Developed by law enforcement professionals, for law enforcement professionals.
Cumberlands’ online master’s in criminal justice administration (MJA) program is uniquely designed to provide opportunities for rural and local criminal justice agency personnel to interact with other professionals employed in criminal justice administration jobs throughout the nation, all while gaining first-hand perspective of how larger agencies, such as state and federal authorities, operate.
Our online masters in criminal justice degree program is designed to accommodate both pre-professional students interested in furthering their education and those already working in criminal justice careers who wish to advance within their respective agencies. With highly experienced criminal justice faculty, we are aware of the risks and pressures faced by personnel in this field. We are committed to helping non-traditional students earn their master’s in criminal justice administration online by allowing them to work, study, and interact with faculty as their professional schedules permit.
By the Numbers
Programs & Requirements
Master’s in Criminal Justice Administration
This MJA degree can be completed in as little as one year. University of the Cumberlands’ Master of Science in Justice Administration (MJA) program is for both recent baccalaureate graduates as well as in-service professionals hoping to secure further training in and credentials for effective service and leadership in justice administration.
Course rotation and program features are thoughtfully designed to best suit your personal schedule and needs. As an online master’s in criminal justice degree candidate, you will need to complete common core coursework, one specialization, and a capstone project.
Course Requirements
CROL 531 Foundations in Justice Administration**
CROL 532 Criminological Theories in Justice Administration
CROL 533 Research, Design and Analysis**
CROL 534 Statistical Applications in Justice Admin**
CROL 535 Ethical Issues in Justice Admin**
CROL 536 Human Resource Management
CROL 537 Leadership Fundamentals
CROL 538 Legal Issues in Justice Administration
Completion of four (4) courses (in other words, 12 credit hours) from the following specializations:
Law Enforcement
CROL 631 Law Enforcement Administration
CROL 632 Critical Issues in Law Enforcement
CROL 677 Applied Leadership
CROL 641 Violent Offenders: Crimes & Psychology
Corrections
CROL 633 Corrections Administration
CROL 634 Critical Issues in Community Based Corrections
CROL 621 Sex Crimes: Myths & Motives
CROL 641 Violent Offenders: Crimes & Psychology
Homeland Security
CROL 635 Legal and Ethical Issues in Homeland Security
CROL 636 Critical Issues in Homeland Security
CROL 689 Drugs & Crime
CROL 691 Life-Course Criminology
Juvenile Justice
CROL 637 Juvenile Justice Administration and Management
CROL 639 Family Violence
CROL 621 Sex Crimes: Myths & Motives
CROL 641 Violent Offenders: Crimes & Psychology
Criminal Psychology
CROL 621 Sex Crimes: Myths & Motives
CROL 641 Violent Offenders: Crimes & Psychology
CROL 689 Drugs & Crime
CROL 691 Life-Course Criminology
Addiction Studies
CROL 650 Addiction and the Offender Population
CROL 651 Recovery and Relapse
CROL 689 Drugs & Crime
CROL 691 Life-Course Criminology
Cybersecurity
ISOL 533 Information Security and Risk Management
ISOL 536 Security Architecture and Design
CROL 635 Legal and Ethical Issues in Homeland Security
CROL 636 Critical Issues in Homeland Security
Digital Forensics
MSDF 530 Digital Forensics Tools and Techniques
MSDF 531 Windows Digital Forensics
CROL 621 Sex Crimes: Myths & Motives
CROL 641 Violent Offenders: Crimes & Psychology
Criminal Justice Education and Leadership
CROL 662 KLEC Law Enforcement Manager Training
CROL 663 Criminal Justice Training and Education
CROL 664 Criminal Justice Training and Education II
CROL 665 KLEC Executive Decision Making
CROL 667 KLEC Fundamental Leadership
CROL 677 Applied Leadership
CROL 681 Proseminar in Criminal Justice
CROL 635 Legal and Ethical Issues in Homeland Security
CROL 636 Critical Issues in Homeland Security
CROL 699 Capstone Course in Justice Administration
Take the Next Step
Mission and Goals
The Master of Science in Criminal Justice Administration (MJA) program builds upon your foundational knowledge and skills within the realm of criminal justice.
Criminal Justice Administration Careers & Outcomes
All stats from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Police Officer: $65,790
Police Officer: $65,790
Maintain order and protect life and property by enforcing local, tribal, state, or federal laws and ordinances. Perform a combination of the following duties: patrol a specific area; direct traffic; issue traffic summonses; investigate accidents; apprehend and arrest suspects or serve legal processes of courts.
Corrections Officer: $47,920
Corrections Officer: $47,920
Correctional officers guard people in penal institutions and guard those in transit between jail, courtroom, prison, or other point. Bailiffs are law enforcement officers who maintain order in courtrooms.
FBI Agent: $66,020
FBI Agent: $66,020
Detectives and criminal investigators gather facts and collect evidence of possible crimes.
Emergency Management Director: $76,730
Emergency Management Director: $76,730
Emergency management directors prepare plans and procedures for responding to natural disasters or other emergencies. They also help lead the response during and after emergencies.
Homeland Security Agent: $66,020
Homeland Security Agent: $66,020
Detectives and criminal investigators gather facts and collect evidence of possible crimes.
Information Security Analyst: $102,600
Information Security Analyst: $102,600
Information security analysts plan and carry out security measures to protect an organization’s computer networks and systems.
