Master of Science in Criminal Justice, Policy, and Leadership
DURATION
30 Hours
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time, Part time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
Request application deadline
EARLIEST START DATE
May 2025
TUITION FEES
USD 649 / per credit *
STUDY FORMAT
Distance Learning
* per credit hour
Introduction
Infusing a criminal justice core with a social justice focus, EKU’s online master’s degree program prepares high-thinking individuals for leadership roles that challenge injustice, value diversity, and support the equitable treatment and human rights of all people.
The justice, policy, and leadership master’s program allows for in-depth specialization with concentrations available in law enforcement, corrections, and juvenile justice. This program prepares you to be a leader in the criminal justice field with the knowledge and skillsets needed to be an effective change agent in your community, region, and state.
| At A Glance |
| Format: 100% online Credit Hours: 30 hours Tuition:
Transfer Credits Accepted: 9 hours Career Options: Police administration, police chief, correctional administration, prison warden, federal agents, caseworker, counselor, policy analyst, victim’s advocate, change activist |
What sets our program apart?
Focusing on society’s need for justice leaders with political, ethical, and emotional intelligence, EKU’s curriculum blends academic and professional preparation through course topics such as criminological theory for policy and leadership, advanced justice administration, policy evaluation and analysis, and ethics.
- Accelerated 8-week terms
- Courses begin 6 times per year
- Generous credit transfer policy
- Reduced tuition for active duty service members
- No campus visits required
- Focus on preparing justice leaders with political, ethical, and emotional intelligence
- A criminal justice core with the ability to choose your concentration in policing, corrections, or juvenile justice
- Nationally-recognized instructors
- Personal advisors stay with you from application to graduation
- Free online tutoring and career services assistance
- The dynamic, supportive learning environment
Why choose EKU?
EKU is a regionally accredited, brick-and-mortar university that is ranked among the nation's best colleges and has been educating students for more than a century. EKU has received numerous honors, including being named one of the best online colleges in the nation and one of the most veteran-friendly campuses.
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Admissions
Scholarships and Funding
Grants
Grants are a type of financial support that does not need to be repaid. Many grants are based on financial need alone, however, some grants also take academic performance, academic degree program, and/or residence status into consideration.
Grants are available at the federal and state level.
Private Loans
Private student loans are not funded or subsidized by the federal government; instead, they are funded by banks, credit unions, or other types of lenders.
The bank or lender – not the federal government – sets interest rates, loan limits, terms, and conditions of private student loans. Your ability to qualify for and borrow a private student loan may be based on numerous factors that can include your credit history, whether or not you choose to have a co-signer, your co-signer’s credit history, your choice of school, and your course of study. These loans do not offer the flexible repayment terms or borrower protections featured by federal student loans.
Employer Tuition Reimbursement
Employer tuition reimbursement includes a variety of employer-sponsored programs to help employees pay for college. In many cases, the funds received from these programs will be excluded from income and are tax-free.
Employee tuition reimbursement programs are typically governed by an employer’s human resources department. Employers may provide up to $5,250 per year in employer education assistance benefits for undergraduate or graduate courses.
Your employer may require you to attain a particular grade or to complete a program in order to obtain reimbursement. The employer may also require that you remain employed for a period of time after completing the course of study. Finally, your employer may require you to provide receipts or other substantiation of the educational expenses.
Military Benefits
For information on veteran and active duty military services and offerings, contact the EKU Office of Military and Veteran Affairs at 859.622.2345. EKU is repeatedly recognized by both Military Times and GI Jobs as a leader among Military Friendly® Schools and we look forward to helping you reach your goals.
Outside Scholarships
These scholarships are awarded by an organization other than the government or university. They are available from a number of groups, organizations, and entities nationwide. These scholarships can be general in nature or very specialized and tied to the type of work you would be doing after graduation.
If you receive an outside scholarship, you must notify your financial aid office so the award can be properly reported as part of your total aid package. Failure to report awards can result in the award not being accepted or a portion of the funds having to be repaid due to overpayment.
Departmental Scholarships
Departmental scholarships are awarded by specific EKU departments. The types, size, and criteria for these scholarships will vary by department.
If you receive a departmental scholarship, you must notify your financial aid office so the award can be properly reported as part of your total aid package. Failure to report awards can result in the award not being accepted or a portion of the funds having to be repaid due to overpayment.
Foundation Scholarships
EKU is fortunate to have hundreds of generous individuals and organizations that have donated scholarship money for current EKU students from a variety of backgrounds, situations, and interests. These are referred to as EKU Foundation Scholarships. Due to the number of these scholarships and the varying criteria for them, EKU has developed a single Foundation Scholarship application.
After completing the application, you will be considered for any foundation scholarship for which you are eligible. Criteria for these scholarships vary and can include academics, major, interests, place of residence, and more.
Curriculum
Core Courses --- 15
- JPL 809 --- Program/Policy Evaluation and Analysis --- 3
- JPL 810 --- Criminological Theory for Policy and Leadership --- 3
- JPL 812 --- Leading with Political, Ethical and Emotional Intelligence --- 3
- JPL 818 --- Research Methods for Justice Policy and Leadership --- 3
- JPL 835 --- Advanced Justice Administration and Leadership --- 3
Applied Research --- 3
- JPL 878 --- Capstone Applied Research Project --- 3
Concentration Requirements --- 12
Select one of the following concentrations:
- Police Policy and Leadership --- 12
- Corrections Policy and Leadership --- 12
- Juvenile Justice Policy and Leadership --- 12
Total Hours --- 30
Career Opportunities
Careers in criminal justice leadership are challenging and rewarding. The criminal justice system employs nearly two million people across the nation and is made up of multiple aspects including, law enforcement, corrections, the court system, probation, and parole.
A master’s degree in justice, policy, and leadership can help you gain the management, communication, and budgeting skills needed to make your mark in criminal justice leadership and influence policymakers. Graduates are prepared for career advancement and to take on leadership roles within community organizations that promote diversity and support the equitable treatment and human rights of all people.
Job Opportunities
Police & Detectives
- Median Annual Salary: $63,380 per year / $30 per hour
- Number of Jobs: 808,700
- Typical Entry-Level Education: High School Diploma (Varies by agency & department- bachelor’s degrees are increasingly being required)
Probation Officers & Correctional Treatment Specialists
- Median Annual Salary: $53,020 per year / $25 per hour
- Number of Jobs: 91,600
- Typical Entry-Level Education: Bachelor’s Degree
Social & Community Services Manager
- Median Annual Salary: $65,320 per year / $31 per hour
- Number of Jobs: 168,800
- Typical Entry-Level Education: Bachelor's Degree
Training Specialist
- Median Annual Salary: $60,870 per year / $29 per hour
- Number of Jobs: 306,400
- Typical Entry-Level Education: Bachelor's Degree
English Language Requirements
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