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A Unique Criminal Justice Master’s
This master’s in Criminal Justice & Community Corrections is the only graduate program nationwide that focuses on community corrections.
Why Sage’s Online Master’s Degree in Criminal Justice & Community Corrections?
The field of corrections is changing quickly, due to:
- high costs of maintaining prisons
- changes in sentencing laws
- bail reform
- and public sentiment for community-based programs
These changes have resulted in a shift to shorter prison sentences and alternatives to incarceration, and increased demand for leaders in community corrections. Russell Sage College’s master’s degree in Criminal Justice & Community Corrections prepares students for significant changes in the field.
How Long Does it Take to Get a Master’s Degree in Criminal Justice & Community Corrections?
You can complete Russell Sage College’s online master’s degree in Criminal Justice & Community Corrections in two years by taking two online courses in the fall, spring and summer semesters.
Master’s in Criminal Justice Classes
This 36-credit master’s degree includes courses in institutional corrections and offender rehabilitation, offender reentry and reintegration, community corrections, restorative justice, abnormal psychology, addiction and more.
You’ll also design a culminating project with a faculty member, or you can complete an externship near you in consultation with your academic advisor.
Online Master’s Degree in Criminal Justice & Community Corrections Learning Experience
Asynchronous
Sage’s master’s degree in Criminal Justice & Community Corrections is completely online with asynchronous learning. This means you are not required to be in a class meeting 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 requirements and deadlines.
Cohort-Based
While you will complete assignments on your own schedule, you will move through the program with the same classmates. All students who begin the program together take the same courses at the same time, contribute to discussion forums with students they know, develop opportunities to study and support each other, work on group projects where relationships already exist, and network with others in their cohort.
Optional Residency
An in-person, two-day residency on Russell Sage College’s campus will be available at the beginning of every academic year. This is a great opportunity to meet classmates and faculty in person.
Spotlights
Meet faculty and students in the Criminal Justice & Community Corrections master’s program.
Careers 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.
| Master’s in Criminal Justice & Community Corrections Curriculum | Credits |
| Crime, Law and Courts | |
| Crime and Criminal Behavior Intro to U.S. Law for Forensic Mental Health Intro to Forensic Mental Health | 3 3 3 |
| Institutional Corrections | |
| Institutional Corrections and Offender Rehabilitation Alcoholism/Drug Addiction: Vulnerabilities, Dynamics, Problems Abnormal Psychology | 3 3 3 |
| Community Corrections | |
| Reentry and Reintegration of Offenders Community-Based Corrections Restorative Justice in the Community | 3 3 3 |
| Program Support | |
| Program Evaluation and Evidence-Based Practice Culminating Project or Externship | 3 3 |
| Elective | 3 |
| TOTAL CREDITS | 36 |
Application Requirements
Students who apply for the Master of Science in Criminal Justice & Community Corrections must have completed a bachelor’s degree. It is preferred, though not required, that the degree be in criminal justice or a related area (e.g., sociology, psychology, social work). In addition, students must submit:
- Official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions
- Two letters of recommendation
- A 1-2 page essay on reasons for applying to the program
- A current resume
Deadline: Rolling admissions for fall and spring semesters.
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.