Common Questions
University of the Cumberlands’ online master’s in criminal justice administration degree program is made by criminal justice professionals, for criminal justice professionals. It’s designed to accommodate both pre-professional (post-baccalaureate) students who wish to further their education and those already working in criminal justice careers looking to advance within their respective agencies.
There are a total of 31 credit hours required to complete this program, meaning it is possible to complete this program in as little as one year. Our program is designed to accommodate working professionals, so you can build your class schedule around your work schedule. You have up to four years to complete your credit hours to receive this degree.
With an online MJA, you could make an impact on public safety and wellbeing through a number of rewarding positions across the criminal justice field. A master's degree in criminal justice administration prepares you for a variety of career paths in criminology, juvenile justice, cybersecurity, psychology, corrections, homeland security, and justice administration. You will be equipped for leadership positions within criminal justice agencies at the local, state, and federal levels, as well as in the private sector.
Cumberlands’ online master’s in criminal justice administration degree program is made up of 31 credit hours from a variety of academic departments. All online MJA graduates must complete common core coursework, one specialization, and a capstone project. Available specializations include law enforcement, corrections, homeland security, juvenile justice, criminal psychology, addiction studies, cyber security, digital forensics, and criminal justice education and leadership.
If you are a recent baccalaureate graduate or an in-service professional wishing to secure further training in (and credentials for) effective service and leadership in justice administration, then a master’s degree in criminal justice administration is a good fit for you. A master’s degree will prepare you for many challenging but well-paying careers in the criminal justice sector, including police officer, patrol sergeant, corrections officer, FBI agent, homeland security agent, and border patrol agent.
No. Students applying to the MJA program are not required to have an undergraduate degree in criminal justice in order to qualify for acceptance to the program.
For Full Admission to be granted, an entering MJA student’s official transcript must reflect a cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale. For Conditional Admission to be granted, an entering MJA student’s official transcript must reflect a cumulative undergraduate GPA of 2.6-2.99 on a 4.0 scale.
The answer is, “it varies.” Our programs are designed to accommodate working adults, and a lot depends on how quickly you choose to pursue the program. A 31 credit hour program can be completed in as little as 12 months.
The program of study for the MJA degree must be completed within four (4) years of enrolling in the first course of the program. Any request for extension of this time limit must be approved by the Program Director.
The Master of Science in Justice Administration program accepts transfer of credit from a variety of properly credentialed academic and professionally-affiliated institutions and programs, including- but not limited to-the schools and organizations identified below. Please inform your Graduate Admissions Counselor if you have coursework you would like evaluated during the admissions process. All graduate academic course work must reflect a minimum grade of "B" to be eligible for transfer. Documentation received is reviewed by the MJA Director, MJA faculty, and the UC Registrar. Upon completion of the review process the student will be notified of the decision regarding what credit has been determined to be eligible for posting as credit to the student’s graduate degree plan and/or graduate transcript.
- Kentucky Law Enforcement Council
- Kentucky Department of Criminal Justice Training
- Southern Police Institute (SPI)-University of Louisville
- Lexington-Fayette Division of Police- Sgt. Academy
- FBI National Academy
- Command Officer's Development Course (CODC)- University of Louisville
- North Carolina State University- AOMP
- Police Law Institute- North Carolina Justice Academy
- Northwestern School of Police Staff and Command- Northwestern University
- National Criminal Justice Command College (NCJCC)- University of Virginia
- National Forensic Academy- University of Tennessee
- National Forensic Academy Collegiate Program- University of Tennessee at Martin
- Department of Homeland Security (BITAC)
- State POST Councils
- Police Executive Research Forum (PERF)
- National Computer Forensics Institute (NCFI)
- Forensic Science Academy- Virginia Department of Forensic Science
Criminal Justice Certifications Accepted for Graduate Students
- CLEE (Certified Law Enforcement Executive) - (9 credit hours)
- CPM (Certified Public Manager) - (6 credit hours)
- LADC (Licensed Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselor) - (6 credit hours)
- LCDC (Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor) - (6 credit hours)
- CADC (Certified Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselor) - (6 credit hours)
- GCFE (GIAC Certified Forensic Examiner) - (6 credit hours)
- CEM Certified Emergency Manager- CROL 663 Criminal Justice Training and Education I (6hrs) or CROL 664 Criminal Justice Training and Education II (6 hrs)
Faculty Experts in Criminal Justice
Get to know more about your future criminal justice professors.

Dr. Jack Brown

Dr. Bo Bennett

Dr. Jennifer Larson
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