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Stackable Credentials
Earn up to 3 certificates while earning your master’s degree.
Prepare for Your Future in Criminal Justice Policy and Administration
broaden your perspective to identify the origins of crime
identify the different value systems that create different types of crime
investigate the justice systems’ impacts on the creation, enforcement, and execution of laws
incorporate research when evaluating and developing policies to promote equity in the criminal justice system
Courses to Expand Your Theoretical and Practical Knowledge
Courses to Expand Your Theoretical and Practical Knowledge
This 30-credit master's in criminal justice policy and administration devotes its curriculum to analyzing policies, evaluating research, and developing policy proposals. This allows you to specialize your study in policy and administration without needing to take courses outside of your focus.
You can earn up to three related graduate certificates along the way to your Master of Professional Studies in Criminal Justice Policy and Administration. Students who plan to take the stackable credentials pathway to this degree should work closely with an academic adviser and follow the course lists for each graduate certificate program. To earn each certificate, you must apply, gain acceptance to the program, and complete the required courses.
- Graduate Certificate in Criminal Justice Administration and Procedure (9 credits)
- Graduate Certificate in Criminological Theory and Research (9 credits)
- Graduate Certificate in Global Justice and Security (9 credits) or Graduate Certificate in Impacts on Victims and Offenders (9 credits)
The degree consists of 18 credits of core courses and allows you to choose from a number of electives to customize your learning to your interests and career goals. You will finish your education with a capstone course, the opportunity to apply your newfound knowledge to a project selected by you and your faculty adviser.
Required Courses (18 credits)
- 3credits
The course presents an overview of key issues in theory and research on each major sector of the criminal justice system — policing, prosecution, criminal defense, courts, and corrections.
- 3credits
This course provides a survey of social science theories of criminal behavior at the individual and group levels.
- 3credits
This course provides a survey of social science research methods, applied to the study of criminal justice topics and the evaluation of criminal justice policies.
- 3credits
This course provides a survey of criminal procedure and related constitutional law.
- 3credits
This course provides a survey of ethical systems and theories.
- 3credits
The purpose of this course is to teach the student the theory behind a particular statistical technique and its appropriate use.
Electives (select 9 credits)
You will have the opportunity to tailor your program of study to your interests by choosing from a list of elective courses. The elective courses will be chosen in consultation with your adviser.
Criminal Justice Leadership
- 3credits
Principles of administration as they relate to a police organization and policy development.
- Prerequisite
CRIMJ 100 or CRIM 100 and CRIMJ 210
- 3credits
Relates organizational and public policy management approaches to police, courts, and correctional institutions.
- 3credits
Students will examine the social and psychological processes underlying leadership in organizations.
Public Policy and Administration
- 3credits
Advanced analysis of public policy, emphasizing policy evaluation and the factors that determine policy success and failure.
- 3credits
Introduction to the analysis of public policy within its organizational and political contexts, including an emphasis on an economic perspective.
- 3credits
Development of basic concepts and issues in public administration; administrative theory and public policy processes.
Global Justice and Security
- 3credits
This course studies how police organizations from different countries communicate, cooperate, and collaborate with each other in order to respond to global crime threats.
- 3credits
This course is about transnational crime activities happening around the world.
- 3credits
This course aims to understand the role of law enforcement in counterterrorism by analyzing the challenges, issues, and difficulties in policing global terrorism.
Law, Legal Process, and Sentencing
- 3credits
Law and Society studies the social origins of law and legal systems, occupational careers, and decision-making of legal officials.
- 3credits
The origins of judicial review, landmark decisions of the Supreme Court, and their impact on the American form of government.
- Prerequisite
PLSC 1
- 3credits
Analysis of the roles, procedures, and policies characterizing the American legal system.
- Prerequisite
PLSC 1
- 3credits
This course provides students an overview of a wide range of works within the topic of the death penalty authored by the most renowned experts in the field.
- 3credits
Provides students with a basic understanding of the field of victimology and its historical developments.
- 3credits
This course is an examination of theory, research, and policy involving courts and their sentencing decisions.
Contemporary Issues in Criminal Justice
- 3credits
Theory and research concerning behaviors and lifestyles viewed as significant departures from a group's normative expectations.
- Prerequisite
CRIMJ 12
- 3credits
Control and treatment of offenders in the community, probation and parole organizations, diversion programs, innovative sentences, supervision techniques.
