Earn your Master's in Criminal Justice from UMass Lowell and gain the expertise needed for leadership roles in law enforcement, corrections and legal fields.

Master of Arts in Criminal Justice Overview

Our Master's in Criminal Justice is designed for individuals committed to making a difference in law enforcement, corrections and the justice system. With a focus on critical thinking, research and hands-on experience, you will gain the advanced skills and knowledge needed to lead in today's complex criminal justice landscape. You'll learn from faculty who are leading experts in their fields.

Whether you're a working professional or looking for a traditional academic experience, our program offers full-time and part-time enrollment to fit your schedule. Additionally, you may complete courses through the online Criminal Justice program or through a hybrid format. International students must complete this program through a mix of online and on-campus courses. Our program has a long history of producing graduates highly regarded and in demand by federal, state and local agencies.

Criminal Justice Curriculum

The M.A. in Criminal Justice is a 33-credit master's degree. Graduate students can choose to complete a thesis option.

For a complete list of courses and academic requirements, please visit the Academic Catalog.

You must complete a minimum of thirty-three (33) credits for the Master of Arts Degree, including a Core Course Sequence of fifteen (15) credits.
Required Courses
Course #Course NameCr.
Total15
CRIM.5010Criminological Theory: Foundations3
CRIM.5200Administration of Justice System3
CRIM.5900Descriptive & Inferential Statistics3
CRIM.5910Research Design3
CRIM.6130ORCRIM.5210Law and Public Policy OR Managing Criminal Justice Organizations3
Thesis Option
Course #Course NameCr.
Total6
CRIM.5830/5360Master's Thesis6
If you do not undertake the thesis option, two additional classes must be taken to complete the six credit hours.
The remainder of the credits should be fulfilled by electives. You should meet with your academic advisor to develop an individualized course of study to meet your degree requirements.

Total Credits = 33


Why Study Criminal Justice at UMass Lowell?

  • Reputation: In 2024, U.S. News & World Report ranked our program as the #3 Best Online Master's in Criminal Justice nationwide.
  • Quinn-Bill Certification: Through our master's program, full-time officers who work in participating towns and cities qualify for salary increases.
  • Certificate Specializations: Depending on your interests and career goals, you may complete a graduate certificate in Domestic Violence Prevention, Forensic Criminology, Leadership & Policy Development, Security Studies or Victim Studies with courses that will count toward the Master's in Criminal Justice.
  • Value: According to Payscale.com, UMass Lowell ranks #1 for lifetime return on investment among public research universities in Massachusetts.
  • Flexibility: Depending on your schedule and learning style, you may study online, part-time or full-time.

Top Companies Hiring UMass Lowell's Criminal Justice Graduates

Criminal-Justice-Professionals
  • Massachusetts Trial Court
  • Commonwealth of Massachusetts
  • Massachusetts State Police 
  • Army National Guard
  • Drug Enforcement Administration
  • Middlesex Sheriff's Office
  • United States Air Force
  • U.S. Department of Justice
  • Securitas Security Services USA, Inc.
  • Allied Universal
  • Essex County Sheriff's Department

Tuition and Admissions

Eligible students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to be considered for financial assistance.

Complete the FAFSA

Cost Per Credit: $600
Term Registration Fee: $30

Please see online tuition and fees for more information.

As a graduate student, you may qualify for federal student aid and other need-based scholarships. To be considered for financial assistance, you must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Learn more at UMass Lowell Graduate Aid.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is available to U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and certain eligible non-citizens. Please visit Financial Aid if you have questions about your eligibility.

All College of Fine Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences master’s and doctoral applicants must submit:

  1. An application
  2. An application fee
  3. A statement of purpose
  4. Letters of recommendation
  5. Official transcripts
  6. Official test score report - only required for:
    1. (GRE) Criminology and Criminal Justice, Ph.D.
    2. (GRE) Global Studies, Ph.D.
    3. Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure (MTEL) Music Education, Master of Music (M.M.)
  7. Resume - only required for:
    1. Music Education, M.M.
    2. Public Administration, Master of Public Administration (M.P.A)

Note: All required materials must be received before the application package can be evaluated. If you need to introduce new references or add other supporting documents, log on to your application, click on “Program Materials” to update your application. Please note the new documents and references will be considered only if your application has not been reviewed for admission.  

