Why Washburn for your MCJ?
Washburn University’s Master of Criminal Justice (MCJ) program is designed for flexibility and career advancement. With courses available 100% online and select classes offered in a hybrid format, it allows you to complete your degree on your schedule while gaining the skills needed to excel in the field.
Whether you're a criminal justice professional seeking career advancement or a pre-professional looking to build a strong foundation before entering the workforce, this program provides the expertise you need.
If your goals include teaching at the community college level, instructing at a training academy, or pursuing doctoral studies, the MCJ program will prepare you for success. Courses emphasize theory application and research in modern law enforcement, courts, and corrections, equipping you with the critical knowledge to navigate today’s evolving criminal justice landscape.
5 reasons the Washburn University Master of Criminal Justice program is right for you:
- Your network will grow. Our Topeka, Kansas location means connections to state, federal and local law enforcement agencies, who collaborate with our program for your benefit.
- You’re in control of your schedule. Courses are offered in 8-week and 16-week sessions and asynchronous delivery means you login when you have time, not at specific times.
- You’ll learn from professional educators who have experience working in the criminal justice field. Our MCJ faculty bring field experience and the highest credentials in the discipline.
- Your goals are our priority. You’ll choose a thesis or capstone experience to match your goals.
- You can start when it's right for you, in August or January. Priority Application Deadlines: November 1 for spring admission. April 1 for fall admission.
BCJ + MCJ Fast Track
Are you passionate about a career in criminal justice but desire a bachelor's degree to get started? Did you know our Fast Track Plan at Washburn lets you earn both a BCJ and an MCJ in just five years? Save time, save money, and make a lasting impact.
MCJ + JD Dual degree program
Washburn Law and the Washburn School of Applied Studies have joined forces to offer a JD + MCJ option that prepares you with knowledge and competence in both law and criminal justice topics for professional work where legal issues intersect with criminal justice matters. Complete 108 credit hours to earn your JD and MCJ (84 hours JD + 24 hours MCJ) instead of the 126 hours required to complete each degree independently.
Program Details
Higher education is increasingly valued in the criminal justice field. Earning a Master of Criminal Justice degree (MCJ) can open doors to criminal justice leadership roles and is often required for teaching at the community college level - a field with growing job opportunities. Discover how the Washburn University MCJ program can equip you with the skills and knowledge to advance your career and meet the evolving challenges of the criminal justice system.
- To prepare students to make ongoing contributions to the interdisciplinary fields in criminal justice.
- To prepare students to provide competent, ethical services and leadership in criminal justice arenas.
- To provide comprehensive, relevant, and diverse educational opportunities to a wide range of students.
- To foster an educational environment that combines theory and practice for both scholar and practitioner.
- To provide a program integrated with the community.
Program Student Learning Outcomes (P-SLOs)
- Formulate administrative principles and practices like those used in criminal justice agencies.
- Assess theories relating to crime causation and criminality.
- Explain the interdisciplinary nature of the criminal justice system.
- Produce scholarly criminal justice related research.
- Evaluate criminal justice operational problems that affect the delivery of criminal justice related services.
- Employ critical thinking, advanced writing, and verbal communication skills.
- Apply ethical concepts to current issues in the criminal justice field
Capstone or Thesis Option
Complete 30 hours of course work (15 hours of core classes and 9 hours of electives), and a capstone or thesis project that requires 6 hours of course work.
Course descriptions can be found in the MCJ Handbook. Each graduate will earn 30 credits.
