Courses Master’s in Criminal Justice & Community Corrections Curriculum Crime, Law and Courts CJC 502 FMH 525 FMH 505Crime and Criminal Behavior Intro to U.S. Law for Forensic Mental Health Intro to Forensic Mental Health Institutional Corrections CJC 510 FMH 592 FMH 575Institutional Corrections and Offender Rehabilitation Alcoholism/Drug Addiction: Vulnerabilities, Dynamics, Problems Abnormal Psychology Community Corrections CJC 520 CJC 523 CJC 525Reentry and Reintegration of Offenders Community-Based Corrections Restorative Justice in the Community Program Support CJC 540 CJC 599 CJC 560Program Evaluation and Evidence-Based Practice Leadership and Collaboration in Community Corrections Culminating Project or Externship Graduate and Undergraduate Equivalent Credit Students who have earned prior graduate credit may request a transfer of up to six credits that meet the equivalency for courses in the master’s in Criminal Justice & Community Corrections. Students who have received undergraduate credit for courses that are equivalent in content to the required graduate courses may request a waiver up to six graduate credits. Graduate courses that are waived through undergraduate credits must be replaced with electives bearing graduate credit. Transfer credit and waivers must be approved by the program director.

Master of Criminal Justice (M.S.)

Criminal Justice Student attending online class from home

A Unique Criminal Justice Master’s Program

This online master’s in Criminal Justice & Community Corrections is the only graduate program nationwide that focuses on community corrections.

Tuition & Fees

36 credits

$685 per-credit

$3,055 Graduate Assistantships available per semester
(enrolled in a minimum of 6 credits per semester)

Length & Format

2 years
to graduate

Online
program delivery

About The School of Arts & Sciences

Faculty members in Sage’s School of Arts and Sciences are distinguished researchers, published authors, acclaimed artists, Fulbright scholars, business and government professionals and community leaders.

Explore the School of Arts & Sciences

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Specialties in our Criminal Justice & Community Corrections master’s program

Our criminal justice master’s program is the first graduate program of its kind in the country focused on the shifting direction from corrections toward community corrections.

You will not be required to be in a class at the same time every week. You will watch lectures, contribute to online discussions and complete other assignments on your own schedule, while following course deadlines.

Students who begin the program together take the same courses at the same time, and get to know others in their cohort.

Our tuition is competitive with even public universities, plus employees of our strategic partners, such as Albany County Department of Probation, receive a 10% tuition discount. Ask about our employer partnerships to see if your agency/organization can also qualify.

Online and in-person learning residencies at the beginning of every academic year are a great opportunity to meet classmates and faculty.

Are You a Workforce Development Partnership Member?

To meet the needs of the workforce, Russell Sage College has partnered with organizations and companies to offer special benefits to their employees or members. Currently, Russell Sage has agreements with the New York State Probation Officers Association (NYSPOA), Albany County Department of Probation, and the International Community Justice Association.

See the member benefits, and to learn more about this program or discount, fill out the request info form above and indicate which organization you are affiliated with under the Workforce Development question.

10% tuition discount Workforce Development Partnership partners can receive a 10% tuition discount on the M.S. in Criminal Justice and Community Corrections program, as well as on other select master’s degree programs. (See all the graduate programs covered under the Workforce Development Partnership.
Deferred payment Upon signing an agreement approved by both parties, Workforce Development Partnership members who enroll can defer tuition until up to four weeks after the completion of each term. This flexibility allows students to plan and save for their educational investment, while also aligning the timing of employee tuition reimbursement benefits, eliminating the need to pay tuition upfront.

New York State Probation Officers Association (NYSPOA)
Albany County Department of Probation (ACDPOA)
ICJA International community Justice Association

Easily Apply

We offer rolling admission, so apply anytime, and you can start when you are ready — fall, spring, or summer.

Applicants should have completed a bachelor’s degree. (It is preferred, though not required, that the degree be in criminal justice or a related area like sociology, psychology, or social work).

Official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended
Two letters of recommendation
A one- to two-page essay on reasons for applying to the program
A current resume
An RSC graduate school application

Apply Now

Course Requirements

Credits and Completion

This 36-credit master’s degree includes courses in institutional corrections and offender rehabilitation, offender reentry and reintegration, community corrections, restorative justice, abnormal psychology, substance abuse vulnerabilities, dynamics, and problems, forensic mental health, and more. Students design a culminating project with a faculty member or complete an externship in consultation with their academic advisor.

