Online Master’s in Criminal Justice: Law Enforcement Emphasis
Advocate for Justice With a Law Enforcement Focus
The complex intersection of communities and criminal justice organizations is an ever-shifting landscape shaped by emerging threats and shifting trends. Working professionals in law enforcement and criminal justice must stay current on changing demands to best serve their communities.
Grand Canyon University’s Master of Science in Criminal Justice with an Emphasis in Law Enforcement is intended to provide you with a framework for addressing key issues in crime analysis and strategic planning. Offered by the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, you can get an up-close look at crime prevention programs, contemporary crime trends and risk management in policing.
Take Law Enforcement Courses From GCU
This online master’s degree in criminal justice is designed to enhance the career qualifications of working professionals who are already active in law enforcement. It can also help you position yourself for a potential career transition to the law enforcement and criminal justice field. This master’s in criminal justice was developed to align with contemporary needs and challenges, based on guidance from local, state and federal law enforcement specialists.
Master’s Degree in Criminal Justice: Law Enforcement Emphasis Course Topics
The master’s degree in criminal justice aims to inspire you to work toward leadership positions in your field. The curriculum is designed to help you become a skilled communicator who can reason with analytical clarity and convey information to a variety of stakeholders. As a private, Christian university, GCU emphasizes the role of values, morality and ethics in decision-making and leadership responsibilities. In these law enforcement courses, you will examine:
- The relationship between psychology and criminal justice, with a look at crisis intervention, criminal profiling and psychopathology
- The intersection of law and socioeconomic issues
- Professional ethics within the criminal justice and law enforcement fields
- Contemporary law enforcement management practices
Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Curriculum
The curriculum begins with a survey of criminal behavior. Criminal profiling, psychopathology and crisis intervention are examined in the context of the criminal justice system. You will explore a holistic view of society, examining the interrelatedness of law and socioeconomic concerns. Other core competencies you are expected to acquire include:
- The detection of patterns in crime data and the examination of the techniques, trends and uses of crime analysis
- The use of crime analysis in managing cases and preventing criminal activity
- The relationship between the police and the public, with an emphasis on positive interactions, greater communication and crime prevention
- Strategic analysis and organizational planning practices to enhance agency performance
Career Opportunities for Graduates With an MS in Criminal Justice
Experienced police officers who earn a master’s degree in criminal justice: law enforcement emphasis may be equipped to pursue a high-level position in law enforcement, such as:
- Police sergeant
- Police lieutenant
- Deputy chief or chief of police
- Federal law enforcement agent
- Fraud investigator
- Correctional caseworker
- Court officer
- Sheriff
Some professionals who choose to earn a Master of Science in Criminal Justice do so not for the purpose of pursuing a law enforcement career but because the curriculum may enhance their ability to perform their job as a social worker, journalist or nonprofit administrator. Getting a closer look at the inner workings of the criminal justice system and criminality may help professionals develop a reputation for niche expertise.1
Earn a Master of Science in Criminal Justice From an Institutionally Accredited University
At GCU, we take pride in being an institutionally accredited school — a designation that reflects our commitment to fostering academic excellence and prioritizing quality instruction. The Higher Learning Commission (HLC) has continually accredited GCU since 1968. The College of Humanities and Social Sciences shares the university’s commitment to upholding the principles and standards established by our accrediting bodies.
Master’s in Criminal Justice: Law Enforcement Emphasis FAQs
As you consider your options for higher education and the future of your career path, you may find the following frequently asked questions and answers helpful in your decision-making process.
Earning an MS in Criminal Justice with an Emphasis in Law Enforcement introduces you to advanced topics in the criminal justice field. For those interested in areas such as forensics, special investigations, criminal rehabilitation or criminal profiling, a law enforcement master’s degree can provide an in-depth examination, with a focus on the threat assessment, prevention and mitigation strategies that are immediately applicable in the field. If you’re passionate about protecting your community and serving your department with integrity and professionalism, then earning a Master of Science in Criminal Justice may be a good choice for you.
The MS in Criminal Justice degree program requires a total of 38 credits for completion. Most of the online courses are eight weeks in length. To better understand how long it might take you to earn your degree, you can fill out the form on this page to request a consultation with a university counselor.
