What Master’s Degree Can I Get With a Bachelor’s in Criminal Justice?

It’s true that your bachelor’s degree in criminal justice opens up a vast array of career opportunities. You could go into law enforcement, corrections, security, government, and other areas of the justice system, or even outside of the expected routes. But for graduates who want to continue their education and expand their options, graduate school is a great next step.

You might be wondering, “What master’s degree can I get with a bachelor’s in criminal justice?” Well, the good news is, you’ve got quite a few options.

There’s the direct and obvious route to pursue a master’s in criminal justice and human security, or lesser-known options like a Master of Science in Counseling. It really depends on you!

Below, we’ll unpack the most traveled path for those looking to continue their criminal justice work at the post-graduate level and what this graduate degree can unlock for your future.

Master’s in criminal justice and human security: A direct path forward

A master’s degree in criminal justice will build directly on the knowledge you already have from your undergraduate degree by diving deeper into more complex topics affecting today’s justice system, offering graduate students a multidisciplinary approach and reflection of the politics, culture, and socioeconomic factors that play into the US justice system.

This broad educational approach gives graduates a well-rounded understanding of the criminal justice system by teaching students to think beyond policing and corrections and understanding that crime, and those who commit them, is a complex issue involving far more than simply breaking the law.

Plus, the red tape gets even more complicated when situations cross state and country lines, creating the demand for professionals in the field who have a full understanding of the justice system and its challenges.

What careers does a criminal justice master’s support?

Like your undergraduate degree, a criminal justice master’s prepares graduates for a variety of interesting careers. You could move into law enforcement, criminal justice administration, or corrections. Or you could zoom out, looking at criminal justice on a larger scale by moving into national and global security sectors. Perhaps you find yourself leaning more analytical, with intelligence, security analysis, or cybercrime and cyberterrorism calling your name.

The options abound. Consider criminology, advocacy, or any range of government positions related to the criminal justice system. These options are all open to those with a master’s in criminal justice since your upper-level criminal justice courses, and the kind of thinking you’ll be skilled in fully prepare graduates for all kinds of interesting career trajectories. Which fork in the road you decide to venture down ultimately depends on your personal preferences.

 

Explore UB’s MA in Criminal Justice and Human Security program

 

How does a criminal justice bachelor’s prepare you for graduate school?

The criminal justice classes that you took in your undergraduate program will prove invaluable to your master’s. In fact, many of the criminal justice courses that you’ll complete in your master’s will basically pick up from where your undergraduate-level courses left off, continuing to dive deeper into concepts you’ve been introduced to.

Academic skills you developed, like research, writing, communication, critical thinking, and analytical skills, will all be invaluable in helping you get the most out of your graduate coursework. You’ll be exploring more complex topics and expected to understand and analyze at a higher level than before so you can make evidence-based arguments.

How should you choose the right graduate path?

Choosing the right graduate program is done by taking a holistic approach to your decision-making. First, think about your career goal and where you’d like to end up in an ideal world, then work backwards, building your education around achieving that goal.

For example, if your goal is to deepen your understanding of crime, justice, security, and related issues, graduate-level criminal justice classes will do that. So it’s time to start researching programs that will be the best fit!

Now you’re ready to consider location, the time you have to dedicate to classes, and the amount of energy you’ll spend on campus or studying remotely. Of course, you’ll also need to consider the financial aspect. Will you need to work while you study? Or can you rely on scholarships, aid, and loans?

This is your future, and often a bachelor’s is only the beginning, and a master’s is where things with your career can really start to take off.

Why pursue a master’s in criminal justice and human security?

Since you’re already asking, “What master’s degree can I get with a Bachelor’s in Criminal Justice?”, it sounds like you know you want to continue your education.

A master’s in criminal justice degree is a logical next step that offers students the chance to go beyond the basics of the criminal justice system by studying criminal justice and human security through multiple lenses from the individual, the local community, to national and international perspectives. You’ll have the chance to explore cybercrime and transnational crimes in addition to terrorism, human trafficking, human rights, and international security.

Plus, education is more accessible than ever. Many criminal justice master’s programs offer flexible schedules, with fully online degrees or hybrid options available. And if you’re already serving in law enforcement, you may inquire if local universities offer discounts for personnel looking to continue their education.

Take the next step in your criminal justice education

Truthfully, the criminal justice courses in your bachelor’s degree barely revealed the tip of the iceberg when it comes to how complex the criminal justice system really is. For those with further curiosity about how it all works and how to improve an imperfect system, a master’s in criminal justice degree can expand and contextualize the knowledge you already have while offering you the time and the space to explore deeper meanings and questions.

If you’re hoping to continue your education and further your career, start by chatting with one of our admissions counselors to help you assess whether University of Bridgeport is the right fit for your master’s in Criminal Justice and Human Security.

Ready to take the next step? Learn more or apply today.