Core Courses (15 credit hours)
- CJ 600 Seminar in CJ Systems
- CJ 602 CJ Research Methods
- CJ 605 Ethics in Criminal Justice
- CJ 610 Corrections or CJ 620 Law Enforcement in the US
- CJ 625 Seminar in Criminological Theory
Electives (choose 9 credit hours)
- CJ 604 Seminar in CJ Organization and Management
- CJ 630 Seminar in Correctional Administration
- CJ 635 Organized and White Collar Crime
- CJ 640 Seminar in Legal Issues in Law Enforcement
- CJ 645 Comparative Criminal Justice Systems
- CJ 650 Seminar in Community Corrections
- CJ 655 Seminar in Juvenile Justice and Delinquency
- CJ 660 Seminar in Operational and Staff Planning
- CJ 670 Seminar in Correctional Law
- CJ 675 Problems and Practices in Judicial Administration
- CJ 680 Seminar in Staff Development
- CJ 685 Special Topics in CJ
- CJ 690 Directed Readings
- CJ 692 Analytical Research and Statistics
Capstone or Thesis (6 credit hours)
- CJ 693 CJ Capstone
or
- CJ 699 CJ Thesis
Add-a-Certificate Option
Certification in Communication & Leadership (18 credit hours)
- Choose 6 hours of CJ electives
- plus -
- 2 Leadership graduate courses (LE 630, LE 640)
- 2 Communication graduate courses (CN 601, CN 602)
- Complete all required coursework while maintaining no less than a “B” (3.0) average.
- No more than two course grades of "C" in the plan of study.
- Maintain continuous enrollment each regular semester (fall and spring). A minimum of one (1) semester hour of graduate work will constitute continuous enrollments.
- Complete all program requirements within seven (7) years of the date of entry into the MCJ degree program.
- Complete the capstone project or thesis. More details can be found in the MCJ Handbook.
Jobs and Opportunities
Important Qualities for MCJ candidates
Ethical
Respectful
Justice-Oriented
Change-Driven
Community-Minded
Global Vision
Community College and Training Educators
Criminal Justice educators national average salary: $72,980
Job growth is occurring nationally, but not in Kansas at this time.
Ready to Apply? Your Next Steps
Ready to Apply? Your Next Steps
To be considered for admission in the Summer or Fall semesters, the preferred application deadline is April 1.
To be considered for admission in the Spring semester, the preferred deadline is November 1.
How to Apply:
- Applicants must first apply and be accepted to Washburn University. Apply online at https://www.washburn.edu/academics/graduate-programs/index.html.
- Applicants must also apply to the MCJ Program following the steps below:
- Complete the online Washburn Graduate Admission application.
- Submit official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate course work to the Registrar’s Office.
- Applicants for unconditional admission must have achieved a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or better in the last two years (60 hours) of college course work from accredited institutions.
- Applicants who do not have a 3.0 GPA may be admitted on a case-by-case basis with probationary status.
- Applicants must submit a personal statement explaining (a) personal philosophy of the criminal justice system and (b) reasons for entering the program.
- Applicants must obtain the recommendation of the Graduate Program Coordinator/Advisor and the Graduate Admissions Committee.
Information about tuition for the Master of Criminal Justice Program can be found here: Click here to check the current tuition rates. Books and supplies will add costs.
Nondiscrimination
It is the policy of Washburn University and the Criminal Justice and Legal Studies Department to assure equal educational and employment opportunity to qualified individuals.
Washburn University prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, age, national origin, ancestry, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, veteran status, or marital or parental status.
Transfer of Academic Credits
Students who are admitted as a “full-standing” student may transfer a maximum of 6 semester hours of relevant graduate course work from another university or another Washburn department. These will be considered on a case-by-case basis. The applicant must have received a grade of “B” or better in the course(s) being considered for transfer.
Life Experience
Under no circumstances will academic credit be awarded for life experience.
Non-Degree Students
Non-degree seeking students wishing to enroll in graduate criminal justice courses may do so with permission of the Department Chair.
Academic Advising
Upon admission to the Master of Criminal Justice program, all students will complete the online orientation by the end of their first semester. All students will be advised by a graduate program coordinator who will assist students with selecting and scheduling courses each semester.
Request a Paper Application
Applicants needing to complete a paper application and accompanying forms can contact the Department of Criminal Justice and Legal Studies at Washburn University.
Master of Criminal Justice Admissions
Benton Hall, Room 201 Washburn University
Topeka, KS 66621
Or by phone: (785) 670-1411
GET IN TOUCH WITH Criminal Justice & Legal Studies
Criminal Justice & Legal Studies
Benton Hall, Room 201
1700 SW College Ave.
Topeka, KS 66621
Phone & Email
Ph: 785.670.1411
criminal-justice-ls@washburn.edu
