American Public University System

Seattle University · Department of Criminal Justice, Criminology, and Forensics
Criminal Justice, MA
Overview
A Master of Arts in Criminal Justice offered in person and online with three specializations: criminal justice research and evaluation, investigative criminology, or victimology.
- Official program name
- Criminal Justice, MA
- Awarded degree
- Master of Arts · major: Criminal JusticeSource: seattleu.edu · verified October 24, 2026
- Degree level
- Master's
- Subject focus
- Dedicated degreeThe degree itself is in criminal justice, criminology, forensic science or a closely related justice subject.Source: seattleu.edu · verified October 24, 2026
- School
- Source: seattleu.edu · verified October 24, 2026
- Location
- Seattle, WAFor the online option this is where the school is located — not a residency requirement, and not a guarantee that you may enroll from your state.Source: seattleu.edu · verified October 24, 2026
- Subjects
- Criminal Justice — core of the degreeCriminology — formal concentration / track (“Investigative Criminology”)Criminal Investigation — formal concentration / track (“Investigative Criminology”)
- Tracks / concentrations
- Criminal Justice Research and Evaluation · Investigative Criminology · VictimologySource: seattleu.edu · verified October 24, 2026
- Required credits
- 30 credits (in person); the online version lists 55 quarter credits (Spring 2027) or 30 semester credits (Fall 2027)Source: seattleu.edu · verified October 24, 2026
- Duration
- 2 yearsSource: seattleu.edu · verified October 24, 2026
- Start terms
- FallSource: seattleu.edu · verified October 24, 2026
Why this program is listed
Dedicated MA in Criminal Justice offered in person and online.
Degree title names criminal justice; interdisciplinary study of crime and societal responses, with three specializations.
Source: seattleu.edu · verified October 24, 2026We list associate, bachelor's, master's and research-doctorate programs in criminal justice, criminology, forensic science and related subjects at institutionally accredited US schools — degrees in the subject and formal concentrations, never certificates or one-elective degrees. Eligibility rules
Format and attendance
- Formats offered
- On campus · OnlineSource: seattleu.edu · verified October 24, 2026
- Online delivery
- Fully onlineAll coursework is online and the institution states no required campus attendance for the online option.All coursework is online and the institution states no required campus attendance for the online option.Source: seattleu.edu · verified October 24, 2026
- Campus visits (online option)
- Campus visits: not verified
- Class schedule (online option)
- Not verified
- Internship
- Internship requirement: not verified
- Study intensity
- Not verified
The program page does not say whether the online option requires campus visits. Ask the school before you apply — missing information is not “no requirement”.
Curriculum
Curriculum
- Six foundation courses (16 credits) and six elective courses (14 credits).Source: seattleu.edu · verified October 24, 2026
Capstone
- Sample schedule includes a one-credit CJ Capstone Seminar.Source: seattleu.edu · verified October 24, 2026
Thesis and non-thesis options
- A thesis (CRJS 5990) is listed among elective courses.Source: seattleu.edu · verified October 24, 2026
Careers and licensure
Career and licensure statements for this program: not verified. We publish this only when the institution states it on an official page.
A degree does not guarantee police academy admission, sworn officer certification, federal employment, a security clearance, a position with a named agency, a forensic laboratory job or eligibility to practice as a psychologist. Those have separate training, scientific prerequisites, examinations or hiring requirements set by the agency, state or licensing board. Academic degrees vs police academy training
Admissions
Technical preparation
- Prerequisite courses
- RequiredUndergraduate introductory statistics course with a C grade or better; exceptions considered individually.Source: seattleu.edu · verified October 24, 2026
- Prior degree
- RequiredFour-year bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution, preferably in criminal justice or a related social, behavioral or physical science.Source: seattleu.edu · verified October 24, 2026
- Statement / essay
- RequiredStatement of purpose, three pages maximum.Source: seattleu.edu · verified October 24, 2026
- Recommendation letters
- Required1 letters — One recommendation form from an employer, supervisor or mentor.Source: seattleu.edu · verified October 24, 2026
- Résumé / CV
- RequiredOne-to-two-page professional resume.Source: seattleu.edu · verified October 24, 2026
- Writing sample
- OptionalA writing sample is optional.Source: seattleu.edu · verified October 24, 2026
- Application fee
- WaivedApplication fee waived for all applicants.Source: seattleu.edu · verified October 24, 2026
Tests
Entrance and English-language test policy: not verified. We publish this only when the institution states it on an official page.
We do not publish acceptance rates or estimate admission chances.
Start dates and deadlines
- Year not printed
Priority deadline
February 1 · for Fall 2027
The school does not print a year with this date.
Source: seattleu.edu · verified October 24, 2026 - Rolling
Application deadline
Rolling admission · for Fall 2027
The school does not print a year with this date.
Source: seattleu.edu · verified October 24, 2026
Tuition and fees
| Category | Amount | Basis and year |
|---|---|---|
| All students — Estimated total program tuition (2026-27 rates, fees not included) | $49,500 | entire program · 2026-27Source: seattleu.edu · verified October 24, 2026 |
Scholarships and funding
Seattle University Criminal Justice Fellowship Award Fellowship
$2,400-$3,600 per year for two years
Eligibility: Ten incoming Criminal Justice graduate students; FAFSA completion required.
Source: seattleu.edu · verified October 24, 2026
Accreditation
Institutional accreditation
- Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU) — accreditedSource: ope.ed.gov · verified October 10, 2026
FEPAC program accreditation
This program does not appear in FEPAC's accredited-program list. FEPAC accredits forensic science programs only and is optional; its absence is not a sign that a program is illegitimate, and the school's other programs or institutional accreditation do not imply it.
State authorization (online students)
Not verified — check the school's state authorization page before applying from outside Washington.
International applicants
Not verified for the online option.
Sources and verification
- DAPIP — NWCCU institutional accreditation record (data files downloaded 2026-10-10) — U.S. Department of Education dataset (IPEDS / DAPIP), verified October 10, 2026
- seattleu.edu/academics/all-programs/criminal-justice-ma/ — Official program page, verified October 24, 2026
- seattleu.edu/academics/all-programs/criminal-justice-ma/how-to-apply/ — Official admissions page, verified October 24, 2026
- seattleu.edu/academics/all-programs/criminal-justice-ma/tuition-and-scholarships/ — Official tuition and fees page, verified October 24, 2026
- seattleu.edu/academics/all-programs/criminal-justice-online-ma/ — Official program page, verified October 24, 2026
- seattleu.edu/academics/all-programs/forensic-psychology-ba--bs/ — Official program page, verified October 24, 2026
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Similar programs at other schools
Same degree level and focus. Listed for discovery, not ranked.
Master of Science in Criminology & Criminal Justice
Criminal Justice Degrees is independent and not affiliated with Seattle University. Information is collected from official pages and directories and can change; confirm requirements, costs and deadlines with the school.