According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) eligibility overview, a master’s degree is not required to earn a job with the FBI, but it can certainly help. One way a graduate degree can be beneficial is by reducing the experience requirements needed to apply for an FBI job. Applicants with a bachelor’s degree must also have two years of full-time work experience. Applicants who hold a master’s degree are eligible to apply with just one year of work experience. An advanced degree alone will not be enough to earn a position with the FBI, but it is worth the consideration.2
A degree in criminal justice is similar to a legal studies degree, but there are noteworthy differences. If you choose to earn a degree in criminal justice: law enforcement emphasis, you will take law enforcement courses that primarily explore the applications of law and the justice system for the purpose of dealing with crime. On the other hand, a legal studies degree will focus on the theoretical foundations of law and the intersection of legal issues and society.3
Explore best practices and professional ethics for the criminal justice and law enforcement fields. Apply today to earn your master’s in criminal justice online at GCU.
1 Soriano, D. (2019, April 3). What can you do with a master’s degree in criminal justice? U.S. News and World Report. Retrieved Nov. 15, 2023.
2 FBI Jobs. (n.d.). Special agent. FBI. Retrieved Nov. 15, 2023.
3 CollegeBoard. (2018, Nov. 16). The basics of justice and law degrees. CollegeBoard. Retrieved Nov. 15, 2023.
Core Courses
Course Description
This course is designed to prepare students for the graduate learning experience at Grand Canyon University. Students have opportunities to develop and strengthen the skills necessary to succeed as graduate students in the liberal arts. Emphasis is placed on utilizing the tools for graduate success.
Course Description
This course provides an examination of the relationship between psychology and the criminal justice system. Students develop an understanding of crisis intervention, criminal profiling, psychopathology, personality assessment, and related research methods.
Course Description
This course explores the interrelatedness of law and socioeconomic concerns and attempts to generate a holistic perspective of society and social control for those charged with the administration of justice.
Course Description
This course explores ethics in the context of criminal justice settings and situations. Various ethical questions are engaged to improve students’ decision-making skills. The responsibility of the individual to act ethically and legally when working in the criminal justice field is emphasized. Some attention is also given to the role of Christian Ethics in criminal justice.
Course Description
This course provides a fundamental analysis of research and a methodological evaluation of criminal justice topics. This course familiarizes students with aspects of statistical analysis and research design relevant to today’s justice environment using both quantitative and qualitative methods. The course focuses on the practical application of research rather than exclusively on the theoretical.
Course Description
This course explores contemporary law enforcement management by examining personality, values, groups, power dimensions, decision making, conflict management, change, and organization development.
Course Description
This course provides a comprehensive examination of the relationship between the police and the public. The course exposes students to strategies law enforcement personnel and agencies can use to develop positive relationships with the public. The relationship between greater communication, positive interactions, and crime prevention is explored.
Course Description
This course covers various aspects of crime analysis and how analysis can be used in managing cases and reducing crime. Data collection techniques as well as interpreting data for different purposes are addressed. Prerequisite: JUS-510.
Course Description
This course provides an advanced study of crime analysis techniques, trends, and uses. Finding patterns in crime data as well as communicating those patterns and trends for specific purposes is covered. This is an application based course to build useful skills in crime analysis. Prerequisite: JUS-636.
Course Description
This course provides an in-depth study of strategic analysis and organizational planning practices for law enforcement leaders. The course prepares students to assess needs, make decisions, create plans, and implement those plans to enhance agency performance.
- GCU cannot and will not promise job placement, a job, graduate school placement, transfer of GCU program credits to another institution, promotion, salary, or salary increase. Please see the Career Services Policy in the University Policy Handbook.
- Please note that this list may contain programs and courses not presently offered, as availability may vary depending on class size, enrollment and other contributing factors. If you are interested in a program or course listed herein please first contact your University Counselor for the most current information regarding availability.
- Please refer to the Academic Catalog for more information. Programs or courses subject to change
Pursue a next-generation education with an online degree from Grand Canyon University. Earn your degree with convenience and flexibility with online courses that let you study anytime, anywhere.