College of Arts and Sciences
Criminal Justice (M.A.)
College of Arts and Sciences
Criminal Justice (M.A.)
Shape the Future of Criminal Justice
The Department of Criminal Justice at NMSU is recognized as one of the nation’s best and oldest programs in criminal justice. Our mission is to offer quality experiential learning, faculty-led and diverse research, and interdisciplinary curriculum in undergraduate and graduate educational programming.
Balancing theoretical inquiry with applied knowledge, this program will give you an in-depth study of criminological theory, data analysis, and the tension between ethics and punishment, all while considering complex factors such as gender, race, and juvenility.
Admission Deadlines
There are no fixed deadlines*
- Total credits: 36
Delivery Format
In person and 100% online with optional synchronous sessions available
Career Pathways
With a Master of Criminal Justice from NMSU, you will enjoy a wide range of employment options within the criminal justice system. Professional possibilities for our MCJ grads include:
- Adjunct and specialized professor
- Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF)
- Central Intelligence Agency (CIA)
- City and state police lieutenant
- Customs and Border Protection (CBP)
- Department of Justice (DOJ)
- Drug Enforcement Agent (DEA)
- Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
- Homeland Security officer
- Private investigator
- Probation officer
- Research analyst for a federal agency
- Secret Service
- U.S. Marshal
Degree questions, answered
Have questions about the Master of Arts in Criminal Justice? Fill out our inquiry form.
Why choose the Master of Criminal Justice Program?
One of the nation’s oldest programs for criminal justice degrees, our Master of Criminal Justice program prepares you for a career in the criminal justice system, the juvenile justice system, victim services, and not-for-profit organizations connected with criminal justice. It also equips you with the knowledge you need for continued study in law school or criminology doctoral programs.
A program for scholarly, experiential, and applied research endeavors, the Master of Criminal Justice degree gives you the theoretical foundation you need to thrive in this important field.
Some of the topics you’ll have the opportunity to study in this flexible, affordable program include a measurement of crime causation, an advanced analysis of the historical and contemporary relationship between race and crime in the United States, and an examination of the key ethical and decision-making dilemmas facing law professionals today.
No GRE Required
We’re removing barriers to graduate education, which is why we don’t require the GRE.
Nationally Recognized
Our program was ranked #34 in Top Online Criminal Justice Master’s Degrees for 2025.
To earn a Master of Criminal Justice, you must either complete the focused coursework option (36 credits) or the thesis option (33 credits). Focused coursework students must pass a written comprehensive examination following completion of the required courses. Thesis students must submit a thesis proposal to their faculty committee for approval, and then complete the approved thesis project. All candidates, regardless of chosen degree option, must complete a final examination.
Take classes like:
- CJUS 501 - Research Methods in Criminal Justice
- CJUS 502 - Statistics in Criminal Justice
- CJUS 511 - Nature of Crime
- CJUS 525 - Issues in Ethics, Law, and Criminal Justice
Application requirements include:
- A bachelor’s degree in any subject (with either a 3.0 GPA or three letters of recommendation)
- 1-2 page personal statement of purpose
- Resume or CV
Please note: The Department of Criminal Justice requires a minimum overall undergraduate cumulative GPA of 3.0 or a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA for your last 60 hours of earned credit. If the student doesn’t meet the minimum GPA requirement, three letters of recommendation are welcomed to help supplement the application.
Ready to take the next step?
Request Information
Scholarships and Financial Aid
At NMSU, we strive to offer competitively priced tuition to keep your tuition costs affordable. If you need financial aid, we’re ready to work with you to determine the best ways to finance your education.
Financial assistance includes loans, grants, and scholarship opportunities. To apply, use NMSU’s convenient Scholar Dollar$ one-stop scholarship application, which serves all students in the NMSU system.
NMSU students are also eligible for loans and grants. The first step in applying for financial aid is to complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Learn more about financial aid opportunities at NMSU.
Contact Financial Aid
Phone: 1-888-729-6678
Email: financialaid@nmsu.edu
Accreditation
New Mexico State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Specialized accreditation from other accrediting agencies is also granted for some programs. NMSU’s accreditation ensures that your education meets high-quality standards and that your credits are transferable.