- Prerequisite
CRIMJ 100, and CRIMJ 113 and CRIMJ 230, or permission of program
- 3credits
Historical and contemporary view of juvenile justice system. Focus on analyzing components of the system, their interactions, processing, and handling of youths.
- Prerequisite
CRIMJ 100
- 3credits
This course focuses on the significance of race, class, and ethnicity to criminal justice processing and criminal offending.
Culminating Experience (3 credits)
The culminating capstone experience provides you with an opportunity to apply your course knowledge to a project. You will work with your faculty adviser to mutually determine the choice of project topic and its exact form. For example, the capstone experience could be an academic research project, an evidence-based policy evaluation, or the development of a program.
You will be expected to utilize theories, literature, and methods acquired during other courses in the online criminal justice policy and administration degree program. The report will be formally presented to peers in the program and faculty members at the end of the semester (i.e., final presentation via videoconference). The capstone report must be approved by the faculty adviser to meet course requirements.
- 3credits
During their final semester the student will work closely with a faculty adviser (selected to match the student on substantive and/or methodological expertise) on a self-selected criminal justice and policy administration-related project.
Course Availability
If you're ready to see when your courses will be offered, visit our public LionPATH course search (opens in new window) to start planning ahead.
Advance Your Career
Advance Your Career
Graduates of this program can be well-qualified for meaningful and rewarding work in the field of criminal justice. The leadership skills attained within this program can benefit those in law enforcement, court administration, corrections, and policy and advocacy.
Job Titles Related to This Degree
The following roles are often held by people with this type of degree:
- Correctional Counselor
- Criminalist
- Probation and Parole Officer
- Public Safety Director
Employment Outlook for Occupational Fields Related to This Degree
Estimates of employment growth and total employment are provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and are subject to change. While these occupations are often pursued by graduates with this degree, individual outcomes may vary depending on a variety of factors. Penn State World Campus cannot guarantee employment in a given occupation.
Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists
Detectives and Criminal Investigators
Emergency Management Directors
Excel as a Criminal Justice Professional
This program can give you the skills you need to become an effective communicator and leader with the ability to not only perform a detailed evaluation of complex policy issues, but also offer practical data-based recommendations. As a graduate of this program, you can be qualified to bring about change in any number of criminal justice or legal organizations in the public and nonprofit sectors, including:
- state departments of corrections
- state sentencing commissions and parole boards
- local, county, and state law enforcement, especially in the administration sector
- local court administration, especially drug, DUI, and restorative justice courts
- local, probation, parole, and community corrections agencies
- public and private offender treatment agencies
- state policy agencies focused on criminal justice (e.g., the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency and similar agencies in other states)
Career Services to Set You Up for Success
From the day you're accepted as a student, you can access resources and tools provided by Penn State World Campus Career Services to further your career. These resources are beneficial whether you're searching for a job or advancing in an established career.
- Opportunities to connect with employers
- Career counselor/coach support
- Occupation and salary information
- Internships
- Graduate school resources
Ready to Learn More?
Get the resources you need to make informed decisions about your education. Request information on this program and other programs of interest by completing this form.
Ready to take the next step toward your Penn State master's degree?
Costs and Financial Aid
Costs and Financial Aid
Learn about this program's tuition, fees, scholarship opportunities, grants, payment options, and military benefits.
Costs and Financial Aid
Graduate Tuition
Graduate tuition is calculated based on the number of credits for which you register. Tuition is due shortly after each semester begins and rates are assessed every semester of enrollment.
2024–25 Academic Year Rates
| How many credits do you plan to take per semester? | Cost |
|---|---|
| 11 or fewer | $1,027 per credit |
| 12 or more | $12,325 per semester |
2025–26 Academic Year Rates
| How many credits do you plan to take per semester? | Cost |
|---|---|
| 11 or fewer | $1,037 per credit |
| 12 or more | $12,448 per semester |
Financial Aid and Military Benefits
Some students may qualify for financial aid. Take the time to research financial aid, scholarships, and payment options as you prepare to apply. Federal financial aid may only be used to pay for credits used to satisfy program requirements.
Military service members, veterans, and their spouses or dependents should explore these potential military education benefits and financial aid opportunities, as well.
Additional Cost of Attendance Details
To view the detailed list of cost of attendance elements:
- visit the Tuition Information site
- click the plus sign to expand the table
- select a semester from the World Campus row
Technical Requirements
Review the technical requirements for this program.
