Master of Arts in Criminology Online

Delve into the underlying factors that contribute to criminal behavior both domestically and internationally. This research-based program advances your knowledge of international legal systems and empowers you with the enhanced understanding of criminology to pursue criminal justice leadership roles.

Apply by: 2/28/25
Start class: 3/15/25 Apply Now

Program Overview

Explore the psychological aspects of crime in the online criminology master’s program

Develop the expertise to conduct research into the nature of criminal behavior with the online Master of Arts in Criminology program. Our asynchronous coursework elevates your qualitative and quantitative research acumen while giving you valuable experience with SPSS software. You will learn from supportive faculty who prepare you to critically compare and contrast legal systems worldwide.

Curriculum for the accelerated master’s in criminology program advances your ability to identify and assess international crime prevention methods and explores morality and ethics in the criminal justice system. This flexible academic pathway empowers you with heightened knowledge of cybercrime, terrorism, and political crime that helps you transition into exciting roles at the federal level.

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Criminology Career Opportunities

  • Special Agent (FBI)
  • Security Specialist
  • Law Enforcement Agent (Police, DEA, Corrections)
  • Forensic Examiner
  • Criminologist
  • Intelligence Analyst
Criminology Career Opportunities+
  • Special Agent (FBI)
  • Security Specialist
  • Law Enforcement Agent (Police, DEA, Corrections)
  • Forensic Examiner
  • Criminologist
  • Intelligence Analyst
Total Tuition $29,700
Duration As few as 12 months
Credit Hours 36
Apply Now

Need More Information?

Call 855-215-4021

Call 855-215-4021

Tuition

Keep your budget intact with pay-by-the-course tuition

Tuition for the MA Criminology online degree program is the same for in-state and out-of-state students and can be paid by the course. The total tuition is inclusive of all fees, including a technology fee for each course.

View additional tuition information+

Program Per Credit Hour Per Course Per Program
MA Criminology $800 $2,475 $29,700

Tuition breakdown:

Total Tuition $29,700
Per Credit Hour $800

Calendar

Create an academic schedule that brings balance to your life

The MA Criminology program is delivered in an online format ideal for working professionals, conveniently featuring multiple start dates each year. Choose the start date that is best for you.

View full calendar  + 

TermStart DateApp DeadlineDocument DeadlineRegistration DeadlineTuition DeadlineClass End DateTerm Length
Spring 23/15/252/28/253/5/253/10/253/19/255/9/257 weeks
Summer 15/17/255/2/255/7/255/12/255/21/256/27/256 weeks
Summer 26/28/256/13/256/18/256/23/257/2/258/8/256 weeks
Fall 18/23/258/8/258/13/258/18/258/27/2510/17/257 weeks
Fall 210/18/2510/3/2510/8/2510/13/2510/22/2512/12/257 weeks

Now enrolling:

Apply Date 2/28/25
Class Starts 3/15/25

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Admissions

Learn about the requirements for the online master’s in criminology program

Our streamlined admission requirements allow students with diverse academic backgrounds greater access to the MA Criminology online program. No GRE is required to apply.

Admission Requirements:

  • Free application
  • 3.0 GPA or higher
  • No GRE required
View all admission requirements +

The following are required for admission to the MA Criminology online program:

  • Completed free application
  • Bachelor's degree transcript from an accredited institution (unofficial transcripts are accepted)
    • 3.0 GPA or higher
    • Applicants with an undergraduate GPA between a 2.75 - 3.0 may be required to submit other documents for additional program director review

Official transcripts can be sent to St. Thomas University through Parchment and National Student Clearinghouse. Unofficial transcripts and other documents can be uploaded via your Admissions Portal or emailed to [email protected].

Courses

Browse the career-focused curriculum for the criminology master’s online program

The Master of Arts in Criminology online curriculum is comprised of eight core courses (24 credit hours) and four specialization courses (12 credit hours).

