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At Franciscan University of Steubenville, the study of Criminal Justice uniquely prepares its graduate students to bring light into an often-dark world and to afford justice professionals an opportunity to “Live the Truth.” At Franciscan’s graduate CRJ program, the student and practitioner discover the true meaning of justice based upon natural law reasoning and the beauty and grandeur of our Judeo-Christian heritage.

30

Credit Hours

1-2

Year Program

$550

Per Credit Hour

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Franciscan University offers a fully online MBA Program that integrates Catholic social teaching with a contemporary business education.

  • Establish a strong ethical base by studying human laws alongside natural law and Catholic moral tradition. Explore timeless concepts like truth, justice, and goodness to develop a reliable moral compass for navigating modern challenges. Enhance your skills for justice and legal work. Learn to serve with integrity and uphold human dignity. 

  • Earn your Master’s degree online while balancing personal and professional duties. Select from criminal justice courses tailored to your interests. Explore ethics in justice operations and become a moral leader guided by Judeo-Christian values and Western principles.

“Franciscan University’s Master of Science Program in Criminal Justice will stand alone as a totally unique offering. What sets this program apart is the unwavering commitment to a moral and ethical approach to practicing law enforcement, firmly rooted in the principles of Judeo-Christian and Catholic natural law doctrine.”

Major Shaun Klucznik MA, CJM
Judicial Services Bureau Commander, Jail Administrator

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Earn your Master of Science degree in criminal justice with Franciscan University’s online program. You will gain a solid foundation in natural law and Judeo-Christian moral tradition while also tailoring your course of study to align with your professional interests.

What Can You Do With a Criminal Justice Degree?
The criminal justice career path can follow the diverse tracks that mirror the systematic structure of the justice model, which operates at the state, federal, and local levels and consists of four main parts, namely policing and law enforcement, law and legal processes, justice agencies relating to corrections and alternative disposition- human services and crime and criminality.

The degree also opens promotional opportunities at higher levels of rank for civil service systems, federal service and provides additional qualifications for supervisory and managerial roles.

Online Core Courses (9 credits)

  • CRJ 600: Law, Ethics, and the American Justice System

  • CRJ 601: Crime, Justice, and Morality

  • CRJ 602: Natural Law as the Foundation for Just Society

Applications in Criminal Justice: Choose any 7 courses (21 credits)

  • CRJ 610: Criminalistics and Forensic Science

  • CRJ 615: Criminal and Civil Investigative Protocols

  • CRJ 620: Fraud and Forensic Accounting

  • CRJ 625: Cybercrime and Cyber Security

  • CRJ 630: Protection of Children in the Justice System

  • CRJ 635: Community Initiatives in Criminal Justice

  • CRJ 640: Privatization and the Justice System

  • CRJ 675: Independent Study in Criminal Justice

  • CRJ 699: Special Topics in Criminal Justice

  • CRJ 700: Thesis Option in Criminal Justice

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Free Online Application
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Official Transcript(s)
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The application for the Master’s in Criminal Justice Online Program is quick, free, and easy.

REQUIREMENTS:

  • 3.0 GPA from a reputable university or college

  • Official Transcripts

Regular Admission: 3.0
Conditional Admission: Dependent on experience and at the discretion of the director

Once in the application portal, click “Sign Up” to submit a new application.

Students who have applied to Franciscan University previously should click “Sign In.”

Invest in yourself with an MS

At $550/credit hour, the Franciscan MS is approximately $16,500 with an average 1.5-year return on investment. Select associations are entitled to a discount of 15%. Contact the Director for details. Franciscan Fellow Program: Highly Experienced Justice Practitioners May Be Eligible for Designation as a Fellow of Franciscan University. The Fellow Program further reduces tuition by $3000.00.
Download Fellow Application

$550/ Credit Hour

$16,500 Average Total Cost



Corrections, Probation, & Parole
Forensic Sciences & Criminalistics
Law & Legal
Police & Law Enforcement
Private Detectives & Investigators
Professional Associations
Dr. Charles Nemeth

Dr. Charles Nemeth

Professor and Program Director

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Stephen Feher

Prof. Paul J. Boyles III

Visiting Instructor

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Jeffrey S. Magers, Ed.D.

Jeffrey S. Magers, Ed.D.

Adjunct Instructor

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Kevin H. Govern, JD, LL.M

Kevin H. Govern, JD, LL.M

Adjunct Instructor

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Katherine Kikendall

Katherine Kikendall

Adjunct Professor

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John Bandler

John Bandler

Adjunct Instructor

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Larry R. Bassi, MA

Larry R. Bassi, MA

Adjunct Lecturer

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Mandy Tinkey

Mandy Tinkey

Adjunct Instructor

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Bill Ward

Bill Ward

Adjunct Professor

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James W. Davis Jr.

James W. Davis Jr.

Adjunct Professor

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Chief Edward Bogats, PhD

Chief Edward Bogats, PhD

Adjunct Lecturer

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Will students be expected to participate at specific, scheduled times (synchronously)?

The program is entirely asynchronous. Complete required work during a flexible time for you.

How are classes structured?

Classes are 8 weeks in duration. Each term, the program will offer 4 distinct classes and 2 in the Summer session. In this way, your course of study can be completed in a calendar year, although you may choose the calendar that works for you. There are no preset notions of how and when you will complete your course of study.

What is an MS?

The MS is an academic degree with a strong professional orientation. Our aim is your intellectual and professional advancement.

What makes a good MS program?

A blend of both practice and theory is the best formula and that is precisely what the MS in CRJ does. It highlights and critiques professional protocols and standards; provides opportunities for advanced research in all classes and delivers competent, moral, and ethical professionals into the justice system.

Is an online MS the same as a regular (residential) MS?

Content and requirements for the Online and Residential graduate courses are identical.