MA vs. MS vs. MCJ

A master's degree in this field can be an MA, an MS, an MCJ, or something else, such as a Master of Professional Studies. The letters hint at an emphasis, but programs vary enough that you should treat them as a starting point. What matters more is whether the program requires a thesis, what it asks of applicants, and how it is delivered.

What the awards usually suggest

• MA (Master of Arts) often signals a research or theory emphasis, though not always.
• MS (Master of Science) can mean a research, policy or administration emphasis. At some schools it is the only master's award offered.
• MCJ (Master of Criminal Justice) is a professional degree named for the field, often built around administration and leadership.
• MPS and similar are professional-studies awards that put practice and policy first.

Examples show the range. Sam Houston State University's Master of Arts in Criminal Justice and Criminology is "a 36-credit, thesis-required program focused on research and theory," offered on campus. Its Master of Science in Criminal Justice Leadership and Management is a 36-hour, non-thesis online program "designed for working professionals." Both are master's degrees from the same university, with different purposes.

Research or professional emphasis

A research-oriented master's emphasizes theory, methods and statistics. It suits readers who want to evaluate evidence, write a thesis, or move on to a PhD. The University of South Florida's two-year, face-to-face MA in Criminology (33 credit hours) is built around "theoretical and methodological tools of inquiry." Penn State's M.A. in Criminal Justice at Harrisburg says it helps "develop research acumen for those students who may wish to consider doctoral studies."

A professional master's emphasizes administration, policy and applied problem solving. Middle Tennessee State University's Master of Criminal Justice (Criminal Justice Administration) says the degree "can help pave the way for advancement in professional opportunities in law enforcement, homeland security, courts, police administration." Penn State's Master of Professional Studies in Criminal Justice Policy and Administration is a 30-credit online degree that ends in a capstone project. The University of Mississippi's online Master of Criminal Justice (30 credits) offers criminal justice leadership and homeland security and emergency management emphases and ends in a two-course, 6-credit capstone.

Many programs sit in the middle. Marshall University describes its online MS in Criminal Justice as providing "advanced theoretical, legal, and methodological training for research, teaching, and management careers."

Thesis, non-thesis and capstone

The culminating requirement shapes the experience.

• Thesis required. Sam Houston State's MA includes a thesis. This is the usual route toward doctoral study.
• Thesis optional. MTSU says students "can choose either the thesis option or a non-thesis option." UCF's MS in Criminal Justice (36 credit hours) describes a thesis option in which 6 elective credits are thesis hours. Penn State's M.A. is a 30-credit program with a thesis track (6 thesis credits) or a master's-paper track (a three-credit master's paper).
• Capstone instead of a thesis. Ole Miss and Penn State's MPS use capstone projects.

If you plan to pursue a doctorate later, read the PhD pages that interest you, since many value a thesis or other evidence of research. See applying to criminal justice PhD programs.

Admission requirements as published

Requirements differ widely, and none of what follows applies to every program. Always check the current program page.

• Marshall University (MS, online): a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution, with preference for criminal justice or related social science majors; a 3.0 GPA; two letters of recommendation; a 1–2 page personal statement; a C or better in an undergraduate research methods course. The GRE is listed as required, with a waiver available for applicants with an overall GPA of 3.30 or higher or a related master's degree. Applications are due July 1 for fall and November 1 for spring (no year printed on the page).
• Penn State (M.A., Harrisburg): a 3.0 GPA for the last 60 credits of undergraduate study, three letters of recommendation, and a statement of purpose or writing sample. GRE, GMAT or LSAT scores are required if the GPA is under 3.0.
• Penn State (MPS, World Campus): applicants below a 3.0 undergraduate GPA are considered case by case.
• Ole Miss (MCJ): the page states rolling admission, so you can apply at any time.

Test requirements change often. A program that required the GRE last year may waive it this year, and one that does not mention it is not necessarily waiving it. Confirm directly.

Format matters as much as the award

Among the programs above, formats vary. Sam Houston State's MS programs are online in accelerated 7-week or 7.5-week sessions. USF's MA in Criminal Justice has a fully online curriculum with optional concentrations. Marshall's MS is entirely online with at least four synchronous sessions a semester. Boston University's MS in Criminal Justice is a 32-unit program offered online and on campus. USF's MA in Criminology, by contrast, is face-to-face. "Online" and "no campus visits" are separate questions; see choosing an online program.

How to choose

1. Decide whether you want research training or professional advancement, and check the program's stated emphasis.
2. Check the required final project and whether a thesis is optional.
3. Read the admission requirements, including prerequisite courses and tests.
4. Confirm delivery, schedule and total credits. Per-credit tuition is not total cost.

Browse master's degrees or online master's programs in criminal justice, or compare two programs in the comparison tool. For subject differences, see criminal justice vs. criminology.