Masters in Criminal Justice

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A Master of Science in Criminal Justice from Iona University prepares you to lead in a range of public service and law enforcement careers. Through a curriculum rooted in ethics and community impact, you’ll gain the skills to create safer, more just communities.

Why Choose a Master of Science in Criminal Justice?

Whether you’re a seasoned professional in law enforcement or looking to transition into a new field, Iona’s Master of Science in Criminal Justice provides the academic foundation and practical expertise needed to help you thrive. Current professionals, including law enforcement officers, corrections officers, and public safety personnel, gain advanced knowledge and credentials that pave the way to leadership roles within their organizations. For career changers or those holding undergraduate degrees in unrelated fields, the program serves as a strong entry point into the criminal justice system.

Throughout the program, students benefit from the insights of distinguished faculty and seasoned practitioners who bring real-world experience into the classroom, fostering a dynamic learning environment and building a powerful professional network that supports long-term career growth.

Curriculum Highlights & Core Competencies

At Iona, a master’s degree in criminal justice is offered through the Criminal Justice and Sociology department. The curriculum is strongly grounded in professional ethics for all branches of the criminal justice system, with a flexible schedule that ensures students can pursue electives of their choice.

Some of the required courses for the criminal justice MS include:

Criminal Justice and the Constitution
History of the Criminal Justice System
Computers and Criminal Justice
Professional Standards and Ethics in Criminal Justice
Database Systems for Criminal Justice

Electives for master’s students include:

Advanced Criminology
Critical Issues in Criminal Justice
Profiling Violent Crimes
Advanced Deviant Behavior
Victimology
Cyber Security, Policy & the Law
Criminal Justice and the Community
Criminal Law, Evidence and Ethics
Forensic Health Issues, the Law, and the Criminal Justice System

Criminal justice master’s graduates will be able to think critically about the issues facing the current criminal justice system from both a historical and forward-looking lens and analyze potential solutions effectively.

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Tuition and Financial Aid

We encourage you to utilize our Graduate Tuition Estimator to get an estimate of potential tuition costs after scholarships have been applied, based on current rates.

Explore scholarships and awards for graduate students here and contact Student Financial Services to learn more.

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What to Expect

Hybrid and online learning formats
Finish in 2 years
Access to professional networks and mentorship

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Degree Outcomes

Titles held by Iona graduates include:

Detective
Intelligence Analyst
Police Officer
Forensic Examiner

Careers & Outcomes

Flexible Learning and Program Structure at Iona

Many master’s students continue to work full-time jobs as they pursue advanced education curriculums. To support these students, Iona offers flexible learning options for criminal justice master’s degree students. As of 2025, entry-level classes are offered in person. To improve accessibility for all students, Iona aims to move the program fully online by the Fall 2026 semester.

The department’s Mentor Dinner is such an important day of the year. Representatives from all walks of the Criminal Justice system disclose their everyday working lives. The business cards are flowing, and the learning experience is like no other.

Frank N. '17, '19MS

Career Outcomes with a Master’s in Criminal Justice

There are multiple career paths in criminal justice available to students who graduate from the Iona master’s in criminal justice program.

Additionally, Iona provides opportunities for graduate students to join the National Criminal Justice Honor Society and the American Criminal Justice Association, expanding your professional network and academic recognition.

Career Paths Include:

Law enforcement leadership (lieutenant, captain, or chief)
State and federal agencies
Cybercrime and fraud prevention
Victim advocacy and social justice programs
Public policy analysis or nonprofit leadership

Our Graduates Have Found Careers With:

Juvenile Corrections and Rehabilitation Centers

Dual-Degree and Accelerated Options at Iona

Undergraduate students who are certain of their paths in the criminal justice field can benefit from Iona’s joint Bachelor of Arts and master's programs in criminal justice. The criminal justice BA-MS program allows students to complete both their undergraduate degree and master’s degree in criminal justice in just five years, saving at least one year of schooling as compared to a traditional schedule. BA/MS program students are eligible to enroll in up to 15 credits of graduate level courses during their first four years of school, prior to completing their undergraduate degree. During the fifth year of the program, students complete the remaining graduate credits and earn their master’s degree.

Graduate students in a criminal justice class.

Faculty Expertise and Real-World Preparations

All graduate programs at Iona benefit from experienced and dedicated faculty who are eager to share their expertise with their students. Faculty members in the criminal justice department hold PhDs in criminology, sociology, and education. Faculty members have decades of experience in law enforcement, including roles as former members of the New York City Police Department, along with publication credits in journals like Criminal Justice Ethics and International Journal of Police Science.

FAQs

What specializations are available in Iona’s MS in Criminal Justice?
Students in Iona’s MS in criminal justice program can choose to add a specialization with an advanced certificate in Cybercrime and Prevention. All credits earned as part of the certificate program can be applied to the final master’s degree program.

Can I complete the master’s in criminal justice online or part time at Iona?
The master’s in criminal justice program is available in both online and hybrid (online and in person) formats. Students can choose to complete the program on a part-time basis, although this option will impact the timeline for graduation.

What’s the difference between the BA-MS dual program and the standalone MS at Iona?
The BA-MS dual degree program in criminal justice allows students to complete both an undergraduate degree and a master’s degree in just five years. The standalone MS in criminal justice program takes at least two years to complete, which means that coupled with a BA, students could expect to spend the traditional six years completing the two degrees.

Are internships or field placements part of Iona’s criminal justice master’s program?
Students in the BA/MS dual degree program have access to a range of internship opportunities with local law enforcement agencies, policy agencies, victim services, county jails, and mental health units.

How does Iona’s MS program prepare students for leadership in public service?
Iona’s MS in criminal justice program prepares graduates to be leaders in public service and public safety. The criminal justice program is rooted in ethics with courses taught by experienced faculty who share their experiences from their time in law enforcement along with deep and thorough research of the criminal justice system. With the critical thinking and analytical skills that students learn in the Iona MS in Criminal Justice program, students are prepared to step into leadership roles in their chosen branches of criminal justice.

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Our scenic campuses, located just 20 miles from midtown Manhattan, truly do offer the best of both worlds. Let us show you around, answer your questions and give you a feel of our tight-knit community.

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If you're considering applying to Iona, you're not alone! Since 2019, our new-student enrollment is up nearly 40%. Graduate students automatically qualify for consideration of merit scholarships during their graduate programs. Start your application today.

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