Online Master's in Criminal Justice Administration

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
• Kentucky Criminalistics Academy (KCA)
• 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)
• Senior Management Institute for Police (SMIP) (PERF)
• National Computer Forensics Institute (NCFI)
• Forensic Science Academy- Virginia Department of Forensic Science
• Texas Police Chiefs Association- Law Enforcement Command Officer Program (LECOP)
• Law Enforcement Management Institute of Texas (LEMIT)- Leadership Command College
• Institute for Law Enforcement Administration (TX) (ILEA)- School of Executive Leadership

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)