College of Sciences
Master of Arts in Criminal Justice (MCJ)
Led by nationally recognized professionals, our MCJ program gives you the knowledge and skills needed to be successful criminal justice professionals and academics.
Program Details
- Official Degree Name
- Master of Arts in Criminal Justice
- Format
-
Online
- Credit Hours
- 30
- Program Start
- Start Anytime
- Application Deadline
- Apply Anytime
- Average Time to Degree
- 1-3 Years
Why Pursue Your Masters of Arts in Criminal Justice at DeSales University?
As a DeSales MCJ student, you will receive a unique blend of academic rigor, professional support, and practical, hands-on experience. Our faculty are nationally recognized professionals in the field who will connect textbook theory with real-world tools and methods. Our curriculum promotes professionalism, teaches cutting-edge criminal justice theory, and upholds ethical standards.
You have the opportunity to tailor your studies to your specific interests by selecting one of our two available concentrations or one of our two available graduate certificates. Our online format also provides the flexibility to let you balance your work and education. As a DeSales graduate, you will be well-prepared to lead and innovate in the evolving field of criminal justice.
Program Highlights
Multiple Pathways to Success
- With three tracks and two graduate certificates, our MCJ program lets you follow your passions. You can choose a concentration in Digital Forensics or Investigative Forensics along with the traditional track.
Flexible Options
- The online format of our MCJ program allows you to continue your professional work while obtaining the skills needed to advance your career! Our rolling admission allows you to enroll and take courses whenever is most convenient for you.
Value and Return on Investment
- We proudly offer all criminal justice professionals a 20% tuition discount for all DeSales MCJ graduate and certificate programs!
What Will You Study?
All MCJ students complete a master project seminar course that can be satisfied through a master’s thesis, externship in a relevant agency, or an in-depth policy paper.
Our MCJ curriculum promotes professionalism, covers the latest criminal justice theory, and shows how to apply it in the field. It also focuses on upholding ethical standards for criminal justice practitioners and academicians.
Courses you may take include:
- Advanced Criminology
- Ethics in Criminal Justice
- Criminal Justice Systems & Processes
- Applied Statistics & Data Analysis
Meet the Faculty
Concentrations & Certificates
Swipe below to discover more!
Concentrations
Learn MoreConcentration
Digital Forensics
Learn criminological theory and practice while focusing on digital forensics. Develop the skills essential for combatting cybercrime in an increasingly digital world through a curriculum focusing on expert-led instruction and providing hands-on learning using the same evidence and scenarios encountered in real-world investigations.
Required Courses Include:
Concentration
Investigative Forensics
Receive an in-depth look at how forensic science solves crimes and interacts with the legal system. Learn how forensic professionals gather and process evidence through hands-on experience with advanced forensic technologies and methodologies.
Required Courses Include:
Graduate Certificates
Learn MoreGraduate Certificate
Digital Forensics
Experience a cutting-edge curriculum, nationally recognized educators, and accelerated, flexible class schedules. You’ll learn the proper methods to gather digital evidence, analysis, and expert testimony and develop the ability to apply theory and high ethical standards to real-life criminal justice situations.
Required Courses Include:
Graduate Certificate
Investigative Forensics
Enhance your expertise in a rapidly evolving field. This program provides specialized training in death investigation, crime scene investigation, behavioral criminology, and forensic anthropology. Gain the expertise needed to make a significant impact in uncovering the truth and pursuing justice.
Required Courses Include:
Micro-credentials
Learn MoreDigital Badge
Network & Cloud Forensics
Build the skills to investigate cybercrimes and uncover digital evidence across networks and cloud environments.
The Network & Cloud Forensics digital badge introduces you to the fundamentals of network investigations, including TCP/IP, IP and email tracing, DNS, and log analysis. You'll also explore how leading cloud platforms, including Microsoft Azure, Amazon AWS, and Google Cloud Platform, provide investigators with new sources of digital evidence.
Required Criteria
Digital Badge
Forensic Acquisition & Analytics
Develop practical digital forensics skills for acquiring, analyzing, and interpreting electronic evidence during an investigation.
The Forensic Acquisition & Analytics digital badge gives you hands-on experience with essential phases of the digital forensic process. You'll explore key data types, potential sources of evidence, and the technical skills needed to analyze digital information and help solve real-world investigative challenges.
Required Criteria
Digital Badge
Digital Investigation & Evidence Collection
Learn how to investigate digital incidents, collect electronic evidence, and uncover how technology can be used to facilitate crime.
The Digital Investigation & Evidence Collection digital badge explores the tools, techniques, and concepts used in modern digital investigations. You'll examine incident investigations, forensic tools, encryption, web-based investigations, and electronic evidence while developing a stronger understanding of how computers and digital devices can be involved in criminal activity.
Required Criteria
Digital Certificate
Digital Forensics
Gain a comprehensive foundation in investigating cybercrimes, analyzing electronic evidence, and solving complex digital forensic challenges.
The Digital Forensics certificate builds practical skills across the full digital investigation process, from incident response and evidence imaging to network, cloud, mobile device, and database forensics. You'll gain the technical knowledge needed to trace digital activity, analyze evidence, and protect information assets across today's increasingly complex technology environments.
Required Criteria
Emma Coccio M'25
Lehigh County Juvenile Probation
I am thankful every day that I did the 4+1 MACJ program at DeSales. There was so much continuity in the program that really helped me delve deeper into the material and field. The variety in background of my professors provided incredible insights into the different areas of criminal justice.
Outcomes & Careers
Our MCJ program combines theory, practical application, technology, and ethics for those committed to criminal justice. Alumni gain a deep understanding of criminal justice principles, advanced research and communication skills, and specialized knowledge in their focus areas. With a curriculum that includes hands-on training and guidance from nationally recognized experts, you will be prepared to succeed as a criminal justice practitioner and academician. Upon completion of the program, you will possess:
- Improved ability to compete successfully for employment in the criminal justice field and related areas.
- Academic competence in the criminal justice body of knowledge, especially a thorough understanding of key criminal justice topic areas and relevant modern issues.
- Expertise in researching, writing, and orally reporting issues of significance within the criminal justice field.
- High ethical and professional standards ready to be applied in real-life criminal justice situations consistent with the Christian humanistic philosophy of St. Francis de Sales.
Admission Requirements
- Completed application (reviewed on a rolling basis)
- A Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution with an undergraduate GPA of a 3.0 or higher. Exceptions to the GPA requirement will be made on a case-by-case basis.
- Official transcripts from all Higher Education institutions attended
- Resume
Facts & Figures
#63 Best Online Master's in Criminal Justice Programs
- U.S. News & World Report
#46 Best Value Colleges in Pennsylvania
- Niche
#293 Best National Universities
- U.S. News & World Report
Program FAQs
We accept admissions on a rolling basis, so the DeSales MCJ program enrollment is always open. Start any time you are ready to improve your career prospects.
Our events calendar houses all our academic calendar. Simply use the Academic Calendar and Semester filters to see important upcoming dates.
Yes. Our concentrations and certificates are entirely online- giving you the flexibility to continue your professional work while obtaining the education and skills needed to advance your career.
DeSales University is proud to offer actively employed criminal justice professionals a 20% tuition discount for this Master’s program.
DeSales students must be in their current junior year with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher to be eligible to apply for admittance into the program. Juniors will be required to complete a written application requiring at least two letters of reference. If accepted into the program, you will begin taking graduate-level courses during the fall semester of your senior year at DeSales.
Graduate Admissions
Contact
-
610-282-1100 x1277 -
gradadmiss@desales.edu -
Dooling Hall
