Graduate-level courses are more research and writing-intensive than bachelor's programs. You'll be asked to articulate problems and solutions on a higher level, helping you develop an advanced skill set. “You’ll be a better writer and communicator, which is so important in the public safety arena,” Bynum said.

Waters recommended an online master's in criminal justice program for similar reasons. "It also allows for personal growth, including enhanced communication skills, enhanced leadership skills and civic engagement," she said.

What Kind of Master’s Degree Should You Get?

Depending on where you’d like to take your criminal justice career, there are different options for your master’s degree program.

A master’s degree in criminal justice can be a generalized, broad-reaching program where students learn the latest research, leadership strategies and criminological theory and how to utilize them in real-world situations.

Some universities, like SNHU, offer the ability to specialize your degree. You may choose to explore concentrations in areas like:

• Advanced counterterrorism: This concentration focuses on learning about national and homeland security challenges and initiatives, covering topics like global terrorism, terrorist techniques, threat assessment and intelligence collection analysis.
• Public safety administration: This concentration can prepare you for leadership positions that address public policy by helping you understand societal challenges and how policy decisions are made and implemented at local, state and federal levels.

A master's degree in criminal justice can help prepare you to take a more specialized role in the justice system and give you a better understanding of growing trends, like high-tech cyber crimes. It can also enhance your skills in resource planning, consensus building, ethical leadership and business management related to the justice system.

In some cases, a master's in criminal justice might not be the appropriate degree. For example, someone interested in criminal profiling may want to get their degree in forensic psychology instead. That's why it's important to consider your career aspirations and make sure the program's curriculum fits your goals before enrolling.

Where Should You Get a Master’s Degree in Criminal Justice?

When researching where to pursue your advanced degree, be sure to find a program with a breadth of coursework that hones your ability to research, analyze and solve real-world challenges.

It’s also valuable to find a university with instructors who are professionals in the field and can share firsthand experience in criminal justice.

“One thing we do really well at SNHU is that we hire movers and shakers in the career fields as adjuncts,” Bynum said. “They’re the cream of the crop: Leaders with practical experience, FBI agency leaders, chiefs of police."

Waters also recommended the online master's in criminal justice at SNHU for its focus on skills. "It prioritizes good communication skills, critical thinking skills, problem-solving skills and teamwork," she said.

Finding a program that fits your goals and life is vital to your success. The online master's in criminal justice at SNHU has no set class times, which makes it easier to fit into your schedule. And you'll have access to the people and resources you need to succeed along the way. "They have been so supportive, uplifting and understanding," McPherson said of the SNHU staff.

With a master's degree in criminal justice, you'll be well-positioned to pursue several options to serve in the justice system. Whether you focus on local or state government and law enforcement, choose to be part of the corrections system and security, or want a more community-facing role working in an advocacy or policy-making position, a master's degree in criminal justice can help you get there.

*Cited job growth projections may not reflect local and/or short-term economic or job conditions and do not guarantee actual job growth. Actual salaries and/or earning potential may be the result of a combination of factors including, but not limited to: years of experience, industry of employment, geographic location, and worker skill.

Kathleen Palmer is an award-winning journalist who comes by it honestly; her father was a New Hampshire newsman for half a century. Palmer followed in his footsteps as a newspaper editor. She has a decades-long MarCom and writing background and career path, and she loves learning from subject matter experts during conversational interviewing. Palmer currently serves as the communications person and event specialist for the City of Nashua's Mayor's Office and its Office of Economic Development.