View Program Catalog

Courses	Master’s in Criminal Justice & Community Corrections Curriculum
	Crime, Law and Courts
CJC 502 FMH 525 FMH 505	Crime and Criminal Behavior Intro to U.S. Law for Forensic Mental Health Intro to Forensic Mental Health
	Institutional Corrections
CJC 510 FMH 592 FMH 575	Institutional Corrections and Offender Rehabilitation Alcoholism/Drug Addiction: Vulnerabilities, Dynamics, Problems Abnormal Psychology
	Community Corrections
CJC 520 CJC 523 CJC 525	Reentry and Reintegration of Offenders Community-Based Corrections Restorative Justice in the Community
	Program Support
CJC 540 CJC 599 CJC 560	Program Evaluation and Evidence-Based Practice Leadership and Collaboration in Community Corrections Culminating Project or Externship

Graduate and Undergraduate Equivalent Credit

Students who have earned prior graduate credit may request a transfer of up to six credits that meet the equivalency for courses in the master’s in Criminal Justice & Community Corrections. Students who have received undergraduate credit for courses that are equivalent in content to the required graduate courses may request a waiver up to six graduate credits. Graduate courses that are waived through undergraduate credits must be replaced with electives bearing graduate credit.

Transfer credit and waivers must be approved by the program director.

The Master of Science in Criminal Justice & Community Corrections program envisions our graduates providing collaborative leadership and stewardship that embraces smart, safe, and equitable responses to offending, rehabilitation, reintegration, and community needs. We empower graduates to use evidence-based practices to promote the health, safety, and accountability of individuals, communities, and society throughout the array of programs and services constituting community corrections.

Upcoming Graduate Visit Events

Learn about the exciting opportunities Russell Sage College has to offer with a campus visit, open house, or virtual program informations session.

Explore Events

Meet Our Students and Alumni

Alumni

“As a Sage alumni, I am very excited to have the opportunity to return and pursue this degree. This program sparked my interest the second it was brought to my attention. Given the complexities of our current criminal justice system, I am hopeful that this will enhance my knowledge and practice skills essential for addressing the needs of community supervision. Working as a licensed therapist and a Probation Officer I am constantly faced with the needs of both the probationers and the community, and realize that there is a pressing need of a deeper understanding of community dynamics and rehabilitation strategies. My goal is to work in some sort of leadership role in repairing the system in whatever way I can.”

– Lauren Olsen, LMHC, BICBT-CC

Student

Tori Reinhard

What attracted you to Russell Sage and your academic program? I was attracted to Russell Sage because it is local …

“From restorative justice to best practices in handling alcohol and drug addiction in correctional institutions and community corrections, this degree is on trend with what is happening now in my field.”

Delta Barometre

Superintendent, Otisville Correctional Facility, New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision

Your Future Career with a Master’s Degree in Criminal Justice & Community Corrections

Whether you’re beginning your career, pursuing advancement or changing fields, a Master of Science in Criminal Justice and Community Corrections will increase your marketability.

You will be uniquely qualified for employment opportunities within government, for-profit and not-for-profit and human service organizations that provide community-based alternatives to incarceration.

Community-based alternatives include community supervision (parole and probation), reentry and reintegration services, pre-trial options, specialized courts, mental health and drug/alcohol-related services, and other alternatives to incarceration within the community.

Personal advising, experienced faculty

Our Criminal Justice & Community Corrections faculty are both experienced professors and practitioners in the field, so they’ll share their up-to-date experience and knowledge with you.

Kimberly J.
Brayton, Ph.D., J.D.

Assistant Professor of Forensic Mental Health

Learn more about Kimberly

Jeffrey
Golden, M.S., J.D.

Assistant Professor of Practice in Criminal Justice, Law, and Behavioral Science; Program Director, M.S. in Criminal Justice and Community Corrections

Learn more about Jeffrey

person sitting outside smiling at the camera

Cailyn
Green, Ph.D., CASAC-M

Adjunct instructor

Learn more about Cailyn

Professor Gabrenya from Sage's criminal justice degree program assists students.

Bobbi
Gabrenya, JD

Associate Professor Emerita

Learn more about Bobbi

Woman with arms crossed outside smiling at camera dressed in a blazer and dress shirt.

Jenna
Curren, Ed.D.

Adjunct Professor, M.S. Criminal Justice & Community Corrections

Learn more about Jenna

John
Watts, D.C.J.

Adjunct Professor of Criminal Justice and Community Corrections

Learn more about John

Atica
Thomas, M.S., M.Phil., Ph.D. (ABD)

Adjunct Professor of Criminal Justice and Community Corrections

Learn more about Atica

Professional smiling at the camera dressed in a suit.

Shantaé
Motley, Ph.D.

Adjunct Professor, M.S. in Criminal Justice and Community Corrections

Learn more about Shantaé

Criminal Justice & Community Corrections Master’s Program (M.S.)

A Unique Criminal Justice Master’s