Masters
Part-Time or Full-Time
Fall, Spring
On-Campus
About the Master's in Criminal Justice & Criminology at Loyola
Becoming an ethical, effective criminal justice leader requires an understanding of the “big picture,” from the causes and effects of crime to the impact of politics and policies. Through the Loyola University Chicago Master of Arts in Criminal Justice and Criminology, you will gain this understanding along with the knowledge, skills, and experience needed to assume leadership roles or to pursue other advanced degrees.
This leading-edge master's degree combines criminal justice and criminology in one program so you learn both the practical and theoretical aspects of the field. With a flexible curriculum taught by experienced and renowned faculty, you will be ready to make a difference in your current or future role.
Program Structure
Loyola's criminal justice and criminology master's program can be pursued on a full-time or part-time basis. Classes are held weekday evenings at the Lake Shore Campus, located on Chicago's North Side, right along Lake Michigan in a diverse and dynamic residential area.
The MA in Criminal Justice and Criminology is a 30-credit-hour program that includes five required courses and five electives. You can tailor your master's degree to your interests and goals by choosing five elective courses from the criminal justice and criminology program as well as others such as social work, psychology, women's studies, public policy, or sociology.
As part of the requirements for the MA, students will complete either a thesis or a culminating research paper.
Are you a current Loyola undergrad?
This program is eligible for an Accelerated Bachelor's to Master's degree. Earn a Master’s with only one extra year of study following the completion of your eligible undergraduate degree.
LEARN MOREWhy Choose Loyola for Your Master's in Criminal Justice?
Gain a competitive advantage and step into the rigors of a criminal justice career through a master's in criminal justice and criminology that reflects the challenges of the real world.
- Led by experienced and renowned faculty
- Balanced and flexible curriculum
- Ideal location in Chicago
- Hands-on learning in the field
- Flexible, supportive educational environment
- Guided by Jesuit principles
You will learn from a diverse faculty who have experience in the criminal justice system as well as scholars who engage in cutting-edge research and policy work on everything from bail reform to firearm possession and from organized crime to race and guns.
Step into the field with confidence through a balanced curriculum that covers theory, research, policy, and practice. Build on your knowledge through electives tailored to your career goals in areas like violence and victimization, crime prevention, and bias in the criminal justice system.
With Loyola's location in Chicago, you will have a rich and diverse context to study and work in criminal justice and related fields. You will have access to internships and a variety of jobs in criminal justice throughout the Chicago area.
Gain practical experience and professional skills while networking with future employers through internship opportunities in police departments, county attorney's offices, juvenile and adult probation offices, departments of corrections, and other real-world settings.
Build a meaningful career without putting your professional and personal life on hold. On-campus courses are available in the late afternoons and evenings.
Loyola's Jesuit tradition of service and social justice informs your studies in criminal justice and criminology, and delivers an understanding of the social and moral dimensions you'll need to become an effective leader.
Criminal Justice and Criminology Department
The Department of Criminal Justice and Criminology provides a comprehensive liberal arts education that prepares students for various options after they receive their degrees, including professional school, graduate school, or a rewarding career in the criminal justice field. Find stories showcasing current students and graduates from the Criminal Justice and Criminology MA program and learn more about why Loyola is right for you.
Department WebsiteDepartment News and StoriesMeet the Faculty
Loyola is proud to have talented and nationally-recognized scholar-teachers as part of our diverse community of exceptional faculty, students and staff. Loyola faculty are known for their commitment to teaching, the dissemination of knowledge through innovative and interdisciplinary scholarly research, and a commitment to social justice and cura personalis, or care for the whole person. Visit the department faculty and staff directory to learn more about the teachers and mentors involved with the Criminal Justice and Criminology MA program.
FacultyCriminal Justice Career Connections
Through the MA in Criminal Justice and Criminology at Loyola University Chicago, you will be ready to work in various sectors of the justice system, such as policing, courts, corrections, probation, or victim advocacy. You will also be prepared to work in juvenile justice, nonprofits, criminal justice research, and academia.
Specific job options include:
- Crime analyst
- Victim advocate
- Probation officer
- Investigator
- Researcher
- Police officer
Because Loyola is a member of the Jesuit network of 27 colleges and universities nationwide, our graduates can access career advising services, resume and interviewing assistance, career fairs and events, and employment listings in our Career Services center, as well as at career centers at other U.S. Jesuit colleges and universities.
