Why should I apply to the Criminal Justice Administration Graduate program?
- Students who enroll in our criminal justice programs have one-on-one access to an outstanding group of professors who are experts in areas such as domestic violence, court systems, capital punishment and wrongful convictions, law enforcement, religiosity and crime, and victimization. Small class sizes and carefully designed coursework maximize student success while fostering the development of critical thinking, analytical, decision-making, and deductive reasoning skills.
How do the teachers/professors specific to the CJA program differentiate from other programs?
- All graduate faculty hold doctorates in the field—an advantage not found in comparable regional programs. They are published experts, experienced teachers, and active conference presenters who are committed to providing individualized, one-on-one support throughout your degree.
Is the CJA program offered online or face-to-face?
- Our program adapts to your career goals with face-to-face, hybrid, weekend, and fully online course options. Choose the format—or combination—that fits your schedule.
Are there internship opportunities within the program?
- Yes! Niagara University collaborates with numerous local, state, and federal agencies and organizations, which can offer you unique research, internship, and other experiential learning opportunities.
How can the program be beneficial to my career?
- This program is designed to prepare graduates for productive roles in society, as well as to provide them with the opportunity to fulfill their potential. A holistic education is offered through an integrated program that encourages students to develop powers of discrimination and judgment, and fosters their commitment to ethical, intellectual, and social values that enable graduates to function as effective leaders in any organizational environment. The curriculum helps graduates to anticipate, address, and correct problems faced in the criminal justice professions in an efficient, effective, and ethical manner.
How many credit hours make up the program?
- The program consists of an 11-course sequence totaling 33 credit hours, including a Capstone policy paper or a two-semester research thesis project. Six of the 11 courses are core requirements, and the remainder are elective courses.
Do I need to have a degree or background in Criminal Justice or Criminology?
- No, you are not required to have a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice to be admitted to the CJA program. However, a bachelor’s degree in any field is required to be eligible for graduate school. The program is designed to accommodate individuals from various backgrounds and is particularly useful for those with little prior academic experience in criminal justice.
Are there scholarship opportunities or assistantships that are available in the program? How do you become eligible?
- Niagara University currently offers more than 60 different assistantships, scholarships, and award opportunities for graduate students. Eligibility is based on applications and maintenance of good academic standing, course completion, and satisfactory work performance. For more information on scholarships and what is needed to apply, please visit the graduate scholarship website.
What job opportunities are available within the Criminal Justice field?
- There are numerous job opportunities in the Criminal Justice field. With your M.S. in Criminal Justice Administration, you’ll qualify for higher-level positions in law enforcement, corrections, courts, federal agencies, and victim services. The degree can also support advancement into leadership positions such as police chief, corrections administrator, or federal agent.
- Beyond traditional law enforcement, this degree opens doors in private security, consulting, nonprofit organizations, and academic settings. It also serves as strong preparation for law school or doctoral studies.
Can you work full-time while pursuing my master’s degree?
- Yes! This program is flexible, and most classes will meet after 4 p.m. This allows our students to accommodate and balance both working and educational careers.
What is the total length of the program?
- With flexible scheduling, most students finish in two years, though some complete the program in 18 months or even one year. Full-time students can finish in one calendar year; part-time students typically take three.
Are there Saturday classes available or night classes?
- Yes! All classes start at 4 p.m. or later, and the schedule often allows students to take two courses on select evenings. Additionally, one course is typically offered on Saturdays.
What are the application requirements/how do I apply?
- Please review the application requirements and access the application.
What is the cost of tuition?
- Details regarding tuition for the CJA program can be found on our tuition and fees website.
What is the deadline for applying?
- Niagara University has a rolling admissions policy. Applications are considered as they are received and evaluated in a holistic fashion in keeping with the mission of the university. The earlier you apply, the sooner your application will be considered.
Where can I find more information on the program and upcoming events?
- For more information, please submit a contact form to connect with a program representative. You can also attend virtual information sessions—visit our graduate events website for dates, times, locations, and registration details.
Can I transfer credits from a different program?
- Yes, a combined maximum of four courses (12 credit hours), including transfer credit from an accredited institution and courses outside of the criminal justice administration department at Niagara University, may be allowed. Preapproval by the director of the CJA program to take any courses outside of the CJA department at Niagara University must be obtained by the student before registration for the course(s).
Can I combine the CJA Graduate Program with another Graduate Program?
- Courses affiliated with Niagara’s other graduate programs, such as counseling, information security and digital forensics, and MBA, are also available as elective options.
What are some of the courses offered?
- Domestic Violence
- Criminal Justice Management
- Theories of Crime
- To view the full course listings, please visit our course offerings page.
Are there any 4+1 opportunities?
- Yes, Niagara University’s accelerated 4+1 or 4+2 master’s degree programs allow undergraduate students to take graduate-level courses that count toward both their bachelor’s and master’s degrees. For more information, please visit the Accelerated Master’s Programs page.