Earn Stackable Credentials on the Way to Your Degree
Earn Stackable Credentials on the Way to Your Degree
Earn graduate certificates while you work toward your degree. It’s a great way to quickly gain new skills and add valuable credentials to your résumé.
Finish the requirements for three certificates and the 3-credit capstone course, and you will have completed the requirements to earn your criminal justice policy and administration master’s degree. Please note that you must apply and be accepted to each program on an individual basis.
Complete Both of These Certificates (18 credits)
The criminological theory and research graduate certificate is designed to enhance your skills in advanced statistical techniques in criminology. You will focus on understanding the latest theories in criminal justice best practices, analyzing computer-generated data, and researching how to address current criminal justice issues.
Learn more about the Graduate Certificate in Criminological Theory and ResearchThe criminal justice administration and procedure graduate certificate can provide you with a broad understanding of criminal justice systems, key legal procedures, and ethical criminal justice systems considerations. Whether you are already working in law enforcement, the courts, or corrections or are transitioning into the field, this program can equip you with skills and knowledge that align with real-world challenges.
Learn more about the Graduate Certificate in Criminal Justice Administration and ProcedureComplete One of These Certificates (9 credits)
Build the knowledge and skill base needed to succeed in the international security field. Courses from the 9-credit Graduate Certificate in Global Justice and Security can be applied to a Master of Professional Studies in Criminal Justice Policy and Administration.
Learn more about the Graduate Certificate in Global Justice and SecurityThe impacts on victims and offenders graduate certificate can provide you with a broad perspective on the effects of crime and the criminal justice system on both victims and offenders. The certificate program introduces you to the field of victimology, explores theories of criminology, and examines research and policies related to sentencing decisions, including the death penalty.
Learn more about the Graduate Certificate in Impacts on Victims and OffendersComplete the Culminating Capstone (3 credits)
After the certificate requirements have been met, you just need to complete the 3-credit culminating capstone course to finish the master's degree. You will work closely with an adviser to create a relevant and meaningful project around your specific career goals.
Stand Out among Your Peers
A highly respected Master of Professional Studies in Criminal Justice Policy and Administration could not only provide you with valuable skills and knowledge but also help you stand out among your peers and step into leadership roles.
Integrated Undergraduate/Graduate Program Option
Integrated Undergraduate/Graduate Program Option
This master's degree is part of an Integrated Undergraduate/Graduate program (IUG) that provides undergraduate criminology students the opportunity to earn both a bachelor's degree and master's degree in approximately five years.
Academically strong students who are pursuing their B.S. or B.A. in Criminology (CRIM) at University Park would typically apply to the online graduate program during the semester in which they will complete 60 credits. Current undergraduate students interested in the IUG pathway can email the program office for more details.
Set Your Own Pace
Set Your Own Pace
Whether you are looking to finish your program as quickly as possible or balance your studies with your busy life, Penn State World Campus can help you achieve your education goals. Many students take one or two courses per semester.
Our online courses typically follow a 12- to 15-week semester cycle, and there are three semesters per year (spring, summer, and fall). If you plan to take a heavy course load, you should expect your course work to be your primary focus and discuss your schedule with your academic adviser.
To Finish Your Degree in One to Two Years
- Take 3–4 courses each semester
To Finish Your Degree in Two to Three Years
- Take 2–3 courses each semester
To Finish Your Degree in Three to Four Years
- Take 1 course each semester
Timelines may vary based on course availability.
Convenient Online Format
This program's convenient online format gives you the flexibility you need to study around your busy schedule. You can skip the lengthy commute without sacrificing the quality of your education and prepare yourself for more rewarding career opportunities without leaving your home.
A Trusted Leader in Online Education
Penn State has a history of more than 100 years of distance education, and World Campus has been a leader in online learning for more than two decades. Our online learning environment offers the same quality education that our students experience on campus.
Information for Military and Veterans
Are you a member of the military, a veteran, or a military spouse? Please visit our military website for additional information regarding financial aid, transfer credits, and application instructions.
How to Apply to Penn State
How to Apply to Penn State
Apply by August 1 to start August 25
Application Instructions
Deadlines and Important Dates
Complete your application and submit all required materials by the appropriate deadline. Your deadline will depend on the semester you plan to start your courses.
