American Public University System

Overview
A 30-credit-hour Master of Criminal Justice offered 100% online with asynchronous coursework and a thesis or capstone option.
- Official program name
- Master of Criminal Justice
- Awarded degree
- Master of Criminal Justice · major: Criminal JusticeSource: washburn.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: washburn.edu · verified October 24, 2026
- School
- Location
- Topeka, KSFor 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.
- Subjects
- Criminal Justice — core of the degreeCriminal Justice Administration — core of the degree (“Criminal justice administration”)
- Required credits
- 30 credit hoursSource: washburn.edu · verified October 24, 2026
- Duration
- approximately two years (typical graduates)Source: washburn.edu · verified October 24, 2026
Why this program is listed
Dedicated 100% online MCJ.
Degree title names criminal justice; courses in criminal justice systems, research methods, ethics, criminological theory and administration.
Source: washburn.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
- OnlineSource: washburn.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: washburn.edu · verified October 24, 2026
- Campus visits (online option)
- Campus visits: not verified
- Class schedule (online option)
- AsynchronousSource: washburn.edu · verified October 24, 2026
- 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
Thesis and non-thesis options
- Students choose a thesis or capstone project (6 credit hours) after 15 hours of core classes and 9 hours of electives.Source: washburn.edu · verified October 24, 2026
Accelerated options
- Fast track: BCJ and MCJ in five years; dual JD + MCJ option (108 credit hours).Source: washburn.edu · verified October 24, 2026
Other
- Optional communication and leadership graduate certificate (18 credit hours).Source: washburn.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
- Minimum GPA
- RequiredMinimum 3 — Cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better in the last two years (60 hours) for unconditional admission; case-by-case probationary admission otherwise.Source: washburn.edu · verified October 24, 2026
- Statement / essay
- RequiredPersonal statement on philosophy of the criminal justice system and reasons for entering the program.Source: washburn.edu · verified October 24, 2026
- Recommendation letters
- Required3 letters — Three letters of recommendation.Source: washburn.edu · verified October 24, 2026
- Transcripts
- RequiredOfficial transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate coursework.Source: washburn.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
April 1 (preferred) · for Summer or Fall
The school does not print a year with this date.
Source: washburn.edu · verified October 24, 2026 - Year not printed
Priority deadline
November 1 (preferred) · for Spring
The school does not print a year with this date.
Source: washburn.edu · verified October 24, 2026
Tuition and fees
Tuition for this program: not verified. We publish this only when the institution states it on an official page.
Scholarships and funding
Program-specific scholarships: not verified. We publish this only when the institution states it on an official page.
Accreditation
Institutional accreditation
- Higher Learning Commission (HLC) — 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 Kansas.
International applicants
Not verified for the online option.
Sources and verification
- DAPIP — HLC institutional accreditation record (data files downloaded 2026-10-10) — U.S. Department of Education dataset (IPEDS / DAPIP), verified October 10, 2026
- washburn.edu/academics/college-schools/applied-studies/departments/criminal-justice-legal-studies/in — Official program page, verified October 24, 2026
- washburn.edu/academics/college-schools/applied-studies/departments/criminal-justice-legal-studies/ma — 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 Washburn University. Information is collected from official pages and directories and can change; confirm requirements, costs and deadlines with the school.