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Students will take the following courses. 

Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course is designed to familiarize the student with the juvenile justice system's origin and workings and current issues in juvenile delinquency and juvenile justice. Topics include the definition and extent of juvenile delinquency, the historical development of the juvenile justice system, theoretical explanations of delinquent behavior, gang delinquency, the policing of juveniles, restorative justice, and issues related to juveniles in the family, the schools, and the community.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course reviews the history of research in criminology and those responsible for the growth of the field. Students focus in-depth on various forms of criminal behavior in contemporary society, including new developments and understandings of street crimes, cybercrime, political crime, computerized fraud, identity theft, and the feminization of crime. The course concludes by examining topical issues in crime such as legalizing marijuana, free speech, the right to hate, and environmental crime.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course focuses on classical experimental design, ex-post facto experimental design, data collecting methods, mail and interview surveys, content analysis, and the secondary analysis of archival data and other methods of quantitative research. The logic of causal analysis is identified along with related problems. A review of descriptive and inferential statistics is included especially as these are useful in evaluative research.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course focuses on direct observational study, covert and overt participant observation, ethnography, focus groups, interviews, and case studies used to collect data about criminal behavior, crime control policies, and related treatment programs. The benefits, limitations of these research methods and related ethical issues will be explored. The use of non-statistical strategies for analyzing data collected using these methodologies will be investigated.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course begins with a brief historical review of the major theories developed and used to explain, interpret, and/or specify various forms of crime and criminal behavior. It then focuses especially on popular contemporary criminological theories, their major principles, assets and limitations, practical applications to crime prevention and control programs, and the relevant research used to test and assess these theories and related programs.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course will focus on an understanding of administrative law and procedure in the U.S. legal system. The functions, roles, and interaction of administrators will be analyzed and evaluated.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course provides an in-depth comparison the Common, Civil, Socialist, and Islamic law system. It examines the organization and operation of policing, the courts, and correctional institutions as these occur in such countries as Great Britain, France, Germany, and China among others. Examination of the representative countries will also include discussions of their criminal laws and procedures, legal traditions, the roles of judges, lawyers and prosecutors, and their unique crime and justice issues.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course addresses the tenets of morality and ethics in criminal justice. It explores the importance of character and professional behavior as it pertains to the recruitment, selection, and promotion of personnel within the criminal justice system. Public corruption, its consequences for maintaining public trust, and its control are also examined along with strategies for ensuring public cooperation in maintaining law and order.

Students will take the following courses. 

Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course explores terrorism as a conflict between socio-political power movements questing for hegemony, bound by ideological ties, and supported by rationales that not only justify their actions but neutralize remorse or guilt. The course raises the question: “Are revolutionary organizations engaged in guerilla warfare freedom fighters or terrorists?” An interdisciplinary approach is taken with the goal of understanding the significance of terrorism whether religiously, politically, socially, or personally motivated.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course offers a full view of economics' contribution to crime and criminal justice. Principles of economics will be applied to analyze criminal behavior, the impact on society by criminal behavior, and the optimum allocation of criminal justice resources. The course explores the market for criminal activity, including organized crime. Also identified are factors affecting the demand and supply for criminal activity and how the criminal justice system and public policy impact these markets.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
Problems dealing with crime, community, victims, special interest groups, media relations, and other issues are addressed. Case studies and the examination of current problems provide a mixture of practical and educational experience intended to stimulate new ideas and strategies.
Duration: 7 Weeks weeks
Credit Hours: 3
This course examines the nature of cybercrime, its characteristic differences from traditional crime, and its many forms. Methods of investigating cybercrime, laws regarding cybercrime, and collecting evidence of cybercrime will be explored. Special consideration is given to identity theft, financial fraud, cyber-bullying, exploitation of children, and computer forensics. The major problems in collecting and analyzing evidence of cybercrimes and bringing cybercriminals to trial and justice are investigated.
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