Fall Deadline
Apply by August 1 to start August 25Spring Deadline
Apply by December 1 to start January 12Summer Deadline
Apply by May 1, 2026, to start May 18, 2026
Steps to Apply
For admission to the J. Jeffrey and Ann Marie Fox Graduate School, an applicant must hold either (1) a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution or (2) a tertiary (postsecondary) degree that is deemed comparable to a four-year bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution. This degree must be from an officially recognized degree-granting institution in the country in which it operates.
Integrated Undergraduate/Graduate (IUG) Program Candidates
Academically superior undergraduate criminology students who want to be considered for the IUG program will need to apply and be accepted to both the Graduate School and IUG program. Please contact the program office to better understand the special admissions requirements associated with the program.
You will need to upload the following items as part of your application:
Official transcripts from each institution attended, regardless of the number of credits or semesters completed. Transcripts not in English must be accompanied by a certified translation. If you are a Penn State alum, you do not need to request transcripts for credits earned at Penn State but must list Penn State as part of your academic history.
Statement of Purpose — A two- to three-page essay articulating career and educational goals that demonstrate the student's written communication skills and basic statistical knowledge.
Résumé — A current curriculum vitae (vita) or résumé.
References (3) — You will need to initiate the process through the online application by entering names, email addresses, and mailing addresses of references. Upon submission of your application, an email will be sent to each recommender requesting they complete a brief online recommendation regarding your commitment for success in an online program. Please inform all recommenders that they must submit the form in order for your application to be complete.
Test Scores — GRE test scores are not required.
English Proficiency — The language of instruction at Penn State is English. With some exceptions, international applicants must take and submit scores for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS). Minimum test scores and exceptions are found in the English Proficiency section on the Fox Graduate School's "Requirements for Graduate Admission" page. Visit the TOEFL website for testing information. Penn State's institutional code is 2660.
To begin the online application, you will need a Penn State account.
Create a New Penn State Account
If you have any problems during this process, contact an admissions counselor at [email protected].
Please note: Former Penn State students may not need to complete the admissions application or create a new Penn State account. Please visit our Returning Students page for instructions.
Associated programs in the criminal justice policy and administration stack:
Certificates
- Graduate Certificate in Criminal Justice Administration and Procedure
- Graduate Certificate in Criminological Theory and Research
- Graduate Certificate in Global Justice and Security
- Graduate Certificate in Impacts on Victims and Offenders
Degree
- Master of Professional Studies in Criminal Justice Policy and Administration
If you begin with a certificate and are interested in pursuing the Master of Professional Studies in Criminal Justice Policy and Administration, work with your adviser while completing your first certificate to determine which program to apply to next.
Up to 15 credits earned in any of these certificate programs may be transferred to the Master of Professional Studies in Criminal Justice Policy and Administration, subject to restrictions outlined in GCAC-309 Transfer Credit.
You can begin your online application at any time. Your progress within the online application system will be saved as you go, allowing you to return at any point as you gather additional information and required materials.
- Choose Enrollment Type: "Degree Admission"
- Choose "WORLD CAMPUS" as the campus
Checking Your Status
You can check the status of your application by using the same login information established for the online application form.6. Complete the application.
Admissions Help
If you have questions about the admissions process, contact an admissions counselor at [email protected].
Contact Us
Contact Us
Have questions or want more information? We're happy to talk.
To learn more about the Master of Professional Studies in Criminal Justice Policy and Administration, please contact:
World Campus Admissions Counselors
Phone: 814-863-5386
Email: [email protected]
Learn from the Best
Learn from the Best
In this program, you will study with highly regarded faculty from the Penn State College of the Liberal Arts' Department of Sociology and Criminology and the Penn State Harrisburg School of Public Affairs. Our distinguished faculty have special training and experience teaching in an online environment. You can expect the same caliber of academic quality that you associate with Penn State.
Faculty
Eileen M. Ahlin
- DegreePh.D., Criminology and Criminal Justice, University of Maryland, College Park
- DegreeM.A., Sociology, George Mason University
- DegreeB.A., Administration of Justice and Sociology, Penn State
Dr. Eileen M. Ahlin is an associate professor of criminal justice in the School of Public Affairs at Penn State Harrisburg. She joined the faculty in 2013 after 15 years with a private corporation, where she conducted criminal justice research at the federal, state, and local levels. Her teaching and research interests include violence, neighborhood effects, corrections, research methods, and criminological theory.
Jennifer Gibbs
- DegreePh.D., Criminology and Criminal Justice, University of Maryland, College Park
- DegreeCertificate, University Teaching and Learning, University of Maryland, College Park
- DegreeM.S., Criminal Justice Administration, Niagara University
- DegreeB.A., Psychology, Keuka College
Dr. Jennifer Gibbs' research interests focus on policing topics, including violence against police, public attitudes toward police, diversity in recruitment and retention, and terrorism. Her work on social distance and attitudes toward police, co-authored with Dr. Jonathan Lee, received recognition in the 2016 Emerald Literati Network Awards for Excellence. At Penn State World Campus, Dr. Gibbs typically teaches courses on policing (CRIMJ 210: Policing in America; CRIMJ 408: Police Administration) and ethics (CRIMJ 465: Ethics in Criminal Justice).
Ahmet Guler
DegreePh.D., Public Administration and Policy, Rockefeller College of Public Affairs and Policy, University at AlbanyDr. Ahmet Guler, associate teaching professor in the Department of Sociology and Criminology at Penn State, is director of graduate studies in criminal justice policy and administration. His research focuses on criminal justice policy, policing, terrorism, criminal justice reform, information technology in criminal justice, and transnational crime.
Don Hummer
- DegreePh.D., Social Science-Criminal Justice, Michigan State University
- DegreeM.S., Criminal Justice, Shippensburg University
- DegreeB.S., Sociology/Anthropology, Elizabethtown College
Dr. Don Hummer is co-author/editor of The Culture of Prison Violence, Handbook of Police Administration, and the forthcoming The Technology Revolution in Criminal Justice. His work, focused primarily on offender treatment and control, has appeared in peer-reviewed outlets such as Aggression and Violent Behavior, Probation Journal, Law & Policy, and The Prison Journal.
Jonathan Lee
- DegreePh.D., Criminology, Sam Houston State University
- DegreeM.A., Criminal Justice, Penn State
- DegreeB.A., Economics, Hankuk University of Foreign Studies
Dr. Jonathan Lee is an associate professor of criminal justice at Penn State Harrisburg's School of Public Affairs. He specializes in quantitative research on sociology and psychology of deviance, police-public relations, and police decision-making. He is associate editor of International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology, a consultant to Dauphin County DA's Office and police agencies, and principal investigator of criminal justice projects funded by U.S. Department of Justice.
Siyu Liu
- DegreePh.D., Criminology and Criminal Justice, University at Albany (SUNY)
- DegreeM.A., Criminology and Criminal Justice, University at Albany (SUNY)
- DegreeB.A.; B.S., Peking University
Dr. Siyu Liu graduated from Peking University with bachelor’s degrees in biomedical English and psychology. She obtained her master’s degree in criminology and criminal justice in 2010 and a doctoral degree in the same field in 2014 from the School of Criminal Justice from the University at Albany (SUNY). She specializes in quantitative research on the topics of juvenile delinquency, police legitimacy, and the death penalty in China. Her research has a comparative focus through empirical studies of China and the United States.
Jennifer L. Schally
- DegreePh.D., Sociology, University of Tennessee
- DegreeM.A., Community Psychology and Social Change, Penn State
- DegreeB.S., Sociology, Penn State
Dr. Jennifer L. Schally joined the faculty at Penn State Harrisburg in 2014 after earning her Ph.D. in sociology at the University of Tennessee. Her research interests are mainly in green criminology and crimes by the powerful, including harms to nonhuman animals. She regularly teaches courses in criminology and race and crime. Dr. Schally’s work has appeared in the Journal of Sociology and Social Welfare, the American Journal of Community Psychology, and the Journal of Interpersonal Violence. Her book, Legitimizing Corporate Harm: The Discourse of Agribusiness, was published by Palgrave in 2018.
Emily R. Strohacker
DegreePh.D., Sociology, University of Central FloridaDr. Emily Strohacker joined the School of Public Affairs at Penn State Harrisburg in August 2017 as an assistant professor of criminal justice. Her areas of research interest include criminology, deviance, and victimology, specifically in the areas of cyber victimization and sexual victimization. She regularly teaches courses in victimology, research methods, and criminology. Her published works have appeared in Crime & Delinquency, Journal of Psychoactive Drugs, and Police Quarterly.
Jeffrey T. Ulmer
DegreePh.D., Sociology, Penn StateDr. Jeffery T. Ulmer is a professor of sociology and criminology at Penn State, and serves as associate department head. His work spans such topics as courts, criminal case processing, sentencing, and corrections, as well as criminological theory, religion and crime, and violent crime.