Job Outlook
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Outlook Handbook is a good place to start exploring the job outlook and pay potential for specific careers and fields that interest you.
Loyola Stories
Curriculum and Program Outcomes
While courses for the Criminal Justice and Criminology MA program may vary from semester to semester, Loyola’s extensive Academic Catalog will always house the official listing of courses, programs of study, academic policies, degree requirements, and specialization or concentration options.
Additionally, this resource will provide Criminal Justice and Criminology MA learning outcomes, showcasing the commitment to specific skills and growth graduates can expect to achieve following completion of the program.
2024-2025 Catalog
Browse Academic CatalogMA in Criminal Justice Results and Skills
Through the criminal justice degree at Loyola University Chicago, you will build a broad range of skills and abilities, including how to:
- Analyze the politics and policies of the criminal justice system and their impact
- Apply theories of criminal behavior to understand the causes and consequences
- Design, conduct, and evaluate research projects
- Interpret statistical findings to inform decision and policy making
Costs, Scholarships, and Aid
Loyola University Chicago is committed to making your graduate and professional studies a reality. Our Cost & Financial Aid page can help better inform you about the costs and potential funding opportunities through scholarships, loans, and aid for graduate and professional education.
If you are a current Loyola undergraduate or alum, you may be eligible for a Returning Rambler discount. Learn more and see if you qualify on our Returning Rambler Scholarship page.
Tuition and Costs
The estimated tuition and fees for the Criminal Justice and Criminology MA totals $36450.00, or 30 credit hours at a cost of $1,215.00 per credit hour. Please note that tuition and fees for all of Loyola's academic programs are subject to change.
For more detailed information about tuition and fees, and a breakdown of how these costs are calculated on a yearly basis, please visit Tuition and Fees from the Office of the Bursar.
The Graduate School Funding Opportunities
Information about funding opportunities within The Graduate School can be found on The Graduate School website.
Appointments and Events
Whether you’re just beginning your search, in the midst of the application process, or eager to explore our graduate and professional programs, our admissions staff is here to assist you every step of the way.
Schedule an AppointmentThe Graduate School offers graduate open houses, information sessions, individual appointments, open Zoom and text sessions, and a multitude of other ways to get to know us better.
View all EventsVisit and Connect With Us
With our visit opportunities, you can tour our beautiful Chicago campuses and learn more about Loyola's ties to one of the most prestigious cities in the world.
Application Process
Application Deadlines
The available start terms and corresponding application deadlines for the Criminal Justice and Criminology MA are listed below. Please keep in mind that both the application and the required materials must be submitted by the specified deadline.
Fall
Consideration for merit awards: March 1
Final deadline: June 1
Spring: December 1
Please note that applications are not reviewed until the deadline passes. Decisions are provided within a month after the deadline.
Application Requirements
Application requirements for the Criminal Justice and Criminology MA include:
Official transcripts from all institutions attended
3 Letters of Recommendation
3.0 Minimum GPA
Statement of Purpose
Writing Sample
Statement of Purpose Details
Please write a brief statement describing your academic and research interests as well as your professional goals. Please note there is a writing sample requirement that needs to be completed in addition to this section.
Writing Sample Details
Please provide a paper or essay that you have written in one of your undergraduate classes as a sample of your writing proficiency. Research papers that showcase your academic and analytical abilities, as well as your expertise in our field are encouraged.
Official Documents
Applicants must submit official transcripts from all institutions attended. Official transcripts are those that are sent directly by the college/university to Loyola University Chicago. Transcripts (with U.S. educational credentials) sent by the student to Loyola are considered unofficial documents, and while they may be utilized for initial review of your application, official transcripts are still required. Official documents should be sent by the institution to gradapp@luc.edu.
International Applicant Requirements
An official English language proficiency exam is required for international applicants whose native language is not English. If you have non-U.S. educational credentials, you are required to submit an official transcript evaluation. The transcript evaluation cannot be waived, and unofficial transcripts will not be accepted for international applicants.
Please visit our International Applicant Requirements page for specific information regarding the application process for international students.
Start Your Application
Applying online to the Criminal Justice and Criminology MA program is a swift, uncomplicated, and cost-free process. After submission, you can proceed to send and upload any additional requirements.
APPLY TODAY