Program Application Deadlines for Fall Admissions:

  • Global Studies Ph.D. - January 15
  • Psychology Ph.D. - January 15
  • Criminology Ph.D. - February 1
  • Applied Behavior Analysis and Autism Studies - February 15

International Students: please see the additional application requirements.

Bachelor's to Master's Students: You will need to apply via the application portal. Visit the Bachelor's to Master's page to learn about the process to transition to your desired master's program.

1. Online Application application

Applications are only being accepted using the online process. Instructions are included in the online application link.

Tips for accessing and completing the online application:

  • Capitalize your proper name.
  • Once the form is submitted, changes can only be made by calling the Office of Graduate Admissions at 978-934-2390.

Apply for Spring 2025

Apply for Summer 2025, Fall 2025, Spring 2026

The Leadership in Schooling Ed.D. is a cohort based program that begins each year in May. Applications are accepted during the preceding year, between April - November 30.

Apply for Trimester (Summer) 2025 Leadership in Schooling

app-fee 2. Application Fee

The application fee is $50 for each application and is non-refundable. Applications will not be processed until this fee is received or application fee waiver has been approved and delivered to the Office of Graduate Admissions.


3. Statement of Purpose statement

In a separate document, submit a brief statement indicating your immediate and long-range goals, relevant work history, academic honors/awards received, any teaching experience and/or research conducted/published that may be pertinent to your graduate program. Two page recommended maximum.

Note: If you are applying to more than one program, you will need to submit a program-specific statement of purpose with each application package.


4. Letters of Recommendation recommendation

Master's applicants need to submit two (2) letters of recommendation. Doctoral applicants will be asked to submit three (3) letters of recommendation. You will be asked to provide (names and email addresses) referees during the application process and then an automated request will be sent out after the completion of your application. Alternatively, you may use the graduate admissions recommendation form (pdf) to request letters of recommendation.

Criminal Justice, M.A.: Letters of recommendation are optional, not required.

Recommendations should be from instructors who have taught you, ideally in the field to which you are applying. Recommendations may also be from employers or supervisors who are in a position to compare your performance to that of your peers. Please use the recommendation form for these.

5. Official Transcripts transcripts

Provide a complete and official transcript from the institution that awarded or will award you a bachelor’s degree. You may also include transcripts from other institutions at which you have taken relevant coursework. Please note that waiting for additional transcripts may delay review of your application.

Transcripts should be sent in sealed and signed envelopes mailed to the Office of Graduate Admissions. If you received your degree from UMass Lowell, it is not necessary for you to request a transcript, we are able to provide one for you.

University of Massachusetts - Lowell
Graduate Admissions
Graduate and Professional Studies (GPS) Center
839 Merrimack Street, 2nd Floor
Lowell, MA 01854-3941

International transcripts that do not clearly indicate to the Office of Graduate Admissions that you have received a four-year bachelor’s degree, the equivalent of an American bachelor's degree must be demonstrated before an application will be processed. Please note, the Office of Graduate Admissions reserves the right to have any application credential evaluated. Baccalaureate verification may be obtained for a fee at:

Center for Educational Documentation, Inc.
P.O. Box 170116
Boston, MA 02117
Telephone: 617-338-7171
Fax: 617-338-7101
Center for Educational Documentation website
World Education Services website


test-score 6. Official Test Score Report(s)

Submission of the GRE test score report is required for applicants to the following programs:

  • Criminology and Criminal Justice, Ph.D.
  • Global Studies, Ph.D.

Submission of passing MTEL(Massachusetts Teachers Education License) is required for the following programs: 
  • Master of Music in Music Education, MM - Applicants to this program must also submit proof of successfully passing the MTEL test in Music within the last five years. 

Please request that the appropriate agency send an official test score for the GRE/GMAT or MTEL to the Office of Graduate Admissions, UMass Lowell's school code is 3911.

For more information about standardized tests, our Admissions Standards page and Admissions Requirements page provide current information.

7. Resume

The programs listed below require a resume for admissions consideration:

  • Music Education, M.M.
  • Public Administration, M.P.A

Take the Next Step

Start your online application today!

Request More Information

Take a Virtual Tour of UMass Lowell

Launch virtual tour

Explore UMass Lowell from anywhere in the world. See the spaces where our students study, create, learn and live through a self-guided, interactive tour.

2024 US News Online Grad CJ  

2024 US News Online Grad CJ Veterans

Contact Us

Amber Horning-Ruf, Ph.D.
Master's Program Coordinator
978-934-5391
Amber_Ruf@uml.edu