Meredith College

What you'll study

The curriculum blends theoretical, research and applied topics. Sample course titles and areas covered include:

• Criminological Theory — contemporary theoretical perspectives on crime and deviance.
• Data Analysis in Criminal Justice — quantitative skills for policy and practice.
• Research Methods in Criminal Justice — research design and methods relevant to the field.
• Gender and Criminal Justice — gendered dimensions of crime, policy and institutional responses.
• Trauma and Criminal Behavior — links among trauma, substance use disorder, mental illness and offending.

The Behavioral Forensics concentration adds coursework in forensic psychology research, theory and practical applications, reflecting the field’s increasing expectation that supervisors and specialists understand forensic psychological concepts.

Entry requirements

The program is appropriate for applicants holding an undergraduate degree in criminal justice, criminology, sociology, psychology, political science, or communication who wish to pursue a master’s. Meredith also offers a 3+2 accelerated pathway for eligible Meredith undergraduates to earn their bachelor’s and the M.A. in five years. A short on-campus orientation is required for enrolled students.

Career prospects

Graduates commonly move into management and supervisory roles across law enforcement, corrections and security. Typical positions listed by Meredith include police administration and supervision, correctional administration, juvenile corrections management, border patrol supervision, federal probation and parole work, and roles in private security and government management. Meredith cites employment-growth estimates such as a 7% increase for police and detectives and a 20% increase for federal probation officers by 2026. Reported average salaries for individuals with a master’s in criminal justice are stated in the source as $45,000–$59,000, with some career paths capable of reaching $100,000 or more.

Scholarships & funding angle

The program page provides a per-credit tuition figure; prospective applicants should contact Meredith’s admissions or financial aid office to learn about current tuition charges, institutional scholarships, assistantships, employer tuition benefits, and other funding options available to graduate students.