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Online Master of Science in Criminology and Criminal Justice: Careers

Stand Out as an Agent of Change

Fast-track to leadership roles

Diverse career options

Gain a competitive edge with Carlow University’s 100% online Master of Science in Criminology and Criminal Justice by mastering two disciplines in one program. Open doors to high-level opportunities that require leaders with a holistic understanding of crime, behavior, and systems.

Prepare for a broad range of cross-disciplinary leadership roles. For example, in the enforcement arena, you can move into high-impact organizational and strategic positions, like criminal research analysts who identify patterns and threats to protect communities. In policy and reform, you could make a high-level impact as a criminal justice policy advisor. Corrections and rehabilitation systems require top-tier professionals like probation officer administrators, who understand operational and human dimensions of incarceration to reduce recidivism.

At Carlow, we prepare professionals for research-driven, policy-informed, and community-centered responsibilities. We are committed to:

  • Enhancing your career versatility with interdisciplinary coursework
  • Increasing your professional credibility with industry-ready expertise
  • Producing leaders who are ethics-focused decision-makers

Learn More Today

Complete the form to learn more about this program.

Careers with Master of Science in Criminology and Criminal Justice

Probation Officers $64,520 per year1

Police Officers and Detectives $77,270 per year2

Cyber Threat Analysts/Information Security Analysts $124,910 per year3

Criminal Justice Policy Analysts $86,451 per year4

Think Bigger. Lead Stronger. Go Further.

Carlow’s master’s in criminology and criminal justice sets you apart as a leader who can move fluidly between two separate but connected disciplines. You emerge positioned for high-impact careers at the intersection of psychology and social justice.

This program carries high relevance and demand. Today’s professionals must bring to the table what previous generations were rarely required to have: cross-disciplinary knowledge and advanced analytical, policy-making, and leadership capabilities.

The criminology and criminal justice landscape is expansive and evolving. Traditional workplaces include government and public sector, law enforcement, courts and judiciary, corrections and detention, colleges and universities, nonprofit and advocacy, research institutes, social services, and corporate and private sectors. Non-traditional and emerging areas include sectors like human rights, green justice, cybercrime, true crime entertainment, corporate ethics, sports gambling, and faith-based reentry.

  • About 7,900 openings for probation officers are projected through 2034.1
  • About 62,000 openings for police and detectives are projected through 2034.2
  • The FBI employs more than 10,000 special agents5 in areas like criminal investigations, criminal profiling, cyber forensics, and counterintelligence.

Program Outcomes and Skills Acquired

What You’ll Learn

  • Advanced Knowledge of Criminal Justice Systems. Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of criminal justice systems, including their structures, policies, and processes, and how they intersect with broader societal factors.
  • Critical Evaluation of Justice Policy. Critically analyze and evaluate justice policies and their impact on communities, with an emphasis on ethical considerations and evidence-based practices.
  • Mastery of Criminological Theory. Apply advanced criminological theories to understand, predict, and address criminal behavior within diverse contexts.
  • Proficiency in Research Methods. Design, conduct, and interpret rigorous social science research, employing quantitative and qualitative methods to inform criminal justice strategies and policy-making.
  • Problem-Solving and Decision-Making Skills. Employ critical thinking and analytical skills to address complex criminal justice issues, integrating theory, policy, and practice.
  • Ethical Leadership and Professional Integrity. Exhibit ethical decision-making, leadership skills, and professional integrity in criminal justice roles, emphasizing accountability and fairness.

Skills You’ll Gain

  • Advanced research and analytical skills
  • Policy evaluation and development
  • Crisis intervention and conflict management
  • Motivational communication and behavior-change strategies
  • Ethical decision-making and professional judgment

Career Support

Launching your business career is a huge step, and our team of instructors is ready to help you succeed.

Established Partnerships

Carlow has strong relationships with multiple corporations and organizations that help give you access to employer discounts as well as potential internships and employment.

Experienced Faculty

Our faculty are well-connected and have years of experience in business and management. They’re prepared to help you find your path and able to introduce you to others who can help.

Career Planning Services

Carlow provides career advising sessions, career-related programming, job search support and employer engagement on and off campus.

A Caring Network

Our vibrant community of students embodies the values of the Sisters of Mercy. Our alumni network and current students are ready to support each other in their careers.

Sources

  1. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Occupational Outlook Handbook. Probation Officers and Correction Treatment Specialists. Retrieved March 2026, from https://www.bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social-service/probation-officers-and-correctional-treatment-specialists.htm.
  2. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Occupational Outlook Handbook. Police and Detectives. Retrieved April 2026, from https://www.bls.gov/ooh/protective-service/police-and-detectives.htm.
  3. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Occupational Outlook Handbook. Information Security Analysts. Retrieved March 2026, from https://www.bls.gov/ooh/computer-and-information-technology/information-security-analysts.htm.
  4. Indeed. Career Explorer. Policy analyst salary in United States. Retrieved April 2026, from https://www.indeed.com/career/policy-analyst/salaries?cgtk=5b5d9f66-7b40-4034-9c12-f93351d9a2f0&from=careeradvice-US.
  5. Statistica. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) – Statistics & Facts. Retrieved March 2026, from https://www.statista.com/topics/10632